Joseph Fewsmith - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Joseph Fewsmith

Department: History

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: IR370
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I like Prof. Fewsmith! He is an interesting person and very knowledgable of what he teaches! But his lectures are a bit disorganized cuz sometimes he expands the topic to much, it might be hard to follow him if you're not familiar with that period of history. 2 midterms, 1 final, a group presentation, and a book review. Heavy readings, but helpful!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IR370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Go to class prepared, think smart and ask smart questions. He definitely knows who are the students that put in the time and effort into their work. Always there for office hours and best of all, replies to emails! And if you are not interested in China at all - better look elsewhere, cause he's the man for that.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IR370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I've taken 3 classes with Fewsmith (IR370, IR577, IR585) and he is great and incredibly knowledgeable about China (you will learn things literally no other person could tell you) but his lectures can be disorganized and grading criteria is very unclear. Had presentations in 2/3 classes and long papers in all. Still, great prof; totally worth it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IR513
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Fewsmith is a great professor, I would take this class again. The subject was critical for comparative inquiry. However, it is a lot of work. He is a tough grader who assigns ample reading, around a book a week. If you seek feedback from him, he will provide it, but he will not hold your hand.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: IR577
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He knows his stuff when it comes to everything China. Pay attention and ask questions. He will emphasize points that he finds important for exams, but you need to ask him to clarify on occasion. The research paper counts for a lot & you don't have to do many of the readings until exam week. My one knock against him is that he can be disorganized.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IR585
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IR370
• 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:

prof.fewsmith is very knowledgeable and passionate about China. His lectures are very interesting, but doesn't always go with the book. He encourages participation, and will respond to your questions in class and online. He actually lent me two book for the final essay, which had been very helpful. A bit disorganized at times, but very approachable

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IR513
• 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:

Fewsmith is the man. This is probably an obvious point, but it seems to be lost on many: his classes are easy if you have an interest in them (and therefore do all of the reading), but difficult if you find it boring. Difficulty comes down to whether or not you enjoy material and look forward to reading. You will not do well if you think it sucks.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: IR370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Fewsmith is AMAZING! He is my favorite professor at BU. I took from Revolution to Reform and he knew so much and went into amazing detail. If you like China, you HAVE to take his class. Super-helpful during office hours and by email.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PO369
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Fewsmith does know China, but lectures are sometimes disorganized. Grading might be difficult, and you definitely need to do your reading to understand the material. If you want to truly learn more about China, go talk to him during office hours. You get your answers more directly there.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PO369
• 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:

Great guy, pretty good professor. Is an expert in the field and brings many aspects into class a normal professor wont. Lectures can be a little disorganized but his personality makes up for it. Tries to truthfully know his students. Good Guy at a school with a lot of nasty professors, take his clas

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IRA1
• 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:

Very Interesting and a great professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IR275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are rather disorganized. Unclear expectations for the exams. He is a tough grader and has his favorites. But lectures are interesting and he is a nice guy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IR275
• 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:

Lectures are disorganized, always go back to talk about China despite the ASIA focus of the class, graded hard on midterm, but it worked out better in the end, study guides are suggestions more than concrete, work in a reliable group to prepare

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PO365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He has pretty high expectations in terms of grades. The material is interesting, but the paper topic and exam questions are often very confusing. He refuses to give 100s because "no one is perfect." Overall it is a good class and you will learn a lot but that might not be reflected in your grade.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: IR275
• 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:

His lectures feel like disorganized reiterations of the book. Read the books, know the material. You can take class notes, but you won't be able to get away with just that on the exams. He's a fairly stiff grader aside from class favorites, so unless you're very into the subject, I'd take his classes with caution. Too into Chinese history.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: IR577
• 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:

I took two of his higher level IR classes. Fewsmith really knows his stuff but can benefit from a little bit more organization. The class is easy if you do all the reading and take meticulous notes. He rambles and sometimes it seems like its unrelated, but it will really help you on the test. I loved both his classes and wish he taught more.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: IR577
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I hated this class. I took it because I had heard such good things about the Professor. It was so vague, boring, and tough. The only plus was the Starbucks I got before class. He badly needs an outline but do the reading and study-guide and you should be ok. Doesn't grade his own tests/papers though which is annyoing.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POIR369
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Desparately needs an outline. VERY into Chinese history so don't be surprised if he starts speaking to you in it (even if you don't speak Mandarin). Asking a question may result in his asking it back to you, so ask a friend/classmate. Reiterate exactly what he taught in lecture to pass the exam.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: IR275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

rambled on and on, never had a point, was self absorbed and snide