Francisco Miranda - University of Alaska Anchorage

Professor: Francisco Miranda

Department: TBD

College: University of Alaska Anchorage

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is definitely very kind! I had a few problems with my assignments, but he was very understanding. My only problem was with the exams. He makes them, which makes completing them a bit more difficult as the quizzes are straight from the book.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Miranda was a super caring professor online but a Spanish course shouldnt be asynchronous. I got little out of this class because all we did was grammar/writing. There were only 3 essays, 2 tests, and a handful of quizzes so doing the homework was pointless. He was empathetic however. I just think a 300 level course needs more substance.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Many people complain that he only teaches from the book, but he has presentations that go along with it and they correlate directly with his quizzes and tests (it helps if you understand everything he is saying, as all of the class is in Spanish, except for certain times when he explains things in english). Great guy, funny teacher, explains well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice man, but not such a great teacher. Quizzes every week over vocab from textbook, easy if you study. Two tests total over the grammar(extremely hard tests, mostly subjunctive, I recommend seeking help from the Spanish tutors). There are two 2 pg papers due throughout the semester, the final is a 15 min pres. with a 5 pg paper. Got to work for it

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SPAN302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Classes are fine. You get used to listening a lot and not having a chance to ask questions. Which is fine, because that's good preparation for not getting your e-mails responded to or really much help outside of class at all. If you hope to get any extra guidance, assistance with Spanish-related educational goals outside of class, forget it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fransico was very nice but a HORRIBLE teacher. All he does is read from the book and never actually teaches you anything. How his grade system works sucks because it all depends on tests he never prepares you for. To pass the quizzes all you have to do is memorize. From someone who has spoken Spanish all my life, do not take his class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SPANA390
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Too many people take Spanish without getting into the culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world. Francisco has helped excite me about the historical and political issues of Latin America. Class discussions sometimes lag due to students who aren't comfortable speaking. But the material is fascinating and he is funny and passionate.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SPAN302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have had Spanish 301, 302, and 490 with Dr. Miranda this year. He is a great teacher, which is why I have chosen to keep taking his classes. He can be very long-winded when he is into a topic, but his ability to explain and translate difficult ideas and words between Spanish and English is phenomenal. He is really funny and organized. Don't skip!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. Helpful, engaging, informative, and a good sense of humor. Always punctual, always prepared. Lessons teach a lot about history, politics and economy. They are very interesting and remarkably informative. Deserves a pay raise. Textbook is straightforward, and used mostly just for vocab. I like it. Also have him for 302...

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ESP302
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great guy,good sense of humor. He is very knowledgeable and helps students understand very clearly. He is willing to put extra time and effort to make sure students do well in his class. His classes tend to always lead to the subject of unfairness and human rights which is interesting but can be very repetitive if you take him more than once.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• 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:

Very funny guy. Makes grammar easy to understand. 301/302 will improve your Spanish a lot. Lots of writing, but he lets you turn in a 2nd draft. Helpful if you have difficulties. Just to warn you: the course focuses on human rights issues, which can be hard for softies like me. I had to fight tears during every film we watched. Bring tissues.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Francisco for 301 and 302. I am fluent in spanish and got in A in his class but it was so boring. Evey single class was the exact same thing and it was an 1.45 hours. We had 5 essays and a final 20min presentation which was unfair for most because he doesn't encourage practicing speaking spanish in class. Tests are hard, quizzes every week.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• 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 took advanced Spanish from him and he did a great job at helping me become more confident in my abilities. Especially writing. There are 5 essays but each one he edits and then lets you turn in a final 2nd copy. This is very helpful in learning to improve each time.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SPANANY
• 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:

Fantastic professor! He is very encouraging and friendly. Does not take on a high and mighty professor facade even though he went to an ivy school. Very smart and definitely knows his Spanish! Given the choice between Miranda and any other professor, I would choose Francisco every time!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SPAN301
• 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:

I really like this class. I taking it as a freshman and I don't think it's very hard at all! We did a new chapter every week or two, and the quizzes were super easy if you studied. The reports weren't too bad. The homework isn't turned in, but class time is spent talking about it, Also, quizzes are based off homework. Overall, awesome class!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SPAN470
• 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:

I would literally take any class he taught. He's so great at what he does....he could probably make it interesting to watch my own nails grow. Though I sometimes grow tired of the subject material, he helps return the focus to the material while still keeping the class laughing. Francisco, never stop teaching.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HNRS192
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HNRS Seminar, not really into talking that much but w a small class size its hard not to. Prof is always amiable and greets you outside of class. For our class he brought different types of chocolate to share which was nice. We only had to do about 5 essays which can be tough but if you bomb it he lets you try again so it is easy to pass.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SPAN302
• 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:

He is definitely the best teacher I have ever had! He helped me to completely understand Spanish grammatical concepts that never clicked in high school. He takes the time to make sure everyone in the class is caught up, and it is evident he cares about students. He's quite charming and makes class interesting. Just be sure to study for quizzes!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HNRS000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very enthusiastic. I personally dislike picking a book apart, but he does make it interesting. Just read, come to class, and actually think.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SPAN302
• 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:

Miranda is a very knowledable professor but he is no teacher. You are expected to teach yourself the material and bring it to class, however the textbook he uses is HORRIBLE and gives very little direction. Miranda does take an interest in students but he makes learning very hard and won't let the lab help you which is very frustrating.