James Ottery - University of Illinois at Springfield

Professor: James Ottery

Department: TBD

College: University of Illinois at Springfield

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG580
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I emailed him once, proactively, to ask for clarification about what a class he was teaching the next semester would entail. The title of the class seemed a bit obtuse. His response was a terse one sentence reply that did not shed any light on the class for me. His response was rude and dismissive. Did not take the class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG367
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very nice guy but grades very hard. I loved this class, did well with the tutoring part but he graded low on papers that were completed as he requested and took off many points for missing a few posts on his facebook page. Won't take a class with him again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG367
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terrible design for the course. Uses public Facebook like-page as a means of class discussion. Failed because I didn't make a handful of fb status updates.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

During live online group presentations, he would interrupt, many assignments were not very clear; final assignment was changed during last week of class. Not sure this is a class he should teach.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He creates a very congenial live online environment and encourages participation - BUT: He doesn't really respond to emails and his clarity and command of written English are somewhat lacking for a person who teaches English classes. Instructions are unclear. He seems to be more interested in poetry - so if you love poetry, he's probably your guy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ottery supports the online class. He cares mostly about teaching the subject of personal identity, no matter the type of literature. Not always clear in what he wants and if a grade is incorrect, good luck getting it changed. However, he is a genuine guy and very understanding to a student's concerns. Lots of group work and presentations.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I would avoid taking an online class with this guy. It's difficult to follow along with what is due and when. He doesn't really give good instructions for assignments, so you find yourself saying, "I hope I did this right" when you turn things in. He knows his stuff, he just has trouble communicating.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG301
• 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:

Someone claiming to be an English instructor should have a grasp on how to form coherent sentences. They should understand the basics of punctuation and grammar. They should be able to communicate within the medium they claim to represent. This corpulent a** hat does none of these things. What's the point of trying when people like this teach?

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Requires group work for online classes. Is very slow to answer emails, often changes requirements of class midway through. Refused to check into a grade error that was a simple mathematical error until chair of department asked him to look into it. Teaches little, expects students to run the class (and not in a good way).

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG480
• 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:

Dr. Ottery is a phenomenal teacher. You will not find a more enthusiastic professor to work with. He can turn nearly anyone into an English major, due to his passion for the subject and energy in class. He is also extremely supportive of the online format. Many of his courses use Elluminate. Collaborative, fun classes! Really cares about students!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG335
• 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:

I got behind the first month of class. I sent him an e-mail stating I knew I was behind and what could I do to catch-up. His reply "Nothing you have already failed" 18% of the total possible points were given out at that point. As I am a a Math major, that leaves 82% still left right? I guess thats why people become English Profs.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG460
• 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! His lectures are particularly interesting and he goes out of his way to be helpful.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Seems like a nice guy outside of class, but in class, he is extremely disorganized. I'm not sure how he got tenure. His class was easy, but I learned very little. Not only does he not respond to students, I think he avoids them. From my expeirence, he's useless as a department head.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He made me hate the english language. So I switched majors.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I sent this guy an email when I was trying to determine whether or not I wanted to enroll in one of his classes that had a particularly incomprehensible title. I got a one sentence reply. Needless to say I didn't enroll in his class. Is it really that hard to be responsive to student questions? And they wonder why their classes won't make.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CAP225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor skrewed over our whole class in a BS class that isn't necessary for anyones major but we have to take for CAP... take any prof but this one...HE IS BAD!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CAP121C
• 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:

This guy doesn't know how to teach and he is doesn't help or work with the students at all.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CAP121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Busy Work!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CONTAMERLIT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Excellent job of presenting materials. Initiates fascinating discussions. Has a great attitude and goes out of his way to be helpful and engaged.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CONTAMERNOVEL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Selects great texts and leads very open-ended, indepth discussions of each. Good pacing and not too much busywork writing.