Professor
Jeffrey Decker
2 of 2
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2022 - As an English major, I found this class refreshing because I got to combine two things that I love: literature and television. The class goes through a timeline of American Television history from the early 20th century to the present. Our homework was to watch these episodes, which were located under the media resources on CCLE, and answer the questions, so we can discuss our ideas in class. The first half of the class was online and mainly focused on the television aspect of storytelling, after week 4, we resumed in-person and transitioned over to the literary topics by reading multiple novels: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," "Woman Warrior," "Portnoy's Complaint," a few chapters of "The Godfather," and "So Far from God," along with a few short fiction stories. In the beginning, he discusses how some of the material we encounter in the course may have controversial or "triggering" subject matter. One time our class was watching an episode for homework and there was SA scene that occurred; unfortunately, Professor Decker forgot to warn the class about it and a lot of students had complaints. He quickly sent an email apologizing and created an alternative assignment for those who wanted it. For the rest of the course, he would send emails alerting us of certain subject matters in novels and episodes, providing alternative assignments or time stamps for when to skip scenes. Professor Decker has many ideas and interpretations on different topics; however, I found it rude when he would call on students in class to provide their insight, and while they were sharing, he would cut them off or jump to conclusions about where they were headed and moved on to the next person or another question to keep the class moving. As a student, I would think the opinions of students would be more valued than the time on the clock. In terms of papers, Prof. Decker is a very picker grader and will send each individual student a paragraph-length description of feedback about what they did well and where he thinks they need to improve. This class is interesting and engaging, but if you struggle with "sensitive" topics or looking for an easy "A," this might not be the class to take.
Winter 2022 - As an English major, I found this class refreshing because I got to combine two things that I love: literature and television. The class goes through a timeline of American Television history from the early 20th century to the present. Our homework was to watch these episodes, which were located under the media resources on CCLE, and answer the questions, so we can discuss our ideas in class. The first half of the class was online and mainly focused on the television aspect of storytelling, after week 4, we resumed in-person and transitioned over to the literary topics by reading multiple novels: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," "Woman Warrior," "Portnoy's Complaint," a few chapters of "The Godfather," and "So Far from God," along with a few short fiction stories. In the beginning, he discusses how some of the material we encounter in the course may have controversial or "triggering" subject matter. One time our class was watching an episode for homework and there was SA scene that occurred; unfortunately, Professor Decker forgot to warn the class about it and a lot of students had complaints. He quickly sent an email apologizing and created an alternative assignment for those who wanted it. For the rest of the course, he would send emails alerting us of certain subject matters in novels and episodes, providing alternative assignments or time stamps for when to skip scenes. Professor Decker has many ideas and interpretations on different topics; however, I found it rude when he would call on students in class to provide their insight, and while they were sharing, he would cut them off or jump to conclusions about where they were headed and moved on to the next person or another question to keep the class moving. As a student, I would think the opinions of students would be more valued than the time on the clock. In terms of papers, Prof. Decker is a very picker grader and will send each individual student a paragraph-length description of feedback about what they did well and where he thinks they need to improve. This class is interesting and engaging, but if you struggle with "sensitive" topics or looking for an easy "A," this might not be the class to take.
AD
AD
Most Helpful Review
Review for CLUSTER 20A Personally, I think Professor Decker is a great professor. Because whenever I ask questions after class he will patiently answer all of them until I understand the assignments/concepts etc. However, his lectures are a bit boring, but they are very informative as well.
Review for CLUSTER 20A Personally, I think Professor Decker is a great professor. Because whenever I ask questions after class he will patiently answer all of them until I understand the assignments/concepts etc. However, his lectures are a bit boring, but they are very informative as well.
2 of 2
