Michael Smith - McGill University, Montreal, QC

Professor: Michael Smith

Department: Sociology

College: McGill University, Montreal, QC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One midterm, one final. Midterm graded somewhat unfairly but if you knew /something/ for all the questions you got at least a B. Engaging lectures, but all the material is covered in the course pack and in the notes he posts later. Its hard to motivate yourself to go to class. Fun British accent.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is actually a nice guy! Old in sociology, but got a lot of hair, which is rare. He curved up the grade A LOT. like 5-10 points. I was scared to receive a grade lower than A in mideterm but got so curved up. Thx Mike:)

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best class I've taken in my three years at McGill. He posts all his notes on MyCourses, read them once before our exams (only midterm and final) and got an A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is by far the most eye-opening course I've taken, the prof really showed us a big picture of what's happening from the past to the future in the technology-related work field. I would recommend to whoever's fond of encyclopedia, which is basically what this course is about: well-structured, mass information, key concepts from popular scholars

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the BEST profs at McGill. Super engaging & interesting lectures, and he posts ALL his notes online. The class is only one midterm & final but they were both super fair and redirected exactly to the material he had provided us. 11/10 would take again.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a really engaging prof. He's actually really amazing, and he provides his lecture notes, which are actually the best. Fair warning though, the class has one midterm, and a final. While the assessments are difficult and detailed, they are very fair.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOCI420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith is a funny professor, he is great at what he teaches but beware he is really tough at marking. His exams are choices of short answer questions, but the questions are very specific, and quite difficult. Other forms of testing would be more beneficial. Unfortunately, I would not recommend his class if you want above average grades.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC235
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

his questions are very specific and he laughs at students for asking questions. wouldnt take again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOCI420
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing professor. I love his classes though they are always at 8:30am. This is the second time I'm taking a class with him and he provides clear and thorough notes. With the readings combined, not an excessive amount, clear understanding can be derived easily. The content is interesting, if you want to learn about the technical side.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

i love him! he has cold-humour that you usually miss bc youre so busy taking notes. he's accessible (if you reach out first) and i really like what he teaches!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly if you have the option of taking another class or a different professor, do it at all costs. His lectures are really unclear and there were so many case studies and conclusions to remember to learn by heart. He seems like a nice guy and all but if you're relatively easy/decent 200 level course, this isn't it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He provides his notes for every lecture, which are very complete, but exam questions are very specific, so it is important to go to class. He explains things clearly and constantly asks for students' participation. There is only one midterm and a final (worth 65%). The material is interesting and not too dense.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very clear lecturer, the material is well organized and explained. I found the readings to be a bit redundant to the lectures and barely took a look at them. His short-answer exams are extremely specific which can be hard if you don't memorize everything well. Overall a very interesting course!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At first, I didn't like him and then I changed my mind. He asks for students participation). I didn't do my readings and still got an A. He gives detailed class-summary. He speaks really fast. Material is interesting (but I'm not passionate about it) Not a must-take but its was a mandatory class (Industrial Relations) and I enjoyed it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOCI211
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I usually don't write reviews, but I thought I had to speak out to tell everyone how nice and caring this professor is!!! I really don't get why the others are being so harsh... He is really patient and caring. He is such a nice man! His lectures are long, but he is willing to spend whatever time needed for us to understand the topic. LOVED HIM!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOCI211
• 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:

A professor who truly doesn't actually care about your academic improvement as a student. I might as well have bought the textbook and read it on my own time. He flat-out refused to answer questions about the final exam in class, and had his TA's "clarify" what would be on the exam the night before it was held. Rude, apathetic, and disorganized.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOCI211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Students this semester were forced to review the material (approx. 4) chapters on their own as it was barely covered in lecture. While the material itself is not too difficult to grasp, its disappointing for those dependent on good lecture notes or looking for a professor who is accommodating out of class time.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOCI211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While the professor is clearly knowledgeable in the subject, his intelligence is shrouded by his stronger interest in pursuing personal research and teaching his higher level classes. Questions enthusiastically encouraged in lecture, once asked in person after class/during office hours are acknowledged halfheartedly and in a cold manner.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go to class and take notes, you can get an easy A. Everything on the exam is covered in class. All the readings are covered in his lectures and made much easier (don't even bother reading the coursepack). The only annoying part is the book assignment. I suggest splitting it into reading sections with a group.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Interesting course. All exam material is literally taken directly from his notes that he posts online & some from the readings. I went to only two classes in total so far, and got an A on the midterm. I just studied his lecture notes. Very nice prof, emails you back right away too. Wouldn't mind having him for another course.