I don't want to make this personal but here's the thing: she doesn't know anything about literature. Period. Her course is nonsense.

Her lectures were pointless and never addressed in depth analysis or novel concepts, she focused mainly on author biographies and history of the times. This made it hard to stay interested or understand the readings on more than a surface level.

the first two posters undoubtedly thought they could talk about their feelings and get an "A." sorry--you had to read, write, and think about american lit. in a way that pushed the envelope. I dare you to put your name down instead of hiding in your comfortable, chicken-like anonymity. better yet, e-mail her with your constructive critiques.

a wonderful class, an amazing instructor...why are people delusional?

Dude, she was so smart. Best class I ever took. These ratings are so great and such a true way to evaluate our profs. I'm sure everything I read here is 100 percent accurate. Rock on P. Carruth!

This is a NEW professor so she is definitely learning how to teach. Unfortunately we were the first class she had ever taught so we became guinea pigs for her. She is a tough professor by all means. Her paper topics are hard to follow and you should not take this class (with her) unless you are an english major. The TA's are tough but fair.