Russell Greer
rgreer@mail.twu.edu

940.898.2346

Student Comments.

The following students have given me specific permission in writing to post their comments along with their names.  If I haven't received that permission, I didn't post the comment.

ENG 5903.50 Special Topics: Rhetorical Figures of Speech.  Summer III 2008

Lisa Thomas-McNew

Please feel free to use this on your website if you would like.

 

Dr. Greer,

I would like to thank you for all of the time that you have spent mentoring me.  I have gained so much through my experiences in all of the classes that I have taken with you, beginning with the British Crime Fiction and the Bakhtin Circle courses and culminating with this semester’s Rhetorical Figures of Speech course. 

I cannot express in words how grateful I am that you have chaired my committee for my M.A.  I have become a better writer, thinker and teacher because of the theories and methods that I have been exposed to in your courses.  I know that I could not have succeeded in attaining the goal of my Master’s Degree without your kindness, insight, and guidance.  I can tell you that I will strive to pass the qualities that you have exhibited as a teacher on to my own students.

The only complaint that I have about the courses that I have taken with you is that they could not last longer.  I feel like there is so much more that I want to know and study about rhetorical figures of speech.  However, I do know that you have given me the tools to continue learning and growing as a person and a teacher. 

Thank you so much.

ENG 3323 American Fiction.  Fall 2007.

Jillian Lowry

Dr. Greer is, by far, one of the best instructors I have ever had in my college career. He was extremely engaging on the discussion board, provided great direction and feedback, was consistently available to answer questions, and selected assignments and questions that were thought provoking and interesting. I would highly recommend his class. I learned more about individual novels, essary and research paper structure, and in general how to think about and approach writing about literature, during the three to four months spent in this class then I have in any other course I've taken on literature.

Thank you so much Dr. Greer! I'd love to know which courses you are teaching this Spring!

Oh, and you have permission to use my comments however you want to.

Stephen Gibson

 

I have never taken a course that was this personally fulfilling. I must admit being apprehensive about my first online class, but not for long. The interaction with classmates helped enrich the enjoyment of the novels. The books were carefully chosen and are some of the best novels I have ever read. I highly recommend this course!  

 

Dr. Greer, Thank you! You are welcome to use my comments any way you wish.

 

Amber Kennedy

 

After taking two of Dr. Greer's online classes I feel confident in saying that Dr. Greer has mastered the art of teaching online.  His classes are structured in such a way as to promote thoughtful analysis through dialogue.  The dialogue aspect provides students with the opportunity to debate interpretation and bring their own experience and knowledge into discussion which somewhat resembles the larger network of ideas in academia.  Thus, Dr. Greer's classes provide the basics of content and format as well as an environment that allows students to learn how thoughts, ideas, and theories evolve from interactive dialogue - all through the convenience of an online class!

 

You have my permission to post my comment if you like.

 

Thanks for an enlightening semester, as usual.

Natalie Croy

I never thought that distance learning could be so fulfilling.  I have taken two online classes in the past and dropped both of them because they were anything but engaging.  I have to say that I'm going to miss the discussion boards from our American Fiction class.  The time I spent on this class was really worthwhile, and not something I'll soon forget.

Oh, and I'm not fishing for points.  I really mean it.

You can use my comment on your website or for whatever you want.

Thanks, Dr. Greer

5903 Special Topics: Twentieth-Century American Detective Fiction.  Summer 2007

Rebecca Hoffman

Dr. Greer,

Having taken several online classes, I keep coming back to your classes because you do the best job "teaching" online. Your courese are clear, concise, you respond quickly, and you are very supportive of our opinions and readings.

The only thing I would change Stacy has already noted - eleminate the novel the same week as the capstone. Maybe combine both Hammett books and add one more of the others - but I liked the readings we did.

If all goes well, I'll graduate this December, so best of luck! Feel free to use my comments.

Rebecca

Kristen Garrison

I take your classes because I appreciate the way you manage us (;-) and because I know that the learning will be significant.  As my Capstone Self Assessment explains, this course has truly made an impact, my curiousity about the genre a new but I think long-term source of work and play.

I like the survey of novels we read, even Hammer (as a necessary evil to understand the genre), but I think we could have read more--perhaps kept to a novel per week, which would have allowed us to read a 2nd work by  MacDonald.  The individual research on a female writer and sleuth proved a real bonus; it was well worth the time to read an additional body of work as well as glean more about the genre from the powerpoint projects of my classmates.  An efficient means of adding to our reading list! 

Your discussion questions prompted wonderful conversations, and provided opportunities to explore critical works that helped us find new meanings of the novels.  You gave us just enough guidance to prompt thoughtful response without predetermining the range of responses. 

I do have to admit having a hard time with the Favorite Post forum...perhaps it could be combined with the summary post?  That way, the idea that someone's post prompted reflection could work productively toward posing lingering questions. I do think it's nice to acknowledge when someone has made a particuarly insightful comment, but we tend to do that anyway within the discussion forums themselves; perhaps the Favorite Post forum did not get as much use because we were already recognizing the value of others' comments.

Thanks, much, Dr. Greer. Looking forward to Springtime for Dostoevskii;-)...yes, you can quote me on that;-)

Lynn Knowles

Dr. Greer - feel free to use my comments as you wish.

This has without a doubt been the most rigorous on-line class I've ever taken. But the support has been there throughout to make the experience a success.

I, too, would recommend having only the capstone project in the final week of class.

The optional films were an enjoyable "extra" - more of those evenings, and/or having them more spread out throughout the course would have been nice.

I've felt more in dialogue with my classmates during this class than I ever have in an online class. I think that is a result of Dr. Greer's structure and clear, specific questions.

Thank you for a great academic experience!

Stacy Short

I loved this class. I was able to delve into a genre that I would never have considered prior to signing up. I've been a lover of the mystery novel since I was about ten and this class offered a critical perspective that I would never have been allowed otherwise. The interaction with both Dr. Greer and the insight of the classmates made the class a phenomenal experience.

The only difference that I would recommend, would be to make all the reading due before the final week of class, then only have the capstone project and class posts on that project during the final week. That might mean making the capston due a little earlier (like on a Tues/Wed), then have commentary due by Thurs.

Thank you Dr. Greer (and classmates)for a great experience!

You have my permission to use anything I've posted or submitted this semester.

Mary Bush

You have permission to use this comment ...

This class was completely engaging.  It was fun but disciplined; it made me stretch my knowledge of detective fiction; I met a lot of wonderful classmates.

The pace of the class was perfect for the summer; even though we had limited time, the content and the quality was not watered-down. 

Dr. Greer, I would take this class or any other from you again.  You provided insightful commentary and a good mix of external reading and thought-provoking questions.  Thanks for a great experience!

ENG 4333 Introduction to the Study of World Literature.  Summer 2007

Jennifer Hacker

(Let me preface this by saying I, Jennifer D. Hacker, give Dr. Greer complete and total permission to post these comments online and/or publish them anywhere or anyhow he wishes at any point in time.)

This class is fantastic, but it is also very reading intensive.  You MUST make a commitment to trying to read some of each assignment every day.  If not, you'll get behind in your reading and then struggle on the weekends to play "catch-up".  Also, this is not a class to "blow off".  There is much deep thinking and discussion involved.  That being said, it is very much worth the hard work and effort involved. This is one of the best English classes I have ever had, where we truly get to "dive in" to the meaning of the book, instead of just memorizing by rote what the instructor wants you to perceive as the major themes of the novels.  For anyone who enjoys reading, or is an English major, or just likes to try and "think outside the box" or to see the world from the point of view of someone from another country, this class is a MUST.

ENG 3353 Twentieth Century English Novel.  Spring 2007

Edie Alderson

Dr. Greer,

Feel free to post this on your website.

-Edie Alderson

I had read some things that came out of Modernism and thought that I had a pretty clear understanding of it before this class. Now I know how much more I had to learn. I have such a clearer understanding of what makes literature modernistic. And I thought this was a genre I did not care for and I find now that I was wrong in that aspect as well. I highly enjoyed several of the modern novels.

I really enjoyed and feel I greatly benefited from the exercises we did from the They Say/I Say book. I'm really glad that was assigned to us and honestly, I'm a little irritated that I was not exposed to more things like what we read in that book, earlier in my college career. I feel like I am a much better academic writer now.

Dr. Greer's online classes are challenging but very informative, if you do all the work. If you are self-motivated and work hard you will learn just as much, if not more, in Dr. Greer's online class than most normal classes.

ENG 3203.02 Advanced Grammar and Composition.  Fall 2006

Lacy Sprabary

I have never enjoyed an English class before now.  Your class taught me more than I have ever learned in previous classes.  This class helped me understand why things are the way they are, grammatically speaking. As a person who has always had problems writing papers and doing grammar, I would tell anyone to take this class.  Even if English is not your major, don't put off this class.  It can help anyone.  I don't mind if you use my comments or name; it's up to you.  Thank you Dr. Greer.

ENG 3023.50 British Literature 1760 to the Present.  Fall 2006

Edie Alderson

For my first online class I have a feeling I picked a tough one. When I mentioned to my fellow English majors I was taking this online version of this class they all asked how it was going because they had heard Dr. Greer’s online classes were so hard. But I do not think after going through the class I would describe it as hard. It was without a doubt challenging. But it was so well organized and all expectations were communicated so well that our accomplishments in this class were left to our own efforts. I have never had a class that I was made to participate in as much. I think this was so important to my overall college education. I leave this class so less intimidated to express myself, especially concerning literary analysis. To anyone thinking about taking one of Dr. Greer’s online classes I would give the advice to simply read your reading and do not be shy to share all your ideas. I did not realize how much I would end up learning from my fellow classmates through our weekly discussions.

I feel like I have such a better understanding of the literature of the periods we studied. Before this class I could name the period and perhaps an author or two that belong to each, but now I understand why they belong there and what makes them unique to that period. In discussion week two I stated that I was not a poetry person. The Romantic period sparked the change that would, throughout the semester, turn me into a poetry lover. I truly enjoyed the Romantic poets and there connection and love of nature. I will definitely keep reading Wordsworth and will explore Keats, Coleridge, and Blake more than I already have. I was hoping we would read Jane Austen but now I feel like I am equipped with the knowledge to fully understand writing that we did not get to in the class and can handle it on my own.

The Gothic Period was not my favorite but it was very interesting and I’m glad I learned about it. The Byronic hero was really fascinating and I think an important concept to understand the evolution of British literature. Byron created a hero that went against the traditional hero and therefore changed what the characteristics a protagonist could have for all future writers. I also enjoyed the risqué subject matter that the Gothic novel and stories tackled. Although the writing style was not my favorite, I appreciate knowing that the some of the dark, shock fiction I so enjoy today got its roots here in the Gothic period.

Learning about the Victorian period was great. Again, I really enjoyed the poetry of this period. It was so interesting to see through Arnold and the Barretts that poetry change and progress from the Romantic period. As the industrial revolution began the poetry began to reflect the change in lifestyle and views of nature. Also, I really enjoyed seeing the poetry become more and more individualized and individualism became more important. Themes that really interest me the most, like individualism, feminism, and constant questioning, began in the Victorian period. I am definitely planning to explore more fiction that came out of this period. Although, through class discussion I came to appreciate and understand the importance of Lady Audely’s Secret I just did not enjoy reading the novel. It just was not the kind of plot that hooks me in and it was very hard for me to care about what happened to the characters. But, I’m sure there is some fiction from the Victorian period that I will find more enjoyable.

The Modernist movement and Post Modern period was probably my favorite. I absolutely loved learning about Virginia Woolf and reading some of her writings. And I also loved Stoppard. I will be reading more of both of these authors in the future. I also really liked Carol Ann Duffy. I would have liked to spend more time discussion her. Its unfortunate that she came in the last week when our final was due, but someone had to be in that week.

Through the entire semester I feel like I really learned the evolution of the women writing more than I ever have in any class. From Hemans to Browning to Braddon to Woolf to Duffy it was absolutely fascinating to see the women writer progress through time. With each writer the subject matter became more daring and revolutionary, showing the freedom of women writers to fully express themselves attained through time. 

The most challenging aspect of this class was perhaps the group work. Group work that is done solely online is difficult and requires the full participation of each member to be successful. I know this was a source of anguish for many people. But I actually really enjoyed my group work. I had a wonderful group and I really learned a lot from them both. It was so nice to work with two people who were as focused as I was to achieve.

I learned more about literature in this class than in probably any other I’ve taken this far. But I also learned important lessons in self-motivation and organization. We were truly responsible for our own success and knowledge gained through out the semester and I am quite proud of myself for sticking with it week after week. And I am so grateful for experiencing Dr. Greer as a professor. He was always there to assist us and was very patient and understanding. The only disappointment that I have is that I only have one more English course to take and so I will not have the opportunity to experience having Dr. Greer in a face to face classroom environment. Maybe I’ll see him in grad school someday!!!

You wanted permission to post some of my final reflection on your website. Of course you can!

Jessica Denzlinger

I give my permission to repost this assessment… 

This course was the first I took online. Luckily, I was not naïve enough to think than an online course would be somehow easier, and Dr. Greer did not prove me wrong. It’s a lot of work! That said, I really think I improved as an English student this semester. I can’t say that I always enjoyed the literature we covered, but the discussion questions helped me think more critically, which is something that I’ve been able use in my other classes. This course requires a lot of writing, but overall I think it has given me practice in communicating my ideas. I would recommend this class to anyone who is willing to put in the time—like I said, it’s a lot of work but well worth it.

Shawna Bloodgood

This course was the first time that I have actually sat down to digest literature. I have never been interested in reading though I like to learn; usually, I find myself watching educational television like PBS or the History channel in my off time rather than reading the pages of a book. This class exposed me to literature and the “stuff” that I have been missed out on. I recall some five years ago, that a learned friend of mine who was an avid reader once say to me, “You are a pretty smart person, but the fact that you don’t read literature is a great downfall.” I think I now understand his point.

This was a challenging course and it requires a lot of time and effort. I would recommend this course online only if you are an English major or are taking two or three other classes, not a total of 15 semester as hours as I have. The hardest thing for me was the language—it was tough. There were many times when I cracked a dictionary to look up what a word meant because I wasn’t sure I had no clue what it was. We speak and read a vernacular totally different than the classics, even though the English language has the same words. At times, I struggled with both the literal and symbolic meaning of the literature, but eventually it got a little easier to understand. I must say that reading antique literature requires skill and patience and it truly takes time to master this ability.

As far as the content read in the course, I enjoyed it for the most part. Humans are humans even though the literature we read was two or three hundred years removed from the present day. As in there times, we feel the same emotions and passions today, they face the same struggles as we do today even though our world is much faster and advanced. I liken classical literature to classical music; it is simply timeless and can be appreciated for that quality alone.

I wish I had more time to patiently read the materials. The works of Hemans, Woolf, Wollstonecraft and E.B. Browning are interesting to me; I really took to Aurora Leigh. I got hooked on Manfred and I am attracted to the controversy that surrounds Byron and I would like to read more of his stuff, along with his antithesis, Coleridge.

I have heard of Thomas Huxley before I wish to eventually read his works as well as Darwin’s; the topics on which they write appeal to me since I am very interested in the sciences and biology. The prolific names of Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson and Kipling have a little more meaning though I don’t know there works. Though I am a very broke college student, I intended to keep this 2800+ page textbook so that when I am finished with college and have the time to read, I can start reading literature for more than just earning college credits.

You have my permission to post my comments on your website. 

Maggie Burleson

I have always loved to read and before switching my major to English, I thought that was all you needed to know to enjoy a book. And while that may be true, I’ve discovered this semester that the more you know, the more enjoyment you can get out of each piece of literature. I’ve learned how important it is to be able to apply historical context and the writer’s personal lives to their work. I have also learned that the more well read you are, the more you can bring to your understanding

At the beginning of the semester I really thought this class was going to be so much more challenging than it needed to be. I though there was no way that I could come up with ten posts a week over only three questions. I will admit, there were still times I had trouble, but I found the discussions so interesting, that the struggle was worth it. I love looking at things from others perspectives. Everyone brings an experience that is unique to a class like this and to be able to read their views, really helped me to clarify mine.

My favorites this semester were Hardy, Stoppard and Braddon. I was reading a Hardy novel concurrently in English Novel and am now a fan. I believe I will read more of him in the future. While many of Stoppard’s ideas were over my head, I loved what he did in Arcadia. I would also like to read more of Braddon. There were things about Lady Audley’s Secret that I didn’t enjoy, but the majority of it kept me glued to the page. I’d like to learn more about her style to discover if she did the things I didn’t enjoy on purpose or if that is just a part of her style I don’t enjoy.

Understanding the past is key to understanding the present. It is important to understand how a culture came to exist in its present form. With each progression of time, the writing changed until we finally arrived at modern time.  British history isn’t something students generally get to spend a lot of time studying, unless they are history majors.  But their history is such an important part of our American history, that I enjoyed the chance to spend some time studying it.

This class at times is overwhelming in the amount of work required. But if you take a deep breath and keep going, there is a lot to take away from it.

Please feel free to quote anything that I’ve written that would be helpful to you.

Michael Wiggam

Finally, here is the phrasing I would (and have) use(d) to “sell” this class to fellow students. Please feel free to post it on your site if you see fit.

No other literature course has offered me the insight into both its works and the mechanics involved in creating a better critical reader than this one. Without hyperbole, I learned more from Dr. Greer in a semester than every other course during my entire education. The required work is demanding, but its outcome is unmatched and incomparable.

If inspiration is the teacher’s primary goal, Dr. Greer exceeds in every way. This was the third course we had together, and I never saw a drop in enthusiasm for either student interaction or love of literature. He can make even the most “dull” texts feel alive and vital: a gift that should never be underplayed.

Furthermore, Dr. Greer is the best online teacher at TWU (and likely anywhere else). He will tell you that his online courses are more difficult than in-class – and he is correct – but he should also tell you that his passion is contagious and his knowledge is, seemingly, boundless. Dr. Greer is humble (not an act either), so he will not say any of that… but you should know it all the same.

ENG 3323.50 American Fiction.  Summer III 2006

Susan Horn

(You have my permission to post any comment that I make.)
 
This was a very inspiring course.  The American experience as seen through fiction was interesting.  Some authors I enjoyed more than others but I think that each one of the novels that you chose for us this semester had meaning and were significant for our study purposes.
 
This is my forth or fifth class to take with you and as always I am pleased with the interaction (peer to peer, and student to instructor) that occurs.  The Groups are always the challenge in your course but I come out relatively unscathed in the end and better for the experience.
 
Thank you for challenging me.  I appreciate that you can inspire me to pick up a novel and see what is below the surface.

Jennifer Thimesch

Feel from to quote me with the following:

Dr. Greer's organized online format allows his students to know exactly what is expected of them throughout the semester.  The manner by which students collect and summarize their responses to his thought-provoking discussion questions creates a working portfolio that is helpful when writing papers or taking exams. 

Laura Jean Kuyoth

Well, this is the last written item I will complete for this course.  The final exam was slightly difficult, but not for your lack of review.  After an intense summer, it seems as though the intelligence has been sucked from my brain.  Nevertheless, I have really enjoyed this course.  Your lecture notes have been very helpful, and I have learned a great deal from other classmates.  The novels we read were fascinating, inspirational, and thought-provoking.  I plan to continue this journey of literacy, and I thank you for your insights and comments.  Course expectations were challenging, and I learned a great deal from this experience.  I have a renewed interest in the written word, and I would definitely take another course with you Dr. Greer.  You exhibit a kindness and compassion that is rare with many college instructors, based upon my experience.  You have my permission to post these comments on your web page if you would like.  Thanks again for the wonderful instruction and guidance you provided!  Have a great summer break! (if you can call it that)


ENG 2143.50 Fiction.  Summer III 2006

Ashleigh Solomon

I have to be different and say that I did not enjoy the online experience. I enjoyed the stories and the lecture notes, but I feel I would have enjoyed the class more in a classroom. I felt that a lot of the time people were just writing responses simply to give a response. (I know that is how it felt for me). However, in saying this I do not think that online courses are a waste of time, I just felt that I would have gotten more out of the classroom environment then on the internet.

I don't mind you using my comment. I agree with you, if we had more of a "personal" touch to internet courses I would enjoy it more. Thank you for all your hard work. I will see you tomorrow bright and early for the exam!


ENG 5903.50 Special Topics: Twentieth-Century British Mysteries: The Detection Club.  Summer III 2006

Bev Carlsen-Landy

This is the 3rd online class I have taken with you, and it is the first grad class. Here's my thoughts:

- The group doesn't always work, but this group was excellent. I looked forward to the interaction in my group each week.

- The final is too much. I am disappointed with my performance (without knowing my grade), because I cannot write a good essay in 45 minutes. Perhaps the final, if necessary, should be 15-20% of the grade.

- I wish more people would post early. I think it is not unreasonable to require 1 post for each DQ by Thursday.

- I missed the high level of interaction with you that I experienced in the other two classes. I realize your plate was very full, and perhaps this is to be expected in a grad level class.

- On the other hand, the level of interaction within the class was great! The quality of posts exceeded my expectations.

- Studying genre fiction has been a great experience for me. Last summer you introduced me to a sub-genre I never would have found on my own. This summer was a great follow up, and I now have Christie to explore. In addition to 'discovering' books I love, I was able to explore the reflection of our culture through literature.

- You are a gifted teacher; you manage to drag more out of me than I ever thought possible.

This class helped me make a life choice, so I'm sure it will be one of the most memorable classes I take.

I hope our path will continue to cross.

You may use any of the comments I made on your website. I'd love to hear your ideas about an online group project as a final. Eventually I hope to do almost all my teaching online, and since you are tied for the top spot of best online teacher I have had I would love to pick your brain :-)

Nimmy Nair

I really enjoyed this class as well as its predecessor last summer- I am a fan of this genre and I know that I will definitely be reading such works in the future. The reason why I have been taking these series is because 1) I did not know that this was genre of importance, I read mysteries for pleasure but, I am glad that this is considered serious literature which leads me to my next point 2) I was able to read the criticism, history and know who are the major writers in different time periods in this genre. I look forward to taking the next summer course in these series. --Nimmy.

Dr. Greer I am ok with you using my remarks from both classes. Thanks for all your encouragement and help during this crazy semester. :)

Last updated 14 December 2007