Professor
Ethan Pack
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2024 - I enrolled in this class because it was the only writing II open during second pass, and I soon found out why. The lecture that was held twice a week was mandatory (the TAs took attendance) but hardly useful because we were never tested on what we learned in lecture. Most of your grade comes from essays that you write throughout the quarter, I think there were 4, and those are all based on close readings of texts, meaning there's no need to even do any of the mass amounts of reading that we were supposed to have done before every lecture. The redeeming feature of this class was the discussions and my TA. Mr. Fasasi was an engaging TA who always gave great feedback and encouraged us to work on our writing. He was probably the only reason my writing could have improved from taking this class. Expect to write, expect to read, expect to be bored in lecture when you inevitably don't read, and expect your discussions to be what carries you. Course content is interesting enough and I had no problems with the literature, plus there's always multiple prompts you can choose from to at least make the writing more fun for you.
Spring 2024 - I enrolled in this class because it was the only writing II open during second pass, and I soon found out why. The lecture that was held twice a week was mandatory (the TAs took attendance) but hardly useful because we were never tested on what we learned in lecture. Most of your grade comes from essays that you write throughout the quarter, I think there were 4, and those are all based on close readings of texts, meaning there's no need to even do any of the mass amounts of reading that we were supposed to have done before every lecture. The redeeming feature of this class was the discussions and my TA. Mr. Fasasi was an engaging TA who always gave great feedback and encouraged us to work on our writing. He was probably the only reason my writing could have improved from taking this class. Expect to write, expect to read, expect to be bored in lecture when you inevitably don't read, and expect your discussions to be what carries you. Course content is interesting enough and I had no problems with the literature, plus there's always multiple prompts you can choose from to at least make the writing more fun for you.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - Tons of readings and the prof is not very clear on course curriculum. Prof changed the syllabus several times last minute and it stressed me out. Was able to find a lot as PDF’s online after EXTENSIVELY searching, but still had to purchase several texts since it is such a niche area of literature. The curriculum itself was very interesting and the professor is super knowledgeable and passionate. However the reading was extremely heavy, it was nowhere near an easy A class. Especially tough if you are not already knowledgeable on Israeli history geopolitically and religiously. Class made me start smoking again.
Winter 2021 - Tons of readings and the prof is not very clear on course curriculum. Prof changed the syllabus several times last minute and it stressed me out. Was able to find a lot as PDF’s online after EXTENSIVELY searching, but still had to purchase several texts since it is such a niche area of literature. The curriculum itself was very interesting and the professor is super knowledgeable and passionate. However the reading was extremely heavy, it was nowhere near an easy A class. Especially tough if you are not already knowledgeable on Israeli history geopolitically and religiously. Class made me start smoking again.