Marisa Bortolussi - University of Alberta

Professor: Marisa Bortolussi

Department: TBD

College: University of Alberta

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SPAN320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

When it's obvious that many people aren't understanding her, she refuses to explain in English. She goes too fast in class and her writing is nearly illegible. Asking for help during office hours won't help you since she tells you that everything that she says in class is in the notes and slides, then why make attendance mandatory? Would avoid.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Marisa was very well prepared for class, and expected her students to be as well. In the history class she tested on the smaller people, not just the large ones. She did refer to the readings. Her expectations for papers is very clear. Made herself extra available outside of class for extra help and it is evident that she cares.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SPAN326
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This class is terrible. Her teaching style is too repetitive, she doesn't give time to answer questions, she expects a greater understanding of Spanish than her students are capable of, she speaks too quickly, too quietly. It's impossible to get a good participation mark, even if you speak every class. If you like Spanish, take something else. UGH

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SPAN326
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Worst Spanish instructor I have ever had at U of A, the class is simply her talking and talking over the powerpoints, it'been halfway of the semester and she still can't remember students name in such a small class. I have no motivation of learning spanish.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The tests were the hardest part of the course. Her assignments are long but easy (grade boosters). Study the dates that she puts the * beside, especially for the first test, memories the people in her slides as well as a couple random seeming terms, and learn the characteristics (Rasgos) for the art as well as an example and you'll do well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Feedback is hard to read. You'll probably have to ask her to interpret some of it for you, 'cause its messy. Speaks fairly quietly and shrilly. I switched a class for next semester not to have her again. Towards the end I started to like her more. Was helpful when I talked to her one-on-one.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Bortolussi went above and beyond her duties when asked for individual help, but was perhaps not such a good professor in the classroom setting. The tests were often inconsistent with material covered, and she also has firm opinions on certain historical topics which she tends to treat as fact.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Awesome instructor. She was full of knowledge in the subject area. It's a really easy class as long as you attend. She did such a great job at teaching this course that I ended up going to Spain. She is really helpful and is extremely fast in replying e-mails. Great experience. Both native and non-native speakers do great in her class :)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SPAN450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great prof.! She is passionate about what she teaches and actually cares about students walking away with an in depth knowledge about the subject area. She is very demanding but at the same time is very helpful. She replies e-mails really fast. You do not have to be a native speaker to do good.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Everytime you hand something in, she has it marked by the next class. Very passionate about the subject, makes it very interesting and tries to incorporate all types of media. Interesting class to attend!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SPAN322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Did both 314 and 322 at the same time. Not too much work and learned a ton. She is passionate about her subject that makes going to her classes a pleasure. Highly recommended.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SPAN322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I think a lot of people don't see/appreciate how much effort and passion Marisa puts into her subject. Those who are lazy would never get a good mark and that's all big lie that she favors native speakers, I am not and I got A- in her class!Big respect to M.Bortoussi and looking forward to take more classes with her.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Bortolussi's classes are definitely a lot of work although, they are very interesting. I took 314 and 322 at the same time - not recommended. She gives a lot of assignments and the same due dates in both classes. All in all, she is a sweet woman and a good teacher that is passionate and knowledgeable in her field. I learned lots!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She was not helpful at all. Un realistic expectations. If you are an awsome english major and native speaking spanish, it's posible you might do well.Other than that your doomed. It seems she is set in her ways.The only thing going for her is that she knows alot about subject but not so much about teaching.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SPAN314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Those who say she favors native speakers are on crack. I am def not a native speaker and I did very well in both classes i took with Marisa. She is very hardcore about her classes but you just have to study with her and you will be fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SPAN344
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very surprised at the negative comments for this professor. For this history class she is very, very clear on expectations from the class, is well spoken, and involves the class in terms of perticipation. Additionally, she is extremely passionate about the topics being reviewed. Will actively seek out for other SPAN classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SPAN335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The course said the only pre req was SPAN 300 but for those who had no prior Latin American history courses, this class was useless! She was a very hypocritical prof, she favoured ONLY the native speakers and she had WAY too many works to study and no time to study them. We tried to take her to the dean and complain about her & favouritism but.....

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SPAN322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She's a lovely woman, and very pleasent outside of class. However, I do confirm all the previous comments. Extremely hard marker. My mark dropped by 2 letter grades from the previous semester. High expectatons of the students to get the secret meanings in the works studied.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SPAN335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Outside of class she is a pleasant lady. However as a teacher she is scatter brained and focuses on blips of the story yet expects you to understand them as if you had read the whole thing. She trys to cover way too much material in the short class she has. She is not the easiest marker either. Be prepared for pop quizes

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SPAN360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Now I have seen everything: you do not have to have any literature understanding or skills in order to be a literature PhD.