Joe Hinshaw - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Joe Hinshaw

Department: Media Arts

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SMAD330
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hinshaw is an interesting professor. He clearly knew what he was talking about, but often times his lectures left gray area for me. The test questions are loaded paragraphs with about 5 or 6 choices, so they're often confusing. Also make sure you take good notes - after failing my first test, I adjusted the way I took notes and ended up doing fine.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I learned a lot from Hinshaw. All around great guy and enjoyable professor. Always had a laugh with him in class. Tough grader but he is a pretty fair grader for the most part. Gives really good feedback on how to improve and very helpful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hinshaw is a great professor. He really knows what he is talking about and I learned a lot in his class. He is not the easiest grader; (you really have to make your videos perfect to get an A) but his feedback is really clear and helpful. I definitely would take him again.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SMAD201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! Very helpful and great at explaining things. His grading is a little critical but that just means you have to take your time and look at the small details.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SMAD330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is really hard- it's a law class and it taught like one even though most people In the class has no law experience. The final paper is a good portion of the grade and he's not very accessible for help with that.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• 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:

Hinshaw holds very high standards for video (he says from the beginning that he grades us as if we're professionals, which we're not), so he is a tough grader. It'll take trial and error to finally get a good grade on a project. A lot of it is trying to understanding what HE would like to see, not necessarily what you want to do

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this class is impossible to make an A, work your butt off on projects only to get points taken off for minuscule things. he acts like he'd be helpful too but he's really not. would avoid this class at all costs.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SMAD330
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Had Hinshaw for 201 and 330. Don't listen to the whiners! He gets a bad rap for 330, but it's an inherently difficult class so there's not much he can do about that. If you go, pay attention and study hard, then your grade will reflect that. This is the only class I've taken at JMU that I've gone to every time. #TeamHinshaw

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hinshaw is alright, he knows his material extremely well, which is why there's not a book. He's a smart guy and has extremely sarcastic humor that might rub you the wrong way if he takes it out on you, in reality it just means he likes you. Really I just think his judgement on test question creation and overall class difficulty is extremely poor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SMAD330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are impossible, really hard class even if you go to class every day and study. Nice guy, terrible teacher

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SMAD330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not take hinshaw for 330. If you have studied copyright law before u might get a B, but if not good luck getting a C. Test averages are around 75, he's pompous and selfrighteous. Do not take him for 330 please save yourself

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hinshaw is nice as a person, tough as a teacher. This was a time consuming class, as we had to produce films in groups with limited time (working out schedules). Reading is essential for quizzes nearly every class. Can be sarcastic at times, which may come across as mocking. Tough grader and inflexible, so don't put project off until last minute.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• 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:

Funny teacher. You only have one test and he literally wrote the book, so that was rough. Most of the class is assignments. Do the work, get a B. Make an effort, get an A. He wasn't always available, especially if you're an overachiever, but he'll help you with what he knows.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SMAD302
• 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:

Hinshaw is my adviser and I've had him twice as a teacher. I really want to like him but I just can't. Sarcastic sense of humor=yuck. It is impossible to get full points for an assignment because he expects us to be experts. His directions are unclear (my class actually spent a whole class period complaining about it). Attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

really nice & funny guy. Tests can be a lil difficult..i study really hard & havnt made over a B, but u have a lot of lil projects that boost your grade. Studio is SO much fun.Made me switch concentration to DV. He can go fast in studio, but always willing 2 help and wants u2to learn.Def helps u if u need it.Great guy, great class, & ull do fine !

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was only my 2nd SMAD class, but Joe still seems like one of the greatest professors. He makes class fun and interesting. He has a sense of humor so that helps. He's willing to work with u. Class is not hard. Fun assignments balance out ur test grades, but the tests aren't bad either. if u don't sign up now, you will regret it later.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Excellent teacher. Knows his stuff and explains information well. Very laid back. Studio is a little stressful but Joe and Burl make it bearable and fun. Only downfall is tests which are pretty detailed. Other than that, every project is fun and interesting. Take him!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fun class! The studio is a lot of fun though quite stressful. Hinshaw makes class more interesting than it is...I recommend him!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SMAD202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

HILARIOUS! I loved this guy. I didn't feel like i was in class, I enjoyed all of his projects. Helps you out in every way. Tests can be tricky, but the projects are EASY. SIGN UP NOW.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SMAD201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

nice guy, helpful on assignments but not on the irrellevent tests. its strange to have to write essays in a class where you spend 75% of the time playing in photoshop.