Minnesota State University Moorhead
Student's Evaluation of Course and Instruction
English Department
Total of Student Responses
Course English 314 Time 9:45-11:45 Instructor Stephen Hamrick Date Summer Session II
# of Evaluations returned 11
1) Did the lectures adequately discuss the texts?
1 2 3 4 3 5 8 N/A .
2) Was sufficient time devoted to each text?
1 2 3 2 4 7 5 2 N/A .
3) How well did this class prepare you for future classes?
1 2 3 4 4 5 7 N/A .
4) Were the teaching methods used effective?
1 2 3 4 2 5 9 N/A .
5) Were tests and/or papers "reasonable" in length?
1 2 3 1 4 5 5 5 N/A .
6) Was adequate time given to complete assignments?
1 2 3 3 4 4 5 4 N/A .
7) How would you rate the instructor's attitude toward students?
1 2 3 4 2 5 9 N/A .
8) Was the instructor available during his/her office hours?
1 2 3 4 5 11 N/A .
9) Rate the instructor's overall teaching performance.
1 2 3 4 1 5 10 N/A .
10) Comment on the quality of the text(s).
11) Other comments:
10) N/A
11) Time constraints were due to length of summer session, not instructor’s schedule.
10) Summer school is not an ideal time for this class, but we did accomplish much.
11) N/A
10) Using non-Shakespeare plays to provide context and comparison for Shakespeare’s works may not have been the best use of class time.
11) N/A
10) N/A
11) N/A
10) Texts gave ?? of perspectives toward Shakespeare’s’ work & the culture of early modern England.
11) N/A
10) Very effective incorporation of texts. Great to see works by other authors in Shakespeare’s time.
11) N/A
10) N/A
11) N/A
10) The texts used in class seemed like very good resources.
11) N/A
10) We read some of Shakespeare’s less known plays, which was nice because it allowed us to learn new things.
11) N/A
10) Inexpensive – always a positive.
11) N/A
10) It’s Shakespeare (mostly).
11) I am very pleased I took this class from Dr. Hamrick – (would have gotten much more out of a semester) and plan to take other classes from him if possible.
Evaluations
Stephen Hamrick
English 314 9:45-11:45
Summer Session II 2004
1. Course Organization: Your opinion of the texts? Sufficient time devoted to each text? Reading assignments of “reasonable length”? Relationship between texts and the instructor’s presentation? Relationship between the texts and examinations? Relationship between texts and assigned papers? Did the lectures contribute to your understanding of the course material?
2. 2. Written Assignments and Tests: Were tests and papers “reasonable” in terms of length, grading policies, instructor’s comments, being returned on time?
3. Instruction: In terms of the teaching methods used (lecture, discussion, audio-visual aids, etc.), what do you consider to be the “best” feature of the course? The “worst” feature? In what specific ways might the instruction of this course be improved?
4. Individual Instructor: Instructor’s attitude toward students? Instructor’s availability and helpfulness outside of class? Did the instructor motivate you to do your best (or progressively better) work?
5. Other comments:
1. Serious summer classes are always tough & I didn’t get to read far as much of the assignments as I would have liked but Hamrick seemed to understand that. Lectures were always vital to texts and very useful – historical context, etc.
2. I do not think an 8-10 page paper is completely fair to assign to students who have had only 6 weeks to learn the instructor’s “method” but I can appreciate the challenge, and why don’t we fill this out after we get grades?
3. Watching different videotaped productions was probably the best as it really furthered understanding of texts – Instruction could be improved by focusing a little less on theory – theory really should be a class in itself – prerequisite.
4. Very good, all one can tell he likes Shakespeare his comp students from last ear had me terrified.
5. Don’t you think it’s sad the non-English majors in class were able to participate in discussion the most?
1. Given the summer session anxiety from time constraints, the organization was well done. Using texts by authors other than Shakespeare helped to “place” Shakespeare among his fellow writers.
2. Yes-on all portions of the question.
3. Lectures were the best; discussion was inconsistent. Make the days of lecture and discussion alternate. Provide a lecture before reading a text, then the following class meeting place the burden on the students. This formula/approach was emerging at the end of the session, and I enjoyed it.
4. The best gesture that demonstrates a desire to help his office hours; he was always available. The best is email; he replied speedily.
5. If he enjoys walking, which he seems to, while lecturing, then have the students form a circle; this helps-me anyhow- students focus on the lecturer.
1. I think the choice of texts was adequate. We read a lot of Shakespeare’s less known plays, which taught us new things. I enjoyed “The tragedy of Miriam” because it was written by a woman in early modern England. The reading assignments were reasonable, but in summer session, I would suggest one less play so the students have more time for the final paper. The last couple of plays felt a little rushed. The lectures were always interesting and informative.
2. I thought the papers were reasonable, but I would suggest 3 instead of 4. Also, adding input from a production in the final paper felt unnecessary. He’s an extremely fair grader & promptly returned papers.
3. He gives great lectures that increase the knowledge of the texts. He was well-informed and always had plenty to say. More videos and visual aids could have livened things up a little. The best feature about this course was that I learned a lot about early modern England & Shakespeare. The worst was that I just plainly don’t enjoy reading Shakespeare.
4. He genuinely cares for the students. He’s willing to work around one’s schedule and always offers extra help. I always tried my hardest when writing papers & keeping up with the reading assignments.
5. N/A
1. I think the texts were very good resources. Even though this was the summer session and there wasn’t a lot of time, I think the reading/writing requirements were fairly reasonable. Mr. Hamrick taught everything well and was easy to understand.
2. Seeing that we had to do a 10 page paper in the summer kind of scared me, but time and length of the papers were fairly reasonable assignments were given back in fairly good time.
3. I think having our course reader (collection of papers, syllabus, etc.) was a good idea as well as a good resource. The videos that we watched were also good.
4. Mr. Hamrick was always willing to help students out and it seems like he really does care about his students.
5. I enjoyed this class and I think it will help me with future classes, etc.
1. Nice that we didn’t have to buy expensive texts! Good texts. I liked the mix between Shakespeare & other authors. More time with the text would have been nice but hard to do in a summer course. Reading assignments a little long @ end of semester w/finals coming up- maybe put longer assignments closer to beginning of semester. Lectures were good & very informative about texts & historical.
2. Paper lengths were fine, good return time frame, comments on papers helped a lot. Grading policies fair and clear at what was expected.
3. Discussions were probably best feature of course – helped to toss ideas around as a class- Video’s- interesting to see in terms of Shakespeare productions.
4. Hamrick’s attitude towards his students ? Very approachable – A little intimidating in class but makes up for it in not treating you like a dumb student when you don’t know the answer to his question. Motivation from him defiantly felt.
5. N/A
1. I found this course to be very valuable in that the lectures incorporated not only the texts of Shakespeare but critical commentary & historical context as well. By learning how to understand secondary criticism and how it applied to Shakespeare I am able to utilize criticism for analysis of other literature & other texts as well.
2. Papers were extremely reasonable. Hamrick made sure that we all understood what was needed to produce a quality work. He offered feedback that was extremely helpful in preparation for the next paper. The paper assignments were structured to prepare us for the writing of the final. We knew what was expected and were allowed enough time to complete them.
3. The lectures were interesting and easy to follow. Incorporation of class discussion and outside sources such as articles, and videos made it a richer learning environment.
4. Fantastic attitude towards students very helpful and approachable which made for an enriched learning environment.
5. Would strongly recommend this course & instructor to all students at the university regardless of their focus.
1. Reading assignments were a little too long toward the end of the session. Instructor thoughtfully added insight to texts, making reading more understandable.
2. Papers were reasonable length & instructors comments were timely & helpful. The writing techniques & analysis incorporated in this course will come in handy in future courses.
3. Best teaching method was the lecture, it helped put texts in context & further understanding of reading. Worst feature would be the multiple number of texts that had to be discussed in such a short period of time.
4. Instructor was very helpful outside of class. He was always available & willing to accommodate to students schedules, He really motivated me to keep improving work.
5. N/A
1. With summer sessions everything is compressed by time, but there was no real sense of rushing either with the text, lectures, or papers/assignments. The reading assignments were of reasonable length, & everything within the class; discussions, lectures, reading, lectures were applicable to all other components of the class.
2. All tests & papers were fine, if you are not challenged then your time spent in useless, so if the assignments or papers were at all difficult then it served a great purpose. Instructor always made himself available to help out if the assignment was difficult, & his feedback was excellent.
3. Combines lectures & class discussion which is important to have a sort of balance instead of all lecture, or discussion, also good use of outside materials. Again everything was applicable to the class.
4. Yes-challenges the student to exceed their normal boundaries so that they can progress as scholars. Instructor was available & very helpful.
5. N/A
1. Summer school is a less than ideal environment to both teach and learn Shakespeare.
2. They were appropriate and well spread out.
3. Interesting discussions of critical theory with discussion after texts was important.
4. Professor was prepared to help students in any way.
5. N/A/
1. Good background on each play before we reviewed them. Excellent material in lectures & handouts for future teachers.
2. Yes, always returned quickly.
3. ‘Best’ were the lectures. Although the ‘worst’ was the 10 page term paper, I think it was more useful & a better learning tool than a final test would be.
4. Instructor’s concern & respect were evident to us. He was in his office when he said he would be. Always encouraging.
5. Enjoyable class!
1. Perhaps too many texts were attempted for a summer session. The lectures did help to fill in the gaps from the short amount of time spent on them.
2. Summer Sessions are always inadequate for time. Perhaps if fewer plays were attempted (1 tragedy, 1 history, 1 comedy, etc) and more time spent on each play, the class would have felt less overwhelming and more time could have been devoted to writing the papers. The “succession” of the papers helped a lot.
3. The lecture itself. Professor Hamrick is very quick on his feet to keep the conversation moving no matter what comments were given from the students.
4. Professor Hamrick always made time for students before, or after class, and encouraged students to explore the texts & the class.
5. N/A