Willard Pate - Furman University

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Willard Pate - Furman University

Professor: Willard Pate

Department: English

College: Furman University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Pate was one of the best choices I made for an FYW. We only had three papers total and we met about them numerous times before turning them in to perfect them. Just read what she wants and you'll be good to go. One day class was literally 12 minutes I love this woman!

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: FYW1161
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I loved Dr. Pate! She only gave 3 papers for the whole semester, including the final. She is always willing to have meetings to look at your paper before you actually turn it in. The movies she picks are interesting and she goes in go deep analysis about them. She would even end class early sometimes to let us write. Not a heavy workload at all!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: FST202
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Pate's FST class was fairly okay when it came to workload, only requiring 2 papers (and a final exam or final paper). These, on top the weekly reading questions which take about 3 hours, are all that you're graded on. You meet once a week and have fun, in-depth discussions about the films you watch. Overall: great class and great teacher!

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pate teaches writing in a much different (but far better, imo) way than you were taught in high school. She focuses not on individual words or making your writing sound "important" or intellectual but on content and paragraphical structure. Average students who were told they were outstanding writers in high school WILL be set straight by her.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Contrary to what others have said, I actually find her grading to be easy because I actually know how to write. It's very shocking to see the number of college kids who don't know how to write. Very sad! She is really helpful but many students are set in their ways and refuse to put in the time to take her advice. That's why they do poorly.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: ENG422
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I thought Southern Lit was fantastic, I don't understand the hatred for Dr. Pate. Yes, you have to do all the readings, yeah she'll call you out if you have the wrong interpretation, and she has high standards, but if you show interest in the material, and take her suggestions, you will get an A in this class. Dr. Pate is awesome, I say take her!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pate's class can be great if you put in the effort to participate and be engaged. If not it will drag on and on. She is a tough grader, but if you go to her for help, she'll lead you to how to write the best paper on the topic you want to. She actually cares for her students, so go to her office to talk about class and life.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the WORST experiences I've ever had in the classroom. Beware of this course if you know you want to become a more effective writer. Pate is a savage when it comes to grading papers and will not hesitate to fail you if your writing doesn't meet her impossible standards. She provides little guidance and direction, so there's no way to improve

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: ENG150
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You will work for your grade. Go see her during office hours and listen to her advice- you will do fine if you follow what she says. Don't wait to bring your rough draft to her, start coming several weeks before a paper is due, especially if you want to do well. If you write your papers at the last minute I would suggest changing your habits.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: ENG111
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! She does not teach you anything. But the worst part is she will not give you an A. I worked six days straight perfecting a take home test and got a B- on it. (All my friends got Cs or Ds). PLEASE DO NOT TAKE!

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: ENG4XX
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pate is a really fun professor. However, if you can't handle unstructured, don't take her. She won't babysit you; you have to take responsibility for asking questions, having out of class meetings, reading/writing, etc. However, she's not too demanding if you just keep up with the work. P.S. If you get a chance, go look at her office.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: FYW1193
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pate provides little guidance towards what she expects from a paper, and then tears it apart. If you become a better writer in this class, it's only because you will re-write every paper over and over. Unless you have a serious pursuit of English and perfecting your writing skills to her impossible standards, you won't learn anything from her.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: FLKNR1
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pate- wow. She's awesome. All the naysayers on this site have a hard time with her because she calls people on their****. When they don't work, don't read, write crappy papers and won't learn from her, they don't like her. NO WAY. Who would have thought? She is the bomb, knows her stuff, and is a fun teacher if you put in a little work.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: FYWS1
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

ON PAIN OF DEATH DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. She is flat out mean to her students, extremely unwilling to help and the most ridiculous grader at Furman. No matter how hard you try and how many meetings you have, she will still give you a poor grade and tear your paper apart, even if she practically wrote it.DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: FYW1161
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pate is what I expected out of a college professor. She doesn't spoon-feed you the answers, but is willing to point you in the right direction. She sat down with me to discuss a paper and ended up convincing me to be an English major. Be ready to work and have your papers torn apart, but improve a LOT. Probably my favorite professor at Furman.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: ENG11
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You will not make a good grade in this class no matter how hard you try. I met with her all the time and all she did was change what she wanted from my papers so that I spent hours doing useless work. Class is even worse. She routinely reads the book aloud; its a flashback to 1st grade. I hope she gets lost in the disaster area that is her office.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: ENG11
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Honestly the worst experience I've had in a classroom. I love to write, but she made me feel worthless. I could go on and on, but I don't want to relive the anger.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: ENG11
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't take this class. Pate's not helpful at all. The only positive thing I can say about this class is that attendance isn't mandatory. However, this is far outweighed by her refusal to give anyone a good grade. No matter how much help you try to get, or how many of her suggestions you implement in your papers, she's not going to reward your efforts

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: ENGL11
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:

Making an A in her class is NOT impossible. If you meet with her on a regular basis (i.e not the day before the due date) and show interest in the material then she will help you. She wants you to write college-level papers. Those who stick to their high school writing style will get low grades. Follow her writing suggestions and you will get an A

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: ENG11
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class until I got in it. She is willing to help, but her advice is unclear and often contradictory. Don't go in her class thinking you could win a Pulitzer, she will cut you down hard and fast.

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