Dane Johnson

This professor is by far the best I have had. He is so diverse that class is always interesting. He teaches you how to look at literature in many different ways. Dr. Johnson has a wealth of knowledge and is always available to share it with students. And it's amazing: even though he knows so much, he is very humble, never condescending. For me, his class has helped me discover how much fun literature and research can be. Because even though he is slightly demanding when it comes to papers, he is always available to help and never makes you feel like you will fail. And I think he keeps the reading and writing manageable and balanced so that you don't get overwhelmed. I also like that he encourages- actually requires class participation (Watch out: he'll call on you!) It's just more fun and more effective to interact than to just sit there the entire time and listen to a lecture. He is completely open to different opinions; in fact, if you want a good grade on your paper, choose a provocative, challenging topic that encourages looking at known texts in a fresh way. This is by far the best class I have ever taken and I have learned as much as in all my other literature classes combined. Dr. Johnson is also a very understanding and warm person. And what is very important: he is a very positive person, an encourager. This entire semester, I have not heard a negative word come out of his mouth. I believe that words have creative power and either can build up or tear down, especially coming from someone you look to for guidance. And Dr. Johnson is an encouragor whose words will build up developing writers, which was very important for me. I would highly recommend Dr. Johnson as a professor and as an advisor. He will definitely enrich your SFSU experience! SFSU is blessed to have him on staff and we are blessed to have him as a professor and/or advisor.

Professor Johnson is engaging, and for this GE class, he has chosen a diverse amount of interesting literature for study. Most of the final grade (80 percent) is based on three monthly exams (no final), which are straightforward and easy if you attend every class, pay close attention to his lectures (more about that below), and read the literature (two books and two brief class readers). The other part of the grade is based on online participation with a group of about 10 people, and a small presentation with that group at the end of the semester; both are manageable and even fun if you put effort into it.

The only criticism I have is his lecture style. While he is not a boring lecturer, I sometimes lost concentration during his class, as he occasionally speaks in a "halting" style. This may not be all his fault; the large, dark, windowless lecture hall that a GE class this large is usually put in made it easy for someone to doze off ...

But, he's a good guy. He uses lots of audio and visual to get the class going (he is the first teacher I know who uses Devo's version of the Stones' "Satisfaction" to make a small point). I would still recommend him as a teacher. If he teaches a smaller lit class that I am interested in, then I would not hesitate to register for it.

He's a great guy in looks and personality. The subject is a little boring and you have to do alota of reading (just 2 books) but the tests are easy (multiple choice). He always prepares you for the test on which sections to read. I fell asleep alot in his class but was still able to pass. It's a really easy going class with rarley any homework, which is ussually write a short list of themes. There are 3 or 4 tests and a easy open group presentation at the end.

It has been a few years since I've had the privilege of studying under Dr. Johnson. I am writing this review not so much as a "walk down memory lane", but as a chance to address an oversight. As an English Lit. major who contiributed regularly to this website, I somehow missed commenting upon Dr. Johnson's capabilities and classroom management. So, here goes.

First, yes ladies, he is quite gentle on the eyes, and if you are an English major, you know how rare that is (Avery being a notable exception, and Christmas has a certain charm, dsoesn't he?). Beyond that unimportant, yet pleasant distraction, he is also a wonderful teacher and a truly receptive individual. I took two classes with Dr. Johnson- the first was Latin American Lit. and the second was a course on Fantasy in Lit. I have been teaching English for three years now at the high school level and I thank Dane for several things I encountered in his classes that I otherwise might never have been privy to. Counted among these are:

The Lizard's Tail by Valenzuela---Thank you! Thank you Dr. J.! My absolute hands-down favorite text in his courses.

Artificial Respiration by Piglia ( wasn't that the one that posited the 'what if?' scenario with Hitler and Kafka at the same cafe in...Vienna?) Rockin' great text!

My introduction to Octavio Paz and Clarice Lespector-- Amazing short stroies...oh, and Borges too!

I could have done without One Hundred Years of Solitude, however, I know I'm in the minority on that one...I preferred Autumn of the Patriarch, which I read only because even after Solitude, I trusted Dane's tastes enough to read more of Marquez.

What the hell was that film with Macabea? I loved it at any rate, as I did "El Norte".

Please forgive any misspellings, it's been years since I've accessed these texts/films.

I am including these details in an effort to communicate to potential students of Prof. Johnson's some basic information about the works they will have access to if they challenge themselves enough to take his classes. Dr. J is fair, open-minded, interesting and truly a very cool guy. He is, however, neither a prof. who hands out grades, nor one who is interested in coddling student's feelings to such a degree that unsupported ideas are validated or applauded.

Take his classes- you'll encounter lit. and ideas you never even thought of before.

And yes, once again, he is cute- kind of a cross between a healthy Micheal J. Fox and Rob Lowe. Embarassing to admit, but when we're in class, don't we all look?

Professor Johnson is an amazing teacher. His is the only class that I make sure to go to on a regular basis (partially because he is so freakin' hot!) His exams are easy if you read the material and there is very little homework. His lectures can be a little tedious, but it's the material, not the professor.

Pro. Jo is great. I took this class on a limb to fulfill another GE and I ended up learning more than I expected. Work load of daily reading and papers is reasonable. He allows you to write on a piece of literature that you are comfortable with after presenting a wide range of works from different cultures. But most important in this class is to come prepared. He will call on anyone, at anytime to give your opinion. Class discussions can be fun, as Pro. Jo allows everyone to speak his/ her mind on the topic. If you are a student that enjoys class participation, then you will find this class fun and informative. If a math major like myself did ok, then most people will do better.

I highly recommend Prof. Johnson. The greatest thing about his classes is the literature itself, he really turns students on to works that they would most likely not run across on their own, or in other classes. Prof. J himself is funny, cool, accessible and above all, very interested in the ideas and insights of his students. He deftly guides class discussions and keeps things in focus, while still providing ample room for imagination and divergent ideas. The classroom setting he creates is very casual and comfortable, and even when debate gets heated there is an overriding sense of respect that always prevails. Really a good guy and a wonderful Professor.