Funny, I was in the same class and enjoyed the relationship between English, Art, and Politics...different minds, I suppose. He has a different approach, to be sure, coming at literature through art. Maybe that's too different for some, but I liked it. BTW, in case anyone is interested, rather than complain, you can withdraw from a class--Just FYI.

I've been meaning to leave a comment for a while.I had Cragen during the summer, and boy was he the bomdiggity!His class was always slow to start,but once he got the ball rolling, it was fun!Yes, he is easy, but if you take the time to make the best of it, you really will learn a lot!Pick a topic you are willing to write about for the whole quarter

I don't know what all these other people are talking about, but Mr. Cragen's class is extremely helpful. He thoroughly teaches the proper use of MLA format as well as the structure of an essay. His discussions and the topics he talks about are a lot more relevant than anything else another English class would be able to teach me. Life Changing.

Cragen is so sick! he doesn't just teach english but you learn about whats going on in the world too. i've had him for 100, 1a, 1b, there is a reason why my friends and i keep coming back. he's not easy but he's not hard. you learn with ot knowing it, and when he goes off about something it's interesting, and funny.

Class time is supposed to be for lecturing but he gets really off topic. He likes to talk about politics and philosophy. He is very clear that your final grade is based on the quality of your writing. Participation ends up being a big part too. I recommend this only to strong writers, but highly recommended to them.

My comment : recommended professor ! Have u see an professor that stood up for u and get u to pass the class ? I actually didn't pass the class but Mr Cragen stood up for my on other instructor (grade finals with him) to get my pass the class. I have to say that I got the most out of this teacher. He's willing to work with u if u let him know.

he is the funniest, most awesome teacher of them all..teachers are not meant to swear, or talks about politics or religion--this guy's the rebel! on top of that, HE CRAM EVERYTHING TO THE LAST MINUTEin summary: easy going, talks about nothing-related-to-English 80% of the quarter, and a VERY HARSH GRADER!! i.e. you learn NOTHING and you get NOTHING

When he grades essays, the further you are into the quarter the harder he gets. He does not do very much at the start of the quarter mostly talk about politics and his life but it became less and less. He is very willing to help if you ask him and can be funny at times. I took a 7:30 am class and he had a habit of being late most of the time.

This guy is not as bad as people make him out to be. Yes, he does cram stuff in last minute, but he usually extends the deadline. If you take his AM class, expect him to be late 4 out of the 5 days. He swears a lot and makes the class fun. You dont get stuck reading boring books. I never read my book and I got an A in his class.

If you are a weak minded person you wont like him! He is a straight up talker and wont take any **** from anyone!! i like him alot!! he is a tough grader but thats because he expects you to ASK QUESTIONS!!! so dont be scared!! and ask!!

honestly, the best teacher I've had at De Anza.

Elliot comes off as kind of a mean-spirited pompous a$$, but the truth is, he is just a giant teddy bear. Don't get on his bad side (true with any teacher). Don't be intimidated by him, and do your best. Come to class, do your work, and you'll be fine. Always ask for clarification if you're not sure and expect random tangents a lot. Great teacher.

He comes off as an intimidating jerk at first, but don't buy into it! If you do your work, and attribute an intelligent comment now and then, you will do fine. He's a good guy and a good teacher. I'm not great with english, and if I can get an A with him, anyone can

Mr. Cragen is a great teacher. I was intimidated by him because of all of the comments I read prior to attending the class. The truth is, is that Cragen wants to make you a good writer, he cares regardless of his attitude. ASK FOR HELP and ADVICE he will give it to you. Don't get offended by his critiques its for your own benefit.

He's a sarcastic and funny teacher who keeps class interesting (even at 7:30am!). Do your BEST on the first essay and he'll grade you less harsh on the next ones. He may seem pretty intimidating, but he geninuinely cares about helping his students improve on their writing. He gives very helpful feedback and corrections on the papers you turn in.

Easy B, difficult A. He goes off on tangents often, but I found most of them to be interesting. If you're taking him in the early morning, expect him to be late on 4 out of 5 occasions. He's a nit-picker when it comes to grading essays, but he also provides helpful comments and a grading rubric when he returns your essay.

Cragen is one of those teachers, who, 5, 10, maybe 15+ years down the timeline, you will continue to loathe, however, you honestly understand that no teacher ever contributed more to your overall education than he/she did. His lectures, spontaneous and effective, deliver a reality that many of us students would hope to keep illusory. Continued ...

I shall remember him indelibly, because he intentionally chose to ignore the age-old conventions, and verily understood that, by removing the boundaries that constantly bind us, we may attain a truth unaltered. Cragen helped me to see critically, and opened up my eyes as one may say, and for that, I am indebted to him indefinitely.

Cragen is awesome! The class is based on discussion and there is rarely any hw. He assigns 3 essays and all 3 are on the same topic. However, he does grade the essays difficulty but there is still a possibility of an A. He is super funny and opinionated and you will enjoy his class. Its mandatory though and you'll be on his bad side if u do not go

Cragen is...memorable to say the least. He's very interesting and truly a character. His class is relatively easy, if he knows your name. He grades pretty harshly however, his notes are incredibly helpful. Take him if you want a learning experience you'll likely never forget.

Besides the unorganized nature of the class, Cragen is a great professor. He knows what he is talking about and challenges you to think critically about everything. Yeah, he goes off topic a lot but its all interesting. Ask questions if you need help on your papers and pick a topic you know you can write about for the duration of the quarter.

He's sarcastic and at times rude but his comments are the most helpful I've ever gotten from an English teacher. Don't take his class if you're not willing to put in effort in improving your writing, simple as that. He goes off topic a lot and is a bit unorganized but it's an interesting class. You learn a lot more than just how to write.

After breaking down on the freeway and making every class (7:30Am class) prior to breaking down he had no compassion. He knows what he's talking about and is very intelligent. He's easily unapproachable and will consistently make you question your intelligence. He's rude, harsh, and challenging in the best and worst ways. I dropped.

Students need to be involved in this class. Otherwise, the class is going to be lame. He has helpful insights which is good. He grades the essays very critical though. Claims he does so in order for students to not stop their bad habits. Overall, helpful but difficult. Take this class if you want to improve and don't mind getting a B

I will not talk about his tangents, grades, but how special his class is. Class goes like a big conversation. He is passion about the subject. Talks to us sincerely. And you know he cares about you when he gives comment on you. I enjoyed it a lot more than other eng class. Try him, not gonna get something alike else where. Legit stat shows 50%A btw

i had Cragen at 730 in the morning it was a pain waking up but his class was completely worth it. He made me want to go to class he goes off topic, but he is just a hilarious guy makes class enjoyable. Teaches you so much about life in general. He is one of those teachers you will miss once you dont have him. Need more professors like him.

7:30 a.m. class was the only option I had to fill my requirement of EWRT 2. I was worried since I work late nights on how I was going to pull it off. I have learned about myself and the world around me from Cragen. He has a good perspective on life and helped me learn to critically think. One of the best professors I've taken. I suggest taking him.

Cragen's class is definitely no cake walk, but the things he teaches you will carry far beyond the classroom. It's very easy to say he changed my life for the better. Although he goes on these tangents and grades hard, he pulls the best out of you and in the process teaches you about the important things in life. Amazing man and teacher.

Harsh essay grader but he's fair. He will improve your writing skills. Class grade based on 3 essays, participation +final. Barely and HW or quizzes. He has some really cool life lessons to teach. Take him if you want to learn and don't mind a B.

Took his class at 730 am for english 1B. I think it's important that professors help push you out of your comfort zone, and he does that in a way that helps you become a better writer/analyzer. The material he teaches will stick with you. One of the best teachers i've had.

Show up for class prepared, don't ever pull out your phone in this class or any class as that is disrespectful. Great teacher, inspirational and hilarious helped us all become better focused writers.

easily one of my most favorite lecturers, he challenges your way of thinking and encourages different opinions. Some might be intimidated by him at first but he's honestly great and helps you become a much better writer. I would take him again, his lectures are great. however he doesn't like laziness and you have to do your work on time.

The teacher is outstanding. He's not always clear though. He is a tough grader but he'll go out of his to help you. His feedback can go in all sorts of directions, but each one gives you a different way to write your essay. Also, do not give him a last minute essay he'll know.

This is college and you are expected to at like an adult. This professor although very tough and strict is simply doing what is expected of an educational professional should do. If you cannot follow simple instructions, listen without the need to check your phone every minute, then you deserve an F because he cannot force you to grow a pair.

He really expects you to analyze the readings which is cool but it's a lot of work. Just make sure you talk to him about your ideas and he will guide towards what he is looking for. Class is easy overall but you really need to put a lot of effort on your essays.

Mr Cragen gives good feedback on all your papers, makes his grading criteria very clear and fair. I also really liked his lectures, specifically his view on dissecting literature. He was also very accommodating when it came down to rescheduling my final for my poorly timed vacation.

His entire class is a tangent but hes pretty cool. Its a bit harder to pass, he doesnt teach that much, and hes extremely opinionated, but the class isn't that bad

You should come into this class with strong writing skills. There isn't much teaching in this class --mostly discussions. If you participate, it's really not THAT boring. Be there only if you want to be. Textbook is required.

Class if mostly discussions lead by him. Although he has insightful wisdoms to impart, don;t expect to gain any information regarding techniques of writing. If you are a decent writer, attend claas, and do the hw you should get an A. 3 essays

He is very clear on what he wants us to do for this class and wants us always attend class for participation. Don't miss class or else you'll lose points and participation. I highly recommend taking his class again. It was fun!

I think he is a mixed bag. His lectures are pretty straight forward when he insist something will be on a quiz or test. Other times he can go completely off topic, in his defense he is usually discussing current events and is looking for class participation. He is a stickler for being on your phone or computer during his lectures.

Took him during the winter quarter. Honestly the best english professor I've ever had. Super nice, follow directions, put effort into it, and you will pass. Ask him for specific help and he will provide.

Don't pick him if you were bad at writing essays, there won't be much things to learn in class, he mostly let students have an open-topic discussion, very least hw. he gives good feedback on your easy, attendance counted as 10%, be on time, eventhough he is usually late. follow his intruction and you will pass

Good with responding to emails and in my experience is very open to further explanation. Quizzes on vocab, fallacies, biases - & 4 essays total including the term paper if you're taking D002, each one adding onto the other, and you put them together at the end for the term paper. Will tell you exactly where you need to improve in your writing!

Cragen is an excellent and kind professor. It's very important to connect out of class, ask for feedback, and engage in the classroom. He may seem strict, and at times he is (keep your phone in your backpack during class), but I've never seen a prof that cares deeper about his students. Cragen is a hidden gem, and you'll learn real stuff from him.