James Biester - Loyola University Chicago

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James Biester - Loyola University Chicago

Professor: James Biester

Department: English

College: Loyola University Chicago

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: ENG271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Biester is a very tough grader (and that is spoken by someone with an A), and it can be hard to live up to his expectations - but he is great in his subject and you will enjoy the lectures if you are a poetry buff. If you are not excited about to write about it for hours, better opt for someone else.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: ENGL271
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found that Dr. Biester's expectations were far beyond my level of writing skill. I typically get A's on all the papers I write for my humanities courses, but not this one. I don't recommend his course unless you're skilled at analyzing poetry. Although I typically don't say this about a teacher, Biester is truly an unreasonable grader.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: ENGL271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not horrible, no textbook needed just the internet. Take notes though on what he says in class. Often behind schedule, but the class passed quickly for me. One more tip: Learn the names of the authors and some notable quotes. Major points lost on the midterm and final.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: ENG271
Grade Received: C-
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the hardest grader i have ever seen. If writing isnt your strongest suit, do NOT take this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: ENGL274W
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most nit-picky grader I have ever seen. Grades hard for being a core mandatory class. He gives 3 essays and 2 exams. Picks favorites and does not grade on true academic character. Tries to have nice demeanor, but his true color shows when he has your paper. Most annoying comment is word choice and just wanted to ruin your GPA. DO NOT TAKE.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: ENGL271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I would say he is an average teacher. We basically just read poems for homework and then discussed them in class. Your grade consists of participation, 3 essays, and 2 exams. The class isn't super hard and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: ENGL328
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Biester is a solid choice. His lectures are really boring and they take up the whole class every time. The material is not great, but it's a renaissance class, so duh. The assignments are straightforward (one short paper and one long research paper) with a few pop reading quizzes. It's not the best class but it's definitely not the worst.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: ENGL373
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He a good professor even though a lot of the readings are kind of dry. The time period is boring but he is able to make it interesting and pull out good information from the readings. He does quiz on readings, but mainly just the full books/plays. He's not too tough on the papers - if you write clearly you'll pass.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: ENGL271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Biester is a nice guy and basically is just a dad teaching poetry. Read the poems, raise your hand in class, follow paper directions and you're golden.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: ENG271
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a senior taking a 200 level english class for a writing intensive. I enjoy a challenge but this is incredibly nit-picky. I had another professor go over my paper and tell me I would receive a 90, and I received a 70 from Biester. I am not an English major, it is incredibly strict grading for an open class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: ENG271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I loved Dr. Biester's class! The poems we read were super interesting and he really helped us develop better analytical skills. I rarely participate in class, but I this was the only class I've ever felt comfortable enough in to speak up. And he makes adorable dad jokes, which is another plus!! 10/10 would take again

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: ENGL271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You can tell he is very passionate about poetry and knows his stuff about poems covered in class. Papers were straightforward, but he is the toughest grader when it comes to papers, he marks everything down to a comma. Exams are tough since he has you memorize passages, author, and title. It's possible but daunting when it comes to memorizing poems

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: ENG325
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Biester is fantastic. He is interesting and funny and very kind. His class is not too difficult and his papers/tests are manageable. He is also always available for extra help.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: ENG325
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Biester is a really solid professor. Every class is a lecture and while some may argue that they are boring, I personally found his lectures really helpful and clear. That being said, he is a tough grader and you need to take advantage of sending him a draft and proofread multiple times. Study hard for the tests. There are few grades.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: ENG271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class, because I loved poetry and the prof. I feel like more people would have gotten more out of the class if there was more participation- sometimes the silences were awkward. Biester always had interesting insights on the poems we did read and explained himself in a clear and concise way that made me think more after leaving class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: ENGL328
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He definitely knows his stuff. You can revise your first paper which is nice since he's a tough grader. Make sure you proofread at least 2-3 times before submitting papers. Really need to study for midterm and final. Cons: doesn't connect w students. Strictly professional. Didn't even mention the election. Literally goes straight to lecture.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: ENG328
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy and clearly loves what he's teaching. My problems with the class are twofold: it was a huge class, and the material starts to get repetitive quickly. He's also a very slow grader, so neither the large final paper nor the final exam were handed back. I feel like I put in work for no clear reason for the grade I received.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: ENGL326
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He really knows his stuff, which is great if you're into Shakespeare. I enjoyed the class and felt like I came out of it a lot more knowledgeable than I was before.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: ENGL326
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Biester is probably the best teacher I've encountered in my experience at Loyola. He's definitely nit-picky with his grading, but if you talk to him about his comments it pays off; I felt as if my writing improved significantly after working with him. Really respect Prof. B, office hours are worth (especially if you mention The Bulls!)

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: ENGL326
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took this class for my minor. Honestly made me start to hate Shakespeare. Lots of material to cover in 16 weeks, not much time to adequately cover each play. Felt like there was too much to do. He's knowledgeable for sure, but a very picky grader. Papers are also insanely long and difficult if you don't fully understand each play.

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