Reviews for ENGL241

Information Review
Jeannette Schollaert
ENGL241

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
05/13/2023
Not what I was expecting. Jeannette is very approachable, kind, and engaging in class. Discussions were relatively insightful and helpful (especially if you ever fell behind on the readings). However, the course was pretty deceiving. Seeing as the title is "What the Novel Does", I thought we were going to look at some of the more well-known or classic novels, but we read books that I had never even heard of before (lol). The novels themselves were okay, but the course felt pretty rushed because we read four over the course of the semester. The main assignments of the semester consisted of weekly discussion board posts (which were pretty lengthy and usually required text citations), a group-lead discussion based on one of the novels, ~4 papers, a final "project" with the same people from your discussion group, and a final paper. Though the workload was not overly terrible, the instructions for each assignment were pretty horrendous. We had to ask for constant clarification because the directions/ rubrics were either extremely vague or written as if this was a PhD level course. Our lack of understanding was definitely reflected in feedback she would leave on each assignment (which was often super nitpicky). We disclosed a lot of this feedback to her, so I'm hoping that things will change moving forward if she teaches this class again. Overall, it was not the class for me personally and I would not recommend if you are looking for an interesting and light elective :(
Jeannette Schollaert
ENGL241

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
05/13/2023
Not exactly what I was expecting. Jeannette is very kind, approachable, and engaging in class. Discussion was always very welcoming and relatively insightful (especially if you ever fell behind on the readings). However, the course itself was deceiving- I was under the impression we were gonna read more classic novels, but instead we read random novels I had never even heard of before (lol). We read four novels over the course of the semester and it felt kind of rushed. The course consisted of weekly discussion board posts (which were very lengthy and required textual citations), a group-lead discussion based on one of the novels, 4 papers, a final "project" with the same people from your discussion group, and a final paper. Though the workload was not terrible, the directions for assignments were pretty horrendous. She was extremely vague and/ or would word things as if this was a PhD level course. We needed constant clarification for assignments and our lack of understanding was pretty clearly reflected in her feedback (which was super nitpicky and not always the most helpful). We gave her a lot of this feedback in-person, so hopefully some changes will be made if she were to teach this course again. Overall, I would not recommend if you are looking for an interesting and light elective :(
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting a B-
Anonymous
12/18/2012
For science majors: This class really goes into each book and it tends to get old after the 4th book. Take this class with caution unless you're really into looking 10 layers deep. Auchard is a pretty good lecturer, he didn't necessarily impress me but the course itself was pretty boring to me in general (as a cs major). I found myself paying more attention to his life advice over hearing him talk about sexual tendencies in each book. Regardless write down everything he says, the page number and highlight the quotes he reads. These will be on the midterm/final. The course is pretty much run by TA's with Auchard as the lecturer. All of your work will be graded by your TA so depending on how easy or hard your TA is will determine how good of a time you will have in this class. The term paper kind of sucks but as long as you show up to discussion, raise your hand once, and do decent on the quizzes you should be fine for discussion grade. Overall if you don't have much time and want an easy lit class then DO NOT take this. I've read every book which means I spent at least 10 hours out of class every 2 weeks on this course. This class is more geared towards english majors / girls who love chick-flick movies.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
04/05/2012
Dr. Auchard is an amazing lecturer, and you should definitely take this class if you have any interest in literature. If not, find another HL class because you will find his lectures go too in-depth into novels. The class itself is super easy, as long as you go to class. The exams are short-essay format and if you go to class and just listen to him, you will ace the midterm and final. I barely took notes, and I didn't study at all for either exam, and I got an A+ in the class. Just read the books. Also if Nancy Stewart is a TA, try to get into her section, she is fantastic and very funny.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/19/2011
This is not an easy core. The work load isn't bad, all you need to do is read the books and you will be fine during lecture...their is a 9 page paper which we had assigned over the thanksgiving holiday which my TA graded extremely tough on and the midterm was also graded extremely tough! STAY away if you want an easy HL....DO NOT TAKE THIS! Auchard is cool but if you get stuck with a tough grading TA...you are in deep trouble! AVOID!
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
Anonymous
10/17/2011
Great lecturer; I was only taking this to fulfill CORE and usually hate lit courses, but he made it interesting and easy to understand. Midterm and final are based almost completely on passages in the book he discusses in class, so it's best to go to lecture and take good notes. (I did much better on the final than the midterm due to taking better notes during the second half.) There are also discussion quizzes (stupid easy if you've read the book, doable even if you just use Sparknotes) and attendance, as well as a 6-8 page paper, which requires a fair amount of work but isn't a huge burden. Overall probably one of your best options for an HL credit.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/18/2011
One of my favorite classes in college. His lectures were interesting and got me thinking. I highly recommend taking this class.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting a B
Anonymous
05/05/2011
The best lecturer I've had. He's a really interesting guy (although a little self-righteous) and the books aren't the most interesting, but you can really tell he loves his job. If you go to the lectures, you'll be set for the exams, but you have to read in order to do well on the quizzes and paper.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
parachute111
01/09/2011
Dr. Auchard is a superb professor. I looked forward to every class because his lectures were so interesting and insightful. He really helped us to look past the obvious and read into the detail in the books we studies, as well as the world at large. I would highly recommend ENGL241 and Dr. Auchard!
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
Lunar01
12/23/2010
This class is easy because not much work is required from the student. If you are willing to come to lectures and participate in discussions then you should get at least a B or higher. While this is a literature class, reading the novels is not strictly required, you can use sparknotes for most of the books. Professor Auchard is an interesting person because he will note the little things you would not have paid particular attention to in the novels and explain why they are relevant. Be prepared to take notes or at least pay attention to the things he say during lecture. While he can goes on a tangent to discuss random anecdotes, those things can become the topics during the exams so better safe than sorry. The exams are not hard, as long as you attend lectures and discussions, you should be fine. The term paper, though, will require actual effort from you but if you don't procrastinate and wait till last minute (which I did), you should be fine. Overall this class is highly recommended because you can learn a lot from the professor and it's interesting.
Michael Olmert
ENGL241

Expecting an A
mmcnama3
12/02/2010
Olmert is the best. He is hilarious, engaging, and his lectures are always interesting. He uses the novels as a starting-off point to discuss other things, which can sometimes get off topic, but in a nice way. Discussion was easy if you spoke up, and there were tons of extra credit opportunities. The novels are interesting and easy to read and understand. Take ENGL241 with Olmert!!
Michael Olmert
ENGL241

Expecting an A
cgut117
05/11/2010
Olmert is so far my favorite professor on campus. He is funny, and awesome. This class was one you definitely have to work in if you want an A. There are 8 novels you have to read, and you're going to fail if you don't read them. However olmert offers over 15 extra credit assignments a semester and you can get up to 10 points each... if you do them you can really get an A. A lot of the extra credits are movies, and sometimes they require reading more novels, but obviously they are optional. Olmert just talks about life and stuff that applies to everyone. He's a really cool guy.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
hanna21
01/24/2010
Very good class if you're willing to come to every class and dicussion. I didnt read all the books but never missed any classes and did well. As a lecturer, he is engaging and talks about life in general. But he is also abrasive, confrontational, and will call you out if you arent paying attention or if you are late.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting a B
Anonymous
04/15/2009
Tests are graded like a *****. Fuck this class. This is not an easy A.
John Auchard
ENGL241

eee
03/20/2009
easy A, just read the sparknotes. didnt even study for exam
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A+
sunshine
12/10/2008
This was my best class this semester! I always looked forward to going to class and learning new things, not only limited to the novels we read, but about life in general. Prof. Auchard is a dynamic teacher. I just love him!!!
John Auchard
ENGL241

Anonymous
11/20/2008
Professor Auchard makes the class very interesting so you actually want to go to it. He gives you good information and if you attend lectures and discussion you should have no problem in this class. I personally am not even an english person and only took this as an elective but it is my favorite class this semester. I recommend reading the books, it will help you do better on the exams but I guess it might not be necessary until you hit the term paper.
Michael Olmert
ENGL241

Expecting a B
gkay
09/19/2008
Professor Olmert is an awesome teacher and you will enjoy going to class. The only problem was in ENGL 241 you arent graded by your professor but by your TA's(so dont end up with the TA who gives only Cs Ds and Fs). I ended up scraping by with a B- because I did a lot of extra credit.
John Auchard
ENGL241

Expecting an A
Anonymous
10/30/2007
very funny laugh out loud lecture, dont need to read the books just use sparknotes and you will pass the discussion quizzes