Elena Siemens - University of Alberta

Professor: Elena Siemens

Department: TBD

College: University of Alberta

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CLIT352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

really wants her students to succeed! i loved what we covered in this class but her teaching style was really random, and she didnt use eclass. was hard to keep track of what was going on and had lots of random assignments. with that being said, this was one of my favourite classes and she is a really wonderful lady!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RUSS211
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

she is a sweetheart and she really wants to see her students succeed. her tests are easy and very consistent in format. she always walks around to help students out when writing. she has many cool stories to share and is always full of energy and genuinely wants to make a connection with her students. 10/10 would take again

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RUSS111
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Elena is the most sweetest and caring professor ever! She is personable, funny, and generous. Lots of candy and treats in the class! In addition, she is very encouraging, genuinely wants you to succeed, and is always willing to help you out. She believes in you even when you don't believe in yourself. I cannot recommend her enough. Love this class

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RUSS499
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Siemens is a bit of a nut but she treats you like family if you get on her good side. She's always giving out chocolate and cookies in and outside of class, but it's a bit stressful that she doesn't stick to her syllabus very well. She's also very Russian in the way she talks so it can come off as a bit forward and blunt at times.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RUSS303
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's kind of a stereotypical crazy pushy Russian lady, but she teaches well! I'd say go for it and just be ready for an eccentric professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CLIT352
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

absolutely love her as a person, she is so interesting and eccentric to listen to. i hated the fact that she didnt use eclass though, and we didnt really have a clear course outline. we did a lot of random assignments or homework, lots of creative projects. take home midterm and final, really wants to see students succeed. loved this class

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Enjoyed her lectures - they were fun and interesting and she's an eccentric character. Her expectations were sometimes unclear and changed often, but if you come to class regularly and participate it's an easygoing class. Her assignments are usually quite creative (collages, etc.), so if you're okay with that then you'll be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Do not recommend whatsoever. Didn't give us an accurate syllabus, changed the dates of the final/midterm without notice. Assigned homework and never returned it or never asked for it to be handed in. Interrupted students constantly. Completely random assignments. Save yourself the headache.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not the worst class, not the best. Beware that the midterm and final project dates she provides at the beginning of the term are not set in stone. She favours people so get on her good side early as participation is a must. Seemed to only have time outside of class for students that major in her field.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very good professor. Easy and fun class. I would recommend it to anybody, since you can use the concepts you learn in other aspects of your life.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Elena Siemens 101: Put ALL electronics away, sit in front of the class and take notes, and DON'T talk to anybody. She can come across quite scary, but she means well. Participation is A MUST (30%). All assignments, midterms and finals are take home so this an easy course. Her humour can be quite harsh sometimes, don't take it serious.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RUSS326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Good lit. survey course

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RUSS303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great class. Good prof. Lots of candy, and lots of fun.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• 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. Siemens can come across terrifying, but one-on-one she is one of the kindest professors I've ever had. I don't like how much she puts students on the spot, as not everyone can construct a solid argument with zero notice!! But for being so intimidating she is a pretty easy marker. Take thorough notes in class and they'll help a lot!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Overall good prof. She does interrupt students often but I don't think its on purpose. She really finds participation important and you have to try and make yourself known if you want a good mark. She clearly lets you know what she wants on the essays and is overall helpful. Sensitive to student concerns as well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• 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:

While Elena can come across as very harsh at first, always putting students on the spot - despite the trickiness of some of the material - she does this in order to force students to have a deep understanding and personal opinion, and to make sure that everyone has completed the readings as the class is heavily discussion-based. Highly recommended!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• 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:

Elena is awesome! She is very creative in her teaching style. Read all assigned readings, and you'll know what's going on in class. Do exactly what she tells you to do on all essays and you should be fine. If you don't understand, ask her. This class was amazing. Really broadened my perspective on culture and cultural studies. Thanks Elena!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• 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:

Siemens is a bit of a nut-bar. She interrupts everyone, all the time. Attendance and participation are very important. She is rude to other profs and sometimes to students. She tends to keep you late after class because her time management is not good. She also sometimes leaves the class for a smoke break when there are guest speakers; rude.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Siemens was really nice, but I did not enjoy MLCS 210. I just didn't like the content of the course. But Dr. Siemens was sensitive to any difficulties we had with the work and she was a fair marker and not too demanding.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MLCS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class. She puts a huge emphasis on in-class participation, which makes it extremely difficult on naturally quieter people (including me). The material is somewhat hard to understand, but if you attend class you should do okay. The final exam consists of a project much like the midterm, so don't worry about trying to memorize everything.