Dr. Berk is one of the nicest teachers at CMU. His class is challenging but fun

Ari Berk rules! But we need beer and pizza in class! :-)

One of my greatest profs. Accepts your ideas if you can back them with the text

Dr. Berk is wonderful! His classes are *always* interesting and fun!!

he was an awesome teacher who makes it fun to come to class.

He has the voice of a story teller and the mind of a genius. Fascinating class and very open to discussion. He let us have a potluck dinner class!

Love him! Take any of his classes!

Great teacher! His voice alone is worth taking the course. Although his class is very challenging, it is fun and interesting

Great guy, and funny! Though there's a lot of reading, was one of the most interesting classes i've ever taken.

Amazing teacher. Great guy, very interesting, not boring at all. Take his classes, the subjects sound boring, but he makes it alright.

Dr. Berk can make ANY class interesting! He is a historical genius, (although I knew some ancient Greek stuff he didn't)and relates history to English. If you're willing to work hard, take his classes. If you're lazy, DON'T take his classes.

Dr. Berk Is awesome. His classes are not easy, but he makes them really really interesting. I refused to miss his classes because they were always so fun. :)

Great Professor. His readings are amazing. Take any of his courses and you will be pleased.

Dr. Berk is an incredible prof! Very positive and very knowlegable. If you don't do well on an assignment, he lets you know exactly what to do next time to improve.

very interesting. a bit kooky, but fun. Assignments aren't boring like other classes, but are different. He gives you freedome to choose.

He is fun, he is smart, he is excited about the topic, excited about what you have to bring to it. You need good writing skills. Great class, great guy.

the class was easy or so I thought but he gave me horrible grades and I still don't know why. Some of the stuff was interesting, some wasn't. But Dr. Berk is really fun and interesting even though he needs to be more clear on grades.

What can I say? Probably the most inspiring teacher I have ever had. His voice, as many have pointed out, is rather overpowering, and he is just fantastic in general. Plus, he personally knows the authors you study (Scott Momaday, anyone?) Take hi

Dr Berk is very funny and super smart know so much info. Take this class if you have a lot of time to sit and read and grasp the books required for this class. Hard reading and kind of a tough grader on assignments, nice guy very passionate about teaching

Berk is the MAN!! What a great teacher!! I don't think I could recommend him too highly, to anyone. The books you read really are fascinating, and he engages you on your level. He is an extremely hard grader, but people- this is COLLEGE! Best prof ever-

Dr. Berks's ideas on folklore and mythology are very engaging and utterly fascinating. He is a bit of a tough grader, but if you pay attention and offer up new ideas in the essays he assigns, you'll do well. The texts for his classes are awesome.

Dr. Berk is, bar none, the BEST teacher I've ever had. I transferred from CMU to Michigan State, and as of yet, I haven't had one teacher as good as him. I'm serious- it's really rare to find a teacher that good and yet also that down to earth. Awesome-

an amazing prof. one of the best. if you can write, you'll do fine, with or without doing the reading. very easy going and willing to rearrange the schedule. entertaining and great at leading a class discussion that isn't a condecsending question and answer hour. four stars.

Very knowledgable man. He presents medieval literature in a way that makes it interesting. The texts can at times be extremely tedius, but make sure to have good class discussions anyways.

Ari is an awsome professor. He's quite a difficult grader, but you'll never be bored in class, and you'll learn a lot from him. I highly recommend anyone take his class whether it's part of your major or not!

You don't really have to read the books cover to cover because you go over the important stories in class, just know the basics. He's a great teacher, very helpful and we had great discussions. You DO need to go to the class, but it's worth it because it's really, very interesting. I loved it!!

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Makes class fun and works well with students. Just be sure to voice your thoughts when he throws out a general question. Wasn't sure how to write papers for him at first, gives a lot of free range. He is always willing to help, and answers e-mails quickly. I enjoyed this class so much!

Dr. Berk is an amazing professor. Not only can he keep you interested for three hours of mythological lecture- but also makes his references interesting and engaging to students. I would say he grades a little on the harder side, so if you don't write well then ask for help- he'll help. This is one of the classes where I still retain knowledge too.

I love Dr. Berk's passion for his subject--he seems to know everything! Great guy, very entertaining. Sometimes lectures can seem to drag on since he usually does 3 hour classes, but it's still worth it just to study under him during your time at CMU. Wonderful man.

Dr. Berk is amazing! i would recommend this class to anyone who is more interested in learning than an easy A. His classes are tough you can't just show up and get an A. I don't know how CMU managed to get him but everyone here should take advantage of the opportunity to sit in a class with someone who knows so much about everything.

One of the best professors I ever had. I am a high school English teacher and I use his exam concept of drawing one question out of the hat each year. I think of him every time I teach the hero cycle. He had a gift for making material interesting and applicable. Take his class.

I heart Dr. Berk and I think that anyone who is an English major should take him. He may grade "harder" but if you show up, participate and visit office hours, he sees that you are trying which will help your grade.

Ari's class is one I look forward to going to, even with 4 academic weeks left in the semester. The material covered in his Myth class may not be all that interesting, but his lectures make it so because he knows all there is to know about myth. He grades hard, but his classes are so worth it :]

It was required for my Gen Eds and well I won't regret takeing it. I could have applied myself better but in the end I learned alot in that class and I think everyone should take it. Berk is a great teacher and nothing more to really say.

I took every class I could from him while I was working on my master's degree. Some would think Ari was hard, but he really made his classes easy and fun to attend. He's a brilliant historian as well as a brilliant English professor. It's an honor to know him.

Amazing professor--I absolutely loved his Myth class. He's incredibly smart, and a fantastic help for getting through homework. I highly, highly recommend him. However do NOT EVER miss class, you will regret it. Difficult grading, but if you keep going to class you shouldn't have too much of a hard time.

I really enjoyed taking his class. We had some really interesting class trips and guest speakers. I found every class worth going to as well as interesting.

It was his first time teaching a Freshman Comp class, but I can honestly say Ari Berk is the best teacher I have ever had, no matter what subject. He made me, and others, excited to write. I would recommend him to anyone

Apart of his first, English 101 class and he is by far one of the msot intriguing and helpful teachers I ahve ever had. he is now my favorite professor. He allows you to fix mistakes on papers to help you get a better grade and to improve your writing skills.

The class itself was pretty laid back, not much homework other than the 4 papers we wrote throughout the semester. He really works with you to get your writing to improve, and if you don't like a grade on a paper, you can re-write it as many times as you want before the end of the semester to improve the grade.

Great professor. Show up. Participate. Respond to the material and actually try and you'll do fine. Berk just wants to see you thinking and responding critically to the material being read and examined in the class.

I loved taking class with Berk. He is a great guy and great teacher. 4 papers the whole semester, and he doesn't waste your time. I took him in a 3 hour block and almost always got out early. Enjoyed coming to class. I'm now minoring in English bc he inspired me and believed in me and my writing. Plus he's a nerd. I would definitely recommend.

Ari Berk is a wonderful professor! You can tell he is passionate about what he is teaching and really does care about if his students learn. He has a great sense of (sometimes dark) humor and really knows his stuff! One of the best professors I've had at CMU!

We weren't given many graded assignments but the class is small and even if he doesn't take attendance he remembers if you show up and participate, it will reflect on your final grade. Funny, enagaging hilarious. You wont want to miss class. Loved his lectures and the movies he showed. Would recommend to anyone who likes to read Top 5 fav

He's pretentious, but the kindness and humor overlay that and make it merely amusing instead of rude or frustrating. He's very expecting on final papers, but as long as you visit his office hours beforehand, you'll have no trouble at all. Lots of reading, but all of it is fascinating. Overall, would 100% recommend taking any kind of class with him.

He is a great professor. All reading is very interesting. You only have one absence to use. You only have 2 grades the entire semester: the final paper and the final itself. Very helpful with final paper. Just go to office hours and he will help you with all aspects. Very understanding of life events and extends office hours at end of semester.

Dr. Berk is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his work, which makes the class super engaging. The class was once a week for 3 hours, but I was never bored in class. The only grades are from one paper and your final exam, but as long as you bring your paper into office hours he's clear about what he wants and what grade you'll get.

USE OFFICE HOURS! If your class talks a lot and participates well, he will remove the midterm and final exam. However, that makes your journal worth 20% of your grade, and a research paper is worth 80%. Start your paper early, and take it to office hours. He will help you along every single step of your paper. Hours get crammed close to exam week.

Great professor! However, he is very picky on certain things in writing but that will make you a stronger writer. You can revise any of your essays until the last day of class! Very useful outside of class.

Berk is the best professor I have ever had. He is hilarious and encourages his students to express their own feelings about the pieces, even if he doesn't agree with your interpretation. While there are only a few assignments you are graded on, he is fair with his grading and works with you to ensure you do well.

He was a great professor! He really cares about the class, he really knows creative writing well. As long as you keep up with your journal and show up to class moderately often you should pass. He is very accessible and really helps make sure that you improve your writing ability. Easiest WI I will probably take.

Ari is AMAZING. He cares about his students success, even in the future if you're no longer his student. Go to office hours, they're very helpful for papers. keeping up with the journal is important too, easy A with a hilarious, respectful, caring professor.

Honestly a great professor and an amazing person.

Literally read the books and journal a page or 2, show up, talk about the reading, and write a paper at the end of the semester. His class is AMAZING. I've learned so much from the reading, discussions, and movies we've watched. Dr. Berk is hilarious and loves what he does. If you can, take his mythology class! I promise it's worth the reading.

Professor Berk is a pretty strict grader. HOWEVER, he is the best English teacher I've had. I've truly learned a lot from him - my writing has improved drastically. The class can be difficult if you don't show up or put the effort in. He lets you revise your papers as often as necessary, giving amazing feedback. Put effort in and you'll do fine.

Berk was honestly the best teacher and professor I've had, and I truly connected with him. He is a tough but very fair grader, you really get what you deserve. First paper I put little to no effort in since I hated the content, but in another essay I was motivated to write. He read it and wrote down "A" at the top. Lecture great, always enjoyable

Berk is heavy lecture and heavy reading for this class. There's only 2 items graded - the journal and final paper. These are the only points that you'll get during the semester so be prepared and put work into each of them. Berk loves interpretations and not explaining for papers and assignments and makes it very clear in class

Dr. Berk seems really intimidating because he has a loud, booming voice. You might feel like you're being yelled at, but he is so nice and funny. VERY knowledgeable in his field. The only grades you will have are the 8-12 page paper at the end of the semester and weekly journals. Midterm will not be given if there is good participation. Love him!

Berk is one of my all-time favorites. Everything we did in his classroom has stuck with me. Can't recommend him enough.

Lots of reading. We only kept a journal of our reading progress which we turned in and had one large paper. That sounds scary and his syllabus is worded in a super scary manner too but you will not find a more caring and understanding professor. He is hands down the best lecturer I have ever had the pleasure of learning from.

Amazing teacher. Allows you to revise papers until the end of the semester. Truly cares about his students and that they learn how to be a better writer. I feel as if I am a much better writer than I was at the start of his class.

Taking Eng 101 with Professor Berk was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've never been a writer but he really opened my eyes to the beauty of it. We had a weekly journal and 3 major papers (worst grade received was a B+). You have a lot of freedom for your journal and last 2 papers and you can revise papers if you don't like your grade.

This guy scared me by talking about how my final essay was awful when I showed him a draft, then gave me an A in the class. I would take this class if you love mythology, he wants those kinds of students in his class, I don't really like mythology sadly. Yes you should buy (find) the books, for the journal & the final essay. (or read a summary)

He speaks very uniquely, and it was very interesting to listen to. His class hours are kind of long, but you get through. My class was based around one final essay and a journal, the essay was a little tough, but Mr. Berk helps out tremendously in his office hours, first try I received a B- on my essay. He's a very likable person too, high energy.

Professor Berk is hands down the best professor that I have had at CMU so far. While class hours are long, typically 3 hour class times, His lectures are engaging and never boring. He is super helpful when it comes to the final papers if you go to his office hours, allowing you to see what grade you would get and how to improve. Best professor ever

Your only grades will be weekly journal entries based on the reading (so keep up with and do the reading) and a final paper. If class participation is high, he waives the midterm. Does not use blackboard whatsoever, so make sure you show up to class for information regarding due dates/instructions. Just show up, do the work, and participate.

I loved Dr.Berk! He has been, by far, one of my favorite professors. He loves both his job and his students--and it is evident in every class. While there were only two grades, he was very upfront with his grading process and was always available for questions. Class is long, but you push through. Read the texts and contribute to class discussions.

While being a great teacher to talk and interact with, having the whole course hinge on two grades is something that was insanely detrimental to the enjoyment of this class. If the whole class participated he would decide to "treat" the class by not having a midterm but that grade gets added on to the final essay. But i would've preferred the mid.