Englund, Dave  

He was definitely the WORST teacher I have ever had!! He read his lectures from notecards, which made class really boring. He presented a lot of irrelevant material, which he said we wouldn't be tested on and was "just for fun". Then when the whole class (yes, the WHOLE class) complained about the test,he said he didn't have time to go over test questions in class and there was nothing he can do about the questions because he got them from a testbank. He didn't go over anything in the book. His tests are 40% based on the book and done by scantron and 60% based on lecture and done by essay. Only take this class if you have to!! The only good thing I can say is that he only has like 2 or 3 more years of teaching left and he will retire. His "objectives" for the test are a joke. Basically he just put all of the chapter subtitles into questions and then he tests on really random things. I would focus on the lecture material and be srue to memorize ALL overheads and all of the things he lists unless he says, "You don't have to know this." He was not helpful when students asked questions and he made people who had a different viewpoint from him feel stupid. I hated this class!!

This was definately the worst professor I have had here at Cal Poly. Most of his information is from his "golden ages" in the 1970's when he was a "master" in his field- but he is too lazy to go out and get information from even the 1990's for us to listen to. He is unclear about everything- the tests, the papers, the VCEs, basically the entire class format. He makes a point to say that CD majors don't deserve they grades they earn each and every quarter. And he won't listen to any differing opinion from his own- I have never been so frusterated in a class in my life. I know hes the only one who teaches adolescence, so good luck trying to deal with his incompetence.

This is by far the worst professor I have ever had at Cal Poly. He was never really clear on what he expected of his students. We had to post on some bulliten board at least once a week and he would compare all the posts and decide which was the best. Never mind the fact that he never was really clear what was a good post. Furthermore when half the class couldn't access the bb, he decided that all our computers must be broken and because he could access it (and in the next breath told us he knew nothing about computers). His tests were unreasonable. He told us before the first midterm that everything we needed to know from the book was outlined on the study guide...the study guide was a mere reprint of the subcategory titles and each one had questions under it...of those questions (about 50 or so per test) and when we got the test, there were 2 questions that were from the guide...and they were essay not multiple choice as promised. All the multiple choice questions were obscure facts that had one line in the text- written by the text authors. One last thing about his tests- his essay questions- they are excercises in regurgitating his lectures (which do seem pointless) and his opinions. And don't ever miss class because when you do he will take the most obscure piece of his lecture and put it on the test (and notes you get from someone will not be sufficient)

Overall, Dr. Englund is a very fair and generous professor. Although he may not have understood the difficulties that some students were experiencing on the VCE, he made every effort to ensure that the grading was fair. For instance, instead of grading us on the VCE after 2 weeks, he gave us two more weeks to ensure that all students had a FAIR CHANCE. And, he also encouraged those of us that were having diffuculty to come to his office hours so that he could help us. He gave us examples of entries on the VCE that were "A" quality. As a student it was obvious to see that Dr. Englund took the course seriously, and that he expected the same from his students. The VCE allowed us to express our opinions and display our knowledge in a forum other than the classroom. Dr. Englund rewarded those that took the assignment seriously...much like any other fair professor would do. In terms of his tests...once again, he gives everyone a fair chance. According to an entry by another student, Dr. England's tests are unorganized. I diasagree. We are given a syllabus with assignments to read, and write notes from lectures that we are told are needed for the tests. To you, the other student...don't blame a professor because you missed class and missed out on pertinent information. Take responsibility for yourself. Go to office hours and get the notes...read the book...do the assignmnets. Dr. England not only has convienant office hours, he is willing to listen to your side of the story. After every test is graded, he tells the entire class that if we disagree with how it was graded, we can write an explanation as to why we are right. I did so for two tests and Dr. England rewarded me points for doing so. So for all of you students out there that are interested in taking a course from Dr. England, I challenge you to do so. He gives a lot of work and expects his students to take him seriously. But don't let that discourage you...you can't learn anything if you don't put a little effort in it and try.

Adolescence was one of the best classes I've taken. Dr. Englund is a great teacher, very patient, knowledgeable, and funny. I was confused with the class format at first. Then I realized that he was actually challenging me to use my brain and to exert some effort to learn something about myself and the people around me (isn't that what psychology is all about?). This isn't just a class about your teenage years. This is an opportunity to examine your life and make you a better person at work, play, and home. Don't miss out on a great chance to enrich your life and improve your understanding of why we are the way we are.

I think that the people who are complaining about Dr. Englund are the lazy people who you would never want to work with in a group project. 306 is not an easy class, and I am surprised it is not a 400 level course. Dr. Englund acually makes you work, which a lot of people at this school are not use to. There is a lot of work with the VCE's and at first it is a bit confusing, but you do not have to be a genius to get it to work. Bottom line is that this class is a lot of work, the tests are hard, but I think Dr. Englund is intelligent and approachable. You can call him on bad test questions and he may change the grade. If you are lazy and looking for an easy A take Psy of Women or something.

If, by chance you are a teenager when you take this class on adolescence, expect that your opinion will be meaningless even though you are exactly what the class is discussing. If, by chance, you don't happen to agree with a certain theorist, be prepared to be berated and/or pitied because you don't agree with the mainstream psychologists. You will never get to keep your test long enough to look up the right answers if you think he marked you wrong on one (the tests are exactly half multiple choice and half essay). You will also be expected to turn in five writings called VCE's, which is code for "write on anything you want pertaining to adolescence, but the grading criteria is based on how much I value your opinion." You are most likely better off to avoid this class unless absolutely necessary.

I thought this class was interesting. We had four exams and you get to drop the lowest exam. There is one paper at the end where you get to talk about yourself so it's easy. Go to all the classes if you can, they are helpful on the essay part of the exam. If you read the book you can get an A. Go to his office hour so he knows you and will remember you at grading time. The blackboard part sucks though. 500 word paper every other week submitted on blackboard. He grades on a curve though so if you get a C on an exam it could be taken as a B. He's a good teacher.

Dr. Englund was one of those professors you either love or hate (usually based on how you do on his tests). The note cards he uses are stained yellow from all the years he has used them, and a lot of the information he presents is old and outdated. He shows about 4 videos throughout the quarter and has you do a reflection on them. If you write something that sounds psychological or philisophical you'll get a good get grade on those. He uses the interactive blackboard to do these VCE's, so just write about something funny and he'll love it. Lastly, if you don't study for his tests you'll be absolutely screwed. Tip: go to the url on the back of the text book and go to the student section within that website. Take the multiple choice ch. tests and simply memorize the answers and you'll do good (u don't even need to read). Also on the first test, memorize the myths!

he sure does like his women, wet!!