Prof. Kearney is so kind, he really shows he cares for his students. I enjoyed Shakespeare. 5 plays, 2 essays, 2 exams. His lectures can be a little heavy, but they are intriguing. Non mandatory lectures, but it definitely helps to go, just reading the slides isn't enough to pass the tests. READ THE BOOKS, sparknoting won't help u in this class.

if you love shakespeare and are a fan of writing this class is for you. I didnt read the books but skim the plays to know who said what and use sparknotes. your section will most likely go over the small details that are important. lecture will summarize the play so I recommend going. tests were fairly easy.

I note that many other students really enjoyed this class, however, I found this class to be frustratingly uninteresting. 30% of the grade was based off of Scantron exams in which we had to identify who said quotes and about whom the quotes were said, which is such a shortsighted way to teach an English class. He didn't help us better any skills

Far and above my absolute favorite professor at UCSB. I've taken multiple classes from Professor Kearney and have seriously enjoyed every single one. He makes his courses super engaging and entertaining and unique. Even if you aren't an English major, you'll leave his class as a better reader, writer, thinker, and human.

Professor Kearney was such a pleasure! He made me love Shakespeare and being an English major. He posts his lecture slides online but if you show up to every lecture and take notes, read all 5 plays THOROUGHLY (do not skim), and are good at writing papers, it is an easy A. His passion for Shakespeare makes the course fun. 10/10.

Professor Kearney was one of my all-time favorite professors. His lectures are always interesting and never repetitive and while he doesn't do any sort of iClicker or attendance check, it's a good idea to go to lecture. Exams are basically quizzes and mostly based off his slides, which he always posts. Challenging but not difficult.

kearney is a really good professor, I definitely recommend taking a class with him. we read 5 shakespeare plays and wrote 2 essays (fairly graded). he is really enthusiastic in lecture and makes the content interesting to listen to. if you follow instructions in assignments and take notes in lecture, you should get an A

Professor Kearney is one of the most charismatic people you will ever meet, and he gives captivating lectures. The course may seem daunting but is really a breeze if you read the plays and pay attention in class. The structure of the class is clean and straightforward, with two essays and two exams. Would definitely take a class with him again!

Good lecturer, didn't really have to read all the plays, but there are two papers so at least buy two of the books! The tests are fair: if you attended lecture/read enough, they're an easy A as it's mostly plot summaries or character identity questions or quote IDs of passages discussed in class.

Good lectures, honestly didn't read the actual plays but felt prepared for the two exams which are mostly plot summary and quote analysis. Two essays that you have to develop yourself, but TA's are willing to help. Kearney was passionate and made lectures fun and engaging. Easy weekly GS questions regarding the plays. Fun and easy GE!

Good lectures, I didn't care much for Shakespeare, still glad I took the course for the major. Kearney's passionate about the subject, proficiently uses memes, provides slides on GS (still go to your lectures, some slides won't make sense!). Actually do the reading for better lecture experience. 3 papers, weekly GS responses, 2 EASY MC tests. Do it

Professor Kearney is one of the most personable professors I have had at UCSB, and he managed to make a normally boring subject very engaging. His lectures arent mandatory but I went anyways because he was so funny and provided incredible insights. As a STEM major, classes like this help keep me sane. Definitely recommend if youre down to read.

One of my favorite courses by far. The reason why lectures are important is because he mentions historical context surrounding the plays that is included in the tests. You cannot get away with simply Sparknoting everything. Very passionate, dedicated, and genuinely loves talking to his students. Be alert and opinionated, and you'll be fine.

Prof Kearney really knows & LOVES Shakespeare. There is quite a bit of reading in this class (obviously) but he summarizes the plot & themes well in class. Tests were totally fair, but the two "close-reading" essays were graded kind of harshly. Lecture wasn't necessary but it helped. Multiple opportunities for extra credit.

Took this class P/Np for writing credit. I honestly hated the subject, but Kearney was very enthusiastic and it was inspiring. It made me wish I enjoyed Shakespeare more, because if you do , this class is a must take. I never showed up to lecture and didn't read and got a B-, if you're interested in shakespeare, take this class you won't regret it

Great professor, "eh" class. Only take it if you LOVE shakespeare because that's the type of people in this class. Kearney is super well-spoken and enthusiastic about shakespeare, which is cool if you're into it and annoying if you're not. Class wasn't too difficult but I hate the subject so I struggled more than I should have.

Really great class if you like shakespeare. He translates a lot of passages in class during lecture as well as providing historical context so you understand why the characters are doing or saying what they are doing or saying. Section was practically useless because his lectures were so helpful.

I had Jim for the ENGL 15 and the honors seminar. Hands down favorite professor I have had at college so far. He reads with enthusiasm and teaches with ease. I would recommend this course to anyone, he's an inspirational guy and I hope to take another class with him. Also low key in love with him now because he's so damn charismatic. 1010.

Class is great if you like Shakespeare, sucks if you don't. Don't have to read book if you read sparknotes, i suggest reading the translation to actual english. Almost all the quotes he quizzes you off come from the table-of-contents on his slides, so make flash cards of those.

Nice and funny professor. Pay attention to his lectures. Exams are straightforward. I only read the summaries of the plays. No section for this class. Watch the movies. 2 essays. Not difficult. Easy GE.

Really good professor... lectures are interesting. Keep up with readings and pay attention to the lectures and the exams and papers should be easy!

Kearney is an amazing professor! There are a lot of small assignments, but they are not hard. His lectures are very helpful and interesting. You can tell how much he loves teacing Shakespeare. One of my favorite professors.

Kearney is so awesome. There was a lot of what could be called "busy work," but it wasn't bad. Read the texts! He is super insightful, and if you come to class having read the material, you'll appreciate what he has to say so much more. It will also help you on the tests, because he does make a lot of questions based on context, etc. 10/10

Shakespeare doesn't particularly interest me but Kearney is a good professor regardless. You NEED to read the books and pay attention in lecture since they encompass the exams. Papers are no problem if you just put some thought into them. Recommend this class but PAY ATTENTION IN LECTURE. Pulled off a B with mild effort.