Ken Borris - McGill University

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Ken Borris - McGill University

Professor: Ken Borris

Department: English

College: McGill University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: ENGL215
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I found Prof Borris to not be as bad as I thought. Despite his semi-monotonous voice, I did learn a great deal from his lectures. The evaluation structure of the class is one 2000 word essay and a take home final that has 2 mini 750 word essays. There aren't any surprises for either as everything is covered in class and he gives quotes you can use.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: ENGL215
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Borris has some really interesting things to say of you are able to get past his monotonous voice, which frankly is to be expected from anyone who teaches Shakespeare for a living. While there is a ton of reading you by no means have to do all of it to get by and the marking was very fair!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: ENGL306
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If I could give a 0 for helpfulness and clarify I would. Lectures were dreadfully dull; he does not use visual cues, and just drones on for the entirety of the class. While questions invited, they are briefly addressed. While he is knowledgeable of the subject matter related to the course, he is by no means not a good teacher. Definitely AVOID.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: ENGL305
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable about his subject matter, but his classes are quite long to be honest. He speaks rather fast, does not use visual support very much, spells the names only once, and often does not say what page the excerpts he reads are on. If you have background knowledge about the period (e.g. Renaissance), that might be a good choice.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I found Professor Borris to be almost as boring as he was unhelpful. His classes were generally dull, and I found him to be both intimidating and arrogant when I went to his office hours. I've never met a more disinterested professor, and would advise anyone against taking any of his classes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: ENGL305
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm sure he is a nice guy and all, but his lectures were so boring and monotonous that I rarely paid attention during class.I found the material really interesting until he would start talking. Never again. Ever.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: ENGLHIGH
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:

Incredibly knowledgeable and kind man. Clear expectations. Lectures could be delivered more effectively. If you have an interest in the subject, he can really help you learn more. Workload is very manageable. Talk to him about your papers, and ask for advice. He'll be happy to help you, and you'll finish with a good mark.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: ENGL200
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Make me go from disliking to detesting English. Good job!

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Borris is nice but I don't feel like I've gotten as much out of the class as I should have. TA (Sheldon Brandt) was very good and had a lot of feedback on the essay. The course could have been better with more chances to improve our writing. It's a requirement so there's nothing to do about it but it was kind of a yawn.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: ENGL354
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:

The lectures were interesting to me, they are fairly easy to follow if the readings are done. I like the fact that there were only two papers to write even though they are worth alot. I've taken this teacher many times and I've always enjoyed his manner of teaching. His knows a lot about the Renaissance period.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He thinks SURVEY of English literature means giving us everything that has been written since the dawn of humanity! I mean come on! Give us the important stuff, and leave out the rest. Quality and NOT QUANTITY! Oh, and stop copying ideas from Wikipedia. If you're not interested in teaching this course, DON'T!

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

well prof. borris is a nice guy...but....his lectures are dead boring, he is dead boring, and everything in the course relates to sex....at 8:35 in the morning.....not something to look forward to....his paper was worth 50% and if you screw it up....u r screwed! never again....he was funny at times but it doesn't compensate for his poor lecturing!

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: ENGL354
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:

He's brilliant and very accessible if you ever need help with a paper, assignment, or just a general concern. Also love his books!

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: ENGL201
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:

Replies to emails promptly and and is kind to his students. His term paper due date is unlike an other prof's and shows that he is very fair. Do read all the material and study it in detail. It is a survey course after all.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Borris is a decent professor, although his lectures are difficult to follow. They are unlinear and disorganized and it is really hard to hear him sometimes. His tests are pretty easy if you study and read the stuff, and you only have to write one paper with an open ended due date. When in doubt, look to sexual connotations in the texts!

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's knowledgeable in his field, but his lectures are INCREDIBLY boring. He talks in a monotone voice, he's hard to take notes from, and he puts several trivial questions on the multiple choice exam. Lots of sexual imagery in this course.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really nice guy who's developped something of a cult following. It's very hard to take notes from the lectures, but if you sparknotes the texts you should be fine. Exams aren't a fair representation of what you know/have studied. He's helpful though, and likes to see sexual imagery in everything. We talked about gay angel sex. 'Nuff said.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's unclear in lecture, but he's incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and fair. If you do better on the final than the midterm he voids the midterm mark. You have an open due date for the paper.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: ENGL202
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:

He is amazing. Yes his lectures are difficult, but well-worth attending and paying attention to. Brilliant guy, expert in his field and AMAZINGLY sweet!

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