Benjamin Benson - Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA

Professor: Benjamin Benson

Department: Anthropology

College: Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

You are missing out if you pass up taking Benson as a teacher! He is one of the most engaging professors I have ever had and he is an extremely interesting individual. I took Anthro1 and the entire class would often remark about being actually excited to come to the lectures every week. Make sure to take lots of notes and study hard for the exams!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Benson is okay. He grades mostly on multiple choice exams which I am not a big fan of. Sometimes his lectures are very interesting other time not so much.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His lectures are long and all over the place. He goes through slides quickly and ignores students requests to go back. He is very passionate about the material he teaches but does occasionally run late. Write down everything he discusses. His tests are long and tough and you need to review your notes heavily if you want to pass.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANT43
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

To achieve the A: I used his previous student aide as a tutor, his recommendation; a tape recorder for his live lectures filling in blanks in my in class notes; drew artifact pictures from his lectures with his emphasis to key identification details and visited the Native American Art Museum on campus completing drawing details from class notes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The lectures are amazing. One of the best classes I have ever taken and this isn't even in my field of study. You do need to do the reading assignments, particularly in the beginning, the lectures are mandatory, and he grades on 3 tests only -- though I think there was supposed to be an assignment he decided to skip. Very funny guy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best professor I have ever had, really passionate about what he teaches and believes in his students. Curves grades heavy if you get a D chances are he will curve it to a C +. Has really cool stories that help you learn about what he is teaching. Ex. him living in the amazon. He is super cool guy, grade is 100% test based. Loved his class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The man knows his material. I recommend recording his lectures and taking notes along with doing the reading. I don't think I've ever skipped going to class; he really grabs your attention.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He was great he was my Anthro 1 Professor

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AMCS273
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Benson is the best teacher I have had so far, definitely take a class with him! He is truly inspirational no matter what the lecture topic is. Tests can be tough but he is always helpful when you need it. Would definitely take his class again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Benson is amazing if you can get into his class do it. He loves his subject and you can tell. His lectures though they are on the longer side are fantastic and I feel as though I got a real sense of not only the subject but also who he is. I came into his class not knowing much or what I wanted to do and I am now an Anthro major.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best professor ever ...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Best teacher I have ever had! highly recommend this class with him. You will never get bored. I was very skeptic of taking it but after, I am glad I did. Amazing lectures and no homework and a few tests.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Benson is a really good teacher. This is a lecture class and has a large class size, but Prof. Benson proves to be engaging and passionate. I didn't find the text book to be necessary; I took notes on his lectures and copied the slides. Tests are thorough but he covers all topics in the lectures. Overall, I would definitely recommend.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is great. He captivates your attention even if you don't love the topic. I find hard to find any motivating professors at the JC, but he is one of the few. He is encouraging and great teacher. You must do your part with HW and good notes for test. I got a C but does't keep me from seeing how great as a teacher he is. Take it u won't regret it

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Benson is an amazing teacher. After each lecture, the whole class would clap for him. Everytime,he would say the same thing, "Really? I get paid teach?" He is inspiring. The work isnt too hard. You just need to attend class and take notes. The homework is soo easy. The tests cover everything he talks about in class. No tricks or anything

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Benson is passionate, knowledgeable, and experienced in this field. He is long winded and tangential. Over all he is great, as long as you can fallow him. Take good notes and do the reading.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO43
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This man is a treasure! If you are lucky enough to attend one of his classes or lectures in the area, jump at it!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Very interesting man. Has very clear opinions on certain areas of anthropology and will make this evident throughout the semester. You will be graded on his perspective of certain anthropological data. Offers tons of extra credit! Not much homework. 3 exams, all a little on the tough side. Requires some studying/good note taking.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Ben Benson's intro to anthropology is one of the best courses that I have ever taken. I go to class because I love learning from HIM, his style is incomparable and his stories are so entertaining. I never left a lecture feeling disappointed. He is funny, patient, passionate, understandable, approachable and gives lots of extra credit!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best teacher at the JC! Anthropology is easy to learn with Ben Benson teaching!