Janice Austin - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: Janice Austin

Department: Earth Science

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH9
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Although I had this professor for a month, Professor Austin was pretty good. She goes fast on some slides, but she had them up on Canvas so you can look back at them and study from there. Most of the exam question came from her slides, ye some of the questions came from the readings. The class is once a week, so you have enough time to read.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at SMC. She's very passionate about anthropology and makes the subject approachable for students who aren't science-related majors. You have to work hard to get a good grade, but overall, I've enjoyed taking Dr. Austin's Anthro 5 class and am considering taking more anthro classes because of her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

(Scholars) She is passionate about what she does but you have to put in a lot of effort as well. Fair grader, 3 tests (1 essay in each test + multiple choice) and 2 lab tests. Lab is tough, lectures are too (attend all of them if you want to understand), but the teacher will really make it clear for you if you need any help. Great teacher

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO5
• 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:

The professor is is very helpful. If you're unclear about anything all you have to do is ask. The course notes are online and you dont have to go to class on lecture days (but it sure helps if you do). Lab attendance is mandatory. Her lectures are very clear and her enthusiasm keeps the course very interesting.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO5
• 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:

Awesome teacher!You will learn alot. She always has your best interest in mind. Work hard, go to lab, take notes. Lectures are pretty clear, slides online are pretty thorough. Tests are lecture based with some chapt pulled from the book. Practicals seem daunting but are quite easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO5
• 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:

This woman made me an anthro major. Lectures are very straightforward. I found exams to be easy, but I studied hard. Exams are multiple choice with an essay, and she tells you ahead of time the different essays she will choose from, so you can prepare them and get feedback. This was a relatively easy A for me, but it is NOT an easy A for most.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR1109
• 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:

She is a great person and a great teacher. There is a lot to memorize in the labs and she tells you in the beginning of the class that it will be comparable to a UCLA course. I liked it because Anthro is my major, but if it's not and your taking it for lab, I recommend taking general bio. I got an A+ in bio and a B+ in anthro so.. choose wisely.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• 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:

This class is extremely hard. Tests are multiple choice with 5 possible answers. Great lady, but makes things way too difficult.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is very and i mean VERY PASSIONATE about the subject. She goes fast on her slides during class, so arrange few hours a day after her class to review notes I am not interested in Anthropology AT ALL, i hate the subject and even though she is a great teacher she makes you memorize hard names and takes decimal points on lab tests and assignments.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTH5
• 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:

Amazing class. Attend all lab review days which are extremely helpful. You can make do with taking good notes if you don't want to buy the textbook. She's very helpful if you ask her questions about homework, lectures ect. after class. She posts power points online which are VERY helpful. You can jus print them and most of the notes are done for u

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Austin's passion and interest in the subject matter is so inspiring that I always felt encouraged to study and learn more for myself. One MUST study in order to get by in this class, and reading the required textbook chapters really do help on the tests. She is SO sweet and incredibly helpful. Work hard and you will do well. Take this class!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Austin is amazing. This class is not for slackers and she makes that clear. That being said, if you do the work and actually study you will earn a good grade. This is a real upper level style course filled with amazing material and taught by an inspirational professor. This class will prepare you for the next level.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTH5
• 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:

Janice Austin is an incredible teacher and a really sweet woman. I went into the class just to fill my lab science requirement but her love for anthro is so infectious that I changed my major! However, her class is HARD, and definitely not for slackers. She expects you to learn a lot of information, so be prepared to have to study.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Jan is one of the many incredible professors in the SMC Anthro department. Anthro 5 is one of the longest, hardest classes I have ever taken, but taught me an incredible amount about humanity. Jan includes an immense amount of work but is very clear & most importantly very enthusiastic about Anthropology and teaching in general. Highly recommended

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took either 7 or 9 but whatever. She was awesome. most organized ever. No ? as to what she expects on tests or homework and hw REALLY aids in studying4tests. PASSIONATE about what she does & it's contagious! Got an A. She rocks. Gotta work hard but worth every drop!Very passionate&sweet.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Truly such an inspiring teacher, I would never take time to do one of these cause I feel many students who come here and bash Professors, usually don't put their best foot forward entering the class.Professor Austin is the absolute ideal professor anyone may want to take. It's not easy a lot and I mean alot of material for 4 months but amazing.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class determined by career! What a lady!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR5
• 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:

Definitely the best teacher I've had at SMC. She loves Anthropology and really knows her stuff. This is definitely not the class you wanna slack off. But she makes everything very clear and easy to practice and undertand. This class is never boring. Bias? ofcourse its her expertice and she loves it, and will make you love it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTH5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Austin is an extremely kind, passionate and excellent teacher! She really knows the material and is constantly bettering her lectures to find ways her students learn best. She is such a stellar person on top of her outstanding teaching methods that no one should have a hard time in this class. There is a lot to memorize but it is fascinating & fun!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This teacher was great. Extremely passionate about anthropology. VERY clear on what she wants and expects. Tests are hard, but information is fascinating. Take her to satisfy your biological science requirement! money and time well spent, definitely recommend this class and teacher.