Michael Howard - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: Michael Howard

Department: International Studies

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Even though his lecture seems dry (only from slides and textbook isn't really needed), he willing to help any student and give clear explanation. He also encouraged student to never give up. Definitely will take his class again.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is super nice. Boring lecture but fair marker. 2 quizzes, both are open book, 1 long term paper (10pages). Read the textbook and try to relate some concepts to the quizzes and the term paper, you can get a B.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HONORS2050
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Unorganized, not specific. He gives a double-spaced one page paper assignment every class. It was super easy. I feel like we focused more on biology than we did actual anatomy, and much of the knowledge I attained in my anatomy classes was useless in this class. Good class, but I wish there was more organization.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I am a science student & took it in 2013 as an elective. Lectures are long and get boring most of the time. He dwelled more in East Asia since that's his focus and told a lot of personal stories. 2 tests - 2 or 3 out of 10 ques. - both open book. One long 10pg assignment in the end. Gotta read textbook though although his slides are good too.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: IS303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very nice man fairly easy and very knowledgeable. That said his lectures are so boring I would never ever take another one of his classes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

bit of a boring lecturer, 3 hr classes are hard not to fall asleep in. Very nice prof, has a clear high interest in the material. both textbooks used in the course are his own, not too necessary until papers start as he covers the material well enough in lecture. Tests are open book and fair exams, have loads of time for paper, fair marking.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His textbook is a shotgun blast of world history with no attempt to bring focus on the subject itself, and he never deviates from it. No direction or criteria for tests or papers, which means expectations are low but frustrating to work with. He doesn't seem to know how to direct learning at all. Good researcher, horrible teacher.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• 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:

Although 3 hours of listening to his lectures could be boring, but he often presents very fascinating facts about everything he lectures. He is very clear and does not expect much. For both midterms, they were open book, as long as you have read the textbooks and have related the midterms to the main concepts, you are guarantee a good mark!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ISD100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is a good prof, he know so much!!! I like his lectures, he does not want much from you - just come to class and understand the main idea of his lecture.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• 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:

The most knowledgeable person in everything related to Asia, Oceania and the Americas. His hearing is poor, so two-way interaction is problematic. And lecturing is the only way he can communicate. But his narration presents a coherent and fascinating view of the world. He's also been to half the world - from Papua to Russian Far East to Peru.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• 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:

Incredibly dull. Drones on an on about Southeast Asia, which is his specialty. Reading is a lot at first, although it gets less. He pretty much follows word for word the reading, which he also wrote. Many found him tacky in terms of style (kaki pants, Hawaiian shirts, etc) and humour. Exams are open-book. Take if you like transnationalism - a lot.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A lot of reading, interesting method of teaching as he just stands there and lectures. However, by standing there and talking he makes you focus more. His testing is open-book, 3 essay questions in 2 hours for two midterms and a 10 page essay. Only take this class if it is required or you are really interested in it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His interest in the course material seemed very low and the depth to the course was limited. The course has lots of potential but he kept it superficial. He lectures through the tutorials.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SA275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Haven't been able to stay awake for one class yet. A lot of the stuff he talks about seems random and pointless. He lied about our map quiz, saying we had to prepare to know 50 locations.. and ended up giving us over 120 !!! He seems like a nice guy and really knows his stuff but I don't think any of us got what we expected out of this course.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SA275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Michael is a very nice guy, although he is boring. The two exams are pure memorization. Its not that hard as people make it seem. The paper and presentation are easy and make up for it. Interesting for those who are into SE Asia. I recommend it. People who gave him bad ratings probaly did bad in the course. If you study his material you'll do fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SA275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

very knowledgable and passionate about subject. would be better with more class participation. lots of memorization. not for those uninterested in se asia.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SA275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this is the worse class i have taken at SFU. shouldnt be under sa. first quiz is pure memorization of a map of SEA. dont really know what he's talking about in class because theres no text to read before classes until half way though the course. if you miss a lectue you're screwed for the quiz. handouts make no sense unless you go to class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SA
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is really into SE Asia. I learned a lot from his class and the cooking presentation was a lot of fun, it was a different experience from other courses. He's a really nice person and is willing to help you out. Just be patient with him because he does tend to be boring, but the second half of the semester gets better.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SA450
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is boring indeed, but I spent 3 months in SE Asia for Anthropology Field school where we all got to know him as a person, and someone who truly LOVES anthropology. Turned out to be a cool leader. Gotta love the belt always a little too high on the torso!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SA
• 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:

He is a great prof...can be kinda boring. His tests are hard thought....all memorization...It's crazy. He is really passionate about his work, which is why you come away learning something new. Overall great prof take him of you have a good memory.