Not a bad class. It's graded based on a portfolio, so you have no idea how you're doing all semester, and if you ask him, he'll say "How do YOU think you're doing?" Homework is pretty easy, it's usually one reading and a paragraph. My advice: 1) Make every piece of writing your best, even if it's a small homework assignment 2) do the readings, all of them 3) meet with him about your essays, even if he tells you to re-write the whole thing and 4) go to class. Overall, the only really hard parts are the writing projects, which can get pretty long. The class discussions can be a little hard to grasp at times, but otherwise, I would recommend.

Professor Donovan provides very useful feedback and I feel that I am really improving throughout the semester.

Devin Donovan is the best professor I have had so far at UVA. He is highly intelligent, an effective educator, and cares deeply about the well-being of his students. This course's curriculum was skillfully designed as a progressive learning experience. Through engaging class discussions, deep, meaningful feedback by prof. Donovan, and an abundance of writing, I improved my skills throughout this course. It is both a fun and helpful course which is a rare combination to find. Highly recommended.