I took this class for my fine arts FKL. There are a lot of different topics covered ranging from Greek plays, to teas, to modern film. You learn a lot in this class. Attendance isnt mandatory which is a plus. Grading is tough sometimes but you can appeal your grade, or go to office hours for feedback. I would recommend this class.

He's a really awesome professor! He knows what he's talking about and he's always open to questions. There aren't too many grades in the class, but he gives you a chance to send him drafts or go over topics with you in his office hours. He works really hard to make sure his lectures are perfect, and I have enjoyed The Arts with him this semester.

I absolutely love Dr. Cook. Easily one of the best teachers I have ever had. Attendance is not mandatory, and there are only four grades for the semester. If you go to lecture, develop a genuine interest in the art, take good notes, and form a connection with what you're studying, you will receive a great grade.

Great professor!He makes the lectures very clear and is open to questions. He covers a variety of arts and really helps give you an appreciation for all art forms. He cares about his students and tries his best to work with you so you can get the best grade possible. As long as you try to do well in the class, you will get a good grade.

My favorite class. He is very helpful and kind. The lectures are great and the art is interesting.

My favorite professor this semester. He's fun, enthusiastic, and a modern teacher.

I highly recommend Professor Cook! Starting the class I didn't know what to expect, but it's been great. He's a really lively lecturer and he has a lot of colorful slides.

I personally enjoy the class. He is really funny, and really does his best to use EVERY MINUTE of class. The class is simple because he does such as great job at explaining everything clearly from the beginning. Don't be afraid to take the class! Just pay attention because some of the material is not online, so you need to really be in class.

Fantastic and Fun teacher. He makes what could be a very boring subject very interesting and engaging. No matter what course he teaches it will be fun and interesting. Only down side is theres only four grades all semester.

Professor Cook is AMAZING. I have seen very few professors put so much work into their courses and into making it the best learning experience possible for the students. His lectures are incredibly engaging, he's extremely knowledgeable and approachable, and completely dedicated to ensuring you learn and do your best. I can't recommend him enough!

Dr. Cook is a wonderful instructor. He is very enthusiastic with course material, making his lectures interesting and fun to attend. He is very approachable and enjoys helping students understand course material. I would highly recommend taking his courses. He is one of the best instructors I have had thus far.

Professor Cook was so funny and interesting. He really knows what hes talking about and can lecture about it in a way that doesnt make you want to smack your head off something. He grades pretty tough but there are only 4 assignments, so he expects you to put more effort into them. I would definitely reccommend this class, to any of my friends.

He is a great lecturer, very enthusiastic. He does not grade fairly though. He can be vague with assignments (even though there are only 4 grades, not clearly explained. Considering there is only 4 grades for the class, if you are not graded fairly, it can cause your grade to plummet. I will not take him again even though I love the subjects.

He's a nice guy and obviously has a passion for what he does. He is also a tough grader, and since you only have four assignments the whole year, you can get screwed over even if you do show up to class.

Very enthusiastic professor; you can tell he loves what he does and has great passion. His grading scale and expectations are not very clear when it comes to assignments.

This has been my favorite course and my favorite professor this term. I didn't find the course to difficult, but it was important to show up for lectures. Even though there's no attendance, you really can't afford to miss anything.

I loved this class. The professor was really helpful and I learned a lot. This is a great class because you learn about a lot of incredibly different works of art.

I recommend any student to take this class besides a humanities and cultural studies major. This class is very interesting for any college student. The professor is very knowledgeable and helpful.

VERY ENERGETIC! He ran everywhere but it made class interesting and I went to class even though it was not mandatory. Highly recommend

Always happy and energetic. Remembers everyones name, and very helpful. Just come to class and you will do fine.

Need to go to class to get notes not mandatory. Easy A.

They have a hard time deciding if they want to be generous or cruel with the grades. They end up being on the lower side of fair. However, if you are a naturally gifted writer, meaning you can write a fully thought out 5 paragraph essay in 40-45min; you will do well- unlike myself.

Dr. Cook was by far the best professor ever. I honestly could not wait to attend his class. He is very energetic and will help you 100% if you need it. He will make sure you understand the subject and we really wants you to do well. I don't advise missing a lecture, but if you need to you can meet with him after class and do a brief summary.

Dr. Cook is an amazing professor. He is one who practices his lectures, which shows how passionate his about the material. Missing lectures isn't big deal because he get you up to speed in his office hours. Dr. Cook is super friendly so any time spent in his office could actually turn into chill time because he's just that damn cool.

I love Dr. Cook, I went into his class knowing absolutely nothing about the topic and now I love it. He is very helpful and wants everyone to succeed, probably the nicest professor I have!

Dr. Cook was my first college professor and I was lucky to have him. It is obvious that he really cares about all his students. As long as you pay attention during his lectures, you'll have no problem getting a good grade. However, he doesn't allow any sort of electronics in his lectures. Attendance was mandatory for the summer class.

I deeply regret not taking him for my official Humanities credit. This is by far one of my favorite teachers, because he make lectures AWESOME. You can tell he loves his class and the help is there, just do the assignment early like he suggests so he can give you in depth pointers. It helped me out a bunch. Great professor!

For those giving bad reviews, I have no clue what they're talking about. His lectures are great, he is very enthusiastic. He is very friendly and helpful. The grades are pretty much all from writing papers but if you pay attention in the lectures and do the homework you are assigned it's a piece of cake.

Cook is a great teacher, but the papers are what throws me off. The papers (usually 2-3 pages) are not hard, but they grade a bit harshly. The course is pretty straight forward, and you CAN'T miss a lecture. It is very important that you attend all the lectures in order to better understand the material.

I thought he was an amazing teacher and I learned a lot in the seventeenth century humanities class. The only problem is he is a really tough grader. I honestly tried my hardest and the feedback was constantly "good, but not good enough". The class is all weighting so be prepared. I LOVE him as a person and a teacher, not a grader.

He is a very friendly and helpful individual, though be prepared for some tough grading. He wants you to succeed though, and encourages you to send a draft of every paper you are required to write. Late penalties were generally low (-point off the grade per school day, so weekends don' count) I would take him again, learned alot about 17th century

He's the best. If you don't care about art or history, you probably won't enjoy this class. But, if you do care (which you should), the paperstests wont be hard. If you really are struggling, he is always there to help you. He lectures until the last second, so don't think you'll be out early, but his lectures are always awesome and entertaining.

Best Professor I have ever had in my life hands down. His lectures are very important but they are never boring because he's hilarious and a very interesting speaker! Strongly Recommend this class!

Great professor! Left a good impression as my first college professor. Lucky to get him as a professor.

Make sure you pay attention during the lectures they are extremely crucial to really understanding the material. And take good notes! Will be so useful during the papers and when you're studying for the midterm and the final! But overall he's really cool and always ready to help, show up to class, talk to him and you'll be good!

Pay attention to the lectures! It will carry you all the way through from your midterms to your final exams. The things he has to say are very interesting and informational! I've had two classes with him and the only reason I'm not taking a third one yet is because I don't have room in my schedule! He's very personable and will remember your name!

For HUM 1020 all the assignments are written. Expect no multiple choice, if you aren't good at writing you might struggle. He is very funny and has really good lectures. I wasn't good at writing so didn't get that much of a good grade but he was very good professor!

First, absolutely my favorite professor i've ever had! He's charismatic, caring, and always putting his students first. He covers the material very well and makes it easy to understand. The only pitfall is how hard it is to get a good grade. The hardest workers in this class will get an A- while everyone else falls shorter. Still an amazing class!

Great professor. Really interested in what he's teaching and you can tell he truly cares about how his students do. No tests, only 2 papers which help prepare you for the final exam. He makes you work for the grade you get, but overall his class is very easy, and very interesting.

I love Dr. Cook so much, he's the best professor I've ever had. The lectures are engaging & he's such an animated & funny guy. He genuinely cares about his students. He knows the subject well and constantly encourages you to reach out to him if you need help. His lectures are CRUCIAL to passing (and fun to watch), but attendance isn't mandatory.

He was a great and honestly one my favorite teachers, he's so sweet and genuinely cares about his students and the subject he's teaching. Make sure you attend the lectures though cause they're pretty important. If you have questions, go to his office hours! Cause he'll always try his hardest to answer them with clarity.

He is one of the best professors one can enjoy at USF Tampa. It is incredible how he will not forget your name when his classes are of 200+ students!

The best teacher you'll ever have. Going to class isn't mandatory but you should bc his lectures will tell you everything you need to know and not all that he says are on the power points, or unless you have a homie who gives you notes. HARD to get an A and this is coming from a straight A kid. Overall good, fun class. The teacher is very helpful.

This man is incredible. I'm really happy to have had him as a professor. If you pay attention to his lectures, look beneath the surface of the readings you will do fine. Also, he gives assignments that help prepares you for the final which is awesome. I would so take his class all over again. Lastly, he is so into what he does.

As long as you comment and do the readings, which take no less than 30 minutes (give or take a few), and send in drafts for the assignments to correct yourself ahead of time, you'll receive an A. He's hilarious and very animated. Wonderful Professor. Just don't use your phones or laptops, he'll call you out in the middle of his lecture.

Just do the comments, go to the lectures (the course material is online but the lectures are what make it interesting), and you will get a good grade. He makes the class really fun and I would definitely take his class again. The grading is pretty vague but as my first class as a first time college student, that class was great.

Very funny, awesome lectures, charismatic! Take the work seriously though, expects excellent work.

He has a clear grading criteria for what he'd like to see and what he expects from his students. Definitely need to attend lecture but they are some of the best lectures I've had, very enthusiastic about the subject matter. Few heavier weighted grades that require a lot of attention if you want a good grade, simple week by week work though.

Dr. Cook is very passionate about what he teaches and is a professor that really cares about his students passing. He's very accessible and stresses to send him drafts of your papers so that you'll get a good grade. Only a few grades to determine your final grade so seek out his feedback, pay attention and you'll be just fine.

He is the best teacher I have ever had in my entire time in the school system. He is so animated and helpful, and was always there for help and guidance. The class is very easy, but would be a lot easier if I had attended the lectures more often. The test questions come directly from those. All in all, loved it!

Professor Cook is literally the best. He is very caring and his lectures are very interesting. The grades usually come from participation in online discussions/polls and there are only a few projects. Even though the lectures aren't mandatory, some of the questions from his midterm & final come from his presentations. RECOMMEND

Brendan Cook is easily the best lecturer I have ever had. He is very passionate about what he teaches. He is a tough grader but if you do what is asked of you, you should get an A. Participation is not mandatory but suggested. His lectures are interesting so you should want to attend. Always willing to meet and help. Great person and professor.

Dr. Cook is easily the best teacher that I have had at USF. Lectures aren't required to attend but I would definitely go because the midterm and final are based on them. There aren't many assignments and there is no textbook to buy- which is a plus. I would take Professor Cook again, great teacher and interesting class.

Very funny and yet intellectual

hes amazing

I absolutely loved this professor, he was amazing and loved what he did. You could get a good grade in this class if you put the effort and do all of your work on time.

Cook was very enthusiastic with his lectures. I had a 8 a.m. class, so his energy was very much needed and appreciated. I found his grading to be a little off..a 90-93 was a B+. I ,personally, did not like that. His assignments were mostly commenting on the works of art which was a easy A. The midterm and final were also very easy.

The work isn't hard and Cook gives you plenty of opportunities to have your papers reviewed before you turn them in. He's very nice and enthusiastic. I'm glad he was my teacher for this course.

Cook is an interesting professor and good guy. Lectures feel long as he never ends them early but they can be fascinating. Him and his TAs are very tough graders so if you take this course always submit your best work & study for the final.

His lectures are outstanding and always full of life. It is relatively easy to pass the class, if you put some effort into studying the course material. He is a VERY tough grader, just like his TAs. However, give you lots of opportunities to check your stuff beforehand. USE IT ALWAYS! Otherwise, do the best work and strictly follow guidelines.

Professor Cook is amazing! I absolutely loved his class. Don't be afraid to go to office hours, it's the best way to know what you need to do when it comes to assignments. Definitely makes you work for the grade but if you do what you're supposed to it isn't hard. Go to LECTURE! All test questions were discussed in lecture.

This is by far my favorite professor that I have had so far. He is very inspirational, passionate, and energetic in what he's teaching and he cares about the students. Although a few things graded are what makes up your entire grade, like the project, two exams, and your essay. Other that that, a great professor.

Overall I really enjoyed his class. Amazing lectures, assignments are not terribly difficult, and he is extremely passionate and keeps the class engaged. Go to lecture; they are interesting and if you dont, youre basically screwed. Put in the appropriate effort and put thought into the assignments and youll end with an A or a B+. I recommend!

there are not many assignments (1 paper, art project, weekly discussion posts, midterm and final) the final weights 45% so be super ready or else you will suffer. He has cool lectures and helps in office hours, especially when you check writing assignments beforehand.

Dr. Cook is an amazing speaker and is very knowledgable about the material. However, for an intro class the assignments are graded way too hard, and there isn't very many which makes it difficult to raise your grade. If you're looking to truly learn the subject take his class, but if you're looking for an easy A I would take someone else.

Dr. Cook was the BEST professor I've ever had. He is always energetic, which makes it easier to pay attention in his class. He posts his lecture slide online, so attendance isn't necessary, but I would recommend going to his lectures anyway because he mentions other things during his lectures, which could show up on his exams. Assignments are easy!

Professor Cook is one of the best professors I ever had. He is a very entertaining professor that makes his classes interesting and fun. He also cares about his students , gets to know them and available for help. The exams are easy if you attend every lecture and pay attention in class. There are only two papers of and 2! Highly Recommend him!

Brendan is a hilarious and interesting man. He makes lectures fun and energetic, so it's not hard to show up for class. Attendance is mandatory if you want to get a good grade, due to any assignments coming directly from his lectures. Weekly comments count as a participation grade and there are few papers with a heavy grade weight. Amazing prof!

A tougher grader but also a caring person, Dr. Cook will really take the time to help you improve your writing. I personally have taken several classes with him. I didn't do it because his classes are easy A's (HUM 1020 I ended up with a B-) but because you will learn interesting pieces of cultures from all over the world in his Class. Recommended!

Great lecturer, always makes class very interesting and informative so it is to your benefit to attend. He is obviously passionate about what he teaches. There are two major papers over the semester and grading can be tough mostly because if you write something that he or the TA grading doesn't agree with, your grade will suffer for it.

Very funny and caring guy and seems to love what he teaches. The papers are graded very tough and make up a majority of your grade. Make sure you attend the lectures and review often to make the most of the class.

I really loved Dr. Cook. He was clear about what he expected. He just had high expectations for the assignments, especially the essays. Besides that, the class work is not too bad and he is a quite enthusiastic professor. The exams are mostly about what he talks about in class.

There are few assignments, mostly discussion posts. He is very enthusiastic and passionate when teaching, which makes it easy to pay attention. Last portion of the class holds the most weight.

Dr. Cook is a very good professor. He is very passionate about his job and very funny. He is a tough grader but the class is moderately easy.

Cook really loves the subject he teaches. He is so passionate. Can be a tough grader but honestly just get his help before hand and youll be fine! (Him and TAs will be happy to help). He loves when students visit him in office hours! Hes such a sweetheart. Get on his good side!

Professor Cooks materials are pretty easy. Most short responses are subjective, just find a few details on the art/stories and talk about them and chances are youll get a minimum B on every assignment. No exams, just 2 papers and 16 short responses. The grading wasnt too bad but that couldve been my TA. The TAs grade everything.

This is one of the best teachers I ever had. I loved history and learning about past events and the passion that this man had made this course even better. He is a tough grader, but most of the assignments were graded by the TAs, which are very helpful on how to improve your work. You really can't go wrong with this class if you just pay attention.

This class was my best class of the summer. Easy class. Literally watch his lecture, read the assignments or listen, sometimes both, and then write a 250 word paragraph.

He's very passionate about what he teaches, but the TAs grading has been a hit towards my grade. As this is COVID era and this class is online, the workload is usually video lectures, a source, and then a short response. He's a very nice guy but the grading on the modules has me struggling a bit.

You definitely have to put in the effort to get a good grade. I really enjoyed listening to his lectures. They were very interesting. The main thing to remain aware of is that you need to understand the content and deeply analyze the works taught.

LOVED Dr. Cook! 1 short essay, 1 annotated bibliography, and 1 1,750-word essay. Thursdays are lecture days, and reading excerpts are assigned for open discussion on Tuesdays. He accepts drafts. Participation is expected/graded. The Midterm and Final are in-class writing, but his lecturing is so passionate/good that they aren't hard. TAKE HIM!

I loved Dr. Cook this semester!! He is really passionate about the material that he teaches and is SUPER friendly. Like he knows almost everyone by name in a lecture hall of 100 students. The format of the two exams are very clear and simple. Show up to class!! Each lecture is on a work of art and everything revolves around those works.

He is an awesome, caring professor that absolutely wants the best for his students. He isn't strict and makes lectures funny and entertaining even for someone not interested in humanities.

He really cares about helping his students and makes lectures generally exciting. The material wasn't really of my interest but the structure and method of teaching made it easy and interesting. He is very easy to talk to and is very helpful in suggesting improvements for papers.

Easy material but there are so little assignments that if you do bad on one you probably won't get an A in the class. No regular homework only papers and exams.

Pros: Clearly loves what he does, gives great lectures, fun to talk to, will remember your name and what you like. Cons: Tough grader. Definitely not treated like a level 1000 class. Sometimes seems biased in lectures, but this is difficult to avoid in this class. Also, what TA you get matters SO MUCH. Very hit or miss.

Thoroughly enjoyed this class! Definitely attend-- prof never really uses words in slides or posts recordings so you really have to be in-person to know what's going on. Weekly readings & discussion groups (participation graded); requires by-hand notes & talks fairly fast. Makes lectures super engaging and often lets class out early!

Dr. Cook is an amazing professor! He is attentive and gives interesting lectures. He cares about his students and wants them all to do well. Totally recommend him you need to take a humanities class, and the TAs are all awesome as well!

I enjoyed having Brendan as a professor. Attendance isnt mandatory, there are comment boards and it was simple but only if you put in work. If you dont do the readings you probably won't pass the midterm/final they are crucial! He was very excited to teach and was personable it's nice to see. I loved having him. I took this course in the summer

He's very passionate and he really does care. I fell behind and he helped me get back on track. The class is not hard, it's just annoying if humanities is not your thing. But Dr. Cook makes the class pretty easy.

Took humanities this fall with Dr. Cook and I'm going to be honest with you it was one of the easiest courses that I have ever taken. Attendance is not mandatory however you do have to attend your Friday discussions. Not many assignments so don't fall behind as they are weighted heavily. Highly recommend everyone to take him

Attendance mandatory only for Friday discussions. He makes the class really interesting and fun. He is really passionate about this class. He ends the class early as well. Really good TAs too. They give great feedback.

Amazing professor! I did a study abroad program with him and he really helped us prepare for the trip. Definatly recommend.

Dr. Cook is a great professor. The homework is easy and if you participate in Friday discussion sections you'll have a smooth ride. Also, attending lectures is necessary for success but attendance is not required. He is really understanding. His lectures are interesting and the hands-on modules (tea) are really fun. Would take again!

This class had TAs, so I interacted with them more, but they were fair. Online lectures from Cook were long but helpful. Could probably condense his lectures into written versions. Nothing crazy on assignments. Weekly short writing assignments + 2 papers (about 4 pages long for each).

Cook is the best lecturer I've had. He's a semi-tough grader, but don't let that sway you. He is helpful, accepts drafts, meets outside class, and answers emails. As long as you are a good student, you will be fine. I have taken multiple classes with him. The midterm/final is in-class writing, but he's not as strict as before. Don't miss out!

Dr Cook is a great professor. There is 9 main projects for the Humanities course, but be prepared to receive those grades far later in the semester. He is a hard grader (as in he doesn't like giving 100) but its such an easy class. He is very enthusiastic discussing about Humanities and cares for his students. He hates seeing phones though in class

Dr. Cook is a really cool guy who really cares about what he's teaching. He makes humanities interesting to learn about. While attendance isn't mandatory, I recommend being present on a daily basis. He's a somewhat challenging grader sometimes, but as long as you take notes and study you will be fine. We were graded on a few number of assignments.

There is only like 5 assignments throughout the semester... Dr. Cook never gives out a perfect grade, the TA told us this so just keep that in mind. Nevertheless, the lectures were fun, so I actually enjoyed the class more than I thought I would. Despite getting a C, I would take his class again. Also, attendance is mandatory on Fridays.

Professor Cook is AN AMAZING PROFESSOR!!!! If you have a chance to take him, take him. I took him for humanities and that is not something I am particularly interested in but he made going to class at 9:30 am so fun and engaging and was like a golden retriever happy. Study for the exams, but you can pick and choose what to focus on. Very helpful.

There was no homework at all, your grade is fully your exams, but I would say if you're good at bullshitting and attend atleast a couple lectures for more detailed info on the topics then you should be more than fine. I properly learnt like 6 out of the 10 topics and didn't really go to class after midterms apart from for review class and exams.

He is the epitome of a professor; passionate about his work, and cares about his students. He only grades based on 4 tests, which can be intimidating, but as a bad test taker, I was able to receive an A in the class just by showing up and doing the nightly reading. He gives light homework; just do it, and you'll be okay. Take his class!

Professor Cook was an amazing professor! He's very passionate about his work and will 100% relate the lectures to how we can understand it. His work in the Summer semester is just 4 exams, and they are worth so much.Attend all lectures and do the readings so you can pass, but he's a very nice professor:)

Professor Cook makes humanities engaging, though the grading can be tricky. Attendance is a must, as the lectures have more info than the slides. Try using Unstuckstudy alongside the free textbook - it really helped with exam prep and understanding the material.

Dr. Cook is enthusiastic about the content, which prompts him to deliver very interesting lectures. Although he is a more difficult grader, just showing up to class and paying attention provides the majority of the information needed in order to be successful.

The best professor ever

I really enjoy Dr.Cook he is genuine passionate about his job and gives solid feedback. Ive taken him 3 semesters in a row now and will say he is a tough grader but if you just participate in class it will honestly raise your chances of him liking you. Overall great experience

Dr. Cook is the most passionate, well read, inspirational, and amazing teacher. I had him for two semesters in a row- both very challenging courses. But if you take the time to appreciate the course matter like he does his classes are so easy. He wants to inspire the same passion he has and for me he succeeded. I will forever praise him as a prof

Dr. Cook is super passionate and engaging. If you show up, pay attention, and participate, you'll do well. Homework is light, and exams are easy if you attend. He's a tough grader but open to feedback. Talk to him in class or office hours—he notices effort and rewards it. Great class overall!

Professor Brendan Cook is one of the most enthusiastic professors I've ever had, and very well respected because of it. His grading is tough and he doesn't offer reattempts but he is very clear about wanting to schedule appointments to help you grow in the class. His lectures are entertaining, incredibly impressive with sheer material mastery.

Dr. Cook is a hands-on teacher that loves to help in any way he can.

The bad reviews of Dr.Cook are hilarious. If you care about the material and your own academic success, there's no way you'll perform poorly in his class. The lowest grade I received all semester was a 95... so, no shade, but some of you need to lock in.

Dr. Cook's lectures are engaging and interesting, and he's very enthusiastic about teaching. the coursework is pretty light. The quizzes and exams are pretty easy if you study and regularly come to class.

Professor Cook is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter and makes the lectures interesting. Although attendance isn't mandatory, it is crucial to attend class as he is very specific in what he is looking for in the written exams and quizzes. There are only 6 grades that are a part of this course, so take that as you will.

Very test heavy, and attending class is crucial regardless if it's not mandatory. P.Cook is an amazing professor, though, but again the grading is very stingy. It's very rare to get a 100%, and if you write 3-4 pages with correct info (his exams are based on knowledge), you can range from 80-95 typically. VERYY test heavy, so you can't fumble!