Marina Balina - Illinois Wesleyan University

Professor: Marina Balina

Department: TBD

College: Illinois Wesleyan University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RUSS301
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Balina was one of the best professors I have ever had. She was really engaging and made the material interesting and relevant. Her grading criteria were not difficult to meet at all. If you had an interesting thought in your essay, she would underline it and likely give you an A. Would highly recommend. Fair and gave great life advice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LC350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I didn't know what I was getting into. Avoid like the plague. But really, Balina is a unhelpful, unfair, unprofessional, and unclear professor. She doesn't allow students to formulate their own opinions, and class is heavily influenced by her favoritism. Beware a ridiculously heavy course load near the end of the semester. Please, don't take her :(

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: INST240
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Make sure you learn how to correctly pronounce her last name. She takes great offense if you don't learn how to say it. Very sweet woman, also my adviser. Cares a lot about her students

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: INT201
• 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:

Fantastic! Hates greek life though... Don't wear letters in front of her

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RUSS499
• 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:

I was Marina's Russian student and took many of her literature courses is well. She is fun, energetic, and knows a lot. She will help you if you ask. Do not disrespect her, though, you will not know what hit you..

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GW19
• 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:

Great professor. Loves what she does, and will love you if you show you care about the material. Has opinions and everything and expects you to also, even if you don't agree. work hard and show up and she'll help you out!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GW19
• 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:

She's my favorite teacher ever! Not only does she have a firm grasp on her subject, but she helps her students maneuver their way though difficult concepts with ease.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GW19
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

What a fantastic professor. She has so much to teach about Russian culture and always makes it interesting. She was also my advisor, and she was extremely helpful. She always offers help on any topic, not just school related. I recommend anything she is teaching, hands down.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LC347
• 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:

She isn't bad-I had a pretty decent experience with her. Prof. Balina has A LOT to say and you can learn a lot. Not always the most interesting topics, but you'll feel enlightened after the course.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MANYSECT
• 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:

She is a great professor, very enjoyable, and she is a cute woman with spunk and personality. If you show a keen interest in the subject matter and do the readings, you will do well. She is pleasant and humorous and I can't say enough good things about her.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

she's amazing

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RUSS301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

BALINA IS AWESOME

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LC242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She will NOT allow you to form your own opinion. In Yiddish Culture, at least, it's her way or the highway. If you don't mind playing follow the leader (and think like the leader) for your education, take her. Do NOT take her if you want mental stimulation or if you want the chance to learn through your OWN thought process.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: YIDDISHCULTURE
• 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:

Marina is an adorable woman. She is so knowledgeable and makes class enjoyable. You don't need to have any prior knowledge of the subject, she guides you through and teaches you everything. Professor Balina clearly loves her job and her students. She is an admirable woman and I highly recommend her.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

marina rocks.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She is amazing. I absolutely love her! She teaches with a contagious passion and is the main reason I feel in love with Russian Literature. Definitely try to get her!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: DANGTEXTS
• 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:

Will change your perspective on life. Very passionate about her students and the material.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She is the best teacher at IWU I have had in my four years, I have taken many of her classes. She cares about students in a deep and rare way. Her life experince is rich and she readily shares it with students. She is awsome, nice, and cool. Show up and participate and you never get less than a B

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: YIDDISHCULTURE
• 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:

Marina is the best professor at this university. She is AWESOME! I ended up taking 3 of her classes while at IWU. She makes learning fun, and class discussions are never boring. She is a wonderful professor, and will brighten your day if you take a class with her.