Cathy Hoffman - San Diego State University

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Cathy Hoffman - San Diego State University

Professor: Cathy Hoffman

Department: English

College: San Diego State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Hoffman is a very strict grader. There are a total of 4 essays, and the Value and Fact essays are the hardest things to do. It doesn't help that after an essay, she doesn't give any feedback, so I had to figure out what I did wrong, which did not help. When writing essays, you have to do it by her standards. Good luck on this class, you'll need it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Hoffman is a strict grader. We wrote many essays and for each one we wrote, we never received feedback. We had two conferences, and you have to be on top of those because if you miss one due to wifi problems, she will not care and negotiate. So, be on top of everything. Watch her lectures. Ask for feedback because she won't give you any.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She teaches her pupils how to write to professional and academic standards. There were two 2k word papers which required a fair bit of research (maybe 10 hours of reading/skimming academic papers each). She is more than willing to help you out in office hours. Once you complete this class, writing will be easy. Also, the novellas were great!

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great feedback when discussing past and current essays. 4 essays, 1 trilogy exam. Value and Fact essays will be the most difficult things you've done, but they teach you a lot about good writing and source searching. You develop a lot of skills with her. Definitely recommend although you'll be doing a ton of essay prep and writing.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

As an online class, RWS 200 with Prof. Hoffman was great because there was very little lecture time, and she gave weeks for the papers. Difficult grader, but fair. If you listen to her videos, she tells you exactly what she wants. Not much homework outside of papers, so really give them your all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don't even try RUN AWAY. The papers you will be assigned will be ridiculous especially for a freshman. Find another teacher, trust me it will be worth it. Very very very demanding old hag that will work you to the bone with these papers.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

She grades the essays very harshly. She looks at every detail including making sure each work cited citation is correct. She does have conferences and gives feedback. The last paper is extremely long and took me several weeks to do.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I can't tell if she loves or hates me; she is very intimidating. The class is manageable, there aren't TOO many assignments, but there is always something due. You have to read three extra books that other RWS200 students don't have to read. **ALSO don't buy the textbooks you don't need them.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Too many papers and too tough of a grader

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are looking for a good RWS teacher she is not the one, especially for a freshman. Everything you do in this class that has a large contribution to your grade you can expect to be locked in a room for at least three days to complete it. She grades you on going to her meetings to get feedback. Completely inconsiderate of the pandemic.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

One of the worst classes I have ever taken, get ready to write 10-15 page papers with 20-25 academic sources and journals. This is not an easy GE, Hoffman thinks we are all writing Doctoral dissertations and treats us so. Expect to spend 15-30 hours on obnoxiously difficult and particular papers to get a C.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: RWS100
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hoffman was by far the best professor I have ever had. She will absolutely make you work for your grade, but she genuinely cares about every student. She will make time for you and give you all the information and feedback you need to become a better writer.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: RWS100
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Proff Hoffman knows her stuff. She goes off on tangents sometimes. She will have writing conferences for 4 weeks where you have no class. The papers are long but the grade is mostly about the format and generally having the right idea for the content of the paper.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cathy Hoffman is an incredible professor, but her class is definitely not easy. The class is based on three research papers and an exam on a novel. She really knows what she is talking about and shows you exactly how to conduct research and organize your findings into a professional paper. She is life goals, a fashion icon, and pretty funny too.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS FOR EASY GE. Wrote 4 Papers. A 13 page, a 12 page that required me to print 2 additional copies of an 11 page journal, a 22 page, and a 30 page essay in this class. Probably had to drop 10 dollars for printing total. Take a different RWS200 professor so you can spend more time with friends, clubs, and on your major classes

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

if you like her class you're likely a class pet. she does not teach about writing just citations. she only grades on APA format and if you don't have that down she will give you a bad grade. there are multiple lengthy papers. do not take this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've never been more terrified of anyone in my life. It was the utter fear of this woman that I was motivated to do well in this class. With that being said, the class grade is based on 3 research papers, 1 novel exam, and 1-on-1 conferences. Hoffman is extremely intimidating because of high expectations, but she will make you a better writer.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: RWS100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

hardest class I've ever taken. There are about five writing assignments throughout the semester with the most random prompts and she expects a lot of detail in writing. Each assignment is around 2,000 words. Instead of teaching in class she goes over how she wants these assignments written and all of the requirements. Easy grader if you do the work

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: RWS200
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is fantastic at teaching you how to write a 10 page research paper, if you're into that. Hardest English class I've ever taken. Each essay is 30-40 scholarly sources as in journals, PhD dissertations, and books with MLA citations typed out. No easy bib! Only recommend for those that need strong writing skills. Do not take for an easy A.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: RWS100
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have 5 papers throughout the semester, all kinds of weird topics and she is very specific about what she wants. take notes on her lectures and if you put in a normal amount of effort you will easily get a B. Don't miss class though.

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