J Insko - Oakland University

Professor: J Insko

Department: TBD

College: Oakland University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG2100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Insko is a great teacher. He gives you new, interesting ways to look at the readings, and class discussions were always thought provoking. Get ready to participate and raise your hand in class, because it is definitely encouraged. It does take him a long time to return papers and give specific guidelines for assignments, but nothing too bad.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG2100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Taken his classes twice now and each time I've had a blast. He is a very nice and enthusiastic professor and just loves what he does, you can tell! Although, it is good to note that he takes participation and attendance very seriously so if you tend to skip classes a lot, then I would not recommend taking his class. 10/10 would recommend otherwise.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG3410
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Insko was an okay prof, good at teaching and inspiring deep discussions but really bad about getting back to students. If you get anxious about getting a grade back fast, dont take his class. We had 2 essays due throughout the semester and didnt get grades back till the last day of class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He was a very passionate guy that clearly loved his work. His lectures were very hard to follow as there was no clear structure to it. His expectations during class discussions were unclear. His tests were pretty easy if you show up to class and read the books.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG4900
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Just a blast of a senior topics class. Engages with the text and the class while also trying to historicize current events in the context of the class readings. Be ready to read some difficult texts though!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG3520
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best teacher ever. The only class I looked forward to this entire semester and would recommend for anyone who wants to open their mind to new things and discuss problems that really need to be talked about.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG224
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

don't take! unpleasant experience all around. unclear expectations and basically, just wants you to parrot back what he says. seems to care about a FEW students during class (like someone else wrote, pretty white girts or guys) but completely inaccessible out of class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not crazy difficult or too easy, lots of reading. Lectures could sometimes get confusing just because he'd be using some metaphor we weren't getting, but overall they were fine. Prof. Insko was real great when I missed a test day, so I'd recommend him on that alone. Hardest part of the class was remembering dates/names/background on the authors.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Super-passionate about his job which is cool. Midterm and final were both moderately easy. Very clear grading criteria. The reading isn't very intensive but if you fall behind too far you're going to be in trouble.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's very passionate about his job, and he's a very nice and funny guy, but as far as being a professor, he's not my favorite. I emailed him multiple times, he never once emailed me back. He doesn't post grades, the mid-term was extremely difficult. Also, he would always say he'd do something involving your grade, but never actually do it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG318
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Insko doesn't mess around! It really is a 300-level class.. the reading is extremely intensive. Moby D**** the first half of the semester then Uncle Tom's Cabin, all while reading essays and short stories by other antebellum authors at the same time. Great guyprof, hard class. If you can handle the reading though, I'd definitely recommend.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 211
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Reading is mandatory for the class, participation is as well, be prepared to be called out in class. Often assigns papers that are vague or unclear but will assist you if you do not fully understand. Hes extremely enthusiastic, especially about Melville, a little over the top sometimes, an alright class to take for 200 level

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG318
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jeffery Insko can be a great professor... in a 200 level class. His verbal ticks and crutches are irritating to listen to, and his method of communicating exactly what he wants students to do in a paper. Insko does not seem to appreciate the fact that literature is art and that art is 100% subjective to the reader.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• 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:

VERY enthusiastic. The discussions are fun, participation is mandatory, reading is mandatory. 4 papers over the term, 3-5 pages, graded fairly harshly. Nice guy, not a bad class, but a bit unclear.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy is crazy. He has some nerve being a tough grader when he isn't even clear about what he wants in for his papers. Obsessed with Melville, so be prepared to him rave about the novel of the famous fictional whale. These raves take up half the class time. Other than that, great sense of humor and nothing arrogant about him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

very passionate about the class I enjoyed being there.Recommend you show up on time and engage because that's how your going to get your grade..Focus because his papers aren't so clear and he grades really hard so ask many questions.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really, really cool guy. Somewhat disorganized, but genuinely passionate about the subject he teaches. Not the easiest class, but definitely not the hardest. Attendance/participation are a must. Likes to put people on the spot, but with good intent. Personally, I grew from the experience. If you're confused on anything, visit during office hours.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• 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:

Insko is extremely lively and passionate about his subject. His instructions aren't always super clear and he grades slightly hard but to counteract that he is very helpful and always willing to discuss and explain things. A great professor who encourages you to analyze and question.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Let me start by saying that Professor Insko seems like a very nice guy. I like him as a person, but unfortunately he is not much of an educator. He NEVER emailed me back throughout the entire semester. I believe I sent him emails on four separate occasions without a single response. Assignment expectations are unclear. Hard grader. Avoid him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Insko is enthusiastic, I'll give him that, but I wouldn't say he is a great "teacher". He is unclear on assignments, most of the class failed or did poorly on the midterm and the entire class had to unexpectedly retake it upon from winter break. Seems most interested in his status at OU than teaching. Not bad, but not great. Heavy reading load