Student Evaluations
Interpretation of Literature
"Taking this class has improved my abilities to analyze and break down what I read. I think Enrico did a great job of selecting readings that improved my understanding of topics that I wouldn't normally seek out."
"During group discussions, he handled difficult and uncomfortable topics (rape culture, racial issues) very professionally and appropriately. He also respected students opinions even if they didn't align with his own perspective."
"This class was an interesting way in opening my eyes to problems throughout history, and contemporary issues in society today. Enrico made the class a very welcoming place to have open discussion regarding topics known and taboo. Perspective and reasoning were major importance in class discussion. Because of this, I gained new thought processing in how I think about issues and topics, along with effectively communicating my thoughts."
"I have never been one to particularly enjoy reading or interpretation, but I love coming to this class. I have learned so much. I think Enrico does a great job at making the readings relevant and explores deeper meanings that I would have never thought of."
"I checked all 6's not because I didn't care about this but because Enrico was that good of a professor. He quickly became my favorite professor that I've had during my time at Iowa because of the way he can get you thinking. I learned a lot during this class but none of it compares to the way my reading, writing, and thinking skills have improved. The things I learned about literature will stay with me for a while but the new ways I approach issues, whether in literature or life, will stay with me forever."
"At first I really disliked the class because the class was graded very harshly and we were expected to participate so extensively. I'm a shy person so even though I was trying my best, my grade was suffering in participation. However, now that the class is over, I feel much more confident in myself and participate more in a few of my other classes. I also found that I am now exponentially better at evaluating literature as I had to go 'past what was required' just in order to get an A on an assignment."
"I'm going into teaching (secondary education) and I only hope that I can be as good at it as Enrico. Participating in a class of any size can be scary, but Enrico made us close as a class and made our room a comfortable environment. The activities we did were extremely worth
while and made me even more excited to be a teacher. I'll miss my classmates and I'll miss having Enrico as a TA."
"Although this class was a lot more work than I think it should be, I was challenged consistently and pushed myself further than I ever could have thought. My close reading skills have improved drastically and I feel that my critical writing skills are now one of my greatest strengths. The assignments and readings were not always easy, but I feel like I am walking away from this class a more intelligent, thoughtful citizen."
Quantitative Data (avg. across Fall 2017, Spring 2018, and Spring 2019 semesters)
Rhetoric
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PDF for full Quantitative Data across two years and for more student comments.
"I think his main strength is getting everyone in class involved. The class seemed very comfortable in speaking your own ideas."
"[Instructor comments] were very helpful. He identified everything very well, highlighted the area that needed work, and told you a direction to go in."
"One of Enrico's best teaching qualities was his comments and suggestions while working on drafts. I thought he always had really good ideas and insight on what we can do to improve our work, which was very helpful."
"Enrico made me feel comfortable and safe in this environment. I loved the conversations we had as a class, as well as the ones Enrico took the time to take with me individually. I'm so thankful I was able to take this class!"
"Very organized lesson planning. Definitely interesting introductions to topics and presentations, like PowerPoints or activities."
"Enrico is a passionate and engaging teacher. The course materials he chose are not only helpful to the course. They build off each other and gradually get harder, but doesn't feel difficult at any time."
"He is a very informed teacher and stayed composed throughout the semester. He was prepared for class and organized it in a manner that helped the class learn well."
Foundations of the English Major
"Enrico is an excellent instructor. He was always able to connect and uplift the class. He always made himself available and that is much appreciated."
"Enrico is a fantastic instructor and communicator. He is able to relate with his students in an extremely effective manner."
"He was always energetic and enthusiastic."
"He was very knowledgeable and witty. I thought he did a great job of trying to help us through this very difficult course by picking literature due to its relevancy for the class."
"I found that the review sessions he prepared for us were very engaging and informative, and his feedback on my papers were very helpful."
"I think I learned the most in discussion section because it was focused."
"He was very willing to meet outside of class to offer help. The writing assignments were effective because Enrico offered help and great feedback. His humor made class enjoyable."
"He was open to answering and explaining all of our questions as well as making some of the more difficult concepts easier. His broad knowledge was helpful too."
Writing Center (tutor)
"My confidence has changed as a writer. I feel more comfortable writing papers and speeches because it all flows together now and seems more coherent."
Faculty (Rhetoric)
Peer
A vigorous discussion about how technological and distributional changes of media affected journalists and the readership’s expectations of published media followed. Enrico then asked about possible “negatives” of “objective” journalism... I found the complexity of these discussions incredible; it was clear Enrico and his students share a deep respect for each other and the material. The students demonstrated confidence when weighing in on difficult questions and Enrico mediated with great skill. Additionally, the links Enrico made between the content of the texts, the skills that were to be developed, and the activities were strong, charged and complex, continuously inspiring discussions you’d expect at the graduate level. Read more...
Thanks for a wonderfully productive semester in PDP. I am impressed by your work in the classroom. You are clearly a teacher who seeks the best for students and that you are dedicated to developing your expertise as a teacher. I am sharing here my response to the class I visited in November.
I visited your evening (6:30) Rhetoric course, and was pleased to observe you lead an energetic group. In the class, you were engaged and engaging and your approach was comfortable and professional. You came across as approachable while at the same time emphasizing the value of the course and your own expertise. Read more...
Faculty and Peer Evaluations
In Spring 2018 I had the pleasure of observing Enrico Bruno’s class on “The Interpretation of Literature” (ENG:1200), a General Education course at the University of Iowa that serves mostly freshmen and sophomores. The text under discussion was Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. There were 21 students in the class.
Enrico is a calm and cool but intensely focused instructor. He has a marked style, which is perhaps best captured by the word clarity. Fully in charge of his agenda during the class I observed, he sustained a trajectory of development that was crisp and impartial, but fully open to student participation. It was delightful to watch someone with such formidable organization skills and mental acuity lead a class on literary analysis: there was nothing fuzzy about his presentation of material, or his conversations with students.. Read more...
