Robert Paynter - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: Robert Paynter

Department: Anthropology

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Paynter is very passionate about what he teaches and is always ready to explain something 10 different ways if necessary. He knows a lot of anthropology is boring, so he tries to make it as interesting as possible, and watching him in lecture is always fun.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Let's get one thing out of the way: he's insane. Like crazy. Very hard to sit through class because it's so boring. Really hard to understand and take notes in class. 3 exams, but takes the best 2. Do well on the 3 assignments in discussion. Also, GO TO DISCUSSION. If you go to all of them, they give you a bump in your grade. (EX: B- to B)

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Speeches were cohesive- was not "rambling" as many critics say. Robert had a very thoughtful speech on racism after the door of a student was vandalized with slurs. Very intelligent, interesting and eccentric at times - but that is what makes him great- Only downside is the expensive textbook

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Completely regret taking this class. Extremely boring and unclear. all lecture long he rambles on about nonsense that has nothing to do with the course. about 25% of class goes to the lectures and the people that go are either falling asleep or are being woken up by him screaming about nonsense. terrible class and i would never recommend this.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are interesting and the notes are easy to take. If you don't read the book the tests will be hard. He is a great guy and easy to talk to one on one . He is very entertaining while lecturing.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bob is an overall great guy. I left the lectures a few times in deep thought, because he really makes you think. He is a great speaker and the class is really interesting. It could be betterworse depending on what TA you get for your discussion section, but overall its not too much work and the testspapers are fair. Bob is honestly inspiring.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this lecture. He expects you to understand what he is saying instead of going over the book at all. His topics are not clear. However, keep up with the study guides, the book is a horrible read, and he does funny things in lecture to keep you interested. Discussions are easy attend all to boost your grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The lectures seem helpful, but the study guides took me days to do and literally almost none of it has been on any exam. My TA Lillian was beyond helpful. It's not an easy class, and you have no idea where you stand grade-wise most of the time. Exams are meant to trick you. Beware.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• 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:

Do not take this class. He doesn't give notes and the material is terribly boring. His lecture style is extremely hard to listen to, and the discussions give unnecessary pointless work. There are very few grades and little opportunity for error. Again, terrible class. Don't take it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very energetic and nice guy. However, the grading is kinda limited due to the fact that only two exams count in this class, including the final. So you really have to study for the material in order to get an A. Do all the study guides! Also, do all the discussion section assignments because they worth about 30% of your grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had payntor for Anthro 100. I learned a lot from this class, but lectures were scattered sometimes, and his handwriting is bad. But he makes up for it by being completely crazy most of the time, jumping around the lecture hall and acting like a monkey

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paynter is a funny, well meaning professor, but his class is boring and, frankly, a waste of time. He discusses the SAME THINGS every single lecture. We learned the SAME things about egalitarian, stratified, and ranked societies for half the semester. Also, the readings are tedious, and you find that you didn't learned much by the end of the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

HORRIBLE CLASS. DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE UNLESS YOU WANT TO FAIL!!!! his lectures are BORING and pointless, he has NO notes, his lectures are completely scattered, the tests are impossible, and the papers we write for him are SO tedious...make sure you donate an entire to day to it. all in all AVOID THIS CLASS AT ALL COSTS

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• 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:

You absolutely need to attend lectures if you want to do well in this class. He doesn't take attendance at lectures, but he does a poor job of writing notes and you have to constantly pay attention to get all the info. Study guides are extremely helpful though. All in all, easy enough class if you go to class. plus, it fulfills an SB and a G

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures were long and too scattered. Possibly easy class if you are interested in the topic. Test questions were hard and all based on lecture. I wouldnt take class again.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It's a good class...easy for a gen ed. The book really isn't necessary to read because he gives you study guides with what you have to know so you just read those parts. It's really, really easy.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• 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:

This guy is a very good and interesting teacher. Definately should take this as a gen-ed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paynter is such a funny guy. Very interested in what he's teaching. Watch out for his tests. He uses scan-tron tests which can be a little difficult. Make sure you go to Section. Attendance is counted at section but not lecture! If you go to class and section, book not really necessary. Helpful if that.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR100
• 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:

he's a really great guy and the class is great for a gen ed or just for fun

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO100
• 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:

Nice guy very clear