Get to read a lot and discuss, which is cool. Nice guy.

Funny guy

good old stoner hippie guy. read, always go to class, and take notes

His class is NOT hard at all, three papers and a few tests. VERY NICE

nice dude, lots of reading, take notes, good class

read and speak up in class, you'll do great.

Such a cool and funny teacher. He makes class interesting, though he gets off topic sometimes. Don't get into an argument with him about the war though, he'll tear you up! :)

It's quite simple, take notes on important points, study a little get As on tests. A great guy also.

Interesting guy, always has a lot to say.

awesome guy. 3 tests, 2 papers thats it. the test questions are straight from class discussions so just go to class and youll do fine

really nice guy! 3 tests two papers... must read and take notes!!! if u do ull do fine!

this guy is so great! he's really helpful on papers, will give you great comments to go from. tests aren't hard if you take notes and study them. you gotta love him!

Very entertaining lectures. Participate and you'll stay awake and get to know him. Grades papers pretty hard but the tests are cake if you come to class.

Richard is the man! He's very entertaining, and facilitates excellent discussions. Ask him anything you want about the Balkan region - he knows the answer. I'd take any class he taught.

This guy is cool. ****If you are conservative or very opinionated do not take him. He is very liberal and opinionated and really doesnt care if it bothers you....at all**** Really funny, laid back, I think its funny when he rips on people, but thats me

He is a very good teacher, very laid back. He does grade papers hard, but is willing to look over them before you turn them in and give helpful comments. His tests are easy if you come to class and take notes. Wonderful class, I enjoyed it very much.

This is the best literature class to take. You don't even have to read. Just go to class and take notes on what he says. Tests reward people that go to class. Plus Richard is awesome!!!!!!

So yeah, he's politically opinionated. Just steer clear of that subject and you'll be fine. He's really funny, very nice. Tests are all on class notes and discussion-- easy! Term papers: make sure you're gramatically correct. I highly recommend him!!

AMAZING! Best English class I've ever taken. Tests are straight from class notes and are very easy, you won't want to skip this class!

Easy class. Tests are straight from your notes. He's extremely liberal/politically opinionated. I don't know why he's teaching in the US - he should go teach in Europe where he thinks they have it all together. He's a VERY hard grader on papers though.

Balkan Literature...Definately knows his stuff and is excited to talk about it. Lectures are pretty interesting. Lots of reading...some really random. The class expanded my horizons.

He is hilarious. His class can get a little boring as he tends to lecture for a long time. Lots of fun stories though. He's extremely opinionated!

He's kinda crazy, but in a good way.

GREAT Prof. Class is VERY easy, but dont let it fool you, he is a tough grader, but not too hard. First paper he lets you edit for higher grade. 3 papers total. Assigned readings, which are fun and interesting. Good class, good teacher... if you try, you shouldnt get lower than a B-

2 exams and a 6-8pg term paper, tonnns of reading, but fairly easy tests if you actually read and pay attention to the quotes and stuff he points out, takes attendance, class can be a bore... tests reward those that read and come to class

Dr. Gaughran is awesome! He has interesting class discussions and he picks out some excellent pieces of literature to read. However, he grades papers VERY hard and the exams are in depth questions on the reading. Be sure to defend your arguments. Did I mention he's an ex-hippie? Gaughran rocks!

Loved this class, a novel a week was a little tough but the class discussions helped a lot even if you didn't read the whole thing. take notes, they will help you on the 2 exams! one was open book, one was take-home, both were easy if you read or if you are creative. very helpful and openminded!

Hysterical man with some great stories. Tough, but fair grader. Take the class if you can handle a LOT of reading: a novel a week! Laid back discussions, brilliant guy (seems to know something about everything), great class.

Very nice and chill guy! Lots of reading, but the books aren't that bad. I honestly didn't read all of them, but if you go to class and pay attention/take notes on his discussions, you will be fine in this class. One final paper 5-7 pages, two tests. Takes attendance daily, but loved the class :-)

Very funny guy. Very easy to talk to but can be a tough grader when it comes to papers. However, he's always willing to help.

Gaughran's great. May be "cynical" and a "tough grader," but face it, kids: nobody's gonna cut you as much slack in the real world if you're gonna be writing as part of your job. Consider his criticism to be prepatory. He is fair and gives chances to improve your papers and grade.

Professor G is amazing! I don't see how anyone could not like this man. He is hilarious, laid back, very fair. The reading is not bad AT ALL. He makes you think and likes to get everyone involved. He has his opinion, and he lets you are yours. He rambles sometimes, but it's funny ass hell. He looks like THE DUDE from The Big Lebowski, too!

Liberal hippie **** and I love it. The reading isn't bad, the tests are extremely fair, and there are only 2 papers - GREAT for a lit class. Gaughran is freaking hilarious and makes it interesting. TAKE HIM!

another GREAT gened. Very interesting books, and lots to talk about from each. The classes are very interactive; he doesn't really care about grades, is laid back, and just wants your brain to be working! He tells great stories, and is a genuinely awesome guy. Has his political opinions, BUT is truly open to anything, as long as you can support it.

not sure what everyone is talking about here... he is definitely a nice guy and very funny BUT his grading is out of control. if you are AT ALL interested in your GPA DO NOT TAKE HIM! he changed his tactics this past semester, as he received criticism from the dept for being "too easy".

This is a great GenEd to take. Professor Gaughran is hilarious and the readings aren't bad at all. Do the readings though, because there are reading quizzes, but not hard at all. Tests aren't bad if you do the readings and attend class. He grades the term paper hard, so work extra hard on it! Overall great class and I would recommend it to everyone

Cool guy. One term paper(which he grades hard), 10 quizzes (make sure you read!), and 3 test( listen in class, and take notes). Dr. Gaughran has a really hard grading policy, but if you show up at his office hours and show that you are concerned, you should be fine Come to class everyday too, he values attendance.

If you have the oppurutnity to take his class and you don't then you are really missing out. He is an amazing professor, from readings to talks about life he is one extraordinary individual. Class is worht taking!

Professor Gaughran is hilarious. He gives a paper which he grades hard, but he will tell you how to fix it if you ask. He doesn't just tell you to fix something and let you drown trying to figure it out. A lot of reading, reading quizzes, and 3 exams. Go to class, take notes, read, and study, and you should be fine. Great class. Take it if you can.

Here is the deal, I hate English and Gaughran makes it somewhat bearable. There are 2 tests, 2 papers, and random quizzes. His tests aren't that bad as long as you take really good notes(I think i've read 2 times). The papers he grades really harshly, but not worth as much as the tests. Definitely could make the class more difficult... take him

Really funny and openminded...you'll do fine if you can write decently. 3 tests, 1 paper, reading quizzes. His tests come straight from lecture so you prob want to be there even though it's not mandatory. Overall a really great lit prof.

Only 3 tests and 2 short essays. Grades pretty leniently and makes class interesting. I would recommend

Enjoyed the class. He's a tough grader. I pride myself in my ability to write a good essay. He tore it up. His weekly quizzes are hard unless you read all the assigned text...and studied it. (Ain't nobody got time for that!)

For a class meant to introduce us to the English major, it did exactly that. He covered most of the various genres of literature (prose, poetry, drama, etc.) and did so interestingly. He's harsh with grammar flaws so don't use any "to be" verbs in your essays! Or passive voice! Or "vague this"s! But he grades fairly - you do have to try, though.

I'm not sure what all the upset is about...if you read the readings before class and listen in lecture, Gaughran does a really good job preparing you for the tests. Make sure in essays you are organized and use the prompts/readings to back up your points. I thought this class was enlightening, funny, and interesting.

I had him for American Lit II. His class was fascinating and he was very passionate about his subject. Class is very doable as long as you show up, pay attention and read the material. The two tests are honestly not that hard if you read what was assigned. He grades the three essays fairly as well. He is very personable and nice. Take his class.

Gaughran's the man. His film courses are a great mix of the classroom text (which he uses enough to warrant buying, but doesn't smother you with), his own educated opinions, and your opinions straight out of your papers. Also with long gray hair, a chill demeanor, and an identical voice, he is a living incarnation of The Dude from The Big Lebowski.

Guaghran is very nice, passionate, and made lots of little jokes. His lectures were sometimes a little boring, but he had powerpoints to guide notes. Class always let out 15 min. early, but you definitely need to attend and take notes if you want to do well on the papers and exams. 2 papers, 2 exams, 25% each, incredibly easy if you go to class!!

This class is not difficult if you keep up with the readings and show up for lecture. Pop quizzes are straight from the books, test questions are straight from lecture. If you blow it off - of course you'll get a bad grade, welcome to college. He's an old guy who likes to crack jokes, gets a little rambly sometimes but it's bearable.

ENG 221 is Baseball Literature, which may seem like a joke/easy A(which is why I took it.) Turned out not to be so easy, but that was only because I barely did the readings. There is another guy who does the grading, and they are both nice guys. May or may not have hit a couple doobies back in the day. Take this class for a Gen Ed.

He is a super chill dude. He gives a bunch of pop quizzes but only because nobody ever goes to class. Its a very easy B if you somewhat do the readings before class but a difficult A. Actually an interesting class if you're into baseball, and we usually got out 15 minutes early.

He's a funny and chill guy. You have to do reaction papers for each film and you have two 5-page papers to write that aren't too bad. Don't expect to get grades put in, though. There;'es less than a month left of classes and he still has never put a grade in on Canvas.

Gaughran has been my absolute favorite prof. during my time at JMU. I've taken ENG 381, 382, & 384 and they are all amazing classes. Although he does grade hard for research papers, the feedback he gives is very constructive and he is always offering help. If you are a film lover by any means, take all of his classes. Wish more prof. were like him.

a gem of a human. super chill and gives zero work. all you have to do to pass is listen and take notes during lectures and read the textbook readings he assigns. you do two in-class essays and he gives you the prompts beforehand and lets you bring notes to help. then, you have a midterm and a final and they're just on basic stuff from the readings.

TAKE HIM FOR 248! Two exams, two essays, and pop-quizzes. No homework aside from reading. Quizzes are hard but curved so it's okay. He emphasizes test material so you're prepared if you show up and take notes. The essays are graded harshly but the grade reflects the effort given. His lectures are entertaining and he's passionate! Take this class!!

He's a pretty chill guy. No Canvas page, so go to class to get the assignments. A lot of required readings bc he has class discussions. There's only a few papers and no quizzes or anything else so make it tight.

I really enjoyed this class! There are two exams and two in-class papers, but if you show up to lectures, take good notes, and do the readings, youll do fine. If you struggle with English, Id maybe recommend a different professor just because his tests and papers can be challenging. Overall, I enjoyed his lectures and would recommend him for 248!

Easyy IF you keep up with the readings and lectures which I don't think anyone does. I gave up on reading so I just made sure to look at his powerpoints and tried to find summaries of the books online. Attendance not mandatory. Lectures are kinda boring but bearable. Gets quite rambly especially since this class was about baseball.

Took Prof. Gaughran for baseball literature and it was a good class. It's a lot of reading, but you can honestly get by just on his lectures. The class is 2 essays, a midterm and a final. He isn't a tough grader on the essays and usually curves the exams. Definitely one of the easier english gen-ed classes available.

This was a pretty easy English Gen-ed but be prepared to read. There are only four grades, so make sure you study and read. He curves the exams and grades the essays pretty easily. His lectures are pretty short and boring, but they are manageable.

Dr. G loves baseball and talking about it and you can tell he really cares about the class and the students. We were only graded on two timed essays and a midterm and a final. He curves your grade at the end (I went from a B to an A). Technology isn't his thing (we were all online) but he made an effort to try and he's just an overall good person.

Honestly the reviews from this semester are by the people who just didnt try in the class. you have to do the readings (which arent very long except for 3) and you have to take notes on what he says as he takes that for his tests. only 2 essays and a midterm and final. its not a hard class if you pay attention. i only read like 2/3 and passed

Very interesting and laid back class!

I think Dr. Guaghran is one of the coolest dudes I've met. If you like English class, take him. Otherwise, he is a tough grader, but if you learn what he wants then you will be fine. There are only a couple essays which are the only grades in the class. Not a bad class at all though.