2.2
Quality3.8
Difficulty19%
Would Retake102
Reviews19%
Would Retake
102
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
8
4
10
3
25
2
18
1
41
What Students Say
“Rude, disrespectful, short-tempered, close-minded, condescending about others opinions”
EWRTD00211 - 1.0 rating“It's amazing that he's actually a very insightful individual, terribly smart and very personable OUTSIDE OF AN ACADEMIC SETTING”
EWRT1A - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
85%
Textbook Required
55%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.67 avg changeRatings by Course
EWRT0930
5.0
(1)EWRT1
4.0
(1)EWRTD070
3.0
(1)ELIT11
3.0
(1)ELIT10
3.0
(4)Difficulty by Course
ENGLIERWT
5.0
ELIT46
5.0
ELIT11
5.0
D002
4.7
EWRTD00211
4.5
Reviews (102)
This teacher is the biggest jerk you will ever meet. He always has to say some stupid remark when you ask him a question to make you feel stupid. He always comes to class with an attitude. If you dont come to class he gives you the 3rd degree and gives you a stern lecture. Dont ever take him and deanza should really consider firing him!!
This teacher makes snide remarks and lectures when ppl are late or absent or don't 'speak-up' enough, but half the time when a student does speak up he looks at them like they're stupid and uses a very derisive tone. I would not recommend this teacher, he is rude. Subject material was awesome but he was not!
Contrary to what others said, I rather enjoyed his class. He can be a jerk at times but it's nothing personal, unless you give him reason to be mad (eg. late), and warns you first day. Always willing to help students and really makes you think. This is NOT an easy class but if you've got the drive, go for it. Got an A but had to work hard for it.
Professor Dickson is very knowledgeable and informative, but is often curt and dismissive towards his pupils. Students must be willing and able to defend their positions in order to thrive in his class. He can be a very effective teacher for those who are willing to put in the extra effort.
He is a a bad teacher, very subjective and opinionated. I don't know why he's even a teacher if he hates his students so much.
Professor Ryan is straight forward. He is not your usual English teacher. He tells it how it is, whether u like it or not, and thats the reality side of life. you'll learn alot, but you have to work hard and attend every class session or you'll miss out on important data. Class will definitely go smoother if people participate, but if no one does,
He was 10 minutes late to the first day of class. It was during winter, and I was freezing to death at 7:50 a.m. He's just too young and inexperienced. A lot of professors just starting out may come off as being egotictic.
He shoots down every single one of our opinions and ideas. He makes people feel uncomfortable and ashamed of who they are. He creates an awkward learning environment. He makes us feel dumb when we give him an answer that, isn't incorrect, but isn't what he's looking for. It's practically impossible to get an A on any assignment.
Absolutely unhelpful. When the quarter started, the class was full and the waitlist was full. He yelled at people who wanted to join and yelled at people who were in the class. He cussed out everyone who doesn't give the answer he's already thinking about. When asked for help, he won't answer, he'll give some opinionated speel with no help.
Waste of time taking this class. has no idea of what to teach. really rude to students who don't say what he wants to hear.
Ryan ****son,what can I say.He is who he is,and I am a better person because of him.People(children)who don't get him really don't get what's really important in the world. Great teacher, allowed me to think out of the box.This class is not for scare-D-cats. Real work to help you in this very real world.I got a lot out of seeing things differently!
Mr. ****son is an absolutely terrible teacher. He's very condescending and lacks professionalism. You won't be met with any type of constructive criticism and you will probably be subject to his constant rudeness. Too young. Too inexperienced. More like a careless TA teaching a class; don't waste your time or energy. DA:Reconsider his position.
Probably the worst teaching style you could find. No teaching skill, but rather into having a captive audience for his opinions. If you like sitting around talking about terrible novels in a class with no lesson plans and an opinionated and annoying guy who is into anarchy and wishes he was black, on the other hand, this is your dream class.
The WORST teacher I have ever had!Not only does he not know what he's talking about and makes up stuff he is condescending and rude.He puts down students any chance he gets.Grading makes no sense and he doesn't tell you what he expects from you.This class is an opportunity for him to talk about stuff he thinks is cool in front of a captive audience
While signing up for new classes i thought the people who rated him might have just been harsh and that i could handle him. I was wrong. He has a degree in HipHop, he doesn't like reading,and is a trailer trash hippie. He can't speak correctly and uses words like: spoked(spoken). Its a disgrace to other teachers to call him a professor. DO NOT TAKE
350 Char is not enough to rate him. Total waste of time, does not teach english, only his personal views of the world. We read about 3/4 non fiction in a fiction class. I dread class periods as he is constantly a whiny little girl complaining how we do not have enough to say. He is supposed to teach us, not vice versa. He grades format, not content
Rather than lecture at the class, he depends a lot on student discussion and participation, so if you don't do well in class discussion you probably should try another class. He doesn't believe in metaphors.
He is an abrasive person by nature so don't take it personally. He knows little and helps even less. If you have seen "Fight Club" he'll like you very much. I learned to keep my ideas and thoughts to myself for fear of being stupid or feeling stupid.
Don't take anything he teaches. Admitted he's never taught British Lit. He did not know what he was doing. He got into arguments with the students and changed the grading rules in the middle of the quarter.
Had him for critical thinking and writing and class is a blast. You have to put in effort and read or you wont enjoy the class i can see him being a bit rude but people need to participate. havent heard him talk down to someone for comments and mine are pretty abstract. teachers cant teach you how to critically think just point you towards books.
Yea, this guy gets bad vibe. But what's more important, an easy grade or his ways. Its easy to get an "A" here. Do the work, talk when your suppose to, turn off your cell phone, and dont be late. Just like your mama tought you.
the class is his world.He thinks he knows all about everything and don't disagree with all powerful nobody.He is easily intimidated and can't stand men with more knowledge than him.
Not gonna like this guy has jerk written all over this vibe. He shoots you down and makes you feel bad. Which is why no one wants to talk in his classes. He makes it un-enjoyable to participate. Class is completely not enjoyable, won't learn anything but his ideas.
Unprofessional, possibly due to inexperience. Rude, uncouth, condescending to his students. The line between his sarcasm and his genuine rudeness is very fine. Depends on class participation too heavily and berates students when nobody has an opinion to offer. Nobody speaks because he is intimidating. He needs to be officially reviewed by De Anza.
Ryan is a bit of a fanatic. He may be a little condescending and one sided but he challenges your intellect and views during class to encourage individuality and help each student realize the flaw in their thinking.He truly is looking out for his students, not all behave properly and act like school is a joke. A good style for debate, not so much f
Unless you were looking to join a hostile, biased, and repressive poli sci class instead of English, this is not the class for you. He curses at students, and intentionally fishes for comments to rudely and un-tactfully shut down with his own strict and biased political ideas. Did not do much in the course having to do with english or literature.
By far the rudest teacher I have ever had. YELLS and swears at students for not participating, and when they do, he criticizes almost all questions and comments they have in front of the entire class! Very useless when asked for help. Cannot spell! Whenever corrected, gets mad and claims "thats what he meant" instead of saying thanks. Very arrogant
Ignore all of the confused people with positive comments about this guy. I was nice to him, i sat in front, i participated. The first time i walked in class i said "Hello, how are you doing?" he says ".....HI?...." extremelly rudely. He YELLS, SWEARS, and is so extremelly absorbed in himself. YOU WILL HATE THIS CLASS, do not take it! ALL POLITICAL
If you're someone that needs to be nurtured, this class is not for you. He's straight to the point. Can come off as a jerk at times, but if you sincerely come up to him with a problem, he'll help. He's very opinionated so you really need to learn how to back your opinions up in this class. 2essays, 1research paper + writing responses. Lots of work!
This guy really knows his stuff, the book I read was a graphic novel, so not overly hard on that front, however he is very opinionated and arrogant. Do not take his class if your primary language isnt english. He grades the essays very hard...not reccomended
A really mean person. Glad I dropped his class. Extremely rude, and disrespectful to students of all ages. Arrogant and narrow-minded. He would be better off as a high school teacher.
Initially, I was excited to take a critical thinking course but now I dread going to class. Mr. Dickson is a smart guy, but he will shut you down if you have a different opinion from his own. He's even refused to answer stundent's questions in class...as if the questions were too stupid for him to answer. I recommend taking a different teacher
He is very intimidating. Challenging, straight-forward, and overall a total jerk. However, by the end of the quarter, you will have gained a whole new perspective on things. He can't stand it when people don't participate, and it's hard to get a good grade if you're a quiet student. He'll constantly remind you that your grade is dropping if you're just a seat warmer. I suggest someone else entirely
I laughed when I read all 7 pages of previous comments. They all seem to be saying the same thing: Ryan Dickson is highly opinionated, fanatical, intimidating, overbearing, and highly critical of (AND rude to) silent and non-participatory individuals and classes. The funny thing is that IT IS ALL TRUE. Beware, he grades subjectively and HARSHLY.
The most disrespectful and judgemental professor for English ever! He grades based on how much he likes you. >:P
Do not take him. He is rude and self-absorbed. Discussions make the class seem like a political class not an English class. two 4-6 page papers and a 8-10 research paper for final. Grade is dropped for not participating in discussion and for missing two or more classes. FIND ANOTHER TEACHER!!!
I'm utterly appalled at the grade I got in his class: B-. His lectures were the worst, it was just him spouting his BS opinion on whatever we were reading. There were only FOUR classes that were instructive for writing. I honestly NEVER wanted to go to any of his classes, his personality is horrible. I will discuss my grade with him after break.
I took two of his classes and he is the hardest teacher I have had but also the one who has inspired me the most.
A lot of the reviews are quite true this teacher, although if you don't give him any ammunition against you (ie. try to have something mindful to say, don't be late, do hmwk)then he usually doesn't have a problem with you. I wouldn't recommend taking his class if you take things personally.
Honestly the guy has high expectations of his students, but it is refreshing to see a teacher who wants more out of his students. Show up to class, don't be late, do the readings and participate in class discussions and you will be fine. I found his class extremely insightful and interesting. He actually makes you think and back up your answers!
Probably the most inspiring, intellectual and HOT profs I've ever had!
He spends the first 10 minutes of every class talking about detroit + hip hop. if you give an answer that wasn't what he had in mind he will berate you. He Gives you about 3 seconds to answer his questions before he gets pissed off. The class is often quiet because everyone is afraid that he'll make them feel stupid because of their answers.
This guy... Haha, is a joke for a teacher. Says he only gives out A's, B's, C's and F's, but gave me a D+. I was seriously one point away from getting that C. All comments before this are correct. He is rude and extremely condescending. As inspiring as some of the subjects we're, his opinions were not. Not afraid to shoot you down in a rude manner
I definitely don't think I deserved the grade I got in this class for all the work I put into it. He may have interesting topics in class, but that's all his class is good for. His English proficiency isn't all that good himself, and he'd be much better suited teaching some anthro/social classes instead. He's also very rude. I hated him&his class.
Encouraging students to think critically and observe things from different perspectives is what this guy is all about. However, if you don't say what he wants to hear, he'll shoot you down in front of everyone. I had this guy for a week before I dropped and couldn't stand his rude, negative attitude. He should teach high school or a Humi class.
He's definitely a teacher of ignorance and will diminish your mood for the rest of the day. I would not recommend him to anyone. I was only in his class for a week and his style of teaching is by far the worst. He's rude. Not surprised if 3/4 of his class dropped.
DO NOT TAKE HIM HE WILL FAIL YOU IF YOU MISS 2 DAYS IF YOU MISS ONE ASSIGNMENT THERE GOES YOUR GRADE HES THE HARDEST GRADER EVER! PLUS HE MAKES YOU FEEL STUPID AND HES RUDE OH AND SOMETIMES HELL YELL T YOU IN CLASS! HOWEVER HES YOUNG SO IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WILL GET ALONG BUT NO YOU WONT!
He's a very intelligent man; however, he flaunts that to the point of arrogance. He's extremely opinionated and he'll shoot down most analyses that do not parallel his own. After finishing the required text, he really chilled out. He actually can be helpful, you just need to ask questions. Try to avoid asking them during a discussion though!
Mr. Dickson look at the comments your students are making. Do you really want us to think this about you? They aren't giving respect because you don't give it back. As much as you talk about critical thinking, critical think about you as a professor to you and to your students. I don't recommend this TEACHER. I don't consider him Professor worthy.
Great teacher. If you want a passive aggressive teacher, take someone else. If you want to learn from someone real and challenge yourself, take his fiction class. He selects interesting novels and short stories (Sedaris, Saunders, etc). He requires you to actually use your brain and he's blunt. It's worth it. Another plus? He's gorgeous.
Terrible teacher. He is rude and condescending and seems to think he's better than the students cause he listens to NPR. He is a freaking joke, and he treats his students badly. Would NOT recommend his classes.
He's really arrogant and he's not very clear in his instruction. EWRT 1A feels like I'm taking a class about history and politics instead of an English class. Assignments are confusing and so are essays so it's trial and error to get the hang of it. He's brilliant but it wouldn't harm him to be a bit humble.
Prof Dickson selected excellent books for discussion. Unfortunately he is condescending and extremely rude. He was immature to the point of throwing a book and ending class after five minutes because no one would speak for fear of ridicule. Smart man, awful teacher. If he was just slightly more supportive of his students ideas, class would rock.
With both his pretentious attitude and immaturity, Dickson's class was one of the most taxing classes I've had to take. His pseudo-philosophical musings were insufferable, warranting an immediate guttural reaction on more than one occasion.I can say, with an honest conscience, that I regret ever taking his course.
He isn't a bad teacher. I admit, he can come off as being arrogant, which rubs people, and I don't agree with some of his opinions but he actually teaches you something. The books and assignments you read are amazing,and although his opinions are sometimes hypocritical since he lectures you about trying not to be biased, he was honest with himself
Dead set in his views, dismissive of those who have other opinions, and excessively angry when he catches students not paying attention. Half the class quit. What matters is that he let us off extremely easy on books (One $20 graphic novel) and grades pretty easily if you follow his clear formatting instructions. People need to toughen up.
Rude, disrespectful, short-tempered, close-minded, condescending about others opinions. The first four letters of his last name are a grand testament to his personality. Expects participation, shuts people down and talks down to them, then gets mad because nobody wants to say anything. Take someone else if you don't want to dread coming to class.
He is a good teacher, but his personality sets him off. I was uncomfortable to participate sometimes because he'd make you feel dumb. I sometimes asked myself "why does he ask us to give our opinion on something if he says we are wrong?"
He is very passionate about what he does. He has no problem calling you out in class. Miss 1 essay and its an automatic fail. I missed classes b/c I was in the hospital with a loved one who ended up passing away.I was behind on an essay b/c of this, but he didn't care. I couldn't make the due date so I dropped otherwise he would have failed me.
If you participate in his class your critical thinking skills enhance immensely. The course material he presents is incredibly thought provoking and relevant, all homework relates to the progression of essays, he provides a simple essay format, and all readings are thoroughly examined in class. Buy in and you have an A.
It's amazing that he's actually a very insightful individual, terribly smart and very personable OUTSIDE OF AN ACADEMIC SETTING. In class, prepare to be humiliated for stating any opinion that contradicts his own...
He seems to be a brilliant person tho he can't teach. He is very rude and arrogant as a person, I wish he had more respect to his students but unfortunately he is just rude. He would yell at when you walk away from his class for a little bit long & would literally walk away from a class just because no one is talking out of fear (for him).
Not an Easy A. It is a very challenging class, but I do not regret taking it because I learned a lot. It is a 500 point grade scale. You will have 3 essays, a few writing assignments and you will read one book. The teacher is not really a rude person, but you might get offended if you're soft. He wont fail you, good luck lmao
While this guy isn't a horrible teacher, he was easily the rudest teacher I have ever had in my life. No matter who it was he was rude to everyone. First day of class he was so rude to a student with special needs, that the kid got up and left within the first hour. He constantly wants to pick on people, and if you do not participate he will hate u
super tough grader. grant it I did take a short 6 week summer course. Almost like a tough boss who doesn't want you to waste time with minutiae
I had the highest grade in the class and ended with a B+
Worst class I have taken in De Anza. I would suggest not to take his class if you have other options. Two major papers which is very unclear of what he wants from us. I learned nothing from this class.
This was the worst class I took, I wish I had used this site before signing up for his class. I did all the work and he still fail me. His instructions aren't clear and mostly last minute.
Definitely not a cheat-thru, click-thru course. If you enjoy deeper conversations and enjoy polishing your work... this is class is for you. This is not an easy class, yet the grading is absolutely fair. Workload is based on how much you care, which will show in your writing. 1-on-1 meets with Prof are actually fun, classes are honestly engaging.
Definitely a class where you will learn a lot about your writing skills. He isn't rude but if you're soft you may feel attacked. Overall I think he's a good professor if you want to learn.
I think this example encapsulates this class' difficulty the best: in EWRT 1A, which I took with a diff prof, I consistently got 96-99% on every essay. In this class, he refused to give me higher than a B on essays, even though the quality was the same. I'm not really complaining, just wanted to make clear that if you take him, ur NOT getting an A.
This guy is the worst professor I have ever met in my whole life. He's strict, he criticizes us a lot, he grades us super harshly Grade better + be kinder to the students. I suggest you guys to not take his class ever.
I didn't like his class at all. He's the express your opinion but you will always be wrong type of person. He doesn't really tell you how to make your essays/articles better. For our 3rd last class he shut the zoom portal 30 minutes in because he asked "do you guys have any concerns, questions?" and no one said anything and got mad at us? Like huh?
Never take this class ever. I wished I could go back in time and change it because I don't ever want this man as my teacher because he always finds ways to criticize you for something or god forbid you can a question and another thing is that he never explains what you what from him. The instructions don't make any sense. NEVER TAKE THIS CLASS PLS.
If you are definitely good at writing, take him. If you don't need a good grade, take him. If you don't mind rudeness, take him.
Professor Dickson can be a bit demeaning at times but generally if you participate in his class, he's a bit lenient as to how he interacts with you. For my term he graded based on complexion except for the final but he does provide A LOT of feedback. Most times people are dead in his online-class but he's alright, a bit rude but not the very worst.
I really wish he was more respectful towards his students because he gave genuinely good writing advice. Rudest professor I have EVER had in my entire college experience.
Rude.
Professor very opinionated, unprofessional and seems like a really weird person. He's extremely rude and his personality is insufferable. He's so negative and always let his world beliefs spill through his lectures, rather then teaching.
Honestly if you do all the reading and assignments and put effort in you'll do well. He's often harsh but that's just him being genuine. Great writing advice. If you want an A, you'll have to work for it.
Even though Mr. Dickson is a tough grader and will critique you, he is always giving assignments that hone in your writing skills and overall lectured about important material that I found interesting.
Left class in the middle, gave a 0 to many students on the first assignment. First assignment of the class on the first week was to write a 5 paragraph essay with no prior explanation. Very casual and rude
(F2024): The professor is strict but fair. His feedback is necessary, and while his directness might seem "mean" or "rude," that's not his intention. He's a professor, not a parental figure. If he says no, learn and move on. Attendance is mandatory. If you don't raise your hand, this class isn't for you. Be ready to participate fully.
Hello guys, Do not take this professor, he will misrable ruin your life. Before I took his class I was really sad, and now I am really depressed after his class term ended. Please refrain yourself from taking this class if you don't want to feel targeted and earn a good grade.
This professor is extremely disrespectful and rude. The class work itself is a little heavy but manageable. Yet, the professor is what makes you not want to come to class. He left midway through our class once and launched a marker at the wall because of his anger issues. Very unprofessional and feels no need to the match the respect he expects.
Insufferable and opinionated. Talks about how we need to "listen to children more" and "embrace non traditional education", yet makes students raise their hand to speak like it's elementary school. He scolds them to take notes on whatever he finds important, instead he should let the student decide their learning style. Avoid at all costs
If you're like me who's interested in learning how to write and how to critically think better instead of taking for easy credits, do NOT take this course. Extremely unclear instructions on all assignments. 0/10 professor if you're trying to learn,10/10 professor if you're looking for the last reason to jump
The professor is responsible for teaching students how to create an essay and the format needed. Knowing how to research, write, and format an essay is how you effectively communicate your knowledge in the academic setting. AI is a tool, it can't create for you. When any professor asks if you have any questions, ASK and interact.
Ive had this professor twice. The 1st time I dropped out. I'm currently taking it again because it's required. He is extremely rude & consistently puts down students. His hw instructions are super unclear, only giving the format. When giving responses/critiques on hw, he's rude & unhelpful. He also yells during class & has big anger issues. AVOID!
He is often disrespectful, scaring others from participating which only made him mad and left class midway once. Expect 5-10 hours a week just for homework, even on the first week. Glad I dropped his class early enough to not get a W
"I don't know why most of you bother showing up to school at all" - Ryan, before storming out of class. Ryan will actually make you want to drop out of college all together. He is clearly unhappy with his life and constantly complains about it. Also another weird thing is that you write essays on topics he wrote about in college. Awful class.
This professor is indeed extremely bad as most people say, he tastes very critical of his students and will even target a particular student, he has discriminatory behavior & heart.
The professor is not very DDS friendly and is a harsh grader. Drop the class ahead of time unless your doing well the first week.
RUN. NO DOUBET.
No. RUDE. RUDE. RUDE.
RUDE. Do not take it if you want a good grade for your transcript, no late work accepted. classroom smells bad and small. Asked for an extension nicely after class on a assignment that was due before the quarter even started? And got refused in a mean way. There are no other words needed for this class, just take other professor.
Extremely rude
Definitely one of the scariest professors I've ever had. Is there a way to report for inappropriate behavior? He grabbed my shoulder one time to tell me to "stop talking" during a discussion exercise. Condescending, rude, anger issues maybe? stay away from this guy if you can. Wait 'till next quarter to take this class if you really have no choice
worst teacher i've ever had in my life. yells at everyone to participate but actively scares students from raising their hand, thinks his opinion is the absolute truth. has anger issues, threw desks and chairs in class. extremely unclear guidelines and instructions for essays and unhelpful harsh criticism. made my fav subject my most hated class.
He was a fantastic teacher who was strict and expected a lot in comparison to others, but all the expectations were reasonable and fair. He won't take any BS and can be quite sharp, but if you stay open-minded, he is one of the best teachers you will ever have. He completely changed the way I think and approach things.
He is a fantastic professor, and he doesn't tolerate disrespect. If you are willing to actually commit yourself to his class, you will get a lot out of it, but if you go in looking to do the bare minimum, this class isn't for you.
He makes the room feel extremely uncomfortable as a student (he swears a lot, walks very weird and also complains a lot). Recently he decided to say something in class a specific student was personally having problems with and attacked that person, he has also embarrassed multiple other students. Work is harsh, you have to do a lot by yourself.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
85%
Textbook Required
55%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.67 avg changeRatings by Course
EWRT0930
5.0
(1)EWRT1
4.0
(1)EWRTD070
3.0
(1)ELIT11
3.0
(1)ELIT10
3.0
(4)Difficulty by Course
ENGLIERWT
5.0
ELIT46
5.0
ELIT11
5.0
D002
4.7
EWRTD00211
4.5