Herb Northcott - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Herb Northcott

Department: Sociology

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though his tests are difficult, he is one of the nicest profs you will ever meet. Anyone who tells you to "skim" the textbook, obviously hasn't seen how Herb highlights inside the textbook and even lists the page number on the exam where you can find the answer. Make sure you to take good lecture notes because he rarely repeats himself.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• 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:

Such sweet prof he's very fair,just go to class and read the textbook and you will do decent !

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very caring and knowledgable professor. Fiesty and shows great clips to support the lecture material. Really gives you multiple opportunities to do well. Cannot recommend him enough

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His assignments dont have clear grading criteria, he often marks much lower than other professors, this course is not easy..

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is such a caring prof and wants you to do well! Provides optional assignments (paper/presentation) and bonus assignments if multiple choice exams aren't your strong suit. 2 midterms and a final all non cumulative. Make sure to take good notes in class, and at least skim the textbook since he will pull some minor details from it for exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

extremely detailed oriented, attend class or expect to lose marks on exams.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hard to fail, but hard to get a good grade. Chances exist for extra credit to boost mark (essay, presentations, etc). Exams are difficult: memorize EVERY detail (%, def'n, names of programs, etc). Know prof's opinion (might be different than textbook) for exam. He wants you to succeed - he's amazing, hilarious, lovely. WOULD TAKE AGAIN.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very funny prof, tries to make the somber material more interesting. Need to attend class as he pulls some questions from the in-class discussions. Some test questions can be tricky though, so be careful to read the exhibits and charts in the text.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

What a great guy. Dr. Northcott is a class act. He keeps the class interesting with his lectures even when the material is a bit dry. Basically read the main terms in the textbook and you'll do well. I would recommend him and the class. He tests on stuff in the class though so you will have to goto class. But its good so go

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• 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:

He's excellent! His use of the board/semi-structured discussions is unique/ effective. He brings in multi-media but blends with old school; it's nice to not be pushed through another power point class. Talented facilitator who knows how to push students. LOTS of reading. Attendance and participation is a must, but worth the work. Take his class!!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• 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:

Herb is an amazing professor and this is an amazing course. Never bashes your argument, and encourages discussion. Lots of reading involved, but he is my favourite SOC prof for sure. You can tell he cares about his students. If you do the readings, you can get a good mark (required % average for an A is actually kind of low). Really interesting!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC332
• 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:

I took several courses with Dr. Northcott years ago, and after 2 degrees, his classes are still the ones that stand out as the best I've ever taken. Genuinely warm and caring person. I would have taken many more courses with him if it would have been possible. Highly recommend his classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Northcott is extremely knowledgable and he will make you think. Be prepared to read the textbook all the way through, but you won't have to study the details. I highly recommend taking a class with him, he's a fabulous prof.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOCI2
• 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:

I took his death and dying as well as his aging class (a few years ago). He is one of the best instructors I have ever had (even to this day). I found him to be both engaging and approachable. His tests were based on material taught in class as well as text.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• 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:

Professor Northcott is just amazing. If all courses were taught by him at the U of A, I would even take physics or organic chemistry! He wrote one of the text used in class, Aging in Alberta. Really nice guy. My best prof at the U of A, and I'm on my second degree.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOC375
• 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:

He is a really genuine prof and will take the time to address any of your concerns. He also raises very interesting questions BUT his MC exams are hard! You have to read every single detail from the text and know the lecture notes to a T!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• 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:

Herb was a great prof! He always encouraged class discussions, and although no one seemed to enjoy speaking up, he would contribute to fill up the empty silence. Haha. He's very interesting and chooses great articles to read to the class! Class is easy if you attend, listen, and read the textbook!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC471
• 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:

I took Herb Northcotts Aging course and Death and Dying. He was great. Really down to earth type person and has a good sense of humour. You just feel hes a nice person.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• 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:

I came on ratemyprofessors to check him out beforehand and I read the good reviews, and I'm writing to attest he is a wonderful professor. There are many papers and presentations, if you can handle that kind of thing. Overall, it was one of my favorite courses.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI473
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Northcott is great! I took this course in the summer (unfortunately the amt. of reading was NOT cut down - but, nevertheless the exams were not too bad - ALL M.C). He is very interested in student's opinions & its evident he cares about his students & loves to teach. Overall good experience....less reading would be apperciated.