ENGL 3820

DO NOT take this course. The absence policy is vindictive and unnecessarily harsh. Missing a discussion gives you a zero on the weeks quiz. They drop the lowest quiz score, but still, it means you aren’t allowed a single slip up. You have the option to attend a different section that week, but if you’re is on Friday like mine was, there are no more sections so you’re screwed. People literally came to class with the norovirus. If you miss a lecture, you can look at the PowerPoint, but they’re basically just pictures, so they don’t help you catch up on things you missed. Then you’re doomed for the 5-question weekly quiz because half of it is lecture based. The exams are then almost entirely passage ids. The teachers care more about making you memorize text than to actually test analysis. I’ve never taken a class where I felt like the teachers didn’t care about students wellbeing or teaching actual analytic skills. They only care that you show up. Even if you’re sick and contagious. The fact that this course is required has really damaged my view of the English department. This isn’t the only course like this either. My advice is not to take this class and if possible, pick another major

Professors O’Brien and Olwell are a fantastic duo. They alternate lecturers based on the works, but O’Brien tends to cover the older works while Olwell covers the modern ones. They do an incredible job making connections between both larger themes of a text and of the course, really delving into them to make it exceptionally clear. Both are incredible lecturers in their own right, so it’s a treat to get both of them. Plus, they’re both extremely friendly, approachable, and funny.
The workload for assignments is fair—two 5-7 page papers, a midterm, and a final—but the reading is intense. Despite this, a basic understanding of the plot and major themes of the works—given in lectures—is enough to pass the class if you study right.
I’d highly recommend this class for anyone interested in learning more about the English literary canon or the English major.

I don't know what the previous reviewer's problem is- this class is fantastic. I truly looked forward to going to lecture every Monday and Wednesday and I learned so much about literature. As expected for a survey course, there is a considerable amount of reading included. However, because the reading is so interesting and enjoyable, I didn't even mind the amount. Professors Olwell and O Brien both give excellent lectures. I would definitely recommend this class.

I hated this class so much I wrote an over 1000 word course evaluation detailing everything that sucked about it. I cannot share it now do to the lack of formatting on the Course Forum, but suffice it to say these professors were unnecessarily strict, boring, and limited in the scope of the material. If you have to take this course for the major TAKE IT WITH ANYONE ELSE

Professor O'Brien is a great lecturer. I genuinely felt bad when I would miss class because his thoughts were insightful and interesting (he also has a very soothing voice). He would frequently start lecture with a song or video clip that related to the week's readings, and he even handed out little treats to our enormous lecture hall -- twice! TIPS: (1) from the get-go, keep track of the direct passages that show up in the slides (posted on Collab) that appear in the powerpoints because you are tested on those (passage ID sections on the midterm and final come directly from the slides). If you make flashcards or at least go over them a good amount, you should be good on that part. (2) If you aren't careful, you WILL fall behind on the reading. I stayed on top of it for a while and then totally fell behind. The good thing is, you can still get a good grade in the class, even if you skimmed some, IF you know the themes and the plots of the works really well because you WILL be tested on random small details. (3) The tests are actually pretty dang hard, so make sure to study for those. The short answer section, in particular, is a killer. Review your notes, memorize the literary terms really well, know the names of the characters, and pray -- and you might have a shot at doing well on that section.