Orth, Michael  

This guys class is a lot of work. Other students I know didn't do half as much for this dumb class. Anyhow, why take what's basically a freshman course when you're a senior? For beginners, learning how to write a term paper might be OK, but upper-division students shouldn't have to take this course. And the two argument papers were way too hard. So don't take this guy if you just want to get through the GE program. Geez! This is just a GE class--I had to write 6000 words, 5 reports, 2 arguments, a long library research paper . . . . . and on top of it, he expects you to know all about computers and the Web and stuff like that.

Well, I have other issues w/ Dr. Orth. In response to the guy above, the whole point of the class is to take it within your first year or two here at Cal Poly. And writing is a fact of life, face it buddy. But I didn't like the way Orth ran his class. Lectures were on the web, so that was nice that i didn't really have to pay attention. Yeah, i know how to write a research paper too, but I can always use a refresher. The thing i didn't like was his deadlines. I was in the "Writing for the Community" class--an experiment that the english department was doing. We were his guinea pig class. It sucked. We spent _forever_ on the community paper, and the scout paper (the big one, the one that I didn't understand) got crammed in in the last 2.5 weeks of class. And I had a family emergency that necessitated me missing several days of school, and that almost screwed me over. Dr. Orth doesn't listen. Office hours... well, forget about those. He has specific hours, but you have to make an appointment to go see him during those hours (in my way of seeing, completely defeating the purpose of office hours). When you try to talk to him, he will cut you off before you're finished, and answer the question he thinks you're trying to ask, which usually isn't the answer you were looking for. He isn't very flexible at all. The class was a HUGE source of stress for me this quarter--I don't think I should have taken it this quarter, b/c I didn't really have time in my schedule. I took it b/c i managed to CAPTURE it and it'd be dumb to drop it--I knew it would probably be a few quarters before I could get it again, b/c it's so tough to get. But the fact that it was pretty disorganized as far as deadlines were concerned, and everything got crammed in at the end, made it a real pain--a lot of hassle and a lot of stress. But at least it's over with.

I was very frustrated with Dr. Orth's class because I don't feel like I learned anything. I could have written the same essays I wrote for English 215 two years ago. Each time I went to class I feel like I was wasting an hour of my life. He was very unclear and liked to hear himself talk. I would obviously not recomend him. His class isn't hard but it is a waste of time.

I would not recommend Prof. Orth. His class seemed to be a complete waste of time, full of busy work. His in-class proof-reading was so structured that it seemed to not help anyone at all. He seemed to be concerned with student needs, at the beginning of the quarter, but is not very understanding or reasonable. He expects a lot out of his lengthy but useless projects.

Unfortunately, I didn't learn all that much in Dr. Orth's class. I was initally excited about the community service aspect of the class, but the only way to have fun with that is keep a good attitude. His lectures are really kind of boring, with a lot of stuff being done on PowerPoint and is available on the web. He told us on the last day of class that he didn't penalize absences, which I wish I would have known, because I could have skipped half the classes. The workload is not that bad, there are 6 reports about the web that are easy once you learn the form, as well as three argument papers. Take this class if you already know how to write, because I didn't learn anything that would make me write better.

Orth is fine to get, not too hard. Just grind through it and it won't take too much time. It was a very low stress class actually. I did fine and didn't read one book. I just read parts of some of them and researched them online. Orth is kinda funny to listen to too if you let him be.

I've never had such a hard time forcing myself to go to class. Every class period that I did attended felt like a complete waste of time and money. If given the choice to either sit through another ten hours of his pointless, mindless, tripe, or dig my own heart out with a spoon, I'm fairly certain that I would choose the latter. Take this proffesor for sure if you have an inhuman threshold for boredom, hate your life, and want to find new reasons to kill yourself. As for me, many hours of my life have been taken from me and I want them back! Exhibit A: The entire first week he spent lecturing on human origins, and at no time did he relate it to the course material. Exhibit B: Every fourth class period after that, we put our desks in a circle and six people would read there favorite passages from that week's book.

Okay, so let's not forget why we're in college: to learn! Dr. Orth does not just expect one to sit through the class and fail to learn anything. Instead, he expects one to read the assigned work (another aspect of college that should be both expected and supported) and, on his or her own, to develop rational and critical ideas about the books. His goal is to make us rational thinkers -- something I think many students are failing to strive for. This class was not too hard....just read, show up, and try to think a little bit. Come on....you can do it (I mean, you got into Cal Poly, right?)

Orth's classes was a waste of my time, but I got a decent grade. Hey I meet some cool people, who were making fun of Orth too, so it wasn't a complete waste. But basically two days of the week he's lecturing off power point about the book were reading, which were like 8 books, and he didn't relate any of the power point material that well to the book. Most of the time he would find something erotic in the book. Yeah you can get my attention when a 70 year old man starts talking about an orgy. Then the other days we'd listen to people read passages and how they feel about it. He would always throw random questions out there and then say, "I don't know the answer, do you?" Then we would be in groups to form quiz questions that he never used. The class grade consisted of 4 quizzes that were graded in a bullshit way becuase if you didn't answer it to his liking or his thinking then it was wrong even if it wasn't. The final was unnecessarily long as well. In the end, you find out he doesn't really fail anyone, he just inflates your grade.

I'm out of this place soon so I don't need to waste my time typing up reviews for newbies, but I had to respond to some of the crap about Orth. What a load of BS! I've taken alot of classes and Cal Poly, and while Orth isn't the best prof, he's better than what you'd think reading the idiots below. So here's the real scoop if you care. Orth is old and a out of touch with students. I think he spends all his time reading books and farting around on his computer. But, like duh. That's his job. If you don't want to have to think about old books and dead guys, then don't take the class. And don't complain when he actually asks you questions about what you read. Heaven f'n forbid you should have to actually think for yourself. As for the other crap. I guess if I was a stupid cn't I'd bitch about having him stare at my tits too. But then if I wear some tinny little halter top and sit in the front row with my tatas bouncing all over what do I expect? NOTHING because I'm stupid! Give it a break, Orth is just trying to be funny and actually talk about whatever and forget all the PC garbage. Take his class if you want a chance to think, if you don't that's fine go someplace else.

Ok so he's not the most exciting literature professor, but he got the job done. He posted all of his lectures on blackboard, and did stick to the material that was on them (which is fine because most of the students wouldn't have bothered to look at the powerpoints if he didn't go over them). There was an exam every other Friday, which sounds like a pain in the ass, but it's better than having to take a cumulative at the end of the quarter I guess. The exams are open note, but that only helps so much... THEY ARE DIFFICULT. This my one main grievance with this class... he says that since we read a book per week, we don't need to analyze it or have a perfect understanding of it... but his test questions say otherwise. My suggestion is to a) read the books (I didn't and it probably would have helped if I had) and b) take the time to do some extra research -- more than just sparknotes. Other than the exams the only assignments are possible test questions that we come up with and turn in every other week. Our class had to do group movie reviews, but I don't think he liked it very much and he probably won't do it again. Overall, Orth might not be the best professor for this class, but if you can handle reading a book every week, you'll probably be fine. (In the end you find out that he doesn't really fail anyone unless they haven't put in any effort at all.) Oh yeah and to the guy complaining about how Orth wouldn't see him cuz he missed class... It's very clearly stated in his syllabus that if you miss 3 or more classes he won't see you during office hours. It makes sense doesn't it? You don't want to "waste" your time going to his class... why should he "waste" his time helping you outside of class?

Orth is not that bad. The books we were assigned were not as boring as a typical literature class, but man there were a lot of them. We were assigned a book a week, which is a difficult task. We had a test every other week, which is nice because they weren

I can see why a lot of people don't like Orth but I actually somewhat enjoyed his class. It was easy and somewhat interesting at times. There are 10 books to read, 1 a week. If you don't want to read them, most are on sparknotes. Orth let's you use notes on the tests so you can bring in his powerpoints and sparknotes to the test. Nice guy, ok class

If you enjoy passive learning, I recommend this professor. You will be fed all information through powerpoint. ZZZ.

Please for the love of God... DO NOT take Professor Orth! I took him because his 251 class was the only one open and I really needed it for my major. Big mistake...every lecture was incredibly boring and completely irrelevant to what we are actually supposed to be learning. Not only that but the weekly dialectic essays were a waste of time and didn't help me learn anything. Don't even get me started on the Web Site Reviews...If I could go back in time, I would've crashed another 251 class. Anything is better than Orth's class.

Reading a book a week is not bad as long as you do it. Orth, I think is very organized and knows what he is talking about but doesn't care if the whole class is asleep he'll keep talking in his monotone voice. If you're interested in medieval times and books about pigheaded men, this class shouldn't be too hard to show up at. Grading is fair, midterms consisted of short essay questions. Other than reading nine books this quarter, the course wasn't very demanding.

This was one of the most boring classes, but it's so hard to get an english class that I didn't really have a choice. I struggled to understand the material, but you can get a lot of help from the internet and by asking questions. The professor is very supportive. I failed the 1st midterm and passed the second midterm with a D and I still ended up with a A. The grading is a little strange. He will give you 3 points for certain assignments and 5 points for graphics... They numbers seem random, but they don't effect your grade much. I would suggest working really hard to get good grades on all of the quizes, which are pretty easy if you read the book. A book a week is difficult, but can be done and does help you keep up with the midterm comes around. The cartoons were funny and intresting to look at and I felt like he wanted a lot of our input. He worked with me to improve the way I took the tests and I was able to pull an A. Not a class that I would suggest, but if you have to take it- focus on getting great grades in all of the little stuff and don't worry too much about the tests. The final is the worth the same as the 2 midterms, so you can always redeam yourself. Like moi. :) Good luck.

Orth has all his notes on powerpoint and reads straight off each day, never once did a student participate. He didn't encourage participation because he said he has bad hearing and can't hear us very well. On the first day he says how he won't ever count your absences against you, but thats only half way true. I failed a midterm and wanted to talk with him about it, but because i missed more than 3 days he wouldn't even see me. He is a very set in his patterns sort of teacher, and won't be flexible for different students needs. I have never written a poly rating but his bad teaching motivated me to let everyone know who to avoid. Avoid this guy

He's a scary old man with a fanny pack who gets all gitty and laughs about these books we read. His lectures were just not very intersting. Sometimes, it was scary when he spoke of how erotic the books are. I was beginning to think the fanny pack was meant to cover up the boner he had while reading Sorrows of Young Werther. I read some of the same books in other classes and found out much more in depth information than the bland, erotic bullshit that he giggles along with each day. Oh, one more thing, his Brave New World computer assignment is a fucking joke.

He's not bad at all! Honestly! He gives you the answers for the test before hand, lets you use notes on all tests and the final. How much better could it get? True his lectures are a little boring but he posts everything on blackboard so you can just doze off in class. You read 7 books but don't buy them, just use sparksnotes or pinkmonkey and you'll do fine. Orth is a nice guy too, he understands he has limits and students do too. Give him a chance he's got a lot of brain and is great in office hours!

K seriously this guy isn't that bad. He's got some pretty random and boring lectures but he doesn't require you to go. His assignment are somewhat easy and he's a lenient grader. As long as you put forth some effort and try to come up with some insight, hes pretty cool. Not as bad as some are making him out to be.

Geez this must be the only damn class I had this quarter. This guy ... thinks his class is all you should be doing.

Dr. Orth was a pretty interesting teacher. He's cycnical and calls everyone by their first and last name. I took this class when it was 8 in the morning and it was my only Friday class. At first it sucked because he would talk...talk...about himself (attendance affected your grade). The books he choose for our class were pretty good and we did a lot of group interaction in the class. We hardly did any writing in the class except for a group class novel and lit review. At times he can seem intimidating, but he's old and he's retiring this year. If he ever teaches a class at Poly I would totally recommend him for English 350. It's a GE and a GWR. I don't know if he soften up because he was leaving, but I never had a problem talking to him in class or at his office hour.

Ok. This dirty old man has some major issues when it comes to listening to his students and talking about things THAT ACTUALLY PERTAIN TO THE CLASS. Damn, not everybody wants to hear about your druggie days and I absolutely hated the books we had to read - this was a modern novel class and I had never heard of the majority of the authors we read. I was hoping to read books that had some importance to or influence on the modern world but all we read about had to do with heroin-filled suppositories, gang rapes, and basically incoherent novels that had no real point to them. The worst part about Orth, though, is how sexist he is, how he makes any girl extremely uncomfortable (stop checking out our breasts you pervert!), and how every lecture is heavily influenced by his own wacked out opinions. I dreaded going to this class everyday and only went because it was required. And my favorite part - the jackass told us he was retiring so he really didn't care what we thought of him or his class so he didn't give us an evaluation to fill out about him at the end of the quarter. And - surprise! - he still teaches here. This class was an insult to women or anyone with a brain, and a complete waste of time.

Ok. In response to the comments below, I also took Orth and I really don't think my wearing a sweatshirt and sitting in the back row should make it ok for some teacher to look my "tatas" as you so eloquently put it (I've never even owned a "tinny little halter top" a day in my life you "tinny" little sexist jerk). So what makes this girl "a stupid cn't" just because she doesn't appreciate some old guy staring at her "tits?" Just because she has them gives no one the right to make her feel like some dumb slut nor does it make her "stupid" because she speaks up about it. And what makes you think her breasts were bouncing all over the place anyway? That's usually some excuse guys come up with to justify their staring at them, making it HER fault for not hiding behind a parka since you just don't want to take responsibility for treating her like some piece of eye candy. Look, I am an English major and have taken plenty of Eglish classes in my 4 years here and have had plenty of good and bad classes. I wouldn't be in this major if I wasn't interested in learning, but I have to agree with the girl you hauled off and bashed just because your an ignorant jackass who doesn't understand what it feels like to be treated like a dumb bimbo with big "tatas" (I just can't get over how simple-minded and insulting you are). So just because a person doesn't like a teacher's writing style, that means she doesn't want to learn? I had the same reaction in his class and I sure as hell did not come here to just be talked at by some guy preaching about his opinions of "the motherland" and all that; I came to learn about good literature and yes, to actually hear my teachers' opinions so I can grow as a writer. So don't go spouting to us how just because other people know what a good teacher really is and take the time to say so are all a bunch of idiots, because really, after reading your little bit of input, I can't help but wonder how the hell they're letting you graduate, or maybe they just wanted to get rid of narrow-minded, chauvenistic people like you.

Taking this instructor is like being in a Twilight Zone episode. You just can