Monica Potkay - College of William and Mary

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Monica Potkay - College of William and Mary

Professor: Monica Potkay

Department: English

College: College of William and Mary

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: ENGL203
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Really informative and interesting class, and she's a wonderful teacher. Always finds a way to make things interesting or funny, even if it just makes you chuckle. Very helpful and always offering to give assistance on essays or answer questions in general. Makes herself available any time a student needs office hour time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: ENG203
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Potkay is incredibly passionate about the subject matter of Brit Lit I, and it's obvious in her lectures. She's incredibly knowledgeable and really wants to impart that knowledge on students. She's a pretty tough grader on the 3 5-page papers, but she really teaches students how to write clearly and cogently.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: ENG314
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She's one of my favorite lecturers, and is definitely my favorite english professor. I hope to take more courses with her in the future.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: ENG310
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Potkay's heart is in the right place, but she has a very odd teaching style--all over the place and not very good on picking up on the classroom vibe. She slaps her face when she can't get a word out (bit disturbing). Seemed willing to help!

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: 475
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I loved my class on the Gawain Poet w/Prof. Potkay. She was funny, helpful and kind. Office door was always open, & she would talk about life with me, not just class. She was the best professor I had at WM. I was a bit scared of her at first, but she's wonderful. Don't be put off by her rep as a harsh grader - best constructive criticism I ever got

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: ENG10718
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Fantastic Professor! It was worth waking up just so I could hear her ideas! She involves the class while teaching and knows your name by the end of the semester. Her office hours are SO helpful; she will literally help you in any stage of essay writing. She also is so easy to talk to! I have learned so much in her class!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: BEOWULFOLDENG
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took Beowulf with her with no experience in translation prior to the class. It was difficult, but she was very helpful both in and outside of class. Her lecture made the class enjoyable, the work a little less so. She was enthusiastic and responsive to the class; highly recommended

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: ENG315
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'm probably not the best judge of her difficulty as a professor given the unconventional nature of the course. All translation, all the time. Potkay seems picky, though. She definitely loves to lecture, and quirky doesn't begin to describe her. Her unapologetically "nerdy professor" sense of humor slays me all of the times.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: ENGL310
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Co-taught with her husband and they're a brilliant pair. Three MC exams. No papers. The class is fairly easy, even for someone without any Bible knowledge, and incredibly interesting. Somehow they got me out of bed at 9 AM. Definitely take.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: ENG322
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

EXTREMELY tough grader, but if you go to her for help you'll do a lot better. She took a whole class period basically teaching us to write better and it was really helpful. Still a tough grader. GO TO CLASS AND DO THE READINGS. It's still tough, but you'll be fine

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: ENG322
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is a good teacher but she's unnecessarily tough on papers. She really won't give u a good grade unless you conform to her thoughts. for instance, in order to get an A on a paper, you must show her something that she's never noticed before.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: ENG204
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Potkay is very enthusiastic and very helpful- will talk to you for hours, but very tough grader without purpose. My writing and understanding of the material did not improve, and neither did my grade even after following all her advice-- I'm an English major who normally makes very good grades in Eng. (She's also extremely pretentious).

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: INDEPSTUD
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Potkay agreed facilite my independent study in Medival & Modern Fantasy.It was the best semester ever. Her motives were not to beef up her self esteem with my adoration, I had none, I had never met her. She spent her extra time with me because she loves teaching & helping. If you as her student show genuine interest in learning she gives back

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: ENGL310
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Don't take lit and bible without background in the subject. Very interesting lectures. Made an A. Him and his wife very friendly and soft hearted. 3 tests and no other grades, can be an easy class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: ENG314
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love Professor Potkay. Obviously, you would have to have an interest in Old English to want to take this class, but if you do, even the tiniest amount, take this class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: ENG150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Do all the readings thoroughly and thoughtfully. Monica leads discussions skillfully, but her classes are most fun when students enthusiastically share their thoughts. She's an insightful grader, so put a lot of effort into writing papers. She is extremely happy to talk with students during office hours about anything! Go to her with any questions.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: ENG420
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Fantastic teacher. Funny, helpful, and a great discussion leader. This was one of my favorite classes at the college. She is a difficult paper grader, but allows re-writes, and will give you a ton of helpful advice. Great for majors, and those people truly interested in English/ Med Ren.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: ENG225
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is one of the most helpful profeesors I have had hear at the College. She can be a tough grader though...really into Chaucer so if you find that interesting you will enjoy her.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: ENG203
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I probably wouldn't recommend this class for non-majors. Essays should definitely be started well in advance, I would suggest a week or even better two beforehand to get a good grade. If you go to her office hours, she will spend an hour or so with you. She is very helpful and much more approachable than in class! Go in to talk to her!

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: ENG310
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

awesome professor! she's tough and makes you feel slightly inadequate because she's so incredibly smart, but she loves to teach and is always fun to listen to. often flighty but you definitely learn a lot. go to office hours -- she'll talk to you forever but it helps you out later!

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