I've taken almost all of the classes taught be Prof. Duffy and become an English major because of him. He captures the strangest and wittiest sides of literature. I highly recommend taking 124 and 193 in summer. They are well-structured online courses. 150 and 187 are not as organised, but fascinating because of his way of interacting.
Prof. Duffy is pretty chill. Lecture was more like a loose discussion forum/seminar where any opinion on the texts is welcome if you can back it up. Disorganized though, w/ no slides, so you have to attend class. 1 creative project/final research paper & 2 exams w/ passage IDs that aren't hard if you've read the books and 1 essay in the final.
Duffy really tries to get to know everyone. Lectures can be a bit disorganized, just make sure to understand the main points and read the book. Come prepared for section, as he expects participation (discussion) from everyone in the class. The final project is really fun! If you don't mind some reading and writing I'd highly recommend.
I took Duffy's summer course, Detective Fiction, and it was amazing. You will have to read a bit but it is an english lit class so that's expected. He managed to make discussions interesting, and made a genuine effort to get to know every student. The exams were also pretty easy, and the final project was fun! Take him if you can!
Horrible unrelated tangents about a random thing. tries to be funny but not my thing. I feel like he is wasting my time and exhausting me with every word he says. He always runs over time and acts like it's rude or people start leaving while he incessantly talking.
Professor Duffy can be intimidating during lecture if you don't participate. The tests are essentially quotes taken from the books we've read and they are intended to be ID's. If you are not a heavy reader I would not recommend taking this class as Sparknotes would not be enough.
Favorite English professor at UCSB! Lectures were interesting--if you care about literature. He really cares about soliciting feedback and ideas from students. GO to his office hours, he's very easy to talk to, and he gives great life advice.
Professor Duffy is a really kind person but if you are the type of person who likes organization I would NOT recommend taking this course. His lecture style is disorganized and tangential which made the class really difficult to enjoy.
He was so smart. He was so wise. His "tangents'" --I've never met anyone smart who protests against tangents--he was an absolute delight to learn from, like having an extremely smart, talented friend talk to you for an hour and twenty minutes. He was a pure delight, a treat.
I loved this senior seminar, and I would definitely recommend taking it. He is entertaining, hilarious, and so knowledgeable about the material. The class is engaging and a perfect ending to my English classes at UCSB.
Extremely passionate about English, makes lectures enjoyable/interesting. Does a great job of clarifying the readings. Grades are based on section participation, a creative 8-pg paper, 1 midterm, & 1 final. Exams include quote ID's, short ID's, & essays. Most quotes are from lecture, & he covers a lot of passages, so attend class & pay attention!
This was a fantastic class. he really encourages creativity, makes you come up with original responses to things and challenge yourself. If you don't like doing that, probably not the class for you. Reading was dull at times, but the perspective he puts out during lectures makes it interesting. I always felt totally inspired after lectures.
He is the reason I became an English major. His lectures change your perspective on daily life, and talking to him is inspiring. His class is not difficult, provided you keep up with the reading he talks about in class. I've taken four of his classes in my time at UCSB, and all I can say is that his lectures have changed my life. Take his class.
He is a really enthusiastic professor. I've never been a huge fan of English but somehow he managed to keep the class always interesting.
I had a great quarter with Professor Duffy! He is always in a great mood, and is very knowledgeable! In order to do well in the course, you must go to class. The novels chosen for this course were very fun :-) Highly recommended professor!
I love Prof. Duffy! He is so funny and makes going to class worthwhile. He is extremely fair and helpful. Take any class he is offering and you will enjoy it (and I don't say that about just anyone)!
Professor Duffy is unbelievably helpful and his tests are extremely fair and not bad at all as long as you pay attention in class
He was my favorite professor in the last 2 years, I would take any class he teaches even if it isn't in my major. absolutely the most fun I have had in class in a long time.
Others have this guy pegged. Awesome lecturer, makes what could be dry interesting, his passion for lit stirs yours. Tests straightforward, but you have to memorize a lot of work. Paper easy and open to your interpretation. Not an English major and I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. Definitely recommended. Meg Fernandes was a great TA, but maybe gone.
I really liked duffy. I know this is a weird analogy, but if he was a professional athlete, he'd be a definite cult hero. That's honestly the best way to describe him. Tests were straightforward, JUST KNOW THE POEMS EXTREMELY WELL. The essay has very few guidelines, so go wild. Definitely recommend this class.
I like to think of him as a delightful little leprechaun. He's kooky, but brilliant. He makes you appreciate the poetry, really. Best part is the tests and reading are fair. The notes will be random because he does kind of throw out a lot of information.
He was teaching this class as a substitute so maybe that's his excuse, but he seems to just ramble on about incoherent thoughts that have little relation to the class. Tests are fair, but the essay has almost no guidelines.
Duffy was my favorite professor thus far. He truly loves the material he teaches, and if you are willing, you will grow to love it too. I loved this class, the lectures were fantastic and he doesn't move too fast. Take this class!!!
Love, love, love Duffy! What a wonderful Professor, he listens to all his students, inspires students to think and express themselves. Take advantage of the 12 lines! Remember that the ID's are worth the most on the Midterm and Final, not the essays. Def. worth every moment. Take it for a great college lecture experiance.
