Joe Spear - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Joe Spear

Department: Sociology

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOCI361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He just wants you to try, and honestly it isn't that difficult to try. The readings are annoying and sometimes (most of the time) hard to follow, but he explains it better in class. He doesn't give notes that are super easy to follow, but like I said, as long as you try you'll be fine.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Participation matters & come prepared to class and do all of the stuff he says to and you'll at least get a B! Tests are hard and he grades abstracts not the easiest. He expects and takes pride in quality work, as should you. The best professor I've had . Would recommend to literally everyone! I learned so much & really enjoyed going to class!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Its a hard class but Spear is a great guy. Show up to class and hell like you and maybe take it easy on you

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC311
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spear is a cool dude and I enjoyed taking his class. That being said, quizzes are tough and the only other grades are the essays and he is a very tough grader. I would take him again but just be aware of his tough grading.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOCI361
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ignore the negative reviews, Dr. Spear is the best! I had him for 200 and 361, and yes he's a tough grader and going to class is a must if you want to do well, but the material and his lectures are so interesting and funny that I was excited to go. If you have the chance to take a class with him, DO IT, you'll learn so much

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOCI361
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a funny guy, and really wants you to learn the material and be able to bring it into your daily life. However, there are random quizzes and he does not give As so it is a very hard class to get by in.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOCI311
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you're not passionate about making a change in the world before this class, you will be after. Even though Spear can be a bit dry and pessimistic, he encourages educated, positive thinking and is more than willing to give advice on papers (no tests in 311) if you go to office hours and make an effort. He's a smart, quirky guy. HIGHLY recommend.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spear was a great lecturer for SOCI 200, however, he doesn't give good enough feedback on homework essays. It was either a hit or miss. The whole semester, i felt as if the class was experimental--assignment wise, like i just have to do the papers and wish that i got the point because, tbh some of them were reaaaallly hard.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't be afraid to take Spear. His class is hard but you really learn a lot. Attendance isn't mandatory but you should go because his exams draw heavily from lectures. 2 exams, about 5 2-page papers, in class discussions that count for participation, and a final. Just read, go to class, and you'll do fine. He's also a really funny and nice guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class is taught through lectures but he includes his notes online. As long as you show up for lecture and do the majority of your readings you'll be fine

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is a college class and Spear treats it like a college class, I personally loved it and find him hilarious. Sociology is abstract and he makes it more relatable. Super smart guy, never uses powerpoints. If you read and care about the material you will do well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC315
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is a dull class, prepare for a boring semester with lots of readings and unclear homework assignments with difficult grading

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOCI361
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spear is really funny and dry and pessimistic, but in a relatable way. Soci of Organizations is a REALLY INTERESTING class. I don't recommend waiting to start your papers, though, and you've got to keep up with readings. His grading isn't super clear but he definitely makes you think for yourself, which is a really useful skill. you will learn TONS

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spear is a good professor, but unless you are a sociology major, I would not take this class. His first words were "This is the equivalent of a 400 level course". Not a good elective. He isn't so concerned about grades but more so the knowledge actually gained. His tests are very hard and he doesn't give study guides, there is a lot of reading.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC200
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the worst class. Find a new class or find a new major. The lectures are vague and unclear. If you ask questions during class he will stare you down and act like something went wrong. Dont show during office hours to ask questions because he wI'll act like you are inconvenience to bring there. Just don't take the class itwill ruin your gpa

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOCI361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was not a big fan of the textbooks or even the material, but Professor Spear made it all very bearable. He is absolutely hilarious and definitely puts in his two sense, but in a good way. There wasn't any tests, but there was four essays that required 4 - 6 pages. He is a tough grader, but put in the effort and your grade will reflect it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOCI311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Spear is awesome! He makes his lectures very amusing by adding in his own commentary to everything. We didn't have any tests, but there are four essays that are supposed to be between 4 - 6 pages. He is very thorough when grading the essays, but put in the effort and use material learned in class and you can easily pull off a high B.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you want to learn something real in college, take this class. It will probably change your life (in a good way). Spear is amazing!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far the best professor I've ever had and one of the best people I've ever met. I felt so much more intelligent and just like I'd become a better overall person after this class. His lectures are worth your tuition money, and you're missing out if you don't take this class before you graduate. Not an easy A by any means, but it's so worth it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spear is a very radical guy. He is respected cause of how knowledgeable he is. And is ALWAYS there for you in office hours, posting questions on canvas, and other times for your help. Doesn't care about grades but cares about you guys actually learning something. He just assigns grades cause he has too. Work hard & be sure to read cause it matters