Charles Schmitz - Towson University, Towson, MD

Professor: Charles Schmitz

Department: Geography

College: Towson University, Towson, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class is very easy. We wrote two papers and a film analysis. We had a few smaller assignments throughout the semester, but it was not hard at all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEOG359
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm not gonna lie, I found this class to be extremely boring. That being said, econ isn't really my thing, there's two tests and two papers, he has many office hours to go to, and I would definitely look forward to taking another one of his classes. One of the coolest professors I've had. Thankfully no group projects.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOG401
• 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:

Schmitz is honestly one of my favorite profs i've ever had. He is a super nice guy and is extremely helpful/reliable. He can get a bit off topic sometimes but he is still engaging. The only thing I would warn people about is that not a lot of things are graded so make sure you do well on what is. Fail one assignment you might fail the class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEOG447
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Schmitz was great. He gave a lecture on a different topic (in the syllabus) every class. As long as you took good notes on the lectures you don't really need to do the readings, they're just "bonus" on the two tests (midterm and final). Only four grades in his class - map quiz, midterm, paper, final. Know ur stuff and get a good grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOG401
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was my first upper level geography course and I am so glad I took Schmitz class. He is a laid back, hilarious, and knowledgeable man and he really makes you want to learn. The class required some work, but it was worth it. He is one of the best geography professors I've had so far. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He talks...a lot. Class can be pretty unorganized, just go with it. He knows a lot, like a lot, especially when it comes to Yemen, history, and of course geography. You have to write two 5 page papers and some other stuff, not too bad. If you're interested in world relations or geography or anything along those lines take him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's kind of a push over

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schmitz is a great teacher and pretty funny. Would take another class with him any day. I had him for TSEM Islam and the West and he really painted a positive picture of Islam and has a vast amount of knowledge in Middle Eastern politics.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• 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:

Dr. Schmitz is so helpful and sweet. He will clarify anything you have a question about and his feedback for your papers are spot on. I had him for TSEM Islam and the West and it was a lot of reading, but the workload is manageable. He's a wonderful professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOG359
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schmitz is my favorite professor at Towson. I've had his classes three times now and every one of them is great. He has a way of speaking that completely engrosses you. You can tell immediately that he knows what he's talking about. 2 papers, 2 pick 6 of 10 question tests. Can read/speak Arabic and tells amazing stories about Yemen.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEOG359
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

GEOG 359 Great teaching! informative and interesting. he is the best!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOG359
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I will never say economics is boring ever again! Prof Schmitz made economics really interesting in his economic geography class. I think he is a real asset to Towson University. He has a way of making his lectures extremely informative and interesting without any overload. 2 papers, 2 exams.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOG401
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Schmitz is awesome. Very very smart and very interesting to listen to. He has a way of captivating your attention. The class is very straightforward but deep. Clear set of goals and grading. Four papers and grammar exercises. Takes attendance. He will improve your writing skill guaranteed. He's also really funny and down to earth.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEOG401
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is way different than other online classes. Yes, the readings are difficult, but an A is possible! First, a draft is due and he gives you feedback, then you resubmit for a grade. 3 papers (1500 words), final answering questions in essay form, grammar exercises, and a timed grammar final. also, always there for help over email.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schmitz is an amazing professor. He is very knowledgeable on topics involving the Middle East. If are interested in international affairs or just want to learn more about "Islam and the West" I recommend taking his seminar.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOSC601
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was a graduate level survey for a social science program. This is the first class I can say that I learned nothing, absolutely nothing. The book is bad full of readings that would be hard for people with background in geography. Take the class if you don't care about learning anything on the subject and just want the credits.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: TSEM102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schmitz taught a section of a new requirement for freshmen. The class was titled "Islam and the West." The class was focused mostly on writing a research paper, but know that this professor is very knowledgeable, passionate about his field of expertise, and has a good sense of humor.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GEOG443
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Knowledgeable and very funny professor. Really easygoing. The class is hard to follow if you don't have any background on the Middle East, as he just plows right through the information and doesn't go into much background detail. Id love to take another class with him! also, YEMEN YEMEN YEMEN YEMEN!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEOG359
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Econ. Geog. Very smart guy, big on facts. More of an economist than anything else. Was difficult for me but probably not for an econ. major. My only quip was that the FIVE supposedly required books rarely got used, if at all. Wait to buy them and decide what you'll need. Lectures are outstanding and though not mandatory compel you to attend.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOG447
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really cool professor. Very helpful outside of class. Understanding if you have to miss class. Knows a lot about the subject and is an easy grader.