Ronald Walter - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Professor: Ronald Walter

Department: TBD

College: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RUSS3002
• 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:

Professor Walter is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to the Russian language. The class was three tests (30% each) and homework (10%). He provides a study guide and everything is from the book. He is a bit a stickler when it comes to grading though and I spent at least four-six hours a week just completing the homework.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RUS1101
• 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:

he sucks

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RUSS3422
• 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:

Mr. Walter is a very nice fellow. Unfortunately his teaching style for this class was a bit painful. The class was 2.5 hrs and his lectures tended to be long-winded and exceptionally unfocused and tangential at times. I think he's a very nice person, but I wasn't the biggest fan of his class. Some days half the class would leave at the midway break

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RUSS3422
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very nice professor. He's very old school in his teaching style, all he does is talk. Not a lot of in-class discussion, which is odd for a literature class. Daily quizzes and midterm/final is half outside of class essay and half test. ENJOY!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Attendance policy is rather vague, and because the entire course is taught directly from the textbook its extremely tempting to skip. Exams aren't bad if you study, but worth a huge portion of your grade. Somewhat condescending and spends very little time on pronunciation (except when unimportant) or vocab - it's just grammar, grammar, grammar.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• 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:

Grading system is rather vague, particularly concerning homework and corrections but he makes it clear what will be on the tests. Teaches right out of the book and can come across as rather condescending but he clearly knows what hes talking about and is always ready to tell a story. Corrects you immediately rather than let you correct yourself.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He teaches straight out of the book, and speaks mainly in English. He knows a lot about the subject, but gets behind a lot because of random digressions. He also seems to teach above the level of the class. No first year Russian student is going to benefit from a lecture on palatalization.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The lack of spoken Russian was a great disappointment. Dialogue is so critical, hearing the language spoken, speaking practice... I feel the lack of this really stunted students' comprehension. His stories are quirky and interesting, but if you're looking to build a good foundation, know this class is all in English and right out of the textbook.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All he did was teach out of the book. If you can learn that way go ahead. I cannot with a language learn that way.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Walter can make class really entertaining, but it can also be extremely boring. His stories are great and he does waste a lot of time with them, but if you study outside of class you're golden. Tests are easy - he gives you outlines! He is very willing to help you with anything. He is very passionate about Russian and it shows.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• 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:

Terrible textbook, but he makes the best out of it, although he follows it exactly. He has funny and pertinent stories about when he was in Russia or other travels. Loves the language and it shows. He has a bit of trouble answering questions from students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He ruined the Russian language for me. He was unwilling to help, and unable to understand how someone couldn't understand topics we hadn't covered yet. He skips around a lot and only uses the book. There is no outside material to help you understand.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A lot of people don't like this guy, I think he was great. You learn a lot from him, you just have to listen and show up to do so. You can skip A LOT and still get a good grade, but if you skip you miss his fun stories and helpful little tidbits. He is very friendly, and really loves the Russian language.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Walter really ruined this class for me. He rambled a lot and made learning Russian a lot harder than it had to be. Often times it felt like he expected us to know things that he had never taught us.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice enough guy... but doesn't seem to know how to teach beginning students. Talks quickly, and skims over explanations that should be gone over more thoroughly. I have heard good things about some of the other professors and am switching classes next semester. Grades are based on 4 tests, so if you don't do well on them it is hard to recover.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy. However tests are pretty difficult. Very little room to make up a bad grade. Does not give opportunity to make up. It is in your best interest to drop if you are not confident that you can consistantly get a good grade.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RUSS3002
• 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 professor. I learnt a lot from he. He also has a very hot TA ))

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RUSS1101
• 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:

He's a really nice, easy-going guy who knows a lot about what he teaches and is also quite passionate about it. You learn a lot more than just what's in the text book. You don't have to show up, but I'd suggest it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RUSS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I remeber him as one of my favorite teachers at the U. He is a great guy, very interesting and intelligent. I wish he would teach more classes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RUS1002
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I've had him for Russian 2nd semester, 4th semester and I am taking 5th semester with him now. Good prof but classes are really really boring. You don't learn much from him.