he's down to earth and funny. you will enjoy. The assignments arent that hard.

The best proffesor that a student can ever have. He truly cares about the students, actually makes you thinks, and teaches concepts that can be used outside the classroom; relevant to life. The best!!!!!!!

Outstanding.

Dr. Tolan is great. He's lots of fun and his class makes you really think, and not just pretend like you're thinking. HIGHLY recomended!

That is a lie,He get's personal but I feel it is so that we can see he's not stuck up and he is down to earth. My 3 hour classes are always 3 hours. He's a great teacher and I feel that I would have him as a professor any day. Noelia BMCC

The only complaint I have of him is that he makes things more difficult than they seem to have to be. Otherwise, he's a nice guy, lenient, and always willing to help. I should have gotten an F in his class but based on my work (not my attendance), he gave me a fair mark and saved me from failing.

Challenged me! I'm an English major so I'm not often challenged by english classes. This class was an exception. Sometimes I found it difficult to understand what he wanted from me, but ultimately he made himself available for all my questions. I think he is a great professor and very compassionate.

He is awesome, the beest prof. i have had since i have been in school.

intelligent, knows what he's talking about, available to answer questions and clear about what he expects from his students. just follow the rules, do your work and you'll pass.

Prof. Tolan is great and always willing to help. If you don't understand something or if you have a question, he will try to explain everything until you eventually get it. You have to do the readings and the work. If you do, you will be fine but if you don't want to learn, then his class is not for you.

great..superb...insightful teacher....really great...knows his stuff...he makes class really interesting and funny....and he's cool....he is available to help with assignments and projects...again take him....great profesor

At first I wasn't sure what he was expecting of the class, but he is an extremely talented writer. If you are open to new readings and new ways of writing, take his class. If you are a true scholar and an artist at heart, you will love this professor.

great professor ~~~~!!!

i really enjoyed this professor he was real cool and understandin n helped me as much as he could

The professsor who was supposed to teach the workshop couldn't because of illness and the deputy chair had one week to find a replacement. In walked Jim Tolan, looking for a teaching job. The deputy chair knew of him and considered him a gift. He really helped me, and others in the class, develop as poets. He is a gifted teacher. He's cute too.

Not hard, I would say challengig. He makes some questionable comments and jokes that i considered too unappropriate, but he is a fair grader and the class was definitely a fun time. If you take him, be prepared to READ every assignment he gives... there are daily pop quizes. Three essays and one research paper. Don't bother if you're a slacker.

A little abstract in the essays/midterm/final, but I think it is a way to get people to think. Loved the poetry, he gives plenty of extra credit, use it. I think he is great. I would take him again

Badass. Completely and totally badass -- I feel like I actually have to work for my grade, which is a relief when compared to my last English professor. Intelligent, funny (in a cruel way), and inspiring. Also: I am *not* female, nor do I possess a "nice rack."

Great guy, kinda strict but it's all good.

I'm surprised to see all these negative reviews for Professor Tolan. Getting an A in his class is very feasible. I learned quite a bit in his class. Not only about the obvious, but about how to analyze and reflect on a part of my brain that I had blocked out. Many of my classmates were young and apathetic. I suppose those are the ones who complain.

He's excellent- really makes you think, isn't afraid to hurt your feelings if it means helping you. Has a very dry sarcastic whit-take his class seriously, do your damn work!This is not H.S. I also took 102, he's one of the best professor's I've had. Those who've bashed him don't get that college is about following your prof.'s rules, not your own.

I enjoyed Prof. Tolan's class very much. He was very serious toward his students and graded accordingly to how much effort the student put in his/her work. I love English and found the class very feasible, receiving an A for the semester. If you love English, then he will love you. It's that simple.

I adore this man..

he was easy. if you know how to write essays then you'll be fine.

Anyone who says he's impossible should probably still be in remedial English. He's seriously pretty easy. That being said, he's easy, I found some of his "jokes" quite inappropriate. Don't take him if you read at a third grade level. He won't read your essays past a certain number of mistakes, and I don't blame him.

great profeeor...down to earth

I LOVE TOLAN...Super Helpful...a true awesome teacher...look forward to taking him for 201

Very challenging. If you attend class and pay attention from day one, it pays off in the end. Although there were tests everyday, they deal with the reading and the books were very interesting. He's willing to help if there are any questions. He's funny, class was never boring. Awesome Professor!

Tolan is the man....I'm taking him for eng 201.....totally love him- nereida

I have always loved English, so with that being said, I loved taking Professor Tolan's Poetry class. He is very very attentive to what students have to say and pushes them to their best ability. His class is a challenge but it is definitely worth it if you want to learn. I highly recommend taking his class if you love English and want to learn.

I enjoyed taking his class, he pushes his students to be as great as he believes you can be. Many students find him hard but i enjoyed his motivation. I am a better writer today for taking his class. I recommend Tolan to all BMCC students, you wont regret it. - nereida

He's a difficult professor, but he's making sure you're getting everything out of the course that you've paid for. I came into his class as simply a good writer and now I look at myself as a much better writer thanks to his method of teaching. If he's too difficult for you -- you might not want to be enrolled in college to begin with.

very cool very very freaking sexxy ............ a part from that he made learning fun i hated essay writing cause i taugt it was too complicated but he broke it down so simple

I have been to this country 3 years. English is not my first language, so it is not easy for me to write perfect, but professor made that possible. In a short time he managed to open a writer, he taught how to express thought and feeling. This class is not only English. It combines everything: religion, history, foreign cultures, psychology.Take it

I enjoyed his teaching style, and he made the class interesting by telling stories about his life. I improved my writing skills tremendously and walked away with numerous gems of wisdom!

Really great professor,cared about each of his students and pushed them to be their best

I wonder if this man knew that most of the woman in his class were and are daydreaming of what it would be like in bed with him while he is teaching. He is the "hunkiest" dude ive ever seen. And his class was actually fun to attend. SO HOT

I wonder if this man knew that most of the woman in his class were and are daydreaming of what it would be like in bed with him while he is teaching. He is the "hunkiest" dude ive ever seen. And his class was actually fun to attend. SO HOT

Very good professor, should be teaching at a better college, because the students at BMCC are just too ignorant to care for such in-depth topics about world literature. They don't even TRY. Well, I digress. He is very strict which is great because most of the students love to slack off anyway. If it's so hard just drop out and work @ McDonalds!

HE IS THE BEST ENGLISH TEACHER AT BMCC! For those who comment negatively thwey most likely didnt put effort into class expecting an easy A, not with this professor you earn what you get and thats how it should be...Im tired of reading these negative comments towards a great professor....grow up. -nereida

I took 2 online summer courses (331 & 332) & still wish that I?d taken it during a full semester. You will complete his course having learned something regardless of the grade given. And that?s a good thing b/c he is giving his students a REAL college experience. My writing & analytical thinking is stronger b/c of his course work. 331 was a lot of

Very interesting Prof. He expects a lot from his students as he should. Many people at BMCC expect an easy ride and it really shouldn't be that way. It's college, he prepares you for junior and senior level work. Has a tendancy to go on tangents but usually ties them into the lesson in an often poigniant way.

He's very tough on you and runs a very high level class. Probably belongs at a better school. BUT I must say this; I've never been criticized so harshly in my life. He does it with sophistication in such a way that you begin to doubt yourself. Constructive criticism is good, but to completely break your students down the way he does is wrong.

Took this class online & writing intensive so I can't really agree or disagree w/ all the negative comments. He does criticize harshly but this isn't kindergarten so I have no complaints. If you plan on being lazy & want an easy ride, the writing intensive class isn't for you. If you actually care about poetry & want to learn, take him.

If your brain works, you should take his class. If you want an easy A take someone else. He treats each student with respect. He can go on tangents but always manages to finish the lesson plan. When he assigns work he gives you every opportunity to succeed. He encouraged me and has made me reconsider my college career in a great way.

Most of my classmates dropped this course after a few weeks. This was a writing intensive English course, but I guess they weren't prepared to do any writing. It is not, as others have stated, impossible to get an "A" in prof. Tolan's class if you do the work and follow instructions. His feedback was harsh at times, but I still received an "A".

best professor I ever had. really makes the class worthwhile and cares about the improvement his students can all make.

I improved my writing in this class. He is very helpful, I always looked forward going to his class.

This is a class where your grade is determined by the effort you put forth. Tolan isn't trying to fail you. He puts the content in a language in which a student can understand and that is easily accessible. He is also a very organized man for all the pet peevers like me who hate a dysfunctional classroom! This class is a must take!

If you're looking for an easy professor don't bother to take him. He is a really good professor though he makes you become a better writer and he gives great feedback. Even though he was harsh at his comments he still was very helpful and gave tons of work but everything was common sense if you did the readings and paid attention to his lectures.

I adore this man. He's a Professor, Poet, and Editor. One of his textbooks has him listed as the editor. If you love poetry, he invites you to events for extra credit. Don't expect him to baby you. If you particpate, do the homework, put the effort in, and don't come in late too many times, he works with you. Thanks Tolan - Q

He is a tough grader because he expects your best. He pushes you, but you improve from it. He is very clear with what he wants for the semester. He makes boring material interesting. His class will improve your writing exponentially. BEST PROFESSOR I EVER HAD.