Bob Thompson - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Professor: Bob Thompson

Department: Communication

College: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mandatory class for TRF makes you take it, but don't expect a pleasant experience. Thompson makes you waste three hours a week watching things you could've done at home, plus his pompous and condescending nature makes it the worst three hours of your week. Likes to hear himself talk wayyyy too much.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IRE2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Best prof ever!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Legitimately a genius. It was a joy to be in his class. Be respectful while in class, no cellphones, sleeping or much talking. The lectures can get long, make sure to bring a snack. The fact that basically only 2 tests make up your grade can be difficult, but as long as you go to class and pay attention you should be fine. Wow Bob Wow.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Two exams: 1 take home midterm and 1 in-class final. That's it for the grading. Extremely brilliant man, one of my favorite Newhouse professors yet. If you are a TRF major and want to go into the TV business, you will enjoy this class. If you don't like it, TRF probably isn't for you. Highly recommend this course and Prof. Thompson.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thompson is a highly pretentious and revels in hearing his own voice. That being said, once in while, he will make an interesting point. If you're TRF, you gotta sit through it. Just go to class high every time, like I did.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, I really have learned a lot and highly enjoyed the class, but he is a tough grader and is very strict about leaving lecture, being late, using a phone, or sleeping. He wont hesitate to take 10% off your grade for breaking one of these rules. only 2 tests, one is take home, but they are pretty much all that makes up the grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are a TRF major and want to go into television, and don't enjoy this course than you must change your major. By far best TRFNewhouse class I've taken so far because Prof. Thompson is a great lecturer and teacher. He's tough on students if he catches you sleepingtexting. Textbook is required but also very interesting.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: TRFCRITICISM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I Graduated from Syracuse 18 years ago and this is the one class/Professor I still remember vividly. Worth every penny. Not to be missed. Take one of his classes.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: TRF635
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An amazing teacher!! He is knowledgeable, hilarious and absolutely loves what he does. take his classes whether you want to study films OR make them. PS. thank god for the TA. It was the only reason why I could make it through some of the readings

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: TRF636
• 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:

Just let it be known that Bob Thompson is great and he really knows his film and TV history and criticism. This class really opened my eyes to different types of film & TV criticism and I learned so much. DO NOT PRE-JUDGE! He truly is a remarkable professor, just strict about his NO ELECTRONICS policy. Really entertaining. Get on his good side.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: TRF636
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thompson is fabulous and extremely knowledgeable. Every day in class was an eyeopening experience. If you ask questions, pay attention, engage him and don't use electronics, you should have a great experience in his class. Don't misunderstand his intelligence and passion as arrogance. He genuinely cares about his students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: TRF636
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thompson class is awesome. You learn so much of what goes into television and film. You leave the class having a different perspective of society, especially in film and television. I can honestly say if you do the readings,pay attention in class, don't have any electronic devices out/on in class you will do well.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: TRF636
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT PRE-JUDGE THIS GUY. He will like you and your class if you don't do the following: use electronics what so ever, leave for the bathroom, fall asleep. But DO: ask questions, laugh at his jokes, and pay attention. He will treat you and your class according to how well you follow directions! He's awesome. Appreciate his knowledge.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: TRF340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There are only 2 exams and the questions aren't very relevant to the purpose of the course. Thompson is condescending and pompous. He constantly humiliates his students. The exams are just 12 "gotcha" questions about random parts of the course. Half the questions could be anything from a 40 chapter textbook that he never discusses in class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TRF345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Listen, I'm sitting here studying for his final exam, and it's a lot of material and I don't know how well I'm going to do, but I have learned so much about entertainment in America that I don't regret taking this class for a second. Bob Thompson knows his stuff. It's a long lecture and a lot of material, but he knows how to keep you interested.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: TRF345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough but fair. He is fine as long as you pay attention and go on the journey through pop culture with him. He is an eccentric genius.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: TRF345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thompson is undeniably difficult. His lectures persist all three and a half hours. He has an astringent attitude against electronics and sleeping. Yet, I must inform you that he is brilliant and you will learn a lot. If you study and focus hard, you will realize how grateful you are for having been in this class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: TRF400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class is difficult but survivable, but Thompson is one of the most frustrating teachers I've ever had. He's arrogant and self-obsessed. On at least three different occasions he used news clips of himself being interviewed. He treats his opinions as gospel, and his tests are on stupid, minute details. AVOID HIS CLASS AT ALL COSTS!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: TRF300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thompson is HARD. He doesn't sugar coat anything, and he grades based on two tests worth 50 points only (midterm and final). His classes have easy-sounding names ('history of TV') but they are VERY difficult and detailed oriented. I loved his class and method, but a lot of people whine about his style. Get over it!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: TRF345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you think you will be successful in any TRF field and you didn't enjoy this class, you are kidding yourself. TRF 345 provides an excellent foundation for all the other classes in the department.