Professor
Blake Allmendinger
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Most Helpful Review
One of the most brilliant and best professors I have ever had. Not only did I look forward to going to his class (which was a rare occasion for me because of being a senior and it being my last quarter) but I looked forward to hearing his insight on the text. He was hilarious and always had random tidbits and information that was really interesting. NO ONE ever fell asleep in this class! Yes there is about a book a week to read, which is pretty standard for an English major BUT he makes it very clear that he doesn’t believe in calling on people to talk about the text. So when I was a little behind on the reading because of my other classes, I had no fear going to class and listening to his discussions because I knew I wouldn’t get barked at for not doing the reading. I recommend always going to his class no matter how familiar you are with the text because it will help you a lot on your midterm and final (each 1/3 of your grade). They are standard ID’s that you must close read and are SUPER EASY to identify if you are slightly familiar with the text. The other 1/3 is a final paper which he gives you many options for. You can do a standard paper, a movie review, a parody, a novel and film comparison, literally whatever you want as long as you run it by him first. I chose a regular old close reading paper and emailed him my idea for a thesis and he responded almost immediately and basically said he didn’t like it and how I should fix it. He was completely right about what I needed to work on to make a more focused paper so I reworked my idea for about an hour, sent it back to him and he once again responded almost immediately to tell me he liked my new thesis. I ended up getting an “A” on my paper as well as an “A” in the class. If you read the works, attend class, and ask him about your final paper before (even during if you are unsure) you turn it in, you will do great. He really wants you to do well in his class and makes himself very approachable, making it all the more capable for you to learn as much as possible and get a good grade. I highly recommend taking his class. He is laid back, entertaining, picks great classic texts, you leave at least thirty minutes early every day, doesn’t take role, doesn’t embarrass you by calling on you when you haven’t read, he has an open dialogue for lecture (but also incorporates his thoughts and important themes), he brings in video clips, he is hilarious, has the most outrageously contagious laugh, randomly brings candy for all his students for class, super easy to talk to, holds lectures outside on the grass when it is nice out, wants your feedback and is open to suggestions, straight forward grading system, midterm and final are super easy ; overall AMAZING! I promise it will be one of the best teachers you will ever have at UCLA!
One of the most brilliant and best professors I have ever had. Not only did I look forward to going to his class (which was a rare occasion for me because of being a senior and it being my last quarter) but I looked forward to hearing his insight on the text. He was hilarious and always had random tidbits and information that was really interesting. NO ONE ever fell asleep in this class! Yes there is about a book a week to read, which is pretty standard for an English major BUT he makes it very clear that he doesn’t believe in calling on people to talk about the text. So when I was a little behind on the reading because of my other classes, I had no fear going to class and listening to his discussions because I knew I wouldn’t get barked at for not doing the reading. I recommend always going to his class no matter how familiar you are with the text because it will help you a lot on your midterm and final (each 1/3 of your grade). They are standard ID’s that you must close read and are SUPER EASY to identify if you are slightly familiar with the text. The other 1/3 is a final paper which he gives you many options for. You can do a standard paper, a movie review, a parody, a novel and film comparison, literally whatever you want as long as you run it by him first. I chose a regular old close reading paper and emailed him my idea for a thesis and he responded almost immediately and basically said he didn’t like it and how I should fix it. He was completely right about what I needed to work on to make a more focused paper so I reworked my idea for about an hour, sent it back to him and he once again responded almost immediately to tell me he liked my new thesis. I ended up getting an “A” on my paper as well as an “A” in the class. If you read the works, attend class, and ask him about your final paper before (even during if you are unsure) you turn it in, you will do great. He really wants you to do well in his class and makes himself very approachable, making it all the more capable for you to learn as much as possible and get a good grade. I highly recommend taking his class. He is laid back, entertaining, picks great classic texts, you leave at least thirty minutes early every day, doesn’t take role, doesn’t embarrass you by calling on you when you haven’t read, he has an open dialogue for lecture (but also incorporates his thoughts and important themes), he brings in video clips, he is hilarious, has the most outrageously contagious laugh, randomly brings candy for all his students for class, super easy to talk to, holds lectures outside on the grass when it is nice out, wants your feedback and is open to suggestions, straight forward grading system, midterm and final are super easy ; overall AMAZING! I promise it will be one of the best teachers you will ever have at UCLA!
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Most Helpful Review
Where do I start with "Professor" Allmendinger? Obviously at UCLA, you will have a wide range of professors and you won't be able to fully please anyone, but this man is a joke. His class is a joke. If you want to sit in a class and listen to someone say "I don't know" or "I haven't thought about that before" to simple statements and questions, then this is the guy for you, but if you want a REAL education, then avoid Allmendinger at all costs. I don't even know how he is able to teach here. He has no clue. He grades based on whether or not you "bored" him...literally. He commented that my paper was "boring" and "dry,"...WTF??? I had NO clue we were suppose to humor this guy for a grade! Is this American Idol? No, it's a class and if Professor A understood that first then MAYBE he wouldn't suck. He literally prepares his lectures 30minutes before class and its so obvious that his material is googled or wikipedia'd, not based on research. He provides NO extra insight in the class. In fact, thank GOD that the students are of high caliber, because that's where the learning comes from...otherwise we just spend our time "teaching [him] things he doesn't know." Professor A actually manages to dilute the education we are getting here with shallow teaching. What makes me so mad is how difficult a grader he is. For some one who says "I don't know" multiple times throughout class, he sure does have out of this world expectations of his students- we have to be smart, funny, charming, and good dressers to get A's. If you want to be a student and not an entertainer avoid this guy. Allmendinger AllmenSUCKS.
Where do I start with "Professor" Allmendinger? Obviously at UCLA, you will have a wide range of professors and you won't be able to fully please anyone, but this man is a joke. His class is a joke. If you want to sit in a class and listen to someone say "I don't know" or "I haven't thought about that before" to simple statements and questions, then this is the guy for you, but if you want a REAL education, then avoid Allmendinger at all costs. I don't even know how he is able to teach here. He has no clue. He grades based on whether or not you "bored" him...literally. He commented that my paper was "boring" and "dry,"...WTF??? I had NO clue we were suppose to humor this guy for a grade! Is this American Idol? No, it's a class and if Professor A understood that first then MAYBE he wouldn't suck. He literally prepares his lectures 30minutes before class and its so obvious that his material is googled or wikipedia'd, not based on research. He provides NO extra insight in the class. In fact, thank GOD that the students are of high caliber, because that's where the learning comes from...otherwise we just spend our time "teaching [him] things he doesn't know." Professor A actually manages to dilute the education we are getting here with shallow teaching. What makes me so mad is how difficult a grader he is. For some one who says "I don't know" multiple times throughout class, he sure does have out of this world expectations of his students- we have to be smart, funny, charming, and good dressers to get A's. If you want to be a student and not an entertainer avoid this guy. Allmendinger AllmenSUCKS.
Most Helpful Review
I don't know what everyone is talking about. Sounds like some bitter students to me. I thought Blake was awesome. He cared about the subject, the class, and his students. Class was always fun, discussion was interesting, and I really feel like I walked away with some awesome knowledge. If I had any more terms left at UCLA I would totally take more classes with him. One of the best teachers the school has to offer. I'll always remember our class!
I don't know what everyone is talking about. Sounds like some bitter students to me. I thought Blake was awesome. He cared about the subject, the class, and his students. Class was always fun, discussion was interesting, and I really feel like I walked away with some awesome knowledge. If I had any more terms left at UCLA I would totally take more classes with him. One of the best teachers the school has to offer. I'll always remember our class!
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