Stanley Tick

Tick is a great lecturer with a great sense of humor. His course load in this class requires reading three to five short stories a week--it can get old if you're in a lot of english or writing classes but it's not too bad. Just to let you know, he doesn't grade papers according to his stated standards, esp. regarding length.

To anyone who is considering taking a class with Professor Tick,

Professor Tick is a wonderful teacher and an inspiring and helpful mentor. I miss him a lot. I am presently...and interminably...finishing my Ph.D. in Victorian studies. I got my Bachelor's degree in English from UC Berkeley and my Master's degree in English from SFSU. Professor Tick was the first reader for my Master's Thesis. He always returned drafts to me immediately. Sometimes I would even get them the next day! He worked with me when we had to rehash the schedule because one of my dearest friends was dying and I needed to time to take care of him. That said, a reader should realize that he is a caring instructor. More important, he is a diligent and critiquing instructor!

I always got drafts returned with cogent and lucid comments about how to improve my writing.

I not only took the undergraduate Victorian studies class with Professor Tick, but I also took his George Eliot class and his Henry James class. I have friendships from these classes that have continued to this day, and I took those classes in in the mid 90's.

Now, I am an English teacher at City College while I finish my dissertation. I not only learned a lot about literature from Professor Tick, but I also learned a lot about teaching.

I don't know if he is still teaching. The last time I talked to him, he was going to go into semi-retirement (teaching one semester on and one off). However, if you are not a slacker and you enjoy literature, this is not an experience to miss. This teacher knows his material, and he is excited about it! Also, he will give you every opportunity to pass his classes. He allows students to take incompletes, but don't let them drag on too long!

I absolutely adore Professor Tick. He is a true scholar and gentleman. Also, although I was a grad student at the time, I can attest from my friendships with undergrads in his classes that he treats all his students with equal respect.

Thank you for all your help and guidance in my academic career Prof. Tick. Monica B.

I found the above evaluation of Dr. Tick rather harsh. I took him for a Henry James class. His speaking style is a little dry, however, he has a lot of information to give and I learned a lot. I am an undergraduate, and I never felt as though my opinion were worth less because of it. Dr. Tick is also available for his office hours and willing to help you out with completing your paper. The final paper, which can be on any subject, does not have a specific due date, and Dr. Tick is always willing to give you extra time, help -- or an incomplete so you can turn the paper in after the semester ends!

Are you an undergraduate? Well then, you will be considered an idiot by Prof. Tick. In his undergrad/grad combo classes, he prefers the comments of the graduates over the undergrads, and pins the latter against the former almost constantly. There is cummulative midterm, and your final paper can be about anything you like, but he is a very hard grader. If you do not write like a grad student, or think the way he does, then do not expect a very good grade in this class, no matter how hard you try.