I LOVE PESTA

had him for Shakespeare. He loves to talk and gives plenty of his own opinions. He will give you plenty of extra credit opportunities so don't worry about your grade. as long as you come to every class he won't give you lower than a C. He is really funny and a really nice guy.

He is definitely unlike any other teacher than you will have here at Oshkosh. He is over the top and extreme and certainly not afraid to say anything he thinks. He is a very good teacher however and he really opens your mind up to topics you've never thought about before. I had him for WBIS "hell and the devil" it's pretty challenging,but it's fun.

Loved the Guy! A fresh difference from the usual professor you get. He challenges you. So if you like that take Pesta. Do your readings and go to class and you'll be fine.

LOL! Anyone who rejects identity politics--everyone must look different but think the same--is against diversity! It's ironic that the preachy politically correct types (like the poster in question) don't realize how many secular liberal preachers occupy the classroom. Nice.

The only professor I've had that was worth my tuition. Pesta is simply great. Have an open mind and you'll be fine. He doesn't really care if you disagree with him as long as you support your beliefs. Just don't disagree with him solely based on what "the majority" thinks is right :P

GREAT PROFESSOR. TAKING HIM AGAIN. READ, READ, READ. DON'T JUST SPARKNOTES OR TRY TO ASK A FRIEND. BS WILL NOT HELP IN ANY OF DUKE'S CLASSES

Animated, smart, downright hilarious. He will change everything you thought you knew about Shakespeare and expose the fallacies of today's world. He's not for everyone, but those strong enough to stick with it will leave the class as better people. I can't recommend him enough. Guys like Dr. Pesta are the reason I attend college.

Duke Pesta is the best professor in the English department. His lectures will change your life and make you rethink everything you know. He is funny, smart, and honest. His grading is fair and the homework level is easy. He is one of the few professors actually worth tuition money. TAKE ANY CLASS YOU CAN WITH HIM!

Great Teacher, Brings about new ways of thinking and stimulates conversation with ease. I already signed up for a course next semester with him. Amazing Teacher.

Oh my Goodness this Professor will really get you thinking about things you never would have though of before. I hate to read and I looked forward reading every one of the book he had us read. Absolutely phenomenal!!!!

Duke Pesta is a good professor. Encourages a actual reading of the text, instead of "fill in the blank" critical lens theory. Even if you don't like his politics, he is able to relate Shakespeare to the modern world. A good introduction to Shakespeare and the views of his time, which are views that can still apply today.

I had him for Shakespeare and found the class to be rather enjoyable. He does not teach in a very traditional way and it kind of refreshing. I would recommend him to anyone that is required to take this class.

Probably the best professor I've had to date. Must show up for classes if you want to pass. You must read the materials and do the journal entries if you wish to do well. Come to class with an open mind and you'll learn more in this class than you will in all your other classes combined.

One of my favorite profs.! I enjoyed every class we had he makes then all extremely interesting, relevent, and fun. READ THE BOOK AND DO THE JOURNALS. It may seem ridiculous but its not so bad once you get used to it. TAKE HIM!

For the first time in a long time, I've found a professor who brings the joy back into literature. He asks you to read the material, not deconstruct it with endless theory/criticism. He's intense, but open your mind, show up to class, do the work and enjoy the ride. Give him time, he will grow on you. My favorite professor in the English dept.

By far the best professor i've ever had. Just make sure you do the readings and give the class a chance, if you do, the class will be very enjoyable.

I found his lectures to be interesting and amusing at times, very passionate. However, I learned absolutely nothing from his class other than his political and religous beliefs. If you find his lectures to be genius, you've clearly never watched FOX news or listened to Rush Limbaugh.

Great teacher! One of the few out there that actually cares about his students. He's passionate about the subject so he makes it fun to learn. All he asks is that you actually try and do the work. I see the bad ratings, and its obvious they are just to lazy to succeed.

Great Professor! He relates ancient texts to the modern world, for the benefit of historically ignorant students. This is why the class will sometimes focus on contemporary things, but always in context. Very good teacher.

Best prof, class I've ever had. Unlike any other English prof, he challenges us to verify for ourselves the things he tells us. Very refreshing and non partisan.

Best by far, I recommend him to every one.

To me, this was to be just another meaningless elective. I'm not an english major, and dreaded the thought of this class. He really surprised me, and made me care about some of the stuff we read.

Dude's class is an "epiphany" (he taught me that word)--will change your whole perspective on life, art, and the frickin' Bard. Rock on Billy Shakes, all hail Duke...

Just finished his class, can't wait for summer school to begin!

Loved his classes--recommend them to all my friends. One of the few things I miss about school.

Hands down the best Professor, no scratch that, the best teacher of any kind I've ever had in my life. His class was absolutely not the easy way out of a required, unrelated to my major course but I don't regret the late nights and intense work load one bit. It was nothing but a privilege to have been in Dr. Pesta's classroom.

There was literally no way for you to fail this class if you put the effort forth. There was a quiz every class on details from the reading, but they meant nothing if you wrote extra in your journals. The tests were all take home and just more elaborate journal entries. In his own words, "I have given you an easy fix..."

He is an amazing teacher! I had Intro to Shakespeare, and he taught us shakespeare's view, no his own, and related it to modern day events that we could understand it better. Class was always fun to look forwardto. You basically control your grade. Amazing!

I found him challenging, and it was nice that he called out over the top readings from the right or the left. I can see how if your used to the leftist type readings we always get in English, it could bother you. But fair is fair, and if it has nothing to do with Shakespeare, he tells you. Very refreshing

Very cool teacher. Changed my minor to english because of him. If lit is what you want to study TAKE HIM. If gender, social engineering, and lib politics is what you want DON'T. Pretty simple.

Good non-major class. Shakespere is hard, but he makes it easy to follow. The assignments are every day, but not overwhelming, so you can get into a nice groove. He makes you think about things that are about life, not just the stories he teaches in the book. The discussions are lively, and that makes it intersting.

Definitely keeps me awake first thing in the morning. Very energetic and animated prof. Makes the mythology real for today. Can't wait to get to Dante.

Been wait listed for his class a few semesters now. Finally got in, and love it so far. Very interesting and motivational.

Very good discussion in class--it's interestign because every day a new topic gets people going in the book in different ways.

As a graduate student in a combination undergraduate/grad class, I found this course quite interesting. As a future teacher, I admired the way professor Pesta explained Shakespeare to undergrads who were,to be honest, rather poor and lost readers. Eye opening as to what I can expect when I'm (hopefully)a professor myself.

a kid mentioned in class he heard that Pesta had every line of the big tragedies memorized. so for five minutes, he let us fire lines at him from Hamlet, mcbeth, othello and Leer. He always recited the next few lines from memory and never missed. Pretty amazing

He is the best teacher I've ever had. He explains why literature matters and what is rimless about it. Reading the classics makes me mad we spend so my time in other classes on largely irrelevant stuff. Thanks Dr. P.

Spenser and the Fairy Queen is the hardest thing I've ever read, and already one of the best things. Intimidating. Dr. Pesta brings humor and common sense to the class, making a hard subject fun and relevant. I cannot recommend him enough.

He's one of those teachers who you think you don't like during the first week, grudgingly respect during the second, and come to love the end . Great class.

Great class. Lots of discussion, but not the everyone is always right kind. He argues with every position and is good at it. You really have to know what you think and why, or your toast. Very amusing.

Really good teacher. I put this class off until the end of the my college days, because honestly I'm not an english person and I hate to write. But he really makes the class interesting, and seems very fair in criticing what people say from all angles.

my roommate was in this class and urged me to sign up the second day of class. the teacher helped me get in and the class is great. for an english class the class is fast paced and actually exciting. The three hours goes by very fast.

I'm in his interim course, which is very condensed. It's like have three class periods back to back every day. The readings are hard but the discussions make it seem your in class just a few minutes. Very good material handled very well. I will take another of his courses before I graduate.

You can't ask for much more in one of these interim courses. He is reasonable about the workload, and works with you on deadlines and stuff. The readings are interesting and the time goes by quick. I recommedn his class.

This was a great class! I had never read any C.S. Lewis before, but really liked it a lot. It was like a course in history, philosophy, theology, and english all rolled into one. The professor was almost as impressive as Lewis, and explained things clearly and in a very interesting way. He is animated and challenges you to think.

Dr. Pesta was the BEST professor I ever had; I learned more from him in one semester than I did in my first 3 1/2 years of college. He can come off as intimidating, but he does care about his students. He is a tough, yet fair professor. Put in the time and you will do well in his classes.

Best class I have ever taken! Dr. Pesta has way of really making you think and understand the material. His conviction and logical perspective has the ability to change the way you think. I learned more in this class than any other I have ever taken. I couldn't even begin to explain what I got out of it!

Absolutely the best UWO has to offer. Great teacher, easy to work with, good sense of humor, not a grade Nazi (nor a pc nazi). One of the few teachers actually worth the inflated tuition and generic campus.

Amazing.

his class makes me get it, finally, what college is supposed to be. I feel like up until now, I did not know why any of this mattered.

The three hours seem to go faster than the 10 minute break you get...fast, smart, interesting. He makes Shakespeare relevant....that is, he shows how Shakespeare is relevant in ways few other teachers are able to do in their classes.

The guy teaches like all teachers should. He references everything to a practical and understandable sense. He doesn't spew the same junk you'd expect out of a English Professor and it's really amusing to watch him challenge the preconceived notions of students and really makes the students think about their morality and opinions on the world.

He made the mandatory freshman english class AWESOME. I'm glad I had the opportunity to take his class. Highly recommended.

Its not like you agree with everything he says, because he actually gets mad when you do. But even when you don't agree, you have to conceed that he has valid points. He really likes people to argue about things, rather than just sit there and listen. Great class.

He offered college courses at my high school and I love this man. He is HILARIOUS and truly speaks his mind. Duke is super helpful, intelligent, and blunt. Probably the greatest thing about him is how he actually makes you think logically. The work can be difficult to understand at first, but he teaches you how to logically think it through.

He actually made English fun...who knew that was possible! Especially when I just took the class to fulfill a general education requirement.

He's a really good teacher. I'm not at all a humanities person, but boy did he manage to keep my attention and make this stuff interesting. He likes people to disagree and challenge, but he is also very good at exposing weak arguments.

I feel like this man has saved my life with all the lessons he's taught me. I really do owe him my life, I think...He's a great man and a great teacher. Truly the best of the best.

One of the top 3 professor's that I ever had. The class is fairly balanced, but the most important thing is that he related Shakespeare to modern day time. The 3 hours flew by with extremely engaging discussions and he really exposes gaping holes in society these days. A complete educational experience is not possible without taking Pesta.

I've had good teachers, but never a better one than him. He reminds me that literature is about life...not politics or oppression or anything like that. It reminds me why this is my major, for the people and the stories and the art. Why don't more teachers do that and let us make up our own minds?

It's almost too much! I signed on for a stupid (I thought) humanities requirement--could've cared less--and got this class. It just makes me think and think and I spend more time on it than my major courses, but I just canst stop thinking about it. Damn it.

If everyone taught the way he did the world would be a wiser place, and the schools would all be full of people eager to learn things. He made a believer out of me, and I'm pretty darn cynical.

Really, really good. Especially recommended for non majors who dread this subject. I used to scoff at "literature" people--like you will ever get hired with that. But he made me respect it and want to take other classes.

Can't recommend too highly.

Just graduated. College was expensive, tedious, annoyingly politically correct and intolerant, frustrating, a parking nightmare, and all together overated. Having this class and teacher my last semester helped balance that out a bit.

Great teacher--wow. Way too open-minded for an English professor. I almost began to forget the lefty talking points everyone else was at so great pains to force on me.

I put this class off until after walking in May graduation, I dreaded it so much. It turned out to be the most important class I took and totally changed my outlook on life.

Highly recommended, not your typical professor. You'll learn a lot and have a blast. He really makes you think about things.

The very best at UWO.

Do take. You just have to experience it for yourself. You learn with out being coerced or bullied. You can disagree and argue without penalty. So very different than most classes, where the groupthink and professor bias dominates.

He is the best teacher I ever had. Took a low interest subject and turned it into an amazing class. He is very fair and open minded. Great experience.

One of the best professors at UWO. Keeps class interesting and encourages people to voice their opinions. A lot of work but as long as you do your work (which is not hard, just a lot) and go to class there is no way you can fail.

Took this class for my freshman semester. It was probably my most favorite class that I have ever taken. He really knows how to let people speak their minds. Even if you don't like his politics, his examples are VERY applicable for the modern day world. If you have a chance to: please please PLEASE take his class! It is just one of the best!

He lets you know what he thinks and his position on things, then all but begs you to express your own ideas, defend them, or challenge his. He backs it up with tolernace and open mindedness, unlike many other profs at this school. Definitely take him.

A very unique professor on campus. He allows views and discussion and ideas that get squashed in many other classrooms. He also encourages people to disagree about things. Many dont, but that's not his fault. I wish there were more like him.

I advise you to TAKE HIM, you'll love his class and the subject. You'll write a lot of papers, but it is all easy as long as you attend class, read the novel, and listen. There are no reasons you wouldn't pass with AT LEAST a low B. All the exam questions come from lectures, so be responsible and TAKE NOTES.

He puts your grade in your hands. This class is a lot of work but if you keep up and do what he says you are going to pass. I dont see how anyone has lower than a B in the class. Great professor and makes class interesting but some of his topics are irrelevant and off topic. If you dont like classes talking about God...Dont take this class!!!!

Amazing teacher, knows his stuff, he teaches many of the classics and lit from the Renaissance, so God and such does come up a lot because it's in the books. Very open minded and interesting prof.

First class I've taken here worthy of being called a college class. Finally getting my (well, the govt's) money's worth.

It's clear he is a Christian Republican, but I'm a hardcore Democrat and I love his class. You can disagree with him and not get docked. Challenges your points of view, and challenges you to experience more from your education. He is my favorite professor I've taken in six years of schooling; truly UWO's best

If you need to raise your GPA, take this class! In this class you read Dostoevsky and talk about God and that's basically it (IF God exists that is) and write journals. The more lengthy of a journal you write, you get extra credit. As long as you keep up with reading and come to class there's no way you'll get lower then a B+!!!! Take it.

Not hard, but you will have to write a lot (3-6pg journal every class). Brilliant, knows his Shakespeare well, and makes very good, thought-provoking points. One of the, if not the, best professors at UWO. Know going in that he is a strong rightwing Christian, but he respects all opinions and will not dock you points for disagreeing. Very fair.

Best teacher ever. He leads great discussion, very much about big picture things. He talks a lot about the philosophy and theology of the time the books were written. Super openminded. Plays devils advocate a lot and argues against current dominating worldviews.

Great class. So refreshing not to read every play from some angle or slant. You get Shakespeare, just like the title of the course says, not postmodern spin or twisted political jargon. You can write what you think, not what you know your prof wants to hear. Sometimes I say outrageous things just to test him. He never censors or overreacts.

I liked this class way more than I thought I would. The 90 minutes seemed like 10, seriously. There were actually days I wish it were longer.

My favorite teacher ever.

Absolutely amazing. Smart, compelling, humane, open-minded, and FUNNY.

Awesome interim class! Put off english so long, always hated it. This class was a total surprise. Thought it would be a complete pain, but I was wrong. Great teacher, made the class fun and insiteful.

The class offered an incredible amount of life information, all channeled through Shakespeare. The human nature lessons were very valuable, and the professor explains it all so well.

The theme was Dostoevsky, God, and The Devil. Very philosophical author. Very brilliant man to guide students through an author like Dostoevsky. I anticipated dry Russian lit., but Duke makes it interesting, relevant for readers during the time and now, and is flexible. He'll work with you on writing, deadline extensions. Just be there and READ.

Great teacher--made class relevant and interesting for a non english major. He is one of the only humanities profs I have had who does not force opinions on you but lets you think for yourself.

Pesta is one of the best teachers here. He's a love-or-hate professor bc of his different and vocal political opinions (the only right wing English prof you'll ever meet), but 4 out of 5 students love him. His enthusiasm and knowledge for the material is unparalleled. Also: first 3-4 weeks are roughest, bc of extensive backgrd. It gets better!

Made me adore Shakespeare after rocky high school memories. He knows his material and explains it so well and passionately that you start to love it too. Not much reading, but it'll take awhile because you have to read carefully. Quizzes and journals every class, so you'll work for the grade, but the lectures and learning are 100% worth it! :)

Just awesome. He challenges the prevailing ethos of humanities programs. And thanks for doing it Dr. P., otherwise it would just be one long mindless echo chamber of self-fellating political correctness. If you care about diversity of thought, take his classes. He is fair to all perspectives (very rare these days).

If you're sick of sitting in literature courses that emphasize reading through lenses (that usually conceal) and you feel like you're drowning in the progressive liberal politics that DOMINATE colleges now days, Pesta is your breath of fresh air, and he'll teach you how to read Shakespeare for what SHAKESPEARE says, not some lens. BEST professor.

This was the 4th class Ive taken from Duke. All level 200 and 300 classes are laid out the same. (Minus a paper for 300 level that he must take) You will write between 2-4 pages a class period (A 'journal' where he doesn't care what you write) for a 200 level class, and a 3-6 page journal for a 300 level. Very understanding about personal crisis

He makes you read and write a ton, and he challenges you a lot, but he is extremely fair. We varied on politics, but you can challenge him and not have your grade docked for it. He's the only professor I've ever given a perfect score on teacher evaluations.

Professor Pesta is a breath of fresh air on a mostly liberal campus. He wants his students to read Shakespeare as it was meant to be read: without analyzing it with an overly political lens. He typically gives reading quizzes every class period, but just do the reading. He is very open to answering questions and gives interesting lectures

This guy is smart, and he doesn't buy into the conventional, modern ways of teaching. He doesn't tell you what to think (like many others)- he teaches you to think for yourself and examine all angles of things. He is a breath of fresh air on a one-sided campus. Disclaimer: He may offend you if you don't have the gall to open your mind.

I learned more in this one class than I did in my entire college career. If the reason you came to college was to have your mind opened to different perspectivesviews, and also to find the point in studying someone like Shakespeare, he's your man. He relates Shakespeare to our world, making the learning relevant and interesting.

He is so much fun in class, I will be taking him again next semester. His class is easy if you are willing to do the reading and writing involved, which is a lot. But, put in the work and you will get an A

The only professor I have ever encountered who actually tried to undo the indoctrination I received in all my other classes. He placed a philosophical compass in my hand that helped me navigate the rest of my experience at the institution. Take him, even if you aren't on the same political spectrum, facts are facts.

I took this class for interim, so there were 3-6 page papers due everyday along with a quiz. Class was very interesting and Duke really knows how to make it fun. I always looked forward to going to class. It is a lot of reading and it's hard. The quizzes are based on the reading and they are very hard.

Duke rocks. You can't out-think the man, but he might offend you. Prepare for the journey.

Pesta doesn't care about your performance. He only cares if you show up. In his philosophy, having you listen to the lecture is far more important than whether you can pass tests or write elaborate papers. He discusses a lot of controversial topics and is very entertaining in his lectures. All students should take him, regardless of their majors.

I have always despised having to take English classes, so I was pleasantly surprised when this class quickly became my favorite and one of the best classes I've ever taken. Dr. Pesta is a relief from the typical liberal agenda pushed by most professors I've had. He allows you to speak your mind without your grade suffering whatsoever.

Never was a good reader and took his class because I heard he was the best English professor on campus. There is plenty of reading and writing required to pass but the entire course fun and interesting. It did not take long to til I was looking forward to my daily essays. By far he is the best teacher I have ever had.

Best professor on campus!

absolutely worth it!

He is straightforward with minimal expectations, and discusses controversial topics that are present in the modern world. He doesnt care if he offends you, and says shocking things in lecture to state his point. While he is sometimes crude, he brings up things that Ive never thought of before, and often offers a new perspective.

I loved this guy. Extremely passionate about his subject. Seems unapproachable but once you talk, he is really cool. He had us write a minimum of two page each class, which sounds like a lot, but it's really not bad for a writing course. EASY A or B, as long as you do your stuff. Would not recommend if you are particularly sensitive, though.

He tells you what he wants from you on the first day of class. If you don't like talking about hard topics and being offended do not take the class. You can say almost anything in his class. A very funny guy. The quizzes are hard but he gives you an opportunity to get some points back. You will read and write a lot, but it is not hard work.

I enjoyed this professor and the freedom to express opinions in his class.

Hands down the best professor I have ever had. From the first day of class, he preaches "total and complete free speech." As long as you are respectful, you can say anything, even if it doesn't agree with views expressed by others, the literature, himself, or even the university itself. Provokes deep thinking about yourself, and your education.

Fantastic. Put in what you expect to get out of it. Not for the sensitive need a safe space types. He supports free thought and open dialogue

I've graduated years ago, not even as an English major, and I am still touched by how much this professor has changed my life for the best. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy lectures from this valuable mind.

very good overall

James Pesta truly has been the greatest professor I have ever taken. He is funny, caring and definitely sets you up to succeed. He has interesting lectures and I often look back on the time I spent in class. He may be preachy at times but the lessons he taught have definitely influenced my view on the world and my life. If you're able to, take him.

The best professor I have ever had. It was a nostalgic moment of time I had in my life taking his class.

Easy class, basically lets you choose your grade. impossible to get less than a B. Very deep thinker, let him pick your brain. if you are a snowflake you will not like him. P.s Taken during covid shutdown

He is a unique professor but in a good way. His teaching values are one-of-a-kind and go against liberal education, so don't take his class if you're uncomfortable learning about Christian faith in literature. There are lots of papers, and quizzes are very hard, but you can get extra credit in every single assignment; it's not hard to get an A.

Dr. Pesta really makes you think about your values and beliefs as a person. I can see why a lot fo people may take the things he says on face value and find them offensive... but if you really think about the things he is saying they can really make you question yourself and you start to see things in a different way. I thoroughly enjoy this class.

Dr. Pesta is the most thought provoking professor at UWO. He makes you challenge your own beliefs in a good way. If you're left leaning politically, you will not enjoy him at all, but I still encourage to take class with him because he is always open to debate. Class wise, he lets you choose your grade and always gives opportunity for extra credit.

It is not Dr. Pesta who has UWO on his resume, but it is UWO who has Dr. Pesta on theirs. Pesta is and will be a success wherever he goes. Listen when he speaks. Listen. His lectures are rooted in truth, which can bring about invaluable knowledge in oneself. A blessing to have crossed paths with this man.

I absolutely love Dr. Pesta because he challenges the world and makes you think about it as well. Be ready to read some difficult meaning books. He has you write a journal for every class on what you read in the book and YOUR THOUGHTS, don't write a book report. Also take note of small things in the reading because it will be on the quiz!!

He says some very high intellectual things that many students have actually mistaken his views as maybe homophobic when in reality he is trying to give out a point that many students will not understand. In general, he talks about very controversial things that relate to the book you are reading and the homework is very easy.

This class was very interesting topic-wise. I really enjoyed how the class was structured, and Dr. Pesta gave many opportunities for extra credit. He tried to make the class as easy as possible and all you had to do was show up and do the readings in order to pass. Would take again.

My first day taking this class for a 3 week class I thought this guy was a nut job. As I went through his class I found he's just trying to teach you. He may not agree with your point of view but he will never shut it down. He may argue your point or ask for proof but he will respect how you feel. I can see why the "woke" students don't like him.

I can honestly say that this man changed the course of my life! He is the most intelligent instructor that you will find at UWO. I absolutely loved listening to his lectures.

I thought he was great. He pushes boundaries and buttons. But he challenges you to speak up and share your opinion and he does the same. He is very vocal but if you're able to keep an open mind and actually think deeply on things easiest grader around. Anything you write goes. I literally wrote a paragraph of blah blah blah because I was at a loss.

Took this class during the interim. Probably the best professor that prepares you for writing at the grad school level. Learned a lot during the 3 weeks; did not use AI. 8 page paper, 10 journals, 6 discussions. You. Will. Be. Miserable. Low effort feedback and vague. "Miminal" is his go to word. No formal rubric for "B" and "A" level work.