Walter Benn Michaels - University of Illinois at Chicago

Professor: Walter Benn Michaels

Department: TBD

College: University of Illinois at Chicago

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL240
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took him for English 240 online since of covid. Pretty straightforward guy. Really knows his stuff, he enjoys lecturing but what professor doesn't? Essays are straightforward and require critical thinking. Need to be somewhat engaged in the text to handle essays and follow during discussion. Chill guy, take him for sure.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Michaels knows his stuff, and he helped me learn SO MUCH about everything we read, even if I've studied it before. He always brought these cool ideas to the table. I enjoyed all of his lectures, but the class can be boring at times since it's so heavy on lectures. His handwriting is awful, so be prepared for bad feedback on papers.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very caring and kind professor who is very smart about the materials. Visit his office if you need help and you will just be fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is such an amazing person and great professor! He is so funny and willing to help students who put in the work. Do not skip lecture! As long as you take good notes and annotate passages he points out in lecture, you will do great. Make sure to study important passages and your thorough notes! Do yourself a favor and take 243 with Prof. Michaels!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• 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:

Prof. Michaels is such an interesting man, and he knows it.The course is EASY only if you appeal to his personal philosophies; the class isn’t about the text, but about a bigger argument Michaels is trying to make concerning religion, class, race, etc.. If you memorize his arguments (tip: record lectures) this course is a breeze.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• 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:

He is very specific about what he wants you to learn from each text. There is A LOT of reading in this course. If the class doesn't participate he will give you a pop quiz. There are no quizzes/tests. Attendance is not mandatory, but if you want to pass I suggest you show up because everything he discusses in class is on the midterm & final.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG243
• 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 loved his class. He was engaging and funny. He never made the class boring, but if you are a student that does not like to attend class, he is not the teacher for you. Although, the class is not mandatory, he makes his tests off of his lecture and quotes he goes over in class. I seriously recommend him. He is a brilliant teacher.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• 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:

The lectures were really jam-packed with information but it was very interesting and he made it really clear what he wanted you to take away from the text. Downside was there is a ton of reading and he isn't very open to hearing opinions other then his own about the meaning of a text.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• 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:

Very explicit about what he wants you to learn from the text. His tangents make lecture both hilarious and engaging. Lots of reading - make sure you read before class, he will definitely know if students haven't read based on discussion and WILL give out a pop quiz. He WILL make fun of you if your cell goes off in class, too...

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• 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:

Funny professor, talks a lot, and I found his class to be intellectualy stimulating...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Desperately wants to be liked by students. Weirdly expressive hands. Likes to boast about famous friends. Paper comments are incomprehensible. Play the game and get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

he does alot and alot of talking, his lectures are pretty interesting though, just make sure you read the material before class.. he gives ALOT of reading out, but its not that bad... he goes off in tangents alot in class.. but it helps keep you awake.. as long as you take good notes and pay attention in class it doesnt seem that hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows a lot. But also lets you know how important he is as head of the Engl department. People were either groupies or silent in class. Was ok with students challenging him, as long as their arguments were sound.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

His book our America was a total joke. He is the most famous professor at UIC but is really just a bunch of hype, typical of a state school not focused on the humanities

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Michaels is great! Although,there was a lot of reading,it was definetly worth it. Class was fun, and the lectures were enjoyable (he does tend to go off on a tangeant once in a while). He is a pretty lenient grader. As long as you read, pay attention in class and take notes-you'll be fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very smart & likable professor. Classes hold your attention. Only reading, no homework. I would recommend anyone to take his class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He was funny, cool, and easy! TO do well in his class just take good notes and read. There was a lot of reading but at long as you try to participate in class and review your notes before an exam you will do fine. If you want an cool pro. then he is the man.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG545
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

very unclear, rambles, writes incoherently on the board for no reason, completely dominates class discussion. This class was co-taught with Ken Warren from UofC and Warren barely got a chance to speak. I would discourage anyone from taking a class by him when there are other professors also teachi

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH477
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult to understand, though he does really have a passion for his work. He's a big fan of Derrida, so be prepared. You will learn an awful lot about his son, his son's band, his wife, etc, which is a lot more interesting than what he teaches. However he's a kind grader. BIG PLUS!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG477
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't know how ad hominem attacks on a professor help to convey information about the professor's TEACHING STYLE to students, so perhaps the people who resort to such claims are the ones Michaels doesn't much care about anyhow. If you're lazy, don't wast everyone else's time.