Robert Watts

School: Drexel University
Department: English
Location:Philadelphia, PA
Overall Rating
rated by 20 students
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Pros: He is an easy grader. Do not have to try hard at all.
Cons: He made us buy a book we did not use. He is not very analytic, and is therefore unable to understand your analysis.
If you view English as a complete and total waste of your precious time, he is a good teacher. If you want to learn anything related to English, avoid him.
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Pros: He is flexible, laid-back, and is a fair grader. After you submit your paper, he lets you use his comments to revise and get a better grade!
Cons: There are a lot of weekly assignments (for hybrid course).
He's a laughable teacher. He's easy to talk to and wants people to participate in class. He'll call on a random person in class to answer questions. Sometimes, he likes to pick on you but it's not bad. I like his emphasis on plain language.
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Pros: Daring professor, cuts right to the deal
Cons: Sometimes too harsh
It was a challenging class, but with effort one can get an A. Just make it clear to mr. watts that you want an A.
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Pros: hybrid course.
He is clear in what he wants to read from you. If you do what he says you should be fine. VERY energetic
Cons: Sometimes hard to listen to, picks on people.
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Pros: Is funny
Flexible about projects
Is relaxed
Easy grader
Cons: None that I can think of
Great professor. Ended up taking him for 102 and 103. Chooses really interesting books to read in class (for 103 we read a comic book called Maus). And when it comes time to write a paper he is really flexible on the topic. I actually did an in-class presentation (it wasn't even an option) just because I asked him if I could and he thought it was an interesting idea. Would definitely recommend him.
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Professor Watts was different than other English instructors. He gives students "choices" that allow a variety of roads to be explored with the required assignments. The encouraged creativity proves to be an enjoyable experience, which helps the learning process. I never woke up with the thought oh NO, now I have to go to English class! Favorite English class and instructor!
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I never enjoyed the necessity for large vocabulary words and long sentence structures that was drilled into my head for years. Having Professor Watts for my English classes throughout my first year of college have been helpful to break the habit. I have developed a new and creative writing style that I now appreciate, thanks to his mentoring aid.
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Prof. Watts is the best! He really cares about every student. He is my favorite teacher or professor I have ever had. He challenges students to do their best at all times. Sometimes his class is difficult, but it is rewarding. Prof. Watts helped to improve my writing. The work load is fair and his grading is fair. He always gives an opportunity to improve projects if you are not happy with your grades. He encourages creativity and makes class fun. I highly recommend taking a class with Prof. Watts!
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Professor Watts is the man. He's absolutely hilarious and truly an interesting person to learn from, especially with real life stuff.
He really cares about his students. Gives a lot of work, but all of it is valuable and not too time consuming. If you want to learn a lot and come away from the class with a competitive advantage then take Watts. If you're an engineering student that hates English, well too bad--stop blaming Watts for your own dislike of the subject. He's a professor who truly cares about his students.
On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the highest) I'd give Watts a 20.
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Horrible teacher. Gives you a crapload of work that you never get graded. Grades randomly (he practically admitted this to us). Laughs all the time... at himself. Plays favorites and doesn't let anything go. If he thinks you have criticized him at all, he will crucify you in class in front of everyone. AVOID IF YOU CAN.
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Loved him. Took him for ENG 101 and then also for 103. Everyone is right that he is very vague with guidelines, but that's a good thing! You can use it as an opportunity to write about something you actually WANT to write about.
It is also true that he gives out a good amount of readings and responses, which can be time-consuming but not difficult. They're even on his ~~*own message board*~~ which he is very proud of, haha.
He's very lenient with deadlines, almost as if he expects half the class to turn in projects late.
Getting on his good side by being active in class discussions will be very beneficial.
Overall, loved him!
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I was surprised to see such bad reviews of Watts. In my opinion, he's a great teacher. His workload is much higher then other English 101 teachers, but you learn so much during his classes. He's funny, nice, and cares about students.
If you are in English 101 with him, here is my advice, listen to what he says, if he says "write this essay for a 7 year old", write it for a 7 year old, and whatever you do, don't write high school essays.
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AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Makes you print out 6 articles a week (60 pages worth) and submit summary/reaction for each; every sunday, tuesday, and thursday (online). He only gives a general hw grade, worth basically nothing, and grades random submissions. He has no lesson plan, when he cant think of any more to say, he will pull up online hw submissions and criticize each one in front of everyone. He requires attendance to his boring 1.5 hour class where u get to listen to him laugh at his own corny jokes.
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These negative comments are ridiculous. You guys have no idea how innovative Watts' teaching style is compared to other professors who are reallly old fashioned. He let's you pick something you are passionate about. His guidelines are set, so he can be flexible. And someone wrote he doesn't have clear guidelines because life doesn't and it's completely true! I LOVE THIS TEACHER AND WISH MORE WERE LIKE HIM. HE ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT YOU AND MAKES YOU WORK FOR YOUR GRADE. AWESOME PROFESSOR.
If you are deciding on taking this class. DO IT! For 103 I had another teacher and wanted Watts so bad that I BEGGED my friend to switch with me. love this guy.
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He's not a teacher with a strict rubric or grading policy so don't take his class if you like a lot of structure. Works with students to help them get an a or b. Gives a lot of assignments but also a lot of deadline slack. Great professor.
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He makes class really interesting, but he's a little bit out of his mind. His assignments were interesting, but sometimes he gets a little too personal with his comments, to the point where it got a little uncomfortable.
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I really think he is a great teacher, there's a lot of work but he makes class interesting. The assignments are really original and he gives you a lot of freedom with them, meaning not a lot of guidelines. Would definitely recommend.
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I personally really liked having Watts as a teacher. But I can tell why people don't like him. He's not very organized and for an english teacher... he seriously doesn't use english properly. He doesn't really give good direction either. Sometimes he's just really confusing.
I had him in 101 and I wanted to take him again in 102, but his classes were full. But now I'm taking him for 103. Even though he has a lot of faults, I like his class. He picks out really interesting articles, books and stories. If you don't like work, DON'T take Watts. He gives a good amount of work. It isn't hard, but it's a lot.
Overall, good stuff. I would take him again.
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He is a very nice guy and seems to care about his students and teaching but he way he teaches makes you wanna scream!!!!
ok im just writing this cause it was because of this site that im taking this course, and i HATE it. He is very unorganized, doesn't tell us whats due, and im getting the impression that he is not a very good writer himself. Also, idk but the last time i checked this was a persuasive writing course and we have not done ANY persuasive writing.
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Professor Watts isn't your typical English teacher. He wants you to discover you strengths and weaknesses and to write in ways that might actually be of use later in life. There are a few analytical papers, but most are creative and you get to choose the topic. The freedom is nice, but he can be a difficult grader at times.

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