Bruce Ziff - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Bruce Ziff

Department: Law

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ziff is an entertaining lecturer at the cost of being a good teacher. The material is difficult and rather than help students understand difficult/convoluted concepts he lectures at his own level of understanding, which sometimes makes it seem like he's showing off his expertise rather than trying to help students understand the material.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Okay, most people find Property Law confusing and difficult. I know I did. But if you have to take Property (and all 1Ls do), Ziff is a great prof. Funny, tries hard to make lectures interesting and engaging, and he literally wrote the book on Property Law. He even sings and plays the banjo! I liked him and would take another class with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No other prof does so much to make the lessons memorable. Ziff writes and performs sing-along banjo and other musical numbers to help get legal ideas to stick, makes frequent cultural references in his colourful slides (including Simpsons), often begins class with illustrative shenanigans, and literally wrote the book(s) on property law.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Though this class was incredibly difficult, I don't think that is a reflection of Ziff himself. He is arguably the go-to man in Canada when it comes to property law, as he writes the textbook that is widely used. I thought his lectures were entertaining, the readings necessary, and the exam to be tough (but that doesn't mean you won't all do fine)

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PROP440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bruce loves teaching there is no doubt about that. Property law is dry, and confusing as all get out. However, Bruce makes it bearable. Personally, I found it hard to follow in class sometimes, but I struggled in this course. My recommendation would be to do the readings after class, this technique helped me understand things better.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PROP440
• 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:

Definitely not my favorite class or my favorite prof. Dry course. Not terribly approachable outside of the classroom.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PROP440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think that his teaching style isn't for everyone, but it works for me. Don't take him too seriously and you'll be fine. I really like his passion for and extensive knowledge of the subject - you can't deny he knows his stuff. And at least he tries to keep it interesting and entertaining - property is dull for many people, he does what he can.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I am so surprised by all the positive comments about Professor Ziff. I found that he is not working for the best interests of his students. His style of teaching is not as clear as it should be and his out-of-class interactions with students and colleagues border on unprofessional. Avoid his classes if possible.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Fun & entertaining prof, but don't expect easy marks. I found this to be a complicated & ambiguous area of law, and Ziff doesn't spare you any of the ambiguity. As for arrogance - I didn't see any of that. Super nice guy, in and out of class. But I did my homework. If you're looking for spoon feeding, he won't do that.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PROPERTY
• 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:

Disclosure and bias: C+; rarely attended. I never experienced the prevailing view that he is nasty to speak with after class. He was always pleasant to me. That being said, he tailors the class to those who do the readings. And even if you do the readings, his emphasis on theory instead of legislative substance makes understanding difficult.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• 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:

Excellent teacher. He's a funny guy and is good at explaining a difficult area of law. Exam was actually pretty easy as far as 100% open-book finals go.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PROPERTY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Textbook should be required reading and is far more clear than Ziff is in class. Comes off as very arrogant outside of class, but there is no question that he is a property genius. This was by far the most confusing class of the year, but I guess it was for everyone because somehow I did well. I'll avoid his classes for the rest of school though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PROPERTY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Can be helpful if you are asking questions, just make sure it is not anywhere in the casebook, textbook, or notes. Class did seem confusing sometimes, but I think he doesn't like spoon feeding. Read before class, including the textbook.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LAW440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

it's obvious that he knows his stuff but most of the class is spent giving us questions with no answers so it's extremely difficult to study.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PROP
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

very dissapointing

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PROPLAW
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I found his teaching less than adequate

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I was blinded by his arrogance, broadsided by his maliciousness

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Wow... great prof, BRUTAL exam

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

learned nothing, dumb jokes, hard exams!