Clark, Kevin  

English

3.02/4.00

55 evaluations


ENGL 253


Junior
B
General Ed
Jul 2009
If you pass up a chance to take a class with Professor Clark...you're an idiot. He is one of the best professors I've EVER had. He grades fairly...listens...and completely understands students. TAKE HIM!!

ENGL 304


Senior
B
Elective
Jun 2005
He says he teaches in a socratic method which means he randomly calls on students to check if they read the assignments (and most have not or will not). Yes, its sometimes nerve wracking, especially if you are not prone to speak in public. He does not seem to care about your opinion although he acts like it. What you have to say in his class has probably been said before by another student. So why &*&^ bother. Be prepared to be intimidated and become emotionally separated from poetry. His classes are like the medical examiner's probing of cadavers. You might learn something on your own because of his class, but, outside some new "poetical" vocabulary dont expect to came away with much.

ENGL 305


Junior
A
Required (Major)
Jun 2003
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Kevin. I had him for two classes in the same quarter (the other was poetry writing 488). He selected great readings and inspired interesting discussion in both classes. I can't wait to take him again. The reading load was high but entirely worth it. Kevin is smart, funny, and one of those profs who makes you look forward to going to class. Take him and you won't be sorry.


5th Year Senior
N/A
Required (Major)
Dec 2004
Dr. Clark is an excellent teacher as most of these reviews have said. However, he's fair and really is a nice guy. All the comments about him ogling pretty girls or being a jerk makes no sense whatsoever and really seems to indicate resentment over bad grades or criticism. Dr. Clark truly enjoys what he does and enjoys coming to his classes. Our class was able to develop some great conversations because Dr. Clark made it easy for us to voice our thoughts. I highly recommend Dr. Clark.


Graduate Student
B
Required (Major)
May 2006
I've taken Dr. Clark for 305 and 488 -- I just love his teaching style. Okay, so I'm a girl, but I never felt like he treated me any differently. But there is a reason this guy has won the Cal Poly Distinguished Teaching Award (2002). I can say that Dr. Clark was my first English prof. to genuinely validate me as a student; furthermore, he listened to what the students had to say. Though, I do have to say that his quizzes were always a pain ... He's not an easy professor, and he will be a stickler when it comes to the GWR.


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Sep 2008
I have nothing bad to say about Dr. Clark. I absolutely love him. He moves at a very fast pace, though, and calls on every person in the class at least once during each class. But those pressures helped me do better, and got me more excited about the literature we were reading. He is very flexible, amazing during office hours, and a very personable guy. I <3 Clark.


Senior
N/A
Required (Major)
Dec 2009
Clark is an extremely good professor. Though I have only taken him for 305, I can only imagine that he is just as amazing in his other classes. There is a decent amount of reading, and some of the reading never gets discussed or comes up on the tests, but it does help you to understand the works of a particular author, time period, or subject much more thoroughly. Clark calls on people throughout class and expects everyone to contribute but he also helps students work through meanings and interpretations. There are 4 multiple choice quizes, a multiple choice final, a presentation on a work of your choice that you read in the class, a short review of a poetry reading you must attend, and the large portion of the grade is your research paper. Clark is always available to help students out. It is recommended that you go to his office after you\'ve written your thesis for a large paper you have to do. You will most definitely get a higher grade if you sit down and have him help you fine tune it. He is an extremely nice guy and great teacher and you should look forward to taking him.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Jan 2010
Professor Clark is really an amazing teacher. He gives quizzes every 1-2 weeks, and they are not bad if you takes notes in class and do the readings. He also required 2 essay, due at the very end of the quarter with your final. The only thing that sucked is that you don\'t know what you got on the essays/final until you get your final grade after the quarter is over. Because of that, I just went into his office hours and continually asked for help. He was very helpful, and I would definitely tell anyone who has the chance to have him, take his class!


5th Year Senior
A
Required (Major)
Jan 2010
This was an excellent class. Everything was interesting, fair, presented well, and not too difficult. I was proud of the grades I earned and eager to learn -- a wonderful feeling to get out of a class, don\'t you think? I highly recommend Clark. I only wish that I had more English classes to take at Poly with Clark... sigh...stupid graduation :(

ENGL 342


Sophomore
C
Required (Major)
Aug 2001
His class was difficult (the writing portion), but reasonable. I learned more in this class than I have in other quarters combined. This is one of the professors/classes that helped me to decide on changing my major from Business to English.


Junior
B
Required (Major)
Aug 2001
Dr. Clark appears to have a big ego--like he is always right and you are wrong. I found him to be arrogant and a big bore, and did not learn very much from his class. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend that you take this class from another instructor.

ENGL 343


Junior
A
General Ed
Jun 2005
Yes, he tends to pick favorites in class (specifically girls) and lets people make pointless comments, but the class is, in general, a decent class. At the very least the class is interesting, which can be tough for 2-hour lecture classes. The reading can vary from 30 to 60 minutes per night (for a 2-day-per-week class) and is usually interesting. He assigns a midterm paper and a final paper, which are 1,000 words and 1,500 words, respectively. If you make use of the writing lab and make no grammatical mistakes, it's not too hard to get an A on them. The tests are easy if you do the reading (most everyone gets 100's on them). Although I wish he wouldn't have played favorites (a pet peeve of mine because I'm usually never the teacher's pet) it was a pretty decent class. Girls, in particular, shouldn't have too hard of a time in this class.


Sophomore
B
Required (Support)
Jun 2005
This was the worst English professor I have ever had a Cal Poly. He is egotistical and the course is based on whether you can figure out what he wants you to say and if you can regurgitate his opinions correctly on paper. The course grade breakdown was like this: 50% final paper, 20% midterm, 20% Quizzes (which included the final), and 10% poetry paper. Don't worry about spending too much of your own thoughts on these assignments. Go to his office hours, figure out which story he likes best, have him tell you what he liked about it, find a graduate assistant in the writing lab that had him and can help you write the papers, and hope for the best. I spent hours upon hours working to please this guy but clearly it was a feudal attempt. He is obnoxious and narcissistic. At the end of our last class he told us to "not worry about the professor evaluations because the department won't read them. I'm tenured and they can't do anything, but I look at them for feedback." Bullshit. He is doesn't give a damn about his students; his classes are speaking point for him to blow smoke up his own ass about his opinions on literature and his poetry (which sucks and is pretty filthy because of its/his sexual nature). STAY AWAY FROM THIS GUY, he gives a bad name to the English Department. If you get stuck and you are a guy, good luck because you are basically fucked. If you are a girl take him because you could do well simply because of your gender. And if you are a hot girl don't even think twice, take this guy and make him feel special because that is the only criteria for a good grade (i.e., an A). His class is so subjective and biased. He is by far the worst and most obnoxious, biased professor at Cal Poly. He teaches his opinions on literature not the content and purpose of the author


Junior
A
General Ed
Jun 2005
This guy needs to retire. The reading was boring but the quizzes were easy. We had two papers, three quizes which included a final, and a poetry reading to go to which we had to write a paper on. He is strict on grammar and teaches you his opinions and his writing style which I don't think will improve your writing outside of his class. The class was really boring after awhile. He is full of himself but he likes girls which I think helped me. So if you are a chick and get stuck in a lame ge english class, take him and because he totally plays favorites. If you are a guy, good luck.


Senior
N/A
General Ed
Jul 2005
BOOR


Junior
B
Elective
Jul 2006
I really enjoyed Dr Clark class. I am a girl, but do not think that I was favored at ALL. I mean come on, there was only 5 guys in the class, and he calls on everybody at least once during his lectures. I recommend this class to any guy who wants meet a lot of girls. The class consisted of one midterm paper worth 20% of the grade, participation 10%, quizzes 20%, and a final paper worth 50% of the total grade. His lectures were interesting and there was group work where we would write thesis statements and also analyze our readings. We also were able to take the GWR in this class. He offers it 3 various times in the quarter and none of them count for your grade in the class. I actually had problems passing it, so he was nice enough to give it to me after the quarter had ended...and sure enough I passed it. I totally recommend Dr Clark...take him if you can!

ENGL 346


Sophomore
A
General Ed
Jun 2001
Dr. Clark seriously tamed my fear of poetry. I learned to appreciate poetry's depth and intensity and I enjoyed the class's multi-ethnic perspective. Dr. Clark seemed to have a sincere interest in every student, and every individual's input in class discussions was never demeaned. The class also consists of a brief overview of the history of American poetry movements, which was both extremely interesting and relevant to understanding much of the poetry. Dr. Clark is a fair grader. If you make the effort to consult with him during his office hours you will do well on your papers.


Junior
A
General Ed
Mar 2011
I took English 346 as an upper division GE, and also for my GWR requirement. I was not into poetry at all when I took this class but Dr. Clark's classes are so entertaining that it actually had me enjoying the readings by the end. He is very straightforward with what he wants, and really one of the best teachers I have ever had. I HIGHLY recommend taking his classes!


Junior
B
General Ed
Mar 2011
I really enjoyed this class. At first I wasn't too excited to hear that the whole class would be poetry but I ended up liking poetry by the end of the quarter. Dr. Clark helps his students understand poetry&form before he actually starts the readings. Once you realize poetry isn't so scary you can enjoy his class. He gets to know everyone in the class and he is very helpful during office hours. He makes the GWR easy-- take a class from Dr. Clark if you can!


Senior
N/A
General Ed
Jun 2013
Professor Clark is a really great guy. If you go to office hours he's extremely helpful and helps lead you in the direction to get you started on your essay. You have two big essays, and a few in class quizzes. As long as you pay attention during class and do the readings you'll be fine on the quizzes. He's a stickler on grammar so make sure you're good at grammar or get help on your essays. There's a few books you need. I have all of them and the small packet you have to buy at the book store. I'm selling it all for $30. Text me if you want to buy them for Fall 2013 (805) 550-6795

ENGL 350


Sophomore
C
Required (Major)
Jun 1999
The guy is a jerk. Flat out. If at all possible take this class with someone else. If you are looking to fulfill your GWR with him, forget it. I took the GWR 3 times with this asshole and he fluncked me everytime. I paid my $25 and passed on the first time. Do not take this idiot as an instructor!

ENGL 380


Sophomore
A
Elective
Aug 2001
One of the best classes I've taken at Cal Poly. Kevin conducts great class discussions--not just plain lecture. Expect to have a good time.


Junior
A
Required (Major)
Aug 2001
If you are up for a challenge, I definitely recommend him as a teacher. He grades very harshly, but will work with you if you reasonably back up your points. Do not try to be creative and come up with your own viewpoints, try to think of what he would say and you will do well. However, the actual classes are incredibly fun and the time goes by very quickly. It is very enjoyable. Keep up with the work and try not to fall behind.


Junior
B
Elective
Oct 1999
Even though I'm a complete idiot when it comes to poetry, he still made this class fun. It's one of the best classes I've ever took in Cal Poly.


Senior
B
Elective
Jul 2002
Kevin is one of the best English professors at Cal Poly. He expects a lot from his students, especially if you are an English major, but is very fair and always willing to work with a student to help them improve their writing. His love for poetry is overwhelming and his classes are always fun. He is very easy to talk to and is open to student's ideas.


Junior
C
General Ed
Mar 2005
Kevin Clark was a mixed package for this class. He has some of the talents of a great professor, but he let the students wander so far off topic during lecture that I slowly lost all interest in the subject matter as taught in class. He is very anal about the floweriness of essays, which I believe shouldn't have to be as creative as the poems about sex that he writes. I had a very open mind coming into the class, and still do, but I wonder to what degree the "uniqueness" of the subject matter was more than just skin-deep for the instructor and many of the students. The class was a welcome change in the Cal Poly gender ratio--more female than male--but it became apparent why: Clark liked the girls (especially the attractive ones), and he never once stopped females from making gross generalizations about men. I spoke with some of the few men in this class after it was over, and they too received C's. Seems very questionable. (The class was entitled "Love, Sex, and Romanticism in Contemporary American Poetry.") The class wasn't all bad, though, as I did pass the GWR and become more interested in poetry. Good luck with Clark if you take his class, and remember you were forewarned!


Senior
A
Elective
Aug 2006
Professor Clark is a fantastic Professor. He is always eager to help students come to their *own* understanding of poetry. I have never had a professor better at this. He does run the class in a socratic format, but I felt he provided sufficient guidance when things ran off topic (which tends to happen when discussing love/sex/romance). The class was fairly easy because Clark explains his expectations clearly and does everything he can to assist you in satisfying those expectations. As for the female-favoritism issue (Im a guy), I noticed it, but it wasn't significant/detrimental to the class.


Sophomore
Credit
General Ed
Apr 2015
Was super nervous when I found out that the class, Literary Themes, was mostly poetry. I took it pass no pass because I had a horrific experience with William Walters for Engl 145 (DON'T TAKE HIM EVER, TOTALLY LOWERED MY CONFIDENCE IN WRITING even though I had an A in AP lit and Literature Honors in high school). Kevin Clark is one of the few professors I've had where he SAYS that he won't down grade you if your interpretation is different if you can prove it with evidence in your writing... AND ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT. He was always open minded to what people had to say about what they thought. We had lots of class discussions (he'll definitely call on people randomly but it wasn't bad because he would do it for easy questions and wouldn't be condescending if you didn't know the answer. he only did it to lead the class, one student at a time, to his point or an answer). Though I took the class pass no pass, he gave me an A- on the midterm paper worth 20% of grade. Final paper was 50%. GWR was easy, passed that no problem and you can retake it many times if you want. Quizzes of poems were SO EASY. I never re-read poems or took notes, but always got an A on the quizzes because I took the time to read them once very genuinely, and once you get the feel for how each poet writes, it's easy to match the poem to the author. Quiz/final (together worth 20%) format is multiple choice of easy vocab words he'll tell you to write down, and matching poem title/author to a few stanzas from the poem. Easy, especially when he'll purposefully tell you THIS PERSON LOVES WRITING ABOUT NATURE. THE POEM TITLE IS BLAH BLAH FLOWER, and on the quiz or test, the title BLAH BLAH FLOWER will be a key word or phrase in the poem lines he gives you to match it with. Fair GE, interesting subject matter, would recommend.

ENGL 388


Junior
A
General Ed
Jul 2002
this is an easy "A" class.


Freshman
B
Elective
Feb 2005
Clark is a professor who is very passionate about poetry. he teaches effectively and i learned a lot. his quizzes were really detailed but they arent worth very much. i would recommend taking him.


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Dec 2005
I agree . . . this is an easy "A" class. Here are the steps to getting an "A." 1. Do all the reading. It's not hard. It will help keep you quiz scores high (quizzes are only worth 10% anyways) 2. When you're doing the re-writes of your poems, go to his office hours. He will basically tell you exactly what to change and what not to change. 3. That's pretty much it. Be prepared for some minor boredom in class, but along the way, there will be some very good/funny student written poems to marvel at.


Sophomore
A
General Ed
Dec 2005
Dr. Clark is a great guy, despite what others are saying. He cares about his students. This poetry class I took with him really helped me improve as a writer. I don't know this thing about favoring girls, I didn't see any of that. Take him for 388, it's not difficult and it's fun. I'm planning on taking his 488 in the spring.


5th Year Senior
A
General Ed
Jan 2008
Not really sure where all the hate is coming from. I found Kevin Clark to be among the better gen ed teachers I've had at poly thus far. I'm not an english major, but I did find his class unexpectedly fun and interesting. I think he did an excellent job introducing poetry to me, and I would recommend to anyone else wanting a class with a light load and interesting material (mostly from other students). Classroom aside, he's a really nice down-to-earth guy. Coming from a bittered 5th year that's sick of gen eds, I really can't think of anything bad to say about him, which is why the negative feedback about him is surprising to me.


Senior
B
General Ed
Jan 2008
You will enjoy this class. For a C4, it's not bad at all, and if you put effort into reading the textbook(s) and developing your poetry, it will leave a positive impression.


Senior
B
Elective
May 2009
Clark is an amazing guy. I have taken 4 classes with him and he always pushes me to do better. He is really willing to work with students in order to help them improve. He doesnt give too much work and everything is right up front. If you give your best effort your work will pay off. Definitely should take this teacher.... HE ROCKS!

ENGL 415


Graduate Student
B
Required (Major)
Mar 2003
Kevin Clark inspired me to write poetry, and to become an English Major. It was his youthful enthusiasm and love for the written word that helped check me out of Speech Com. I have to say I am proud I had a class with him. It was hard, and I really had to work -- but having read the poetry from his latest book -- he just keeps getting better, and brighter and smarter. Some prof's deteriorate with age, but not Kevin, he is gaining the momentum he has always dreamed. Plus, he's the nephew of Mary Higgins Clark, so the talent runs in the family -- though, Kevin offers more talent than the mystery trite his Auntie Mary writes. You will like this class, and most of all, you will have fun.

LIB 436


Sophomore
B
Elective
Nov 2016
Fuck this guy. Id like to stick my tounge up his ass.

ENGL 439


Junior
B
Required (Major)
Mar 2005
Dr. Clark really cares about his students. His method of teaching provokes thought from his students. You will get called on at least once a day in his class, so you can't slack on the reading, but pretty much any comment you make in the class is fair game for discussion. I've never once noticed him ripping into someone for an "incorrect" thought, he takes everything into consideration. Poetry is his specialty, so you can tell he is passionate about the material and none of the assignments seemed out of control. I would whole-heartedly recommend taking a class from him.

ENGL 449


Senior
N/A
Required (Major)
Jan 2005
Dr.Clark rocks.


Graduate Student
A
Required (Major)
May 2007
If you can hack it, Dr. Clark's courses will polish you as a student, professional, and human being. Trust me. To this day I think I could walk into any poetry course at any school (Harvard, Wesleyan, Brown, wherever) and hold my own, passing GRE's and contributing on an erudite level to discussions. For a public school, middle class, average Joe like me to feel this way about the high-brow world of poetry is a miracle, a miracle named Kevin Clark. Note. He never checked out my tits.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Feb 2008
Just so we all get this straight, there was a student awhile back with some personal animosity towards Clark, and that same student is probably responsible for all the repetitive, petty slander in Clark's review. Seriously, I have never met a single student who could not like Dr. Clark. He is a genuinely nice man, supportive and encouraging, and the structure of his class is great. It's easy to feel pretty stupid in a poetry class, but he sincerely valued everyone's input. He's a big believer in the socratic method, which gets everyone involved, and as far as a poetry seminar goes, he's totally got it down. Take him.

ENGL 459


Senior
A
Required (Major)
Jan 2009
um what can i say about clark except that he changed my life?!!! this guy is the most compassionate, supportive, and amazing guy ever. i want to get my masters at poly just so i can be around him more! no joke. um he does expect a lot though, but it for sure pays off. oh my god. do not think twice about taking him, just do it. you will be a better person after having taken him.

ENGL 488


Junior
N/A
Required (Major)
Feb 2002
Kevin's a nice guy, but he lets people ramble on and on even when they have nothing to valuable to say. It bogs the class down, and makes it pretty boring. I also think he shows favoritism toward pretty girls, regardless if they can write a lick. I wouldn't want to take another course from him because he's too wishy-washy and too damn soft.


Junior
B
Required (Major)
Jun 2004
Clark is a mealy-mouthed jerk. He thinks he knows everything, pretends he's Mr. Nice Guy, but he's a really an arrogant sap. Loves to check out the ladies though he's always doing that. Avoid him unless you're a pretty female or someone who wants to write confessional poems about sex and liberal politics. Class is relatively easy though. Clark needs retirement.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Jun 2004
Pretty mixed feelings about Kevin. I've taken a few creative writing courses and his was by far the weakest. He's too nice for his own good. You almost get the feeling that he's either a phoney or an idiot savant. I had Hill and he was great, Cushing who was pretty good, and Cokal, who I didn't like much. Kevin is like a little league coach or an old lday who works in the Hallmark store. And sadly, the comments about him ogling the babes is true. Take Hill or Cushing.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Mar 2005
Clark knows the poetry community, but that is where his expertise ends. This guy is so full of himself that his classes become unbearable. Clark's main belief is that poetry is created to be shared and published. It is not necessarily about personal expression or deep thoughts or images. At the end of the quarter Clark asked the class to vote on which poet in the class influenced him/her the most and then wrote the votes up on the board for everyone to see as if poetry is a contest. I would not take this class with Clark, nor would I take any class with him agian. HEAD THIS WARNING, this guy will destroy any passion for poetry as he seeks to only emphasize HIS IDEA of what good poetry is (even though his job is to grade the ungradable, poetry, he looks for what HE PERSONALLY LIKES.) At the end of the day, this guy will break you!


Senior
B
Required (Support)
Aug 2005
Ned Flanders of poetry. Time for some nighty-nite, time for retirement. Girls: let him dry hump your leg for an A. Guys: Pretend that you think he'd cool and profound. Take Coffman, Cushing, or Hill. I've heard good things about all three.


Senior
B
Required (Major)
Sep 2006
On Kevin


5th Year Senior
B
Required (Major)
Sep 2006
Kevin is a fake and his class is a kiss ass free for all. if you kiss his ass, he's all for you and your poetry. if you have bright eyes and cleavage, go to the front of the class. i started out liking him, and ended up despising his arrogance, his favoritism, and his i'm mr. poetry attitude. as said earlier, take coffman. she's the real thing. ps: i'm a female, and i didn't want to play his game. 'respect zone' what a joke!


Graduate Student
B
Required (Major)
Sep 2006
I wish a I could write a haiku about what a tit-glaring, boner-composing ego-monster Dr. Clark is. Ok, let's be fair: some really love him, and they kiss his ass and flash their titties and write about orgasms.


Graduate Student
A
Required (Major)
Jan 2007
Some awful things are being said here about Professor Clark, and I disagree with them all. I am in grad school right now for creative writing (poetry), mainly because of Dr. Clark's encouragement, support, and amazing teaching. I took 488 twice, and loved it both times. The environment he creates for sharing your poetry and discussing your peer's poetry is at the level of any grad program, and I always felt comfortable. Your grade in these classes comes from your own effort (i.e. doing all the assignments), your ability to comment helpfully on other's work (i.e. participation), and your revision. Dr. Clark is an intelligent, talented, and kind-hearted man... the kind who invites the whole class to his house for the last class meeting, the kind who gets to know you personally. He is a mentor to me and a friend (to both me and my fiance). I wish you all the opportunity to have a professor, in your time at Cal Poly, who actually cares about his or her students, as Dr. Clark does.


Graduate Student
A
Required (Major)
Apr 2007
THIS IS THE WORST PROFESSOR IN THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. HE ESCHEWS WHAT HE DOESN'T KNOW. HIS MATERIAL COMES FROM HIS ASSOCIATES AND FRIENDS, NOT WORLD RENOWN POETS. THIS PROFESSOR STANDS AS A MOMENTO TO THE SAYING "THOSE WHO CAN'T DO-- TEACH." AVOID THIS PROFESSOR FOR POETRY AND CORE CLASSES AT ALL COST. CHOOSE INCHAUSTI OR ANY OF THE OTHER POETRY TEACHERS INSTEAD EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT A FEW QUARTERS.


Graduate Student
A
Elective
Feb 2008
i am female. never felt weirdness from clark, and, no, i'm not ugly. i always felt like clark respected me and my work, and noticed that he had favorite poets in my classes who were male. these lewd postings are unkind and unfair. . .just had to defend him!


Senior
B
Elective
Nov 2012
Dr. Clark is amazing! This class was so much fun and really helpful at growing your talent as a poet. There are quizzes on the poems quite often and a short 1 page essay and new poems due every class, but I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who likes to write poetry or just be creative!

ENGL 511


Graduate Student
A
Required (Major)
Dec 2007
I found Modern American Poetry with Dr. Clark to be amazing. I've always been intimdated by poetry but his teaching style keeps it accessable for the novices and stimulating for everyone including the experts. Clark is very approachable and very helpful as well. I'd highly reccomend him to all students.