James Gaston - Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH

Professor: James Gaston

Department: History

College: Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HCC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Gaston as a senior spring student outside of the HCC major. I had heard from so many of my good friends who had graduated that I needed to take Gaston. I am so glad that I did. What he is teaching is invaluable and, although he takes the class seriously, he also genuinely roots for his students and he wants them to succeed. Incredible man.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HCC411
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gaston is challenging in the best of ways. He challenges you make learning your own and believes learning happens in truly understanding rather than mundane memorization. I left class with my mind blown every time from his inspirational lectures. This specific course has TONS of homework, but it was definitely my favorite class this semester.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEO122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly the worst teacher I have ever had. Unfortunately he was the only teacher that taught geography so I was forced to take him. Arrogant, goes off subject all the time and calls you out if you don't laugh at his jokes. Spends more time talking about his personal life than anything class related. Makes you answer your own questions

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL292
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting professor. Assigns a lot of homework but follows a strict syllabus schedule. Will not cease to call on you mid-lecture and also put you on the spot if you answer incorrectly. Wants you to learn and as he puts it, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Don't expect an easy A or a "fun" class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HCC201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gaston cares more about knowledge than about your feelings, so if you're going to complain, do it elsewhere. However, if you decide you want to learn and will throw in 101% of your effort, he will take you to the moon and give you every tool you need to succeed in his class and in life. Papers:don't waste his time, just get to the point.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HCC201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gaston is Unlike any other professor, he is extremely wise! I think every person should take at least one of his courses. He is a tough professor but because he cares, very tough class definitely a challenge, but a challenge worth taking. One class of his will give you a deeper insight to life! Be ready to be mindblown!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HCC401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gaston- reason I stayed at Franciscan University. The Humanities and Catholic Culture program has given me a deep understanding of Western Culture and has enriched my life. Professor Gaston is intelligent, his lectures are insightful, and he challenges his students to read and think more critically. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HST105N
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

We spent 2 hours and 40 minutes talking about his times in Paris and the philosophies behind where western civilizations lived. nothing we ever talked about in class was on the test, yet attendance was mandatory. I heard he was better with Geography and with graduates.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HCC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most prideful and arrogant men I've ever met. Had his good moments but overall was impossible to please. Difficult to follow in lectures. Don't take the class if you're not an HCC major - like me - or not keen on philosophy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HSTA
• 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:

Gaston is a truly brilliant teacher. Take him if at all possible; it may be the most valuable clas you'll ever take. Absolutely INCREDIBLE. He is not arrogant whatsoever. He is sure of what he knows to be true and is sincere. If anyone hates him because he is difficult and particular, they shouldn't take classes that require true work.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEO122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You love him or you hate him, I hated him. He was hard, but that's not the problem. I found him to be very arrogant and condescending. I didn't feel free to ask questions because he belittled everyone who did with his obnoxious jokes. He spent most of the classes talking about philosophy and himself instead of geography.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST290
• 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:

Gaston is truly a brilliant guy. Initially, he's fairly intimidating and his lectures on the academic life can seem sanctimonious. Nevertheless he really warms up after a while and is personally invested in his students' personal and academic well-being.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HST105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Gaston is great and I have learned a lot from him, but I've noticed that most people either hate him or love him...

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

great

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEO122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Gaston seems like a nice guy, but the class is extremely hard. You need to keep up with studying and make lots of notecards. He can be intimidating, but if you just make fun and tease with him, he will seem to like you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HCCANY
• 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:

Gaston is a real teacher, take him if you are ready to be a real student.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HCC201
• 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:

Intimidating at first. Only those who were teachable saw through the gruff exterior to appreciate the wonderful knowledge base of this man. Use of personal anecdotes to clarify high level philosophical concepts is helpful, and enjoyable! Tests your personal confidence daily - those who fail, leave willingly(thank goodness). Great mentor!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST666
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Gaston Western Civ and Religion and culture. The man was very difficult, especially since he assumed that none of his students had ever done any thinking before attending his class. He had a way of treating simple questions as if they were direct challenges on the Church/Thomism, etc. Pigeonholes his students by philosophical persuasion.Ug!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST105N
• 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:

Prof. Gaston is possibly one of the worst teachers I have ever met. He doesn't give lecutes on the material at hand; instead, he will explain to the class his life story, why he hates liberals, and his trips to Southern France.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST105
• 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:

A great guy. One of my favorite classes, but also my hardest class. Class is always interesting, but he goes on a lot of tangents. Honestly I would take him again, but he is definitely not for everyone.