Ellen McCracken

56 reviews
Get ready to read Tough grader Graded by few things Skip class? You won't pass. So many papers Lecture heavy Participation matters Lots of homework
Past quarters

None

See All
SPAN139 . 3 Years Ago

Prof McCracken is the scariest and worst professor at UCSB/Spanish department. There are weekly quizzes from the 100+ pages of readings per week. She also asks for detailed answers. They are closed note and she cracks down on cheating based on nefarious accusations of good grades. She's unapproachable even by email and is passive aggressive.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SPANISH139 . 4 Years Ago

Easily the worst professor Ive taken at UCSB. Assigns hundred of pages of reading every week on top of boring and long lectures with quizzes on them at the end of the week that are incredibly specific. Stay away from her if you can.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SPAN139 . 4 Years Ago

I am an A student and found her very difficult. Weekly quizzes based on readings that she doesnt give you and you have to find. Lots of lectures. Term paper with little instruction or feedback. I had to take this class with her because I am graduating but my advice would be to avoid her at all costs if you can, she is the worst.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SPAN120B . 5 Years Ago

Had to miss several classes (for a valid reason) and was threatened to either drop the class or fail- neither of which I did, but was treated very rudely for it. For every class you miss, your grade is dropped 1/2 a letter grade. So, despite my A+ on her ridiculously specific midterm, I barely passed with a C. Doesn't care if students succeed.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
SPAN139 . 5 Years Ago

I took this class because I was interested in Latino literature, but the professor was awful. Shes very rude and not approachable for help. The content of the books was really good, however we had A LOT of reading! About 8 novels to read in 10 weeks. Her midterm asked about a specific point in a 200+ page book. If you can, AVOID this professor.

2 helpful 0 unhelpful
SPAN139 . 5 Years Ago

She is the worst professor in all the Spanish department. Ridiculous amount of readings. Test asked direct quotes and we had to guess where it came from from the copious amount of readings. Tests are not fair. She is condescending when you talk to her. Study guide was useless and she knows it. She made a study guide from students terms not hers.

5 helpful 0 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 6 Years Ago

The professor failed to take advantage of this class potential. She focuses on whether you read the weekly novel books, rather than going over the valuable themes (machista culture, alienation, Central American immigration, etc), especially during our current world events. Very disappointed with the professor, do not recommend.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 6 Years Ago

Cool books, awful professor. ClassPolitical. Class's 2nd half, 11/5-12/5, assigned 5 books totaling 1608 pages averaging 402p/week or 54p/day. "Shocked" when class didn't keep up in lectures. Missed three classes, threatened failure regardless of test & paper grades. Would not discuss. Very rude to students. VERY poor prep for tests. DO NOT TAKE!

2 helpful 0 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 6 Years Ago

Confrontational, rude, not helpful, unclear, rushed lectures, scary, unapproachable, unorganized, and demeaning. The only positive aspect about her class were the readings; the thing is though, there are 6 books (many 300+ pages), along with a readers worth of readings. Tests are extremely lecture and reading specific. Worst professor I've ever had

2 helpful 0 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 6 Years Ago

As a guy, I dont necessarily appreciate 90% of the readings being angry stories about male violence and sexual abuse. I get it, we should be aware of the awful things men are capable of, but the sheer emphasis on these kinds of stories is grating. Professor clearly has a personal interest in feminist literature. Not what I signed up for.

7 helpful 5 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 6 Years Ago

Okay, so I've done all the reading but I'm currently set to fail the course. Why? Because she grades this like a science class. What was the name of the butler that appeared in that one chapter for like a second on page 134? Don't remember? F!! First class where the structure genuinely sets the student up to fail. Success is totally arbitrary. Dumb

5 helpful 0 unhelpful
CLIT153 . 8 Years Ago

Literally the worst class I've ever taken. First couple months we had weekly readings that were 20 pages. That's how she gets you to stay in the course. After the drop deadline, it became weekly readings that were 300-500 page books. Just because your life is all about reading Chicano literature all day, you don't have to make that our life too

5 helpful 1 unhelpful