Donald Riggs

School: Drexel University
Department: English
Location:Philadelphia, PA
Overall Rating
rated by 20 students
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 Pros: Very understanding, makes the discussions interesting, very "with it" and understanding of his students.
Papers are interesting to write, and he really fosters discussion between students.
Really nice guy, super friendly
Cons: Tough grader, but that helps you improve.
I would DEFINITELY recommend Dr. Riggs as a professor. Don't go into Dr. Riggs class expecting an easy A. You have to actually work. That's ok though, because the papers he assigns are always on really interesting topics, and he is always willing to help if you need it.
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 Pros: Knows a lot about science fiction
no attendence or participation
fair grader
Cons: class is a little boring
Dr. Riggs is really a good professor, he almost knows everything about this class and he tries to show a lot to students. In a way, the class is useless for the exam and assignments. The only thing you need to do is reading all books. If you read books on time, you do not need to worry about the exam and assignments.
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 I took him for Hnrs 301- A Game of Thrones, and it was the best English class I've ever taken! He was so passionate about the subject and he really brought to my attention all the details and symbolism that Martin included in his novels. Very charismatic, very approachable, and very helpful. We had a quiz in class each day, but they were very easy. There were two essays, the last of which was a 10-page paper, but it wasn't hard to write at all (as long as you care about the class!). Overall, he is the one of only two amazing teachers I've had at Drexel so far!
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 Pros: Easy-going and friendly
Approachable outside of class
Funny
Cons: The actual work is kind of boring
I had Riggs for freshman year of English. I loved being in his class because he'd often just go off topic and talk about random stuff. The only thing I didn't like was that he stuck closely to the pre-designed freshman year curriculum, which was easy but boring as hell. He clearly loves sci-fi and fantasy so it would have been cool if he had gone in that direction instead.
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 Dr. Riggs is a great man. He has an odd sense of humor, but he's awesome. He's a VERY approachable professor and loves talking to his students. His grading system may not be consistent, but he tells you what he expects and is generally an easy grader. I loved him having as a professor!! I took him multiple times after having him in honors seminar.
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 Pros: Fun Class
Cons: Hard Grader
Expect an A receive a C
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 Pros: Makes class fun to attend.
Cons: Grading is very random
I am honestly surprised at the comments that people make about him. Although he is approachable and I actually looked forward to going to class, his grading style has absolutely no logic behind it and he doesn't give you any criticism on your papers until you turn it in. I honestly didn't learn anything in his class. One advise: Make sure for every paper you write, you include at least one full page of sources.
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 Pros: Best English Professor at Drexel in my opinion! The nicest guy I know in the Arts and Sciences college. 3 essays, easy requirements for hybrid postings, and he is a very light grader. Attendance is mandatory, but he is hilarious! I have already taken him for english 102 and 103!
Cons: Sometimes goes off on strange tangents, but he still recovers and makes them funny!
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 I took the hybrid section and there's barely any outside work except for one online discussion post. I was surprised at the grade I got at the end of the term despite doing ALL my work and getting good grades on the two papers. He does have a weird grading scale but he's a very sweet guy who is always trying to make the class laugh.
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 this class was the biggest mistake of my drexel career. i thought it would be an easy A...just watch the movies and use sparknotes to write papers. ended up getting B- on all my papers! and ive gotten As in english my whole life. classes are a waste of time....he goes off on random tangents for hours. hes very nice and very funny/strange and hes very interested in anything you have to say, but a very tough grader. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CLASS UNLESS YOU ARE A HOBBIT AND LIVE IN THE SHIRE
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 He is the greatest english teacher that I have ever had in my life. I am not great at English and didn't think this would work out too well but with him it did. He really knows what he's talking about and also really interested in the topic. He also has a way of making the students interested in what he's saying even if you normally would not be. I would definitely retake him and I really reccomend for everyone to take him. He is the greatest.
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 Wow. I took english 201 with Dr Riggs my sophomore year and ive been searching for another one of his classes for two years. I'm taking phil381 next term and I'm telling you i'm so excited because Riggs is legendary. Just going to his classes is better than doing just about anything else you can think of...sounds cheesy i know but this guy is the real deal take his class and you will not regret it.
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 dr riggs is a GREAT professor who draws all the interesting little symbolism out of each character and situation in tolkien's work. I love how he has background info on the author that corresponds to why he wrote what parts of his books. riggs is a good resource for odd topics...i'm doin a paper on ecology in the LOTR and within 2 days he found me sweet sources. And he reviews drafts before you can turn things in so it's a GREAT help. take the man you learn something. i do wish he would make class mandatory, sometimes the empty class is annoying when everyone is trying to have a deep discussion.
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 Riggs is an awesome teacher and I would recommend that everyone take a class by him. He knows a lot about the topics that he teaches and his classes are so much fun that most people attend even though you could skip a lot of classes and not have it affect your grade any. He doesn't take attendance, doesn't give pop quizzes, and doesn't call on people randomly to answer questions.
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 I had heard so much about Dr. Riggs and decided to seek the truth.
It is true - he is amazing and really has passion for the material. He goes into character often, always has a smile, and does greet you out of class. He really goes out of his way to just be there.
This class was a very nice blend of philosophy and literature...you haven't experienced all of Drexel until you have taken a course by Dr. Riggs.
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 This guy is an awesome person and teacher. I really enjoyed his class when I managed to get there.
I missed at least 50% of his classes and walked in on a test I had no idea was scheduled for that day an still got a B for the term. (20 credits and a job makes it hard to focus on an elective)
If you go to class and put in any effort you will get an A.
He is a funny guy with an intelligent sense of humor, probably my favorite teacher at Drexel.
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 Although a fairly good teacher, and very knowledgable. His method of determining final grades is completely arbitrary. Numbers mean nothing to him. He is not a "mathematician." If you expect a certain grade, make sure there is no gray area about it, because he tends to round down; regardless of any sort of class participation/contribution etc. Still interesting and funny guy.
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 Riggs is by far one of the most knowledgably individuals I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I have taken 3 classes with Riggs, and each is more enjoyable than the last. I don't know what his honest opinion of my writing ability is, but the in-class exercises and on-going writing assignments were both fun and beneficial to my growth as a writer.
Now I can't stop writing Haiku.
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 i got a C in his class cause i didnt do shit and im not complaining cause this guy is awesome! i dont know if everytime i see him hes high on weed or coke, but probably both. first time i saw him on summer term, he was wearing what looked like a small size t shirt of magic kingdom. the shirt was sooo small that mickey mouse looked asian. pretty funny hippie
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 Great teacher. this man will explain topics on many levels. he doesnt assign bsy work assignments liek some, there are no journals and lame discussions like that. he is a true professor. if you need help he will sit down and tae the tim eto truly help you. you wi need to do the work though; it is easy to get a B in this class; you may need to exert some extra effort in order to get an A though. as a note- he wil remember you and will say hello to you and be very polite if you see him later in your college career. true gentleman

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