ENGL 461 explores literature by authors reflecting the experiences of ethnic and minority groups.
The course is not difficult, though the classroom dynamic may feel challenging due to the instructor's preference for specific student responses.
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Sophomore standing
This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.
Russ Castronovo is reported to make the class intimidating to speak in, pushing students to regurgitate his desired answers rather than fostering open discussion. Reviewers note he is not very kind, which detracts from the experience despite the course not being difficult.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2025: 3.35 GPA, 59.3% A/AB (n=27 letter grades).
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2023: 3.94 GPA, 96.3% A/AB (n=27 letter grades); Spring 2025: 3.95 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=28 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.98 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=30 letter grades).
Historical reviews of Kristina Huang describe her as intelligent, friendly, and passionate, with a discussion-based class that values new ideas. Reviewers found the workload worthwhile despite its intensity.
CHRISTINE GODING-DOTY is recorded teaching in Spring 2019, Spring 2020. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
INGRID DIRAN is recorded teaching in Spring 2023, Spring 2025, Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
KRISTINA HUANG is recorded teaching in Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
RUSSELL CASTRONOVO is recorded teaching in Fall 2025. Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
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| Section | Mode | Enrolled / capacity | Waitlist |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | Classroom Instruction | 29 / 0 | 0 |
| LEC 002 | Classroom Instruction | 28 / 30 | 0 |
Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections. Enrollment reflects scan time.
Russ Castronovo's ENGL 461 is not difficult but feels intimidating, with students feeling pressured to regurgitate his thoughts rather than engage freely.
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2024: 3.81 GPA, 88.5% A/AB (n=26 letter grades); Spring 2025: 3.81 GPA, 96.4% A/AB (n=56 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.68 GPA, 80.7% A/AB (n=57 letter grades).
The course is not difficult, though the classroom dynamic may feel challenging due to the instructor's preference for specific student responses.
Students value the course but find the environment intimidating and the instructor unkind, which limits their ability to get the most out of the class.
Latest available · Fall 2025— not enough history to project Fall 2026.
Through Fall 2025
Latest available grades · Fall 2025 · all course levels
GPA
Higher than % of other courses in this group.
Course GPAs · red marks this course’s range
letter grades
More recorded grades than % of other courses in this group.
Typical course in this group: letter grades.
1320 courses over the same term, each with at least 30 recorded letter grades. Cross-listed courses count once. GPA is not a measure of difficulty or teaching quality. The typical course is the median by recorded grade count; tied values are not counted as lower. Grade counts describe course scale, not unique students or typical section size.
Descriptions compare GPA with this group’s average: at least 0.20 higher or lower; otherwise close to average. Section size uses median recorded enrollment: small up to 30, mid-sized 31–99, large 100+. Lectures and discussion/lab sections are described separately.
Descriptions, prerequisites, and recorded course offerings.
Observations at scan time; dates do not imply when a catalog change took effect.
Topics in Ethnic and Multicultural Literature
Recorded 2026-09-07Figuring Out Social Change
Recorded 2026-09-07Early African American Lit
Recorded 2026-09-07[
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]Original comments behind the course and instructor summaries.
Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.
Explore recorded gradesRecorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.
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