Robert Smith - University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Professor: Robert Smith

Department: Fine Arts

College: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bob is undoubtedly the best professor I've had. Yes, the course is hard and I had to record lectures, but if you listen carefully in lecture, everything that appears on the exam, he says in class- no application of concepts. Bob goes out of his way to know you as a person and really wants to help if you need it. Favorite guy at UConn, hands down.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An elective that's treated like it's a core class for every field. If you're analytical or care about facts as apposed to random non-sense at the whim of a professor then skip this class. I don't think the professor understands that Gen Eds are your grade boosters, not something I'm devoting my life to.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

2 exams and a final, 2 worth 30 points/30 questions each, final 40 points/questions. He gives 10 pop quizzes worth 1 point each, for a total of around 110 possible points. The test questions are all multiple choice and NITPICKY. I loved him as a professor/lecturer/person, but the grading system did not reflect my learning. Too hard for a gen ed.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class, while not super hard, is still harder than you would expect. There is no homework, all of your grade relies on 3 exams. The exams are pretty specific, but as long as you show up to class and take good notes you should be fine. The online slides aren't super helpful. Bob's a pretty funny guy though and very passionate about film.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bob is a legitimately great professor, and person who honestly cares about his students. I can understand why some people might not be a huge fan of him and his tests, but as long as you take good notes and study, you should be fine. If you have an idea on how the class should go, tell him! He will change his curriculum to what the class prefers!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bob is indeed knowledgeable about movies and theatrical history! The class itself is a bit dull as he mainly just lectures and the slides don't have too many things on them. YOU NEED TO TAKE GOOD NOTES as over 50% of the content in the exams from his mouth. Only 3 multiple choice exams. Only studied for one night before the final and got an A.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really fun teacher, goes on interesting rants about a lot of topics but honestly seems to really care about his students. He seems to be very polarizing, some love him and his style, others hate it. All I do is show up to class and take notes and easily pass the exams, there is plenty of extra credit quizzes in class as well. Zero homework.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Bob is the man, honestly the best professor I've had. Regularly encourages kids to try and get him fired if they don't agree with what he is saying and has no problem speaking his mind about literally anything. He is very knowledgeable about cinema and film also. Definitely a guy i would love to have several drinks with.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is one of my favorite teachers. He's a very real guy and knows what he's talking about. You have to go to lecture in order to do well on the exams. No homework, and gives extra credit. His online notes don't help much so be prepared to write in his class. Great teacher and swears like a sailer.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst classes I've ever taken at UConn. Makes you watch a series of films in class BUT asks INSANELY nitpicky questions about them on the multiple choice exams. Woulda done better on those tests by flipping a coin then actually studying. Also his film sense is awful. Dude said "Showgirls" was one of the best films of the 90's: Nuff' said

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bob is incredibly knowledgeable about film and has interesting (sometimes crazy) insights in life and other subjects. Take notes on what he says and be prepared for exacting multiple choice tests. Make sure to talk to him and ask questions. Once he knows your name you're in for a good grade and interesting conversation.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bob Smith is an American hero and an absolute savage. Teacher of film by day, masked vigilante by night, and absolute stud muffin around the clock. You have to attend his lectures to do well in class as his online notes aren't all that clear and helpful unless you've been to class. He swears like a trucker and is very real with his students.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: DRAM11104152
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Funny, crass, grumpy old man with a good heart. Really listens to students and values their input about work and due dates. You better speak your mind because if you don't then he'll slice you to ribbons. Be honest and refreshing. You can say ANYTHING as long as you back it up. TAKE DRAM 1110 OVER THE WINTER, YOU WATCH AND WRITE WHATEVER YOU WANT!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bob is a good person, but he is a very disorganized teacher. Try to go to every lecture, and make sure you take notes on what he SAYS, not just the notes on the screen (he posts those online anyway). There are only three exams, but sometimes he gives random 1 point pop quizzes in lecture that help A LOT in the long run. Study every little detail.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Some students love him and others hate him--but if you're interested in film, you'll undoubtedly find Bob, and the movies he shows you, endearing. Tests have a reputation for being difficult, but spend a couple of hours immersing yourself in the details of your notes and it's pretty straightforward; the notes he puts on HuskyCT are a great help.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures can be long, even though only 50 minutes. Movies start of very slow, just being no sound, black and white film. He can be funny at times, but his tests are very very hard and sometimes have material that he doesn't cover in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I ignored the negative remarks about this course, because it sounded fun and I figured a gen-ed couldn't be THAT bad. It is. I attended every lecture, took notes, studied on my own and with groups and STILL got a C-. My GPA would be a 3.78 without this course, but instead is a 3.59. The exams do not test what you learn. It is a class of chance.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

This was the worst class I have ever taken. I have never had a problem taking a class before. I am a molecular and cell bio major so am more than willing to put the work in. His tests do not reflect what you learn and the movies are horrible. Avoid taking this class at all costs.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: DRAM1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

At first, his course is unclear and the quizzes are ambiguous with multiple answers, and I was getting C's and D's at first but if you just take notes on only the information that he repeats, you will be fine. He talks a lot but if you show great writing skills, he loves that. He really is an interesting and very genuine professor. Got an A-.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 1110
• 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:

Bob Smith gives only 3 exams, 100 questions in total. He is all over the place when he lectures and many of his exam questions do not even reflect his lectures. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. It should be such an easy class, but it is super difficult. I typically am a straight A student and got a C- even after going to every class and studying for exams.