Katya Amato - Portland State University

Professor: Katya Amato

Department: TBD

College: Portland State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: 317U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever had at PSU. Her "feedback" for the 2 D's on my first 2 essays was "You don't know what you're talking about." She was admitted to the hospital near the end of the term for 2 weeks, nearly died, and still pushed the class to write a paper on a book she couldn't teach. 5 books, 5 essays & a lot of stress. Not worth it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is real: she made fun of a student's name saying it sounded like external genitalia. I couldn't believe my ears. That poor student was hands down bullied. As for teaching, you won't even figure out why she hates you. Gives no clear feedback as to what she wants. I guess this is what the English department has become of.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 317U
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most passionate instructors at PSU. She has strong opinions and cares deeply about the course material. Due to her strong personality, people either love or hate Katya. My best advice is to go to the first class and see for yourself which camp you fall into. The tests aren't hard if you go to class and take notes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG317U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love her more than words. She's brilliant, sassy, and will shut down people that make dumb comments. I would take so many more classes from her, because the way that she cares about material is so inspirational. The class is only graded on the midterm and final though, so grading is definitely stressful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: END306U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unclear criteria for grading; I got a variety of scores while turning in pretty much the same quality of work every time. She doesn't let you rewrite them and didn't tell me how I could improve. Her snark is hilarious until it's directed at you. Goes on tangents. I really respect her and she knows a TON but not a great teacher.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG306U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved Katya! She is a great teacher that cares about her students. The class I took requires a lot of reading and some class/small group discussion. If you keep up on the readings, you won't fall behind.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG204
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Only 100 points in the class (three exams), and she's a tough grader. Beware if you're a slacker. I recommend recording lectures (the whole class is just her talking at you, pay attention), since she tends to rant and you'll need to comb through the information later. Minimal options for extra credit, so REALLY study. English majors should be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG254
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor. Would definitely recommend. She gives great feedback on papers and really helps students find their voice. Get ready for good class discussion and lots of reading/ writing

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very caring, is willing to help students who are struggling. However, I do not see myself taking one of her classes again. I felt instructions were not clear. You start the course with 100 points, each point lost is 1% of your grade, and she is not shy about taking points away. Before writing a paper talk to her about it so that you do it right.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a teacher I will take again. For my class there was not clear standards for grade. Not really helpful. And the text were interesting and her understanding was lacking, in my opinion (on some points).

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG306U
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Katya is an incredible professor. She is a spitfire & she's not afraid to tell it like it is. If you put in your best effort, she'll do everything to help you succeed. More than anything, she wants your writings to make a clear, well-supported argument. Even if she doesn't agree with you she will give you a fair grade as long as you put in the work

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG317U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's tough on English majors and she doesn't do "discussions" very well but she knows her stuff. Sometimes it seems like she knows too much lol.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 317U
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Katya is my favorite professor at PSU. Her knowledge is profound, and she brings real energy and effervescence to material that could easily become rote. Instead of using a textbook, she assigns source material. Her lectures are insightful and engaging. If you attend class, do the reading, write solid papers and participate, you will get an A.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: END306U
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Katya, while willing to give plenty of chances if you're a nice enough student, doesn't give clear instructions as to what she wants for papers. She's asked me if I know how to write a paragraph, and has told me that I don't need to come in to the classes anymore because I'm failing so badly. She's a nice person, but a teacher? Not so much.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG317U
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She wants you to think and participate with well thought out questions and comments. If you come to work, she will bend over backward to help you. If you want to show up and get an "A", she is not for you. She absolutely loves the subjects she teaches, but will take suggestions about that material to heart. Fair warning; do not bad mouth the Iliad.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She is such a fun and refreshingly honest person to be around. She does go on tangents from time to time, but overall, I liked the way she taught the class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG312
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Knows her subject. Hard to keep up with her sometimes during lectures. Mark the quotations that she pays special attention to in class and take good notes; some of these quotes will show up in the midterm and final.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG312
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Despite what some other commenters say here, it's okay to disagree with her -- just be ready to explain why on a college level and back up your opinions with good research! (In other words, work.) No free rides for slackers and whiners, but if you make an honest effort, she supports you all the way. Passionate about her subjects, fun to listen to.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG312
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was afraid of this class in the beginning when I saw how many books she assigned (over 10). But, I was able to read them all (you need to pace yourself and not fall behind). Love the historical background she brings to the texts. Wish we did more small group discussions to dig into work as the class was too big for large discussions.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 317U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is an amazing lecturer! By far my favorite teacher at this school. She has an abrasive attitude to some people, but they let their ego get in the way and take offense. If she thinks or notices you struggling, she takes you aside and really does try and help figure something out that works for both of you. Amazing person! Would take again :)