the best!!!!!!!!!! great teacher... great discussions, extremely knowledgable and helpful always!!!! kean is LUCKY to have her!!!!!

U'll feel completely comfortable in the class. Take her if u have a passion for literature.

Great teacher! Although she can be a bit disorganzied and scatterbrained at times, she really pushes you to think and test your academic limits. She is always available to help if needed. She even answers Instant Messages and will chat if needed.

piece of cake -- all movies and a quick paper on them =)

she is very enthusiastic and helpful, creative and sympathetic to students needs and woes. Always there to help when students get confused, one of my personal favorite teachers, and she coes remember who u are, which makes the experience of college better

Dr. B is one of the best profs at Kean. Taking her classes, you are guaranteed to learn a LOT. She is unorganized, but when she's slow at grading papers you can ask her for it and she'll have it ready for you. She also likes talking outside of class.

She is an awesome teacher. Not always very organized but her class is fun. You don't have to go, she usually forgets to take attendance, and even when she does I don't think it's taken into consideration when she does grades. Just talk every time you go to class and she'll like you.

The greatest prof it was my honor to worth with. A friend in 100 battles, smart, caring, and just wise. Took her for three classes would have taken for three million. Pretty and giving 110 percent. In the dictionary under ideal professor. She believed in me more than anyone apowerful ally.

Very good professor, no exams, makes material easy and understandable to students, she is always there when you need her for class's questions. You can also revise the papers again and again to get a good great

DON'T LISTEN TO THE HATERS!!! Dr. Balakian is a wonderful professor, and a real stand up gal. I was going through some personal problems when I took her classes, and she helped me out a lot. She often believed in me, at times when I did not believe in myself, and her class is a blast. I still keep in touch with her to this day, 5-10 years later.

I really enjoyed her enthusiasm. She made me feel like I could do anything, and she stood by me 100%. I assure you, she is a class you can handle and in which to have thought provoking conversations.

Good teacher, but difficult!

OK, I'm guessing you need personal problems to get on her good side because I had none. I did very well on my assignments and did get the 'A' but she was NOT friendly and pushed her liberalism onto the class way too much! I was sick of the political comments!

I love prof balakian. she helped me out when i really needed it and she went out of her way to spend time with me and go over papers, not many teachers give you that kind of time. she wants you to succeed, all teachers cant be an easy A but if you work for it you'll definitely get the grade you deserve. id definitely take her class again.

She is very helpful. She tries to motivate her students and captivates them into conversations. her classes are enjoyable and seems to go by very quickly, but there is alot of work that goes with her classes, so attendance is crucial.

Dr. Balakina is an extremely helpful and understanding professor. She makes you think and she is very open to those who express their opinions. She goes out of her way to help..She is Awesome!

at the begining of the semester she was kinda all over the palce, and was confusing, ut as soon as we told her that we were confused she went back and explained it in more detail. She even let us redo our papers, and we were able to go to her office and explain what we wrote. This helped improve our grade. She is very nice, and is willing to help a

The greatest prof. I love her teaching style. You are guaranteed to learn a lot. I could not get a good grade, but I still love to take her class again. She is not just a teacher but a professor. She will help you and work with you.

I love Professor Balakian. She really cares for her students and treats all her students fairly. Her class is very lively and I love the discussions. I think she is a very fair grader and if you try your best, you will receive a good grade.

Professor B can be scattered at times but she is very nice and caring. She wants her students to do well and tries her best to help you along. Yes there's a lot of work in her class but as long as you try and she sees that you're making a solid attempt, you'll leave her class with no less than a B

Excellent Professor, I learned so much in her class. Don't expect to ever leave early or get an easy A. You definitely have to work extra hard in this class but its very doable, especially if you go to her office hours. I definitely recommend her!

I had a great time in this class! I learned so much and I really enjoyed attending the class! Professor Balakian is extremely knowleged and really makes the class fun! She definately works with her students and wants to see her students succeed. I enjoyed this course so much so I registered to take her for Critical Approaches to Lit in the Spring!

I just finished Dr. Balakian's Critical Approaches course and I must say that she is brilliant. You will definitely learn a lot if you apply yourself and keep up with her assignments. She is a tough grader and I have no problem with that. Her classes are very interactive and she makes you think. I plan to take her next semester as well.

Love the class. Read through many plays I had never done before. Saw Fences in the city...loved it. She expects a lot from you and the class is writing intensive. But it is a 3000 level class and if she didn't expect a lot from you would it be worth it?

Dr. Balakian is an extremely knowledgeable professor who's love for literature rubs off on her students. She always gives 110%! Make sure to always have the book with you because everything done in class is based on readings that are assigned for homework. If you love literature, Dr. Balakian is the professor for you!

I had her class over a decade ago and I still rmember the work we did with Ibsen and Shaw! Brilliant and insightful. Demanding critic of your essays - which is how a student learns! If you are yearning to really analyze literature then take her class.

Balakian is super easy if you just pay attention and attend class. She gives ALOT of extra credit points if you participate in class as well. There's no reason to get less than a A from her.

I thought that World Lit would be the death of me, but this professor made it interesting! I only had her class once a week, so I was with her for 3 hours, which at times seemed long. But she enjoys teaching and discussions, which makes it easy! She IS a little unorganized, but not bad. Taking her again next semester, highly recommend her!

One of the best! Balakian is knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply invested in her students' development. Yes, Balakian expects good work-but as long as you put in the effort she will work with you (extensions, essay corrections, etc.). Overall, she is very understanding and willing to accommodate to her students' needs. Def a

Dr. Balakian is fantastic! Her knowledge for the subject is unquestionable (wait until you get to Miller) and her excitement is infectious. Yes, there is work to do (this is college) and preparation is a must for effective class participation, but you will be rewarded by thoughtful (even intense) discussions that challenge you to defend a POV.

Amazing professor! She really cares about her students and their progress, which is a rarity these days. She grades fair, has high expectations but they're not impossible expectations. She knows her stuff, one of the most brilliant individuals I know. Take her if you want to learn and are prepared to work a decent amount. Learned so much from her!

She's an interesting and engaging professor, and she really helps you improve your writing skills. I definitely recommend taking her class.

Professor Balakian is smart, honest and very positive. She is also understanding of students' hectic lives and realistic about accommodating them as long as you show interest, give effort, and don't simply blow things off. This class was thought provoking.

I recommend taking Dr. Balakian for Critical Approaches to Literature, since she effectively synthesizes the multiple literary theories that exist, in the academia world.If you attend class, each week, and read all of the assigned materials, then there should not be a problem in achieving a high grade.

Dr. B's teaching style accommodates both the train-wreck student and the brainiac. If you are a walking basket-case and can't write a critical essay, she will help you fly. If you think you are good, then she will make you great.

Most of my class were theater majors and Prof Balakian LOVED them. I wish she acknowledged the rest of the class that weren't theater majors. As long as you read the plays and verified your point of view in your paper you're in the clear. She is very understanding and helpful. Don't buy the books because you might not get through all of them.

She is very understanding and willing to help her students, no matter what! Expect to work hard because she gives alot of work and has high standards when grading.

This is the most compassionate, helpful and intelligent English professor I've ever had at Kean. She made critical approaches more interesting, allowing a variety of discussion and always sharing significant points. She allows you to redo papers and always improve your grade. She gives a lot of work, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

A helpful woman; she expects you to read and that seemed to bother some students. She really focuses on how you analyze the readings, you don't have a wrong answer as long as you back up your opinion. She always lets you redo work you aren't happy with. Very inspiring, great lady.

If reading, writing, and being creative are issues for you then look elsewhere. She opens up her lectures and allows students to express their ideas. Avoid her if you are syllabus rider and you love to sit in a class getting lectured at for 3 hours. Otherwise, she is a great college educator. actually seems to enjoy teaching every single class

She is a very nice professor to have for class. She does use the textbook in class and does offer students the opportunity to ask her questions. She doesn't lecture she tries to talk to students. She loves giving out bonus points. Her homework is easy. If you have a question just speak to her after class. She is late at times to class I will say.

Jan is a great professor who genuinely cares about her students. She's passionate about what she teaches and is extremely helpful. I guarantee all the complainers on here are Education majors, not English majors. Want an easy A? Take a different professor. Want to learn a lot and improve your writing? Take Jan.

Anyone who gave less than a 5 for helpfulness doesn't know what they're talking about and never sought help or cared about her class.

I think Balakian is one of the best professors when it comes to being helpful. Her class is not easy but if you put in the effort you will get the result you desire.

I had Professor Balakian as an undergrad years ago in Pennsylvania, when she was just starting out. Loved having her as a professor, found her to be very helpful when the material was challenging. (Totally would have dated her, too, if that were ethical.)

I love this professor. She might be disorganized, but she is very helpful and will help you as much as she can. I will take her any chance I get. Love her..

Is she easy? No good professor is. Is she helpful? More so than any other professor I've had before. Is she clear? Not 100% of the time but if you pay close attention, take notes, ask questions, and do the readings you should be fine. The people who are complaining need to grow up and take responsibility for not earning the grades they wanted.

Wonderful person and will bend over backwards for you to do well, but keep track of your things...she will lose things!

Dr. Balakian is, without a doubt, one of the finest professors at Kean. She is super generous and always goes out of her way to help her students. Also, her enthusiasm for literature is contagious! I always looked forward to attending her class and participating in the discussion on the material she taught. Highly recommend

Mrs. Balakian is an excellent teacher who cares about her work. She tries very earnestly to create a positive learning environment for her students. She expects no less than you best and provides multiple opportunities to raise your grade. Overall this is one of the best College courses I have taken.

Dr. Balakian allows you to voice your opinion in her class. She will not grill you for saying the wrong answer at all. To her the class is filled with students not paying customers; she wants to know and help in any possible way she can. When she gets to know you she will do anything to help. She is of the highest caliber in teaching for students.

Dr. Balakian is deeply passionate about this content area. She will allow students to redo papers that received low grades. She is always available to discuss any questions. Although she is a bit disorganized this professor truly cares about her students! Give it your all and you will pass her class for sure.

One of the best professors I've had a Kean. She is very passionate in her work and is always willing to help students with whatever they need. I would deff take her again.

I've taken Professor Balakian twice and had great experiences both times. She is extremely knowledgeable in her field and loves to share it with the students. She answers student questions effectively and was there whenever I needed something clarified.

There are not many profs. who care so much about what they teach & who work so hard. For Prof. B., literature teaches you about how to live your life, and she asks us to write about cool topics. She's really creative in the way she uses music and movies to teach ideas. I now dig Homer, Dante, Ibsen, & Miller & NYC theater! Very compassionate!

Outstanding professor who is dedicated to seeing her students succeed! Willing to work with her students to improve their English skills. Highly recommend taking her for any English course as she cares for all of her students!

Balakian is an awesome professor. I took her two semesters and got an A both times. She does hand out a lot of material but it is all helpful. She inspires you to learn and you will learn more than you think. You also get to see a play in New York. Take Professor Balakian if you have the chance!

I love Professor Balakian! I've had her twice Spring 16 and did not regret it! I look forward to taking her again! She is an inspiring educator and she comes to class with a huge smile always! I personally did not find her work difficult... I truly learned from her lectures.

Professor Balakian is by far one of the most supportive and encouraging professors at Kean! As long as you apply yourself you will do will in her course. There will be a lot of reading in in depth writing but you will learn a lot. I would take a course with her again without hesitation.

One of the best professors I've had at Kean so far. Would take another one of her courses if I could. She's extremely helpful and reasonable. You'll learn a lot about yourself too if you really get into the course. She sincerely wants all of her students to succeed and is extremely passionate about what she teaches. I think that's very important.

Dr. Balakian is one of the most caring and inspiring professors Kean has to offer. She does give a lot of reading but you will enjoy them because she's very thorough while reading them in class. I totally recommend her, if I was able to I would take her course again!

She's definitely chaotic and spacey, but she's sweet and noticeably cares about the progress of her students. She's very interested in your opinions and enthusiastic about the material. Only negative is that assignments aren't very clear, but that's just a minor inconvenience that can be fixed by asking questions in class.

Professor Balakian was seriously by far the most helpful professor I have ever had at Kean. She worked with me until the very end to make sure I got the work I needed in. She went above and beyond so I could succeed. She gives a lot of work but it's in your best interest to do it. Go to class and participate!!!

Dr. Balankian is a pretty good professor but she is very unorganized. She is not specific on what she really wants more than half the times and forgets many things. She doesn't do to well with email but she is helpful during her office hours. Make sure you show up to class consistently otherwise you miss a lot. She is a hard grader so watch out.

Very friendly and very passionate about the literature as well as the success of her students. However the course can get overwhelming if you dont put in the effort. Our class was once a week so we were given a lot of reading assignments as well as questions. But thats it. If you keep up with the readings & discussions in class, easy A. Loved her

Professor Balakian is passionate about both the course's subject matter and the success of her students. She is receptive to student responses and is accessible to those who need extra help. All in all, Professor Balakian is an insightful and nurturing educator.

Shes AWESOME AND VERY KIND! Cares deeply about her students and I highly recommend her especially for Senior Sem! Shes giving and really cares about students success! Any negatives about her is most likely said by lazy students. If you show up and do the work you will do great! Shes always there to HELP! Love her! If your a lazy dont complain.

I loved taking American Drama with Dr. Balakian. Not only is she enthused about the material and ready to engage with students, she also works with students to submit to graduate-level publications if they want to. We saw a Broadway play (The Price, starring Mark Ruffalo and Danny Devito BTW), and I was actually able to get my review published!

Great professor. Really supportive. Knows her stuff.

Prof Balakian is very nice. She has a tendency to be forgetful so she ends up rambling on about things. You will have to read a lot but I don't think it's an absolute necessity since she goes over it so much in class. Very nice and cares about you passing her class.

(Modern drama 3515) I love Professor Balakian! If you have the chance to take one of her classes please do. She really cares for her students inside and outside of class. Available for conferences and flexible when it comes to regrading papers. (All of the plays required to read in class can be found as PDFs online, not necessary to buy textbook)

Dr. Balakian is an intelligent, enthusiastic, encouraging, and caring professor. She can be unorganized so make sure you ask questions so that you know exactly what she wants. She will keep you the entire class time and prefers that you purchase the textbook but most readings are online. TONS of opportunities for extra credit. Available for help.

Dr. Balakian is easily the most outstanding Professor at Kean. She makes each student feel loved, seen, accepted and understood. Shes incredibly brilliant, genius even, but she is also very modest and prefers to let students shine! She is one of the most lovely people youll ever meet. If you see her name on the registration list, sign up ASAP!

Dr. Balakian is a great professor. I took ENG 2403 in Spring 2019. As long as you complete the work and participate during class discussions you'll do great. She's accessible and willing to go over anything you need help with. Course work can be a little heavy but its not that hard as long as you pay attention in class.

Dr. Balakian is great. Caring and devoted. Stays long hours and always available.

If you search "Jan Balakian" its the same professor I had her Spring 2020 and shes actually one of the best professors. Just read and do the assignments and PARTICIPATE!! Work load can be alot but if you explain to her shes very caring.

One of the best Professors I have ever had. She truly cares about her students and is so understanding. If you need help she will go out of her way to help you no matter what time it may be. She is truly amazing and if you have the opportunity to take her DO IT!!!

I loved Professor B! She is super sweet, goes above and beyond for her students, and provides great feedback on assignments. She is a little unorganized at times lol. But you will greatly enjoy her class. I wish I could have her as my professor for all of my English classes.

Professor Balakian is a wonderful professor and it is clear that she loves her subject material. However, my sole grievance is that she can be severely unorganized. I understand that professors had to move to canvas so I don't take it to heart. If she begins to respond to emails and fixes the tech issues I think everything would run a lot smoother.

Professor Balakian was a great professor. She knows her stuff and the class discussions were amazing. The bottom line is this: She'll be the first to tell you that she has trouble with technology; forget about that. If you show her that you really care and you do what you're supposed to do for the class, you'll do just fine.

Professor Balakian can be unorganized, but she really cares about her students. Engage with the material, use Unstuckstudy for study prep, and you'll do well in this class.