I took 164C with Grossman this past spring quarter, and let's just say I wish I had listened to all the reviews posted on here. He is extremely disorganized (although I appreciate his effort to add more structure to his lectures), and he grades extremely subjectively. I remember asking him about my thesis for my Dickens paper, and he replied, "But I already know that..."(he has a thing about topics being obvious). Well, of course you would know that--you're a professor at UCLA and a Dickens expert! Is there anything you don't know?? However, Prof. Grossman is extremely intelligent and he does try to be engaging. I just wish he would realize that we aren't as familiar with the novels he chose for the class, and that the papers are our opportunity to explore and work out our ideas even though our theses may be something that is obvious to him. However, this class will undoubtedly make you become a better writer, so if you're up to the challenge, then take this class. Otherwise, I suggest you avoid it.

Professor Grossman's class is definitely one of the most stimulating courses I've ever taken at UCLA, if not THE most! He is deeply concerned about his students, and it really shows. He takes the time to learn everyone's names, and spends hours during OH to talk to everyone who signed up. It's my last quarter here and I wish I had taken him earlier! He is a challenging professor and he won't give out easy A's, but he teaches you to think outside the box and complicating things. His class is very discussion-oriented, but it's only because he wants you to think about what your classmates are saying, and he doesn't force people to participate. Grossman tries to fit in so much in each class, and his enthusiasm keeps class engaging. I walk out of every class thinking, "What?! Class is over already??"

Anyway, if you're serious about your English lit, take Grossman because you won't regret it! I learned so much, and if take the time and effort, you will definitely be rewarded!

I love Prof Grossman!!! I'm currently in his ENGL 164 and am loving every minute of it, and this is coming from a non-English major. He's brilliant and enthusiastic, and his passion for the subject is contagious. He really pushes you to think deeply and critically and to challenge yourself intellectually. I'm one of those students who is very concerned about grades and I know he grades hard, but it doesn't affect my enjoying this class, which says a lot!
Prof Grossman clearly works hard to engage every student and make it a meaningful class experience, and this is tough at a huge university like UCLA, but he pulls it off.

Logistically, the class required a lot of reading and we went through each novel super fast. I think the entire class could have just focused on two novels instead of four. Naturally, some topics and reading fell by the wayside since we zoom through. But it's okay because the grading is entirely composed of two papers on close-reading topics of your choosing. He does grade super hard though...so you really have to try.