Student Comments
Note: These comments were edited only to protect the student's identity. All comments were received via e-mail.
| EGL 101 | EGL 102 | EGL 209 | EGL 228 |
EGL 101: Composition Rhetoric
Fall 1998
I have enjoyed my english class. There are many features that make the class
compelling. I like the group work because it enabled me to meet new people and taught me
how to work well as a team. The fact that we work together, but are graded seperately is
very fair. I don't like the idea of being graded as a group, because an individual
shouldn't be rewarded or penalized for something he did not do. I also liked the fact that
the class was centered around the internet. This is a valuable experience because we will
use these skills in other college courses and are careers. The fact
that we had to do journal entries and essays improved are writing ability. I
would strongly reccomend any student to take this course. It was a fun and interesting
experience, one that I will never forget.
You asked us to email you and tell you what we though of class. Well the things that I liked best about being in your english 101 class was being in the computer lab on Wednesdays. Being that I was never really introduced to online or email, it was so interesting to me. I would even go to the open lab on days that we didn't have class to go on line. I learned alot about computers in this class and it became very useful because now we (my family) have one of our own at home. So now I'm the one showing my family what to do. There really wasn't anything that I would change about the class. I have no complaints. I feel that all the work was fair, the research projects weren't all that difficult and even the oral report seemed okay. I'm glad I was in your class. I had some good experiences and made some friends. Thank you for all of your help.
Dr. Brown, I think that the use of the computer in the EGL 101 class was an excellent
idea, because I was able to use the computer and the sources provided. It helped me
complete a lot of assignments. The class should be based on the computer, as well as usage
of composition and rhetoric skills. I think that lecture should be eliminated, because it
should be replaced by the computer. The textbook should be online, and the discussions
should take place in the computer lab. The lectures did not work, but the group
assignments and the interactions with the computers really worked. This format will help
freshman who are not comfortable with the computer get a feel of how to use the internet
and other online sources. The class will also help freshman improve in their
composition in rhetroic skills. This class is a good challenge for completing assignments
and critical thinking skills that will apply to many advanced courses on the college
level. In conclusion, the course is an excellent approach for the freshman who wishes to
advance to higher courses, and for those who are majors. I personally enjoyed the class,
and I had a lot of fun. I will benefit from what I learned, and I wilL take it and use it
in the future. Dr. Brown, good luck, have a happy holiday(s), and it was a pleasure and an
honor to know you personally and have you as a english professor, you're one of the finest
here at SUNY Farmingdale. Did you see a tremendous improvement in my
compositionand speeking skills this year? Have great year.
I believe this class was beneficial to me and hopefully a great many others because you
were able to explore the Internet and retrieve information necessary for research. This
class also helped in having people work as teams which is necessary in any working
environment today. You were also able to build self confidence and projection of one's
self image by doing oral presentations. With the materials provided and the knowledgeable
help of Professor Brown I felt that I could accomplish anything. I would recommend this
class for people who are scared of computers, the Internet and
advancing technology. This is a class that can guide you in the Information Technology age
and prepare you for the future.
I am writing this in regards of what I thought about your class. When I first started going to the class I was a bit scared, because I never really worked with computers so much, especially not the Internet. I really liked the idea that we got to work in groups, I met some really nice people, I just liked the whole group interaction. I also really liked the idea that we had research projects insted of just one big one. I had talked to some of my friends from other english101 classes and they say its really hard just that one big assignment, and it counts so much in their grade. Another thing that I enjoyed doing in the class was going to the computer lab envery wednesday, I had never been on the Internet before this class and I was always curious, but I have learned so much, just from your class. I convinced my mom to get the Internet, and now I just love it. I believe that the textbook, we used is very up to date and it tied in really good with everything we learned. Lastly I would just like to say that you are a great teacher, you were my favorite teacher this semester. I don't think you should change anything from your class.
Hi professor brown, I looked forward to going to your class each week, The way we sent the journals over the computer was a good idea, I liked everything except having the same group over the whole year. It would be better if we changed partners so we get to know everyone else.
I think that this was one of the best classes i have ever taken. The freedom was the best part. I especially liked the way you let us e-mail you our work. I dont think i would change anything. I cant think of anything that I disliked.
I thought this class was great. All the other English classes I took were boring. The modern, technological, up-to-date, issues in this class made it interesting. The high school traditional Shakesperean literature was so monotonous for me. I wish the rest of my English classes had this same set up. I think the way this class was ran was very professional and more classes should be like it. This class was successful.
EGL 209: Technical Communications
Fall 1998
enjoyed this course. The only thing I think should be added is,more oral reports,even though I don't enjoy it.
I thought this was a nice course It definitely helped my writing skills and improved my way of thinking in a business environment. The only thing I would change would be having both class days in the computer lab in order to get more work done.
EGL 228: Classics and Mythology
Spring 1999
In classics and mythology i have discovered that many things that we see in
television, in books and plays are based on the ancient greek themes in their myths.
Becuse of this class i can now distinguish the different themes that are seen
consistantly. i feel that this class has strenghthened my views on how to analyse
literature. i really enjoyed this class and i know that i will use the knowledge
that i have learned to further my horizons.
Thank you Dr. Brown for a great course and always being a fair
teacher
Recognizing these mythical themes and archetypes has enhanced my ability to understand film and literature becuase it gives me a good idea of what the main theme is once i recognize one of these archetypes. It also gives an easily identifiable pattern to base these things against, so that if something deviates from the pattern or presents itself differently, I might have a better understanding of why it was done that way.
Recognizing mythical themes and archetypes has enhanced my ability to write essays about myth literature and film in many ways. I can now point out and explain how scenes, names and patterns in movies relate to mythology. Someone with no understanding of mythology would not be able to see hidden meanings or messages in various literary works. For example, when I saw Footloose about 100 times before taking your course, I never would have thought that Ren was an actual hero, nor been able to see that he had a special birth and was exiled. I wouldn't have realized that the 2 songs played, having to do with heroes and heaven had a strong relation to his hero pattern. I am also much more critical of movies have seen since taking this course. I recently saw Never Been Kissed. And Drew Barrymore plays the role of a Bride of Death. I never would have known this without taking Classics and Mythology. I can now write both more creatively and more critically about myth literature, and film.
I really enjoyed taking your class. I never knew that much about mythical themes and archetypes before, but I now have a whole new understanding of the subject. It has helped me in analyzing film and literature in a new way. I also never realized how many things are influenced by mythological themes and archetypes. I think you should incorporate more film and literature into the class curriculum.
At first I was somewhat disappointed in this class, I was expecting to read stories about Zeus and Gaea and then discuss the stories that were read. I have very little time in my life for reading and I thought this would be a good opportunity to read some interesting stories. As the semester progress the class became interesting and even though I wasn't enjoying the reading I looked forward to the stories as they were told by you. I would have preferred textbook that was an anthology of different versions of Greek and roman mythology. I also would have liked to view a few movies, TV shows and/or cartoons and have you help explain how these shows related to mythology. As a whole I really enjoyed Classics and Mythology, I am taking a lot of information with me that I wasn't expecting and I plan on seeing the Matrix with a totally different perspective than I would have had if I didn't take this class. Thank you for an enjoyable class.
Thank you for an enjoyable class. I have learned a great deal in your class about mythology. I walked into the class knowing a little about mythology but I had know idea that it was as widely spread, as it is. I thought the class was excellent. The only problem that I had was trying to write down everything you said. When you told the stories, it was difficult to copy everything because you spoke quickly. Thank you very much for all the new knowlge that I now have, it is really fun to be able to talk about mythology in general coversation because it connects with everything, and I sound like I know what Im talking about.
For my evaluation on the class I would have to give it an A. I think that some of the topics that we go over can be confusing especially when it comes to tests but I thought that you were really good about explaining so we could understand to the best of our abilities. I also think that your enthusiasm helped a great deal. Many of my teaches have no drive and from the looks of it they don't want to be there any more than we do. But you were different, your attitude was always positive and I really liked that. I would recommend this class to anyone it was great.