ENGL 168
Major American Writers
Description: Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Enforced requisites: courses 10A, 10B. Broad survey of representative American writers across several centuries, designed to give concise account of broad narrative of American literary development, from origins through 19th century. Includes mainly works that have traditionally been identified as American classics and asks both what makes American literature distinctive and what its relations are to other literatures in English. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - I once heard someone describe this Professor as “very forgiving,” to which I would agree with this statement. He changed our grades after the quarter had ended, and I know in a past class at least he also has dropped the lowest quiz grade (in his classes there are typically 5 quizzes total with 5 questions each). He is a little critical of essays, so if you’re not a strong analytical writer like me then be careful taking this class. But to continue the things that I liked about the class and the professor is that I think his lectures are very interesting and deep. In total for this class I wrote 2 essays, took 5 quizzes, and had no midterm or final.
Winter 2024 - I once heard someone describe this Professor as “very forgiving,” to which I would agree with this statement. He changed our grades after the quarter had ended, and I know in a past class at least he also has dropped the lowest quiz grade (in his classes there are typically 5 quizzes total with 5 questions each). He is a little critical of essays, so if you’re not a strong analytical writer like me then be careful taking this class. But to continue the things that I liked about the class and the professor is that I think his lectures are very interesting and deep. In total for this class I wrote 2 essays, took 5 quizzes, and had no midterm or final.
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Most Helpful Review
As a lecturer: So. boring. I spent most of the lecture focusing on my reading my twitter newsfeed or refreshing my facebook app on my iphone. BUT, I diligently wrote down every word on his slides, and let me say that helps a lot. And you do have to go to every lecture because attendance is mandatory. But it's not bad because you don't have to participate if you don't want to. Midterm: I got 100% on my midterm and I only studied for one day (this isn't the norm for me, I don't normally do that well). His tests are exact representations of his powerpoints. He gives almost a paragraph of text for identifications and asks pretty basic short answer questions, but you need to review those slides very carefully. Sam Sommers as TA: worst. TA. She was absolutely terrible, so avoid her at all costs. I have yet to receive my second paper grade (which I think should be significantly higher than my first) but she was just a beezy about grading and her particular subjectivity was annoying. She was really bad at leading time-worthy discussions, so attending discussions was rough. Overall: Not a bad course. I'm actually enjoying studying for the final because he lays out the information so blatantly (hence why it's boring) that it's easy to remember and make connections.
As a lecturer: So. boring. I spent most of the lecture focusing on my reading my twitter newsfeed or refreshing my facebook app on my iphone. BUT, I diligently wrote down every word on his slides, and let me say that helps a lot. And you do have to go to every lecture because attendance is mandatory. But it's not bad because you don't have to participate if you don't want to. Midterm: I got 100% on my midterm and I only studied for one day (this isn't the norm for me, I don't normally do that well). His tests are exact representations of his powerpoints. He gives almost a paragraph of text for identifications and asks pretty basic short answer questions, but you need to review those slides very carefully. Sam Sommers as TA: worst. TA. She was absolutely terrible, so avoid her at all costs. I have yet to receive my second paper grade (which I think should be significantly higher than my first) but she was just a beezy about grading and her particular subjectivity was annoying. She was really bad at leading time-worthy discussions, so attending discussions was rough. Overall: Not a bad course. I'm actually enjoying studying for the final because he lays out the information so blatantly (hence why it's boring) that it's easy to remember and make connections.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2017 - Professor Lorhan is easily one of the best English professors I have ever had at UCLA. She consistently was prepared for class and taught each lecture in a concise and effective way, so I always came away with main ideas from what I read. It is important to read the books in her classes as participation is important and the tests required some quote ID, but the readings are interesting! She is very helpful if you meet about papers, and I thought her grading was fair. You can't skate by doing nothing but it also isn't insanely hard. Just do the reading and try not to write your papers the night before, and you'll be fine. Great professor!!
Spring 2017 - Professor Lorhan is easily one of the best English professors I have ever had at UCLA. She consistently was prepared for class and taught each lecture in a concise and effective way, so I always came away with main ideas from what I read. It is important to read the books in her classes as participation is important and the tests required some quote ID, but the readings are interesting! She is very helpful if you meet about papers, and I thought her grading was fair. You can't skate by doing nothing but it also isn't insanely hard. Just do the reading and try not to write your papers the night before, and you'll be fine. Great professor!!
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