Jayne Smithson - Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Professor: Jayne Smithson

Department: Anthropology

College: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't have to buy books for her class, everything you need is on canvas, but I personally found her teaching style pretty boring, she talks like she is teaching a middle school class. She also gave me a bad grade on an assignment because she said I chose a wrong topic, despite the topic I chose was clearly an available option I could choose.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

She is the BEST prof ever!! This was my first online course and it could not have gone any better. She makes everything so clear and easy to follow. The tests are all very easy and the answers can be found in the textbook and her ppts. She is a wonderful grader and grades very easy. Do the work and you'll get an A. 10/10 would recommend!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Beautiful hair, great smile, and fantastic personality. Pretty easy class and makes the topic interesting. Take her and you won't regret it. Study guides are damn near the same as the test which is AWESOME!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ridiculously easy online course. You can get an A and learn almost nothing. Conversely, you could also get an A and learn a lot if you choose. Tests are open book and the questions are average difficulty. Theres one research paper, 3 tests, and a weekly discussion to do for credit. She's very nice and gives good feedback too.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy online class. Though, instead of helping with something she doesn't like with your papers, she leaves rather rude and hurtful comments. So, if you don't mind rude comments instead of helping, take her.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this as an 8 am, that being difficult on it's own Mrs. Smithson made it extremely tolerable. She keeps you intrigued, and is VERY helpful. Study guides outline the tests, and you keep up on your notes during lecture. There's a lot of info but as long as you go to class and pay attention you'll be fine. Definitely recommend her!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR140
• 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:

She always gives her 100% effort during the class, always smiles, energetic. If you're a Christian, you won't get offended by what she teaches. Go for her, somebody from our class actually decided major in anthropology because of this amazing class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took her class during the summer. There was a lot of reading because it was fast paced. We had to do 4 papers, which were all easy as long as you follow the prompt. We had to post discussions every week. Her tests were a bit difficult because you have to actually read but you'll pass as long as you do her study guide and read the book.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class. It was not too intimidating, but there was definitely work involved. Each time I emailed Professor Smithson, I received a timely, clear, helpful response. She was always more than willing to read first drafts of papers, and gave constructive feedback. I really appreciated her professionalism. Would take again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took her online summer class, and it was very well-organized and reasonable. Her tests are not easy, so I do recommend actually reading the textbook.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am currently in this class and do not enjoy it at all. I was very interested in taking this class in the beginning, but she is way too tough of a grader and her study guides didn't match what was on the test. I wouldn't suggest taking this in the Summer, might have better luck taking it in fall/spring...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smithson was an amazing teacher. She can definitely keep you awake in an 8AM class. Almost always replies to emails the same day they are sent. Follows a lecture layout that is available on D2L. 1 Annotated Bibliography, 1 Analysis Paper, and 1 Research paper. All explained clearly and each paper leads to the next paper. 4 test (easy)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Her class if by far the easiest class I had this whole semester! Her tests are extremely easy because she allows you one whole page of notes back-to-back, sometimes more! She gives you points on attending lecture though and sometimes she tends to go on tangents on lecture. A very smart lady, her pet peeves are phones ringing in class! Take her!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR140
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Smithson is my favorite teacher, I took the class for GE, but came into a class that I enjoyed tremendously and appreciated her very much. Very supportive, and has a lot of passion in the subject. Taking another class with her because of all of this. I turn off my cell phone because I respect her so much, and she makes class fun and worth coming to

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

if you want to fill the IGETC and you think this is an easy A class, do NOT take it. Her tests are really hard. You cannot find the questions online. You have to read the textbook and it takes a lot of time.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She will reply to your email soon. But, it is not a easy A class. her tests are really tough, you have to study a lot!! And, she only gave 5 point extra credits. Take it if you want to study. I am not going to take her again.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO1L
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher! She is knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Even if you are just taking this as an undergrad requirement, she knows how to peak your interest. She does not believe in students purchasing text so the book is made available online for free. She is flexible as long as you show initiative. I highly recommend this professor!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTH130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Smithson understands what an online summer class should be about: simple, straightforward, and minimal. Had a total of 3 tests and 1 paper. No homework assignments, only a lot of videos that tend to be 2-8 minutes each. Tests are online as well and last 45-60mins but do not have a lot of questions. Textbook provided online by her FOR FREE.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTH140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smithson wants you to be in love with Anthropology. She allows you all the tools you need to earn a good grade while becoming a student who will find a subject that will last with them forever, no matter what their major/career path. She puts her heart into her class and her students, and just wants you to be engaged, so engage!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I only took this class because it fulfilled one of my GE core requirements and boy am I glad I did. I love this professor. She is always in a good mood and eager to help you outside of class-- especially if you show the initiative. She is down to earth and is one of those professors you dream about getting in college. I would take her again.