4.1
Quality3.1
Difficulty64%
Would Retake173
Reviews64%
Would Retake
173
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
110
4
25
3
12
2
6
1
20
What Students Say
“Do the work and try your best and you'll get an A”
ENC1102 - 5.0 rating“Is an awesome teacher and he had open my eyes to a lot of things in life”
1101 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
90%
Textbook Required
41%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.00 avg changeRatings by Course
ENCPREP
5.0
(1)ENC11
5.0
(1)ENC0010
5.0
(1)ENC002
5.0
(1)ENC1001
5.0
(3)Difficulty by Course
ENG
5.0
ENG101
5.0
ENC1101ENC1102
5.0
ENC0027
4.0
ENC1011
3.8
Reviews (173)
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He was an amazing teacher. Always helpful, Always positive, and clearly loves his job. MUST TAKE HIM!
He is a good teacher.His class is fun. you have to take the note,do the homework,3-4 test,some essay and you are OK with this class. In his class he never talk about your grades..so be careful with it.
He is such a good teacher..he helpes me a lot with work..very funny always keeps the class entertained and the class is very easy....please take him....i promise you will pass with an "A"...
First professor I had in my college life and I don't think will find a better! Very funny and always telling stories! Best professor!!! TAKE HIM
This teacher is not one of the best teachers? he is not passionate about his job.He is one of those teachers who is in it for the paycheck at the end of the week.Prof Darden really likes to tell a lot of stories.He talks a lot about his family and other things and makes comments in class about his students. Please do not take him.
There was an obvious hater and student who failed the end of the year exam who left that comment about Mr. Darden being in it for a paycheck. Why would a teach tell stories and talk about his family if he was all about the money? I have met professors like that and that is not Mr. D. He is wonderful and you will love his class.
OMG!!! Mr. Darden is my favorite professor!!!! He really cares about his students (JUST ALWAYS REMEMBER TO NEVER EVER EVER PUT A COMMA BEFORE OR AFTER THE WORD BECAUSE)and your straight!!! He's a must have!!!!
Must Have!!! He is a really cool teacher. Keep it real and always tell it like it is. Take this class you will really enjoy yourself and learn somethings.
If you take Prof. Darden make sure you can get him 3 days out of the wk, that was my mistake although I did pass his class. Prof Darden do not give a lot of work, jus do the lab and homework.
didn't think i would get along with him he turned out to be a really good teacher he really does care even though he says he's only in it for the pay check
HES AWESOME!!!GREAT TEACHER!!!HE DERSERVE DAT DAMN CHECK.
Great teacher. He's very helpful and funny! i enjoyed going to his class. rarely gives homework. test may be a challenge. he makes his lectures interesting and makes student want to learn.
Cool Teacher. Loves his family and uses them in his lectures. I was interested in seeing what he had to say each day in class. You will definitely learn ways to improve your writing.
Mr. Darden is brilliant! Learn his formulas well and you will do fine. He assigns plenty work and no slack. He might be cold at times but always fair. Know his formulas well and his fight plan and you will do fine.
I love Mr.Darden! he is awesome! His class was not hard if you pay attention. he gives a few easy essays but just so you can practice punctuation and other things that the class covers. Does not give that much homework. He is really funny! And Fine! and he tells lots of funny stories. You MUST take him!
I was force to drop Prof. Darden class after only attending 1 class due to a family emergency, i will say that he is a great instructor, he is clear when he is teaching and makes if fun. I do recommened him for your english pre class. awesome teache im sorry i could not have finish my class with him i know i would have pass.
Mr. Darden is the BEST TEACHER ever. He is very clear and concise with everything he says. He always has a lot of energy and he has a story for everthing which backs up his lesson very well. I URGE YOU TO TAKE HIM HE IS THE BEST. Always do your work and be ready in class. NEVER PUT A COMMA IN FRONT OR AFTER BECAUSE. After that you should be fine.
Great teacher for prep english.
Do you want to understand all the rules that associate with english? Do you want to make it to ENC 1101? You need to take Mr. Darden Class; He is resonable,understanding, funny,not to bad to look at. His class is as easy as you make it. You must attend class, do home work, and take notes.LEARN THE FORMULAS and NEVER put a comma in front of BECAUSE.
Do you want to make it to ENC 1101? You must take MR. Darden class. He make things clear to understand; He is funny and not to bad to look at.never but a comma in front any dependent words like: BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH, WHEN,ECT.I take his class for both ENC 0010 & 0012 and I pass his class with a A. I only wish he teach ENC 1101. He Tells good stories.
If you want to make it to ENC 1101, you need to take MR. Darden prep ENC classes. He does not give a lot of work. Take notes, do labs & homework & know the formulas that he is going to give you, and you will pass his class. Also, NEVER put a comma infront of any independent word like: BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH, IF, ETC. He is willing to help you if you' re willing to make an appointment with him. The class is as easy as you make it. Moreover, follow the fight plan. Also, he is not too bad to look at.
In my earlier posting, I said never put a comma infront of a independent word; I mean to say dependent word.
grat teacher i was so mad when i had to take class but he makes u realize you need it i learned soo much in his class that will help me in comp 1. great techer. If you want to make it to comp 1 he is the teacher you need to take!!
Mr. darden is the best teacher in the whole world. If you are looking to understand english, take his class!!!! Remember take notes, notes, notes and more notes!!! Very helpful. Most of all pass his test lol because he does not like for you to fail his test!!!!! Great teacher just take him!!!!
Mr. Darden is one of the best teachers i have ever had. He is funny and will help you in anyway he can if you just talk to him. I took if for 0010 and now I will be taking him for 0012. If i could I would take him for every eng class.
Mr. Darden was a great teacher. English was always my worst subject but Mr. Darden somehow made this class fun and easy to get into. STOP PLAYIN' Mr. Darden!!!
MR DARDEN IS OKAY..I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN TAKING THIS CLASS UNTIL ABOUT THE 3RD WEEK. YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT HIS FAMILY, EX GFS AND FAVORITE STUDENTS THEN YOU WILL ACTUALLY LEARNING. HE WAS ALWAYS ON TIME TO CLASS YET HE WOULD NEVER START THE CLASS ON TIME..BARELY USED THE BK. TAKE ANOTHER TEACHER WHO ACTUALLY WANTS YOU TO PASS THE STATE EXAM!!
Really Helpful with one on one help.The best professor at the school. Really help me with my writing and multiple choice. I would strongly recommended him. Please don't let him slap your paper. Take his class because you might feel dumb in the beginning but you well come out more with better writing skills
OMG, he is too good to be true. take him. he is really Good.
Best Teacher By Far!!!
very likable but for the first 20/25 minutes he tells stories and then rushes thru the lessons. rarely uses the book and DOES NOT COVER ALL SECTION that are on the competency exam. only 3 tests but unless you have time to schedule time to see him or another professor dont plan on passing.
Best professor ever! No need to worry about your progress in his class, you will have to go to his office! Attendence is a must!!! He very funny, if you follow the fight plan you will make it!!! In the beginning sentence structure may "kill" you but you will make it don't worry about your progress you will be surprised about the outcome like i was
He can teach and keep it interesting. He tell you if you are straight up wrong. He is just an amazing professor!
He is a great teacher. i totally get it when he teaches! i recommend you sign up for his class!!!
Darden is my favorite professor at Valencia. He is a very intellectual man and very passionate about what he does. The work load is not much and classes are ALWAYS interesting. I would definitely recommend him. (By the way- total hunk ;] )
What a professor. What a man. He certainly has "the right stuff" to be the BEST professor EVER!
Took comp 1 and it was an unbelievable class. This professor will definitely make an impact on your life and motivate you to do better. I urge every serious student to take this professor.
He's a really good teacher but he is so passionate about what he does it's too much. To me he is trying to be the teacher from freedom writers. However, I learned a lot from his class and it was VERY interesting (for being a morning class on a Friday).
Absolutly a great teacher and is very clear on what he expects from the students. He states everything that is necessary for you to succeed and loves to teach. Also works at the writing center so he can help you outside of class to help you with your writing assignments. just be sure to remember that your not that important and you will succeed.
Mr. Dardden is very funny and he smells really good. But his test is HARD!!!! We had a test that was 3 parts to it and only an hr to do it. I was struggling and had no choice but to withhdraw his class.
Professor Darden, is by far very funny. I didn't grasp everything the way I should've in the begining. However, I have learned alot from him.Towards the end I was finally grasping everything that he was saying. I have yet to receive my grade from him. Take him he is VERY PASSIONATE about his career.
I LOVE PROFESSOR DARDEN. HE IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CRAFT OF ENGLISH AND HIS STUDENTS SUCCESS. I'D TAKE HIM EVERY TIME. HE HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE TREMENDOUSLY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM TO HIS EXTRAORDINARY ENCOURAGEMENT. HE ALSO TEACHES IN THE WRITING CENTER, YOU'LL ACE YOUR PAPERS W/ HIS HELP. TOTAL INPIRATION AND ONE OF A KIND!!!!!!
EXTREMELY GREAT PROFESSOR! Expects you to learn the basics. I looked forward to his class everyday. He's hilarious! TAKE HIM!!! I made a B!
AWESOME CLASS. You will be writing a lot, but on interesting topics. He really challenges you to think about life in different ways. Professor Darden taught me a lot and kept the class lively. It was one to look forward to :)
Aww I'm going to miss you so much Professor Darden! You're class was so interesting and that was the only class that I never even had a chance to sleep in because you are so lively. I wish I can take you again but not available for my time! Great teacher though and so easy if you really just listen to him. He's so funny lol!
professor darden was very funny and makes class interesting but put political beliefs into the classroom which annoyed me and spent more time talking about his personal life than teaching how to write better and then grades harshly on papers
He is very helpful. He is very passionate about what he does. He is straight forward. Helps out a lot, he is a great professor to take. I HIGHLY recommend.
Best professor I have ever had. He will teach you how to write a perfect essay that can be useful even if english isn't your major. These skills he had taught me were very tough however very valuable. He is always willing to work with you and never lets you down. Do not take him if your lazy.. It is a lot of studying and work.
He is awesome.Great life and English teacher.I highly recommend him.
BEST PROFESSOR EVER!!!! He really teaches you how to better understand yourself and others. You want to successful in school? TAKE HIS CLASS!
He's an inspiring professor. Communication is key. His enthusiasm will make you enjoy his class. He relates everything he teaches to real life situations. His class will make you think about things individuals don't consider on the day to day. At the end of his class, you will have learned more about writing or English and being successful.
Great Professor! Loved his class, and I actually for the first time enjoyed learning something new. I would his class definitely recommend to anyone
He is such a beautiful teacher. By beautiful I don't mean looks(even though he looks great but that's not the point),he's beautiful in the way that he lives and how he teaches and he's just a great person and that makes you want to be a great person. You don't just learn how to write, you learn how to live. Prof. Darden,if you see this, thank you.
Professor Darden is the most inspirational and interesting teacher you could ever have. His essay topics are always fun and he is hilarious! He will always make you think and I look forward to his class everyday. He will change your views on life, you wont regret taking him!
kept the class interesting but did not keep the material interesting. This class was very much a teach yourself type of class and professor Darden did not have much influence on the subject matter. He did however have a lot of life lessons. The class felt more like a life improvement course rather then English. Very clear on what he expects.
BEST ENGLISH PROFESSOR EVER!! Professor Darden is an amazing teacher. He is very enthusiastic, funny, and creative. He takes standard English lessons and makes them interesting by reflecting them from your own life. He inspires you to be not only a better writer but a better person as a whole. He is very passionate about his work. TAKE HIM!!
This teacher is the best teacher you will ever have. I hate english and passed with an A. i worked hard for the A but he is very helpful. he made me look at life a different way. He teaches you with real world examples and nicely connect it to the paper your going to write. He is funny as hellll!!!!!!!!! take him you wont regret it
Didn't like it. He is very funny but too personal.
Mr. Darden will change the way you look at yourself and where you view yourself in our society. Depending on the class participation is what you will get out of each lecture. You use your book several times with about 4-5 essays, that's it for the grades. BUT, you need to know this is not your average English Comp class, highly recommend. :)
Mr. Darden is a great professor. He is a stickler on attendance, so SHOW UP. He may get too personal and be sarcastic but don't take it personally. The overall message he leaves you is amazing.HE'S EASY! 3-5 papers in which elaborates for weeks in what he wants and also emails a rubric and "tips" to receive an A on the specific paper. No final!TAKE
He is a very good professor,very inspiring and his classes are very personal, this could be a good thing to some and a bad thing to others. But I can tell you he teaches with real world examples and then applies them to writing so you will learn a lot more than just about English. He is very demanding but I do recommend him.
He is by far the best professor I have had so far. He is super funny and keeps the class interesting. He isn't exactly an easy A but will help you every step of the way. He teaches to where you keep an open mind and new way of thinking. I would highly suggest him.
If you're not ready to work-you'll fail. If you don't already have a decent amount of knowledge on punctuation and how to write a proper sentence- you won't do well either. But if you're ready to try hard and ask questions, if you already know the basics, take this class and you'll fall in love with it over and over again.
Communication is key. Great professor! Funny and interesting.
Professor Darden is by far my favorite professor I've ever had.He makes you have a new prospective on life and teaches so you'll understand. He makes class so funny!If you are looking for a entertaining class then you need to take him!You wont regret it!I have learned so much in his class. You will need to work for your grade but its 100% worth it!
Hard work and dedication is needed to be successful in his Comp 2 class, and in return, you'll get inspiration and a great educational experience in the English class.
I took Professor Darden for a comp class he was very helpful and fun teacher. He would go the extra mile to make sure he students understand. As long as you participate and try in his class you sure pass.
Great professor. I would recommend him to anyone, but I advise you to come ready. It's not extremely difficult, but some assignments are challenging if you aren't used to writing. Very funny, wise, and personal.
Very clear and definitely engaging. You will work hard and know more about yourself in return.
You'll walk into his class eager to learn every time you meet. I became a stronger writer and now view people and myself differently. He is such an intelligent and beautiful person. His class can be difficult at times but that's a good thing.
Interactive with students and goes out of his way to see that the material is understood.
He's awesome. He's so engaging, so passionate about his teaching that it makes you passionate about your learning.
It is a mandatory class and 110% recommend this professor to anyone, he's the best English teacher in Valencia.
You'll learn a lot in Darden's class, not just about writing, but about life. He's a great teacher and i'd take him again. I'd even consider just showing up to his class even if I didn't receive credit for attending.
Is an awesome teacher and he had open my eyes to a lot of things in life .
awesome class, would recommend. Helpful and very funny
I received an A in both ENC 1101 and ENC 1102. You will leave learning a lot and he is soooooooo funny. Doesn't get better than this. Do the work and try your best and you'll get an A.
His class is a must for anyone that wants to strive in life and in school. He's a great speaker and makes students look forward to his lectures. I always feel empowered and inspired. He teaches things about life and relates it to our assignments. It's a tough class, but you'll really learn how to write and won't regret it. Great life experience.
Professor Darden showed me a wonderful future after I took him for Writing II and Comp I. After I received an A in one class and an A in the other, I needed to take him for Comp II and I received a B just recently. Show up, try your best, become dedicated and do the work and you'll pass. He saved my life and I could trust him with that, anytime!
Professor Darden is an amazing professor, he really wants his students to learn but if you ask questions he will sometimes make you feel dumb for asking. He is clear on what he wants, and participation matters. I did more speeches in this class than my speech class. Students have to work for their grade and attendance is mandatory.
I took his class 2 times (first time I withdrew,) but when I came back to Valencia I looked for him. I recommend him for a MORNING class, especially if you have classes after; he will SURELY WAKE YOU UP! He is very very funny, and goes over the material well, is strict on texting and no call no shows lol!! I learned so much & I am taking him again!
Learned a lot in this class. Great Prof. Knows his stuff. Wants you to learn. Funny and engaging. Cons: Too many speech assignments - that can affect grade because of delivery. It's a writing class! Would like my grades back as we do the work. Shouldn't have to go to his office to get them. Would I take him again? Absolutely!
Yo. Take him. He's the coolest guy ever and is ALWAYS there to help his students. I took him a year ago, so I don't remember too much, but I do remember that his class was one of those that as long as you show interest and pay attention to what he's telling you, you will always get a good grade.
there is no debate on how great this professor is. his class is a life changing experience. this guy actually wants you to work hard and succeed in life. He is absolutely hilarious and will tell you the best stories. make sure you actually study and work hard because mr darden is actually prepping you to easily pass through other English classes.
Professor Darden is unlike most professors in that he actually cares about his students. He makes his class about more than just learning to write, but also finding yourself and determining who you are as a writer. He does assign a good amount of homework, but it is all essential to the class and serves a purpose. I would highly recommend him.
Love this class. One of the BEST classes I've ever taken. You will not only learn about English and writing but u will also learn life lessons that can be used forever. No exams. Minimal HW. 4 Essays. Lots of amazing class discussions! Office hours are ALWAYS available and he makes time for his students even on weekends. His class is a MUST take!
He was by far my favorite teacher! Taking him again next year for comp 2. Not only is he beautiful but he really cares about the students is there to help you succeed.
Not only is this an English class, it is a life lessons class. He gives so many life lessons which actually have stuff to do with the class and writing. I am not a great essay writer cos he's really helpful. Office hours are always busy so show up early. He's so inspirational and loves what he does. No written test. Took him for comp 1 too
i will not recomand to any student. If someone really want to be a writer than took this professor
Awesome professor! I took comp 1 and 2, n regrets. He's not only a professor, but a life professor.
THE BEST. He is an ultimate example of someone who is truly passionate about teaching. Never missed his class because I was looking forward to each one of them. You do have to put in work, he is deffinetely a tough grader.
Professor Darden is a good inspirational speaker and a good English professor but he was very unorganized, didn't provide a syllabus, and didn't explain what he wanted for assignments very well. Also, Comp 2 was mostly presentations & the final was a debate. I'm pretty sure I signed up for Comp 2, not a speech/debate class.
Prof. Darden is a great professor; he gives out assignments that are relatable to life. Every paper that I got back after grading made me realise a different fact about myself because each of the paper had a part of my life- my story in it. Like any other course or class, if you follow the requirements Prof. Darden provides you will surely pass.
No regrets! He was the best teacher I've taken! He does require one to be completely dedicated towards his class in order to pass but it's beyond worth it. He teaches beyond the classroom and more so about life! He is always offers clarity on assignments during his office hours. Darden cares a lot about his students.
Definitely would take again ! He's a great professor he teaches you everything you need for freshman comp and then some ! He gives really good feedback and is very clear. I would recommend that you take this class.
One of the best I have ever had. He was very inspiring and did not strictly stick to lecturing. I gain a lot of respect for him because he was very understanding and never judged. He also broke down sentence structure and how to properly write a essay to me and now I feel super confindent in further classes when a essay is presented.
TOUGH GREADER , BUT GREAT CLASS
The class was not bad at all, but you have to go in ready to work. You can't just get a A from just doing the work, you actually have to put work in. Not going to lie went into class the first couple of weeks scared, but got used to it and you will learn a lot of things along the way.
. He's really inspirational and funny from the very first day . There's not too much reading for class,participation is a must the way he makes you feel like in class doesn't seem you're working hard for you gread but you are . 3 essay out of the semester no test no quizzes in the book is not required
I was told to take Darden by my supervisor who is the little female version of him. She took him for her English classes & I do have to say that I'm happy she recommended me to him. I worked harder in his class than in my calculus class. I was given topics to actually think about & in ways it taught me about myself. Great guy! Great experience!
Professor Darden's Comp 1 class was pretty tough! However, his class focuses on real world discussions, understanding the true meaning behind writing and reading, and numerous group activities. No textbook, no vocab quizzes, etc. Only 3 tests and homework assignments. Darden's enthusiasm lights up the classroom and it was a memorable experience.
Assignments are academically challenging yet he goes the extra mile to make absolute sure that students understand learning concepts. He is fun, engaging, smart, funny, and academically fair. His class has immensely helped me to find my authorial voice and how to convey that voice in academic writing and oral presentations. The best professor!
Professor Darden is hands down the best professor I have ever had. He inspired me to become a better writer and I came out of his class a better person. Everyone should take him! He does not tolerate the high school mentality and he will push you to try harder on your work but it is well worth it.
Prof. Darden is an amazing professor. His class is not hard if you follow what he wants. He's lectures are awesome and very interesting. He has 4 major essays. Assignments are meant for thinking. But overall he is an awesome professor!
Best Professor on campus hands down. Not an easy A but I always left class in an elevated state of mind. Conversations within his class were so intellectually stimulating. If you want an easy A, probably not going to happen but honestly, I recommend him to anyone who wants a professor that actually encourages thought and critical thinking.
VERY strict grader, you have to pay attention, 4 major essays, do what he asks then you pass, everything wont be handed to you you have to do some research and take time in thinking. can be rude a times. might be a little more tough if you arent naturally good in writing like me. but if you actually try and do what he asks youll pass
This class is nothing like any class you don't only learn about English you also learn how to be a better person. This Professor makes you work for it. Yes the class may be hard at times and you might wonder how your gonna get things done but when you finish it you'll come to realize that it can be done.
The most thought provoking person I have ever met. He does a really great job at connecting things in class to things outside of class. Be ready to participate in class discussions. I love going to his class!
dont miss class, itll set you behind he is a great professor, he helps you if you do need it he encourages that you ask for help when you need it and he explains things over and over til every student understands he directions are pretty straight forward.
He is an amazing teacher but he is very particular with grading. He is also very set on due dates, miss it by a few ,minutes and that's a letter grade deducted.
Before coming to Professor Darden's class I use to procrastinate to a point where I rushed to finish the assignment but in this class he was very straightforward and helpful as long as you pay attention and ATTEND class
Professor Darden is definitely one who makes you want to come to class. He slowly builds up momentum and gears you up to want to write every assignment. Great speaker. He keeps everyone entertained.
Rudy is an incredible professor, would teacher, and will stretch you as a student
One of the best English professors. Unique, talented person with good humor and irony, yet a little bit mean. But he is the rare example of a professor that you would ever forget. If you would do what he asks you will get an A. Recommend him.
Dont ever want to miss a day of class. He is Incredibly inspirational. Great professor. I loved listening to his lectures. For English comp 1 there is really only essays as your assignments. If youre a great writer I highly recommend his class. If you struggle with writing you will struggle in his class immensely!! Tough grader.
AMAZING PERSON AND AMAZING PROFESSOR I took him for Comp 1 and Comp 2. He challenges your writing skills but if you just do exactly what he asks for (He gives Do's and Dont's & a clear Rubric), you will get an A! I would highly highly recommend him.
Considering that Im an 18 yo freshman, this class was one of the hardest classes Ive ever taken in my life. The fact that Im also an intl student may be one of the reasons why. His lectures are amazing, u learn so much from them. Had 4 papers in total (not a lot, but they require ur best effort, literally). He's great. Advice: dont procrastinate.
Mr. Darden is an amazing professor. He is very specific about what he wants so as long as you follow his instructions you will get an "A". There are only 3 papers + the final and he will give you a very specific rubric, a do's and don't paper, and student example papers for you to see what his expectations are. This class will change your life.
Inspirational
Amazing profressor
He is excellent and very inspirational. I knew since the day I walked in he would change my life. He helped me become a better writer and truly understand the world in a literary sense but the essays are pretty challenging. Yall should take his class I recommend yall.
This professor is a great lecturer and gives very good feedback on what is expected to pass his class. If you do not show up to his class and pay attention the ENTIRE time, you will not pass. Professor Darden is one of my favorite teachers I have ever had and if you take his class you will not be disappointed.
Professor Darden is one of those professors that a student won't ever forget as his teaching style is unique and straightforward. However, if you are looking for an easy "A," this course won't be your cup of tea. Professor Ruddy appreciate hard work, dedication, and won't accept mediocre work. I have learned more than I was expecting with him.
Professor Darden made me change the way I view things in life because of his lectures. He is very inspirational and will change your life. Essays are very challenging and you will have to work hard. I didn't like that he put in grades very late and I didn't know what I had in the class throughout the whole semester.
Best Prof Ive had at Valencia. As long as you follow his directions on what exactly he wants from you and if you communicate with him outside of the classroom, you will have a very easy time. And I also recommend going to his office during his office hours if you dont understand something and he will be more than welcomed to help you.
Professor Darden is one of the BEST teachers I have ever had. He's a very caring individual and he takes his student's successes at heart. I took his class in the spring of 2019. He has a very clear grading system just do the assignments exactly as he requests and you will succeed with an A.
You will be given a lot of assignments that all require out of class time. Most of the instructions are given verbally and are not available in web-courses . He is a super cool and nice dude though.
Attendance is mandatory. Personally I wound not recommend him to a friend. We had a issue that occurred where I unfortunately got to see his unprofessional side. Wasn't cute. His essays are not on common topics, multiple grades are just revising the essay which you have to write in pieces. His assignments were time consuming and redundant.
The best teacher i've had in college so far. He will make you grow especially as a student and writer. His lectures are the best. His attendance policy is horrible but make sense because so much happens in one day of class. Do exactly what he says and you will pass even if it's tedious. You will learn a lot and his class is worth taking.
The best teacher i've had in college so far. He will make you grow especially as a student and writer. His lectures are the best. His attendance policy is horrible but make sense because so much happens in one day of class. Do exactly what he says and you will pass even if it's tedious. You will learn a lot and his class is worth taking.
No cap Prof D. is so cool and caring. You can tell he really cares about everyone and it's prob because he works in the community as an instructor working with police, politicians and other companies. His stories from working in the community and from his family are entertaining because they make you think of life and writing differently.
I took Professor Dardens real time virtual class and it was honestly amazing. He always made his lectures really interesting with topics that were relevant to todays society. He provided interesting prompts to his essays and was very clear with his criteria, and also provided a lot of resources for us to use. I truly recommend taking him.
You NEED to attend class and pay attention bc hes a very hard grader. Hes HILARIOUS and makes classes genuinely fun. Most fun class ive ever taken by far. I was genuinely sad when the semester ended bc of how fun his classes were. You actually will learn and improve not only as a student but as a person in this class. Would take again, 19/10
RTV- Darden was a super cool guy and I love him as a person, but as a professor not so much. Do not try to reach that man outside of class because he will not respond. He will wait to grade everything until the very last day of the semester. The lectures in the class were great, we talked about a lot of important topics. Overall, a so-so professor.
One of the best professors I have taken at Valencia! He is a tough grader but only because he wants you to pass
Darden is a real interesting man. Youll have great talks with him for sure. However you will have to put a lot of effort forward to passing his class. There are no easy As. Therefore if you love professors that speak to you about an arrange of topics & you take pride in being the best writer.. hes your man. Only expect raw honesty ,time& effort.
Overall a good and knowledgeable professor, definitely expanded my critical thinking skills, and overall knowledge. I still do not recommend. He is VERY condescending, talks about himself/personal life/accomplishments in EVERY SINGLE CLASS. Does not grade anything until the end of the semester, so (grade wise) you have no clue how you're doing.
Talks down to students in class. Very racist teacher that puts his political views into the criteria. The only thing remotely related to english was the papers you have to right. The papers dont even relate to the class, they are all political papers and unnecessarily contriversial. I would NOT recommened this teacher at all.
Extremely condescending and inserts his political opinions into class. Constantly talks about racist white people, and his personal life. Completely inappropriate. First day he used profanity and said, "F your God," and constantly drilled into our heads that "we are not that important" Good luck trying to report him cause the school doesn't care.
Extremely condescending and inserts his political opinions into class. Constantly talks about racist white people, and his personal life. Completely inappropriate. First day he used profanity and said, "F your God," and constantly drilled into our heads that "we are not that important" Good luck trying to report him cause the school doesn't care.
Dont take his class his not professional and doesnt help students when they are in need!
Prof. Darden is a great person. He does have a lot of personality and comes off as a very intense person, but he is the realest guy out there. His assignments are self-explanatory, but it is a lot of work. Just make time for the class and you'll be good. Don't be surprised about the cussing though. lol
During the first month of class he was really funny and gave amazing lectures. This was ruined once identity politics took up so much of the class. The second and third essay were entirely about it, which annoyed me as someone who hates politics. He also graded 70% of the assignments after the class ended, making it hard to tell what my score was.
Great professor and yes there is a good amount of work but explains it very well just try and it's not hard. He does speak on a lot of touchy subjects but all in all such a cool teacher. The final is really easy and gives great lectures.
You can tell that he cares a lot about what he teaches but I do agree that he puts a lot of his personal life into his work. Get ready for him to call you out in class about your religious views and opinions. Way to much work regarding race (almost every assignment). Curses a lot as well. Subtly racist towards white people though he might deny it
The lectures Darden gives are some of the best I've had, but be aware he is a very hard grader and offers no extra credit and only one assignment he allows to be re-done. He is a professor you take if you want to learn more than you care about your gpa, and are willing to risk failing his class like I did my first time in his enc1101 course.
Incredibly tough grader. I have never had issues with an English class up until this class. No matter how good you think your essay or assignment is, there will always be points taken off if everything is not EXACTLY written how he wants. Lectures more on politics than actual English composition. Also grades absolutely everything on the last week.
God awful professor, I just finished taking his class and I simply must say to avoid this person at all costs, his criteria
many of his good ratings on here were from years prior. maybe his old teaching ways were better, but this was a very tough class to pass for absolutely no reason at all. just stay away from this class, i barely managed to pass even when i put my all into the essays
Avoid at all costs, would rather have to take an online class than be lectured by someone who is more of a politician than an actual helpful teacher. You can literally hit all of the points asked for in his essays and he will not hesitate to dock you points just because. Oh, and the average grade for the big paper in class? A D. Do not.
At first he will seem like he is doing is fun and ambitious but wait till a couple weeks kick in and you realize he only cares about his own values if he has any. Please SAVE your money and don't take his class.
I can confidently say it was one of the worst academic decisions I've ever made. From the very beginning, it was evident that professor Darden has little regard for the success and well-being of his students.
I received a grade in class just to barely pass but please Do not take his class. He is an unreasonably tough grader. It's as if he takes pleasure in watching his students struggle to meet his unrealistic expectations. No matter how much effort you put into your assignments, be prepared to receive a grade that is far below what you deserve.
Don't Look at the rating. Just dont take this specific professor. Take someone else. I am doing you a huge favor. If for any reason you take this professor, I wish you good luck.
I absolutely loved this class from start to finish! The professor covers some controversial topics like race and gender, but if you're open-minded and willing to explore new ideas, you'll have a blast. There is a lot of homework, but I truly believe the valuable insights and experiences gained from this class make it all worth it.
NEVER AGAIN
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, do NOT take his class. Super ONE SIDED. He doesn't care about your grades. Only cares about his "Vision". Bottom line, take someone else. You will thank me later.
At the start of the class, you will be ready to do what he asks. He warns you about the middle of the semester where most of the class begins to slack off especially before a major essay is due. If you avoid skipping classes you will earn an A if you do your work. It wasn't that tough either. He caught a lot of students using ChatGPT too.
One of the most passionate and inspiring professors at both Valencia and UCF. I am glad I took him for ENC 1102. He made it fun, especially the final exam. We actually debated in a court room on campus against each other for our final.
This professor is incredibly difficult, not easy to understand, and very critical of your work. With that being said he was the only professor I liked. All my other professors let their students use chatGPT to write their assingments for them, didn't care about the quality of work, and were quite lazy in their feedback. To grow, take his classes.
This professor was rude and dismissive when I confided in him about missing an assignment, leading to a mental breakdown. He recorded it and posted it online, then lied, claiming I trashed a bathroom and swore at him. He even said "F your God" in class. Despite my complaint, the school took no action. It's shocking that he's still employed.
This professor was rude and dismissive when I confided in him about missing an assignment, leading to a mental breakdown. He recorded it and posted it online, then lied, claiming I trashed a bathroom and swore at him. He even said "F your God" in class. Despite my complaint, the school took no action. It's shocking that he's still employed.
Professor Darden's class can be challenging, but if you put in the work and follow his guidance, you'll learn a ton. I found Unstuck study and the free course textbook really helpful for preparing. Overall, it's a rewarding experience.
Easily the best English professor I've ever had. Class was very personalized to the student's interests with very interesting tailored projects. The out of class experience was bad. The canvas page is mess. Basic info about projects (rubrics and expectations) aren't easily accessible or aren't posted. Assignments aren't graded until the very end
If you don't like preachers, do NOT take this professor. If you respect yourself, do Not take this professor. If you don't want a heavy workload, do NOT take this professor.
Amazing with keeping your attention during lectures. Positive attitude. Never a boring day in class. All my assignments were graded at the end of the semester for our class. Didn't like this because I could not really see my progression and where my grade in the class was at. Big problem.
trust me this professor is by far the best teacher, i always look foward to coming into class. althought there are lots of essay, he really breaks it down and makes sure you understand everything. Each topic ive written an essay about really boosted my thinking skills.The class is only hard if you dont show up or do the work.
Professor Darden is an amazing professor. He's going to give you a lot of good life lessons that tie into the lesson. 2 major essays, group projects, and a final. If you hate group work or are generally not interested in putting in a lot of effort DO NOT TAKE HIM! If you ready to work you are going to do great.
first of all, you don't know what grade you have until it's passed the withdrawl deadline. He is a racist. point blank, he talked down on all races while i was in his class. He happily tells his students that people go to admin to talk about this and brag about how he's not fired. he will not help you improve. ucf/vc need to take serious action.
Didnt grade a single assigment until the semester ended, so you get no actual feedback and learning, your grade will be a surprise. Overall the experience with the professor was very up and down, can be a cool guy but spent too much time being inspirational rather than teaching and helping with our grades.
Good preacher, but not a good professor. Gets sidetracked easily trying to drill in points that take up too much time, completely unresponsive outside of class, and rather vague assignments if you aren't in class to listen to him, even still if you do show up. Not too difficult of work if you stay on top of it, he can just be a lot.
Honestly the best professor, I've ever had, you can really tell hes passionate in his work.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
90%
Textbook Required
41%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
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-1.00 avg changeRatings by Course
ENCPREP
5.0
(1)ENC11
5.0
(1)ENC0010
5.0
(1)ENC002
5.0
(1)ENC1001
5.0
(3)Difficulty by Course
ENG
5.0
ENG101
5.0
ENC1101ENC1102
5.0
ENC0027
4.0
ENC1011
3.8