1.6

James Goldman

English - Brooklyn College

1.6
Quality
4.2
Difficulty
100%
Would Retake
97
Reviews
1.6
Quality
4.2
Difficulty
1.6
Helpful
1.7
Clarity

100%

Would Retake

97

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

9

4

2

3

6

2

17

1

63

What Students Say

Just talks about his opinion on politics

ENGL1012 - 2.0 rating

Because you will almost never write about them

1012 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

68% confidence
Based on 6 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (2)
B- (1)
A- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 7 reported grades
A+: 2
B-: 1
A-: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.30 avg change
Nov
Dec
Aug
Nov
Jan
Jun
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ENG101

5.0

(1)

CORE6

5.0

(1)

ENG11

5.0

(1)

ENGCOMP2

5.0

(1)

ENG

3.3

(3)
+27 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ENG101

5.0

ENGLISH1

5.0

EEEEWWW

5.0

CREATIVEWRITIN

5.0

ENGLISH

5.0

Reviews (97)
1.0
5.0
ENG2
Apr 25, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Apr 26, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Apr 27, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
May 4, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Oct 2, 2002

Provides ambiguous ques. Evasive when questioned, difficult to earn decent grade

2.0
3.0
CORE663
Dec 17, 2002

Sooo boring! Turned every class into a discussion of his political beliefs.

2.0
4.0
ENG
Apr 20, 2003

Want to study a mid life crisis? take this guys class.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Jul 31, 2003

Horrible teacher and horrible grader. His class is boring and it seems like you are there forever. You can take him if you want to get N.C.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Aug 30, 2003

If I prevent 30 students from taking him, the English department might fire this fool.

3.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Nov 2, 2003

Though methods were prattling/boring/biased, material was interesting, and Goldman touched on key textual points that I interpreted differently, which helped broaden my views. However, he grades very harshly, and constantly suspects plagiarism.

5.0
5.0
ENG101
Dec 9, 2003

Though at times slightly abstract in his conveyance of ideas, he attempts more than most teachers to reconstruct you way of thinking creatively, which is diffucult, but very rewarding

2.0
4.0
ENG102
Dec 19, 2003

act's as if he is the only englsih genious

5.0
3.0
CORE6
Dec 27, 2003

gives you a whole new perspective on the material. Just do your readings and be prepared to discuss them intelligently.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Feb 13, 2004

He's very boring. Too many readings, too many papers and he's a very hard grader. If your interpretation of the readings are not the same as his, then you're wrong.

2.0
5.0
ENG2
Feb 21, 2004

He's horrible. He doesn't grade papers very well. He hardly gives A's and B's. Don't waste your time with this professor.

2.0
4.0
ENGLISHII
Mar 18, 2004

All he ever does is compare all the readings to sex and other topics that have nothing to do with what the material conveys. He's a horrible grader and REALLYYY boring; please don't waste your time...

2.0
3.0
ENGII
Apr 2, 2004

If you feel like being bored to tears... then this is the class for you.

2.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Apr 27, 2004

He is frankly the worst teacher At Brooklyn college, SGBOOSTERS has him rates the lowest in the school! I had him for Englis 2 and he is simply crazy! He will go on and on about things that have nothing to do with th readings, ****ed, should be fired!!

1.0
5.0
ENG2
May 10, 2004

STAY AWAY! if u want a good grade ..i repeat do not take this class ,you will be sorry !he connects every single reading to sex ..horrible just horrible i tell you !

2.0
5.0
ENG2
Jun 8, 2004

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PROFESSOR TO ANYONE!!! He's horrible. He's not an easy grader. He hardly gives A's and B's. If your interpretation of the readings are not the same as his, then you'll automatically be wrong. He thinks he's God's gift to writing.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Jun 24, 2004

Professor Goldman is someone who one has to feel sorry for the English Department to have been saddled with. He's a sex obsessed wierdo who when I took him (in the aftermath of 9/11) was panicking in class, suggesting armageddon was at hand.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Jun 29, 2004

The worst prof.in BC. he talks about politics which is not related to the class. He thinks nobody can't write better that he does. Also you need to write about sex in your essay in order to get a C, otherwise you get NC+ or NC-

5.0
1.0
ENG
Sep 24, 2004

I learned so much from him. I thought he was a great teacher.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Oct 6, 2004

This is a required course but not a required or recommended professor. No one gets higher than an NC on their papers and he spends almost every class lecturing you on ur writing skills making you feel like an idiot the whole time...why is he a teacher&#63

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Nov 23, 2004

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Dec 2, 2004

this guy is horrible!!!!!!!!!! i never in my life had a professor that is nearly as bad as he is. not only he boring and ****ed. he can even speak well. 95% of the class is spent with him "ummmmm ummm umm" how in the world do they let him teach ENGLISH?

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Dec 6, 2004

He's horrible!! Do not take him!! He always finds something wrong with your paper. He thinks he's the best writer in the world. No one can write a great paper in his eyes.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH1
Jan 31, 2005

I tried my best to have this cinical, mind-numbing example of a Prof. reviewed by the School board. I and 5 other students wrote a letter to the department head. Our letter was simply ignored. Once again, another "FINE" professor goes off scott free in B.C. Thank you BC!

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Feb 4, 2005

THIS PROFESSOR IS BY FAR THE WORSE BC HAS TO OFFER. He relates all readings to sex and politics.He spent most of the class time insulting the class for not being able to write. VERY UNPROFFESIONAL. DO NOT TAKE HIM unless you don't mind a C or less.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Feb 9, 2005

No Comments

1.0
5.0
EEEEWWW
Mar 7, 2005

I hae him.. i am taking him right now and I feel he is the worst there is..he always criticizes you for being wrong..I wish he would retire already!!

1.0
3.0
ENG2
Mar 24, 2005

CAUTION: The worst teacher in BC. Relates all the stories to sex. All you hear is "umm..umm..ummm..SEX". If you want a good average DONT take his class. Doesnt give anything above a C..and you have to work your ass off for a C+. Please DONT take his class if you case about you average!!

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Apr 5, 2005

Never take this teacher his is very unbearable he does not give feedback. every story he reads has to deal with sex his is a **** if you don't take his point of view you fail the paper his is just the worst teacher every

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Apr 6, 2005

I am taking him know. He makes the simplest things so hard. I Hate dis class. Stay way from him.

5.0
1.0
ENGLISH2
Apr 17, 2005

yeah, he is kind of cute. anyway he teaches well, invites questions and then insults you for 20 minutes. Anyway, I don't know what everyones complaining about. If you were really into literature you would know that all the stories ARE ABOUT sex!! anyway I like him, i recieved an A in his class!

1.0
1.0
ENGLISH59
Apr 28, 2005

he is a prime example of a professor who is stuck in the past, unable to come to terms with the fact that all he considered revolutionary is now only commonplace. i suspect he has been poorly educated and fears actual intellectual challenge.he's more **** than hard.its difficult to undermine b.s

3.0
4.0
ENG
May 10, 2005

I thought Prof. Goldman's class was challenging, but overall I did gain a real appreciation for writers I'd never thought to try before, like Phillip Roth. Goldman's tough, but he is fair-if you write well and enjoy off the beaten path lit, try his class. I wouldn't go by the negative comments.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
May 22, 2005

1 WORD-CREEPY!

1.0
4.0
ENG59
Jun 14, 2005

I didn't like being forced to listen political beliefs or watch a professor stand on his soapbox and preach his anti-whatever it was for the day. Sadly I felt he took advantage of his students & really didn't say anything but stammer & belittle. The only desire that was learned in the class was for it to be over. And I got a great grade too.

1.0
5.0
CREATIVEWRITIN
Grade: B-
Jul 12, 2005

Was an aspiring writer, but after taking Goldmans class it changed nothing, just a wasted my time. All he did was sit at his desk and stare at nothing while we "worked" in groups. Im a short story writer, and i spent the semseter in a group of poets. Just couldn't care less. DISGUSTING that this man is considered an intelectual< just pompass

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Grade: A-
Aug 3, 2005

If only i could appeal and beg all the students not to sign up. Please if you want to graduate and dont have time to waste or in general if you are looking to pass english 2 dont register. He is the WORST professor in BC. From some one who usually works for A's this guy is a GPA buster, probatiion causer, drop out encourager, etc you get the point

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Aug 26, 2005

Don't take him unless you hate yourself

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Oct 7, 2005

No Comments

2.0
4.0
ENG7001
Oct 20, 2005

After 3 classes with still no syllabus and after reading the 6 assigned essays which we didn't even discuss, I dropped the class. Very disappointed, but after reading all these comments, I think I made the right choice.

3.0
3.0
ENG2
Dec 15, 2005

Ok, goldman isnt the easiest. and yes, he can go off on a tangent. but hes totally adorable, and extremely intelligent. i learned so much from his class, from reading to writing. hes really one of the better professors. yes, he doesnt coddle you, but professors shouldnt. if you suck at writing though, dont take the class. youll fail.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Jan 6, 2006

He's terrible!. he does not really help the students and he is a hard grader. Avoid him!. He is crazy and very ugly.He does not allow student to express their opinion. He makes people scare. Most of the students drop his class at the midterm.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH2
Feb 14, 2006

One of the professors ( wont mention the name) told me personally NOT to take him. He is very very hard and gives all D's and doesnt help at all. When I registered for English 2 there was no professors name and when I saw his name on my transcript I almoust gor a heart attack, I droped the class right away.

3.0
3.0
ENG2
Mar 5, 2006

Reading for this class was great, just great, and that made easier to write about it. I am very opinionated person, and he does allow students to express their opinion. However, do not take his class if you do not have any brains.

1.0
5.0
ENGLISH
Apr 4, 2006

THE WORST PROFESSOR EVER!!! HE'S AN EVIL HUMAN BEING WHO THRIVES ON THE MISERY OF HIS STUDENTS. HE FAILS PEOPLE AND DOESN'T HELP THEM AT ALL. HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT HIS STUDENTS. THE MAN SHOULD RETIRE.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
May 23, 2006

The last person who commented said that all these negative comments are untrue, but he or she gave Goldman terrible ratings (all 1's). Goldman is impatient, arrogant, unclear, and absurd. He doesn't give you an actual syllabus, e-mail addess, or offer office hours. He doesn't believe in helping you. HE"S TERRIBLE IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE. AVOID HIM!

5.0
1.0
ENG2
Aug 11, 2006

Brilliant and effective. You need to work hard if you want to learn and you'll walk out of class thinking in an entirely new way. Sex is one of his favorite topics because of his need to comprehend the connection between love and death.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Aug 18, 2006

This website was intended to warn students about bad professors, and this professor is one of them. College professors are paid to teach and help, but you won't find that in this class. Prof.Goldman skips his lessons because he feels like discussing liberal politics and dirty topics. As for grading, he fails, fails, and fails. You've been warned.

1.0
4.0
ENGGRAD
Nov 28, 2006

No Comments

1.0
4.0
COMP2
Jan 29, 2007

fair warning to everyone whos reading this, don't take his class. this guy doesn't know how to speak let alone teach. poor time management, studders, lack of control and incredible lack of clarity in all his explainations. harsh grader

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Feb 7, 2007

His class was the worst I've ever taken. STAY AWAY.

1.0
5.0
CREATIVEWRITIN
Mar 20, 2007

No Comments

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Jul 17, 2007

How is this fool still teaching? Do yourselves a favor...if you see him..avoid him like the plague.

3.0
5.0
ENG2
Aug 20, 2007

i didnt even do 50% of the assigned reading but i managed to get an A in his class because i showed growth in my writing. he mainly looks for progress in your writing. dont be discouraged when he gives you a bad grade. he does it to leave room for growth. im a straight A student in eng. when he gave me B's. it made me work harder for that A.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Sep 6, 2007

Right!! Anyone who has given him a thumbs up on anything must be crazy! I sat there for 2 classes this Fall, discovered this site &ran! Every1 is being real w/u here. U get like 10 "uhs" b4 he completes his sentence & our 1st story had 2do w/sex! Unbelievable. Stay away & he doesn't grade higher than a C so I've heard! It's ENGLISH!

1.0
5.0
ENGMW12
Dec 5, 2007

Total jackass.Don't take him if you don't have to.Does not know how to teach and he is a hard grader.Thinks he is God or something because only the things that come out of his mouth are right.He'll keep saying how the**** you do is not detailed enough when he was the one not specific enough on assignments.Worse there is in BC.TOTAL MORAN!!!!!!!!!!

2.0
4.0
ENG2
Dec 9, 2007

Hate the class but hate him even more.Total moron that thinks he knows what hes talking about.Doesn't show much of an effort to help students.Boring as hell.Keeps yapping and normally holds you late. Studders, b b b before I let you go....Worse there is in BC. Gives low grades.If you want someone to lower your gpa and get bored to death, take him.

1.0
5.0
ENGLITF10
Dec 10, 2007

Does not know how to explain material clearly. Spends most of class time talking about subject matter unrelated to the class itself.

1.0
3.0
CC1004
Jan 7, 2008

He is one of those professors that just sits there and talks for the entire class time. Can drone on and on for an hour and a half. He is very understanding though if you do not hand in an assignment on time.

2.0
4.0
ENG2
Jan 20, 2008

He's great for lowering the GPA. He's also great if you like listening to someone for two hours always steering the conversation towards the war in iraq and his views against it and the president.

3.0
2.0
CC1004
Jan 21, 2008

He was a very nice and kind Professor he cared about us learning, we didnt do much in class. The class drained on forever but its okay i like him i recommend him for film and literature.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Feb 1, 2008

awfully boring, didn't show up to first class, always late, didn't have syllabus until 3rd meeting. difficult to understand, talks about nothing. stressed me out and ruined my semester. waste of money and time.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Feb 2, 2008

has anyone actually complained to the english department? i think im going to, however dont want to be alone in this. if anyone has, do they seem not to care? i wonder why nothing has been done about a professor that students feel SO strongly about???

1.0
4.0
CC1004
May 8, 2008

mad boring. just keeps on talking and talking. drifts off topic everytime. comes in late and keeps us in class for an extra 5 minutes! gets to the book within the last 5 minutes of class! harsh grader...wouldn't recommend this professor.

1.0
5.0
CC1004
May 15, 2008

BEWARE! AVOID at all cost! Did not provide students w/ the movies that was require, in the library! didn't even show up for the first day of class. Just goes blah, blah, blah all the time. Quite a condenscending fellow. If u happen to stumble on him by mistake, save that Pass/Fail thing for him. COMPLETE WASTE of time. Eng majors might disagree.

1.0
5.0
ENG200
Jun 2, 2008

y is this guy still teaching?guy must have tenure or something. Thinks he is a Demi-God in writing. Waste of time is what he is.

2.0
4.0
ENG2
Nov 5, 2008

WARNING!!!! Never take this professor!!!! He will put you asleep and ruin your GPA. I regret I didn't know this cite before I registered for his class. I even tried to drop it after several classes. Unsuccessful. He is a very harsh grader. VERY! I do not think anybody from my group got a grade higher than C... I would NEVER take him again!

1.0
5.0
ENG100
Nov 11, 2008

hes a total ass!!! don't take him, he's so boring i swear he doesn't teach at ALL, hell lecture about one word that has nothing to do with the class. The last 5 minutes of class hell try "teaching" and taking attendance. AVoid him! he freakin called me ESL!!! WHAT kind of Professor does that?

1.0
3.0
ENGMW12
Nov 24, 2008

Prof. Goldman does not interact the students in the lesson. He talks extensively and can't capture the attention of the students. His assignments are very vague and the grades are low. Many students fail his class.

1.0
5.0
LITMW2
Feb 1, 2009

I went to his first day of class, oh sh*t, run.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Feb 24, 2009

Warning: Do not take him! He will make you hate writing. He talks the whole class on useless information and does not like any input from his students. He made fun of my writing in front of the whole class... What good teacher does that?

1.0
5.0
ENG102
Aug 17, 2009

This class was like watching paint dry with a migrain. He does not teach, only bables on about his political views and how dumb he thinks his students are. English was my fav subject before him, he will RUIN your semester!

5.0
2.0
ENG2
Dec 14, 2009

great professor easy grader i recommend him.

1.0
5.0
ENG2
Feb 28, 2010

ROFL I was only in the class for like 2 classes and he talked for 1 hour and 15 mins for each of the classes on the same crap which is being honest.... his grading process is crap and his syllabus is like 15 years old( if you look at it, it looks like one typed out of a typewriter). I went and did a Late app and got the hell out of his boring class

4.0
3.0
ENG2
Apr 20, 2010

you all have to get over yourselves, he's a good professor. He doesnt ask for much and its mostly discussion on the depth of each reading. This man knows what hes talking about, give him a shot, he may go off into his own world but he loves when you join him, easy A.

5.0
2.0
ENG11
Jun 1, 2010

I don't understand how anyone couldn't enjoy a class with Professor Goldman. He is hilarious and will teach you so much about writing, especially technicalities.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Jul 20, 2010

Rather stab myself in the eye with an icepick, he is rude, uncompromisable, and does not take any students opinions into account. He will fail everyone except maybe 1,2/20 kids in the class, guaranteed. Does not sue letter grades but isntead checks, pluses, and minuses. Waste of time, and energy. Must be fired asap.

2.0
3.0
ENG100
Sep 1, 2010

Last time I checked I was taking an English class, not a philosophy class. If I wanted to hear all kinds of nonsense, I'd go elsewhere.. Second day of having him already and he's been late TWICE for 20 minutes. Talks about nothing and attempts to "teach" during the last 5 minutes of class.

2.0
3.0
ENGMW3C
Sep 19, 2010

i feel that this class is a repentance for anything i might have done in my life. i've gotten to knawing off my right foot in order to keep my sanity. here's the breakdown: 40% his diatribes vs bush, society, and everything in general 60% cruel condensation and vaque threats. that is, if he bothers showing up.. avoid this man at all cost.

1.0
4.0
ENGL1012
Nov 26, 2010

He is the worst Professor I've ever had. He gives homework and forgets about it after. He doesn't teach anything useful, he doesn't teach at all. He is talking about stupid, vague things which haven't any conncetion with writing at all. He is old, incompetent Professor, with whom you will only waste your time.

1.0
4.0
ENG2
Jan 9, 2011

Avoid at all cost, he will ruin your GPA. Very few people should fail english 2, but with this professor everyone will either get an F or an NC. I got an NC for his class after doing everything that he asked including the fact that i showed up everyday... Also, i am an A , A- student.... FML

1.0
5.0
ENGLMW2
Jan 20, 2011

This professor does not teach anything, all he does is criticize how bad our writing is and that is all.

2.0
3.0
ENG2301
May 29, 2011

Show up and bring your work. If you don't, he WILL fail you. Try to get on his good side early because I do think he has a favoritism issue.

1.0
3.0
ENG1012
Sep 13, 2011

Arrogant, uninteresting, unmotivated, and fails to capture any spirit of what a professor should be. The classes consist of his long-winded beliefs of how writers should write. He's nothing less than a washed up second-rate Robert Duvall look-a-like and his tale of his dead wife helps prove the possibility that she died of cancer by choice.

2.0
1.0
ENGL1012
Jan 28, 2012

Not a hard professor.Just talks about his opinion on politics.No classwork. other professors want a 10 page final paper he assigned 5 pages.I gave in more than half of my assignments on the last day of the semester and got a C for the semester. Just agree with what he says,hand in everything on time,show improvement and he will pass you

1.0
5.0
ENGL1012
Sep 17, 2013

I regret not reviewing his ratings before taking his English 2 class. He is often late, even though his office is just down the hall. He rambles on unrelated subject and frequently loses his train of thought. He ridicules one of the paper as childish and unsophisticated. Worst professor ever!

1.0
5.0
1012
Nov 24, 2014

This class was horrendous. I did not think a teacher can be so boring. If you want to bore yourself then take this class. I do not recommend at all, English is boring enough as it is you do not need a boring professor on top of it.

1.0
5.0
ENG1012
Grade: B+
Dec 26, 2014

this professor sucked not only he messed up my gpa but he made me rethink every decision i made in his class no one in the class is going to get higher than a c-b range. he doesnt know how to teach even if you do the readings and stuff he doesnt care and will give you a messed up grade comming from eng 1010 to 1012 was a huge difference

2.0
3.0
1012
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 30, 2014

Yo, this guy assigns readings and never discusses them, but that's okay! Because you will almost never write about them! Also, he has a crazy superiority complex.

4.0
5.0
ENG1012
Grade: A+
Aug 10, 2015

Contrary to popular belief, I loved this professor. He's extremely intimidating, but if you participate ask for extra help, you'll be his favorite person. I was the teachers pet, but who cares, I was the only one who got above a B in the class. People don't like him, because if you don't give him effort, he won't give it back. I learned so much!

1.0
5.0
ENGL1012
Nov 27, 2015

He's not necessarily a tough grader, he just wants you all to write a certain way and doesn't explain it. No room for creativity whatsoever. His lectures are just him going on a tangent on how awful our writing is. Also: no office hours or e-mail? Do yourself a favor and don't take this class.

5.0
4.0
ENGCOMP2
Grade: C
Jan 22, 2016

always 5-10 minutes late to class lectures get off topic too often grading criteria is not clear, assigned a project 3 weeks b4 the end of the term without explaining it in the syllabus, we were required to read a book, that detail should have been mentioned in the syllabus so we could start early very emotional, cried once

5.0
3.0
ENG1012
Grade: A+
Jun 23, 2017
Would take again

I took a critical thinking/writing class with Prof. Goldman, and I believe that this was one of the most important classes that I ever took at Brooklyn College. You may find it hard to believe but this teacher's way of presenting the underlying concept of this course is not random at all, it was meaningful, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

68% confidence
Based on 6 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (2)
B- (1)
A- (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 7 reported grades
A+: 2
B-: 1
A-: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.30 avg change
Nov
Dec
Aug
Nov
Jan
Jun
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ENG101

5.0

(1)

CORE6

5.0

(1)

ENG11

5.0

(1)

ENGCOMP2

5.0

(1)

ENG

3.3

(3)
+27 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ENG101

5.0

ENGLISH1

5.0

EEEEWWW

5.0

CREATIVEWRITIN

5.0

ENGLISH

5.0

Similar Professors