Brian Johnson - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Professor: Brian Johnson

Department: Criminal Justice

College: Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CJ315
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Johnson is very knowledgeable with tons of great real world examples for CJ. Helped me a lot in applying for internships. However, he is very strict with a number of policies to make sure you show up to every class. For the essay that we did, the requirements are a minefield; read them through carefully to avoid any deductions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CJ325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tough grader and does not respond to emails. Mistakes in the syllabus that he did not clarify. Tons of reading. Does NOT do audio with his powerpoints, ;left to interpret/ teach yourself. The material is not that difficult but its time consuming and tedious. Also there is a group project even though its an online only class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CJ464
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't think I've met a more knowledgeable professor in my college career. Johnson genuinely cares about the students, at least the one's willing to talk to him. His classes aren't hard, just make sure you complete all assignments and quizzes. Although you have to twist his arm to get a straight answer from his emails, I would 100% take him again

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CJ315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Johnson really knows his stuff. Be ready to take notes because he only has the outline of his powerpoints projected. You must pay close attention while he is talking to take good notes. One big paper and presentation that you get to choose the topic for. Two exams. A few quizzes on the book chapters

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CJ201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not enough good things can be said about this professor. He is knowledgeable, fair and personable. I found his lectures to be interesting and effective. Pay attention to his "put this in your notes" bulletin points of his lecture, those will not be found in the text. He engages students and makes you feel at ease. Tells dad jokes. Great professor!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this as an online course. The assignments and grading are clear cut. Professor Johnson is helpful with answering questions and responding to e-mails. Quizzes and exams are a mix of items from the power points, notes, and the book. Multiple choice, but not necessarily easy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CJ312
• 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:

He knows his stuff very well. Participation didn't really matter but if you don't take notes you wont pass. Tests are pretty tough if you don't read or look over the powerpoints he uses. One long paper, 4 pages single space, he assigns the topic for you. You end up doing a short presentation on your paper at the end of the year. Not a bad class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CJ315
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is extremely boring, so be prepared for that. He assigns 5 random quizzes, 3 of them are attendance based. The quizzes and tests can be pretty tough so take good notes. What Johnson does right is explaining the material, it's just that the material can be so boring at times. Not much to take away from this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Kinda boring class and way too easy. Johnson is pretty full of himself and too strict over minor issues.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• 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:

Take this class! Brian is an amazing professor and one of the nicest guys you will meet. It's a pretty easy class and there is no outside work except for a couple online quizzes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• 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:

Very smart guy, almost too smart for the class. Hard grader and makes the tests and papers a little too challenging. I did alright in the class but I would try to get someone else for this class. Also does not email back very well, although he is very nice!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Do not take a class with this prof. Due to a simple and understandable error, I missed the final. He applies rules to everyone without exception, and because of his inflexibility and despite a good reason, I was not able to take the test and my grade dropped from an A to a C. Especially for a CJ prof, he has a poor application of justice.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Johnson is a great professor. I had no interest in CJ before the class but I switched my major because of Brian. He tries to relate everything he covers to real world cases. Provides good examples from his past experiences. There are two papers which are easy, three tests that have study guides and a couple of online quizzes. Take this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CJ101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very easy going nice professor. two 3 page papers, 3 exams including the final which wasn't cumulative (with study guides that basically have the exam questions on them) and random online quizzes. he also offers A LOT of extra credit. He is very interactive with the class and made an effort to know names. Great guy, great class, easy A. Take him!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CJ201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is pretty interesting, but a little difficult. Online tests are hard! Exams are hard as well! If you attend all classes, you should be fine. One complaint is that he never emails me back. Also, if you miss a deadline, you don't get a second chance.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CJ315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the most easy going and helpful CJ professors around. Knows his stuff, and is willing to work with anyone. Great sense of humor that makes the class fun. No way anyone can fail this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CJ312
• 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:

Scoreboard. This guys has written more journals than I can count and yet he's the most down to earth person I've ever talked to. Three tests, one 10 p paper. Very clear. Take him if you can!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CJ464
• 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:

Hey, man, you don't talk to Prof.Johnson.You listen to him. He enlarged my mind. Hes a poet warrior in the classic sense. Sometimes you'll say hello to him. He'll just walk right by you. Won't notice you. Suddenly he'll grab you - throw you in a corner, and say, "Do you know that 'if' is the middle word in life? I'm a little man, he's a great man

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CJ312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am in no way interested in policing but the class was okay. He tests over a large amount of material at one time and it is difficult to determine what is of importance. He gives study sheets that are terribly confusing and vague, they didn't help at all. He also give on line quizzes that are easy but he doesn't announce them so KEEP TRACK!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CJ364
• 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:

Great prof. Really knows his stuff, really nice guy. Is willing to help any time. Funny guy if you have the chance to take his classes do it. You will enjoy any class he teaches.