Stephen Shipps - Emerson College, Boston, MA

Professor: Stephen Shipps

Department: Fine Arts

College: Emerson College, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ARTIST
• 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:

Amazing class! Amazing professor! Twenty years later I still of this class, the discussions, readings and how it made my brain hurt! It was worth it! Again, another great class at Emerson that taught me critical analysis! Thanks, Steve!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ARTIST
• 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:

One of the best classes I ever took at Emerson! Prof. Shipps is a true teacher! Twenty years later and I still think of this class and his lectures, discussions with enthusiasm! Thank you!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: VM123
• 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:

Artist and Making of Meaning. This guy-- no BS-- changed my life entirely. I don't know how any self-respecting human being could say they didn't get anything from the class. If you didn't get anything, you didn't understand anything. Detractors are simply people unworthy of Shipps' greatness.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: VM105
• 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:

I'll be honest at first I hated him b/c he was very confusing. Then I grew to like him b/c he grades reasonably on papers, takes the class on field trips to the MFA, and he is an oldie. He lets you out early every day, and he will like you better if you set up individual appts w/ him to discuss projects or papers. As of right now I'm gonna miss him

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: VM210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have taken two classes with Shipps because I love him so much. He's hilarious, and extremely smart, and he really wants you to get it. Artist and the Making of Meaning is a fantastic course - you'll think about everything differently! Hurry up and take a Shipps class before he retires.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: VM105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. Very funny. Taught me a lot of helpful information about art that I didn't know existed. Class was always let out early but he did have strict grading.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ART101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took intro to visual art fall 09 semester, I would have had a C- for the term since that was pretty much the grade I got back on everything (which was not a lot) BUT I met with Steve several times and he was so happy that I wanted to improve my grade. I got an A for the term because I put so much extra work in. He's that kind of guy. TAKE CLASS.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• 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:

I ran out of room before, and I wanted to say that in spite of my frustration with missing the boat and not getting everything Steve taught, I did manage to learn something and wanted to clarify that Steve does go out of his way to help students; at the time, I didn't think my questions were addressed. I still recommend the course. Have an open min

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

In response to that last comment: writing a lot doesn't guarantee you a thing. I wrote 12 1/2 pages and ended up with a less than stellar grade because I didn't write about my list in its own terms but in terms of the show that gave rise to it. The class was interesting, but Shipps grades EXTREMELY hard. I didn't find him that helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• 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:

Classes end 45min early. A third of classes aren't required. Reading is optional. Your entire grade is the midterm and term paper (& if you just write a lot for them, he'll give you an A+). So it's a pretty easy way of fulfilling your aesthetic requirement. But Shipps teaches interesting content, and if you do put effort in you can learn something.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: VM105
• 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:

A very interesting man to listen to in lectures, even if they go on for a little too long. Very few assignments although that makes it hard to recover after a bad grade. He was absent a lot this past year, but aside from that the class went very smoothly. Definitely recommended for people interested in the class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• 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:

In response to the last comment, his teaching style and attitude are not a matter of "constructive criticism." This man is an egomaniac and a completely heartless and rude one at that. He doesn't seem to care about students at all and doesn't have anything inspiring or interesting to say ever. He's a wicked man and the worst prof. I've ever had.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: VM1111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is the most wonderful professor I've ever had. He is an incredible speaker and the best thing I've gotten out of Emerson. In response to the negative comments about him, I believe any good professor will give a student constructive criticism so that they will learn. These negative comments are from students who cannot handle any criticism.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IN139
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Had him for Art?History?. Terribly rude and immature for an elderly man. Attacked me personally, and simply told me my opinions were downright wrong. He is pretentious, arrogant and crude. I do not recommend this course if you want a professor who respects you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Steve Shipps in the meanest, most self-righteous and pretentious man I have ever encountered. He attacks people personally for no reason whatsoever and has absolutely no useful or encouraging ideas about art. I would like a refund for the time and money I invested in his class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• 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:

Steve Shipps has changed my life. The way I think about the world is different because of him. He's an extremely entertaining human being. If you go to Emerson, you are doing yourself a huge disservice if you never have him as a professor. He's witty, and extremely insightful. He's one of those professors you remember forever!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• 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:

I'm taking this class right now and it is a MUST if you're an Emerson student. It totally changes the way you think about art and life for that matter. If you want to take a mindless class than this is not it! I'm sorry, but you have to do more than parrot back lectures in this class about thinking about art. Steve is an amazing teacher and artist!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: VA200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Steve Shipps's class was the best class I took at Emerson, and perhaps the most useful. It's been over a year after I took his class, and I am still constantly referring back to his comments and lectures. He's absolutely hilarious, and will assist you with anything. He was awesome, and I wish I had taken all of his classes!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: VM218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you disagree with the way he views the world, his classes can be obnoxious. A lot of people think he's brilliant but I found him to be close-minded, conceited and boring. He will respond to 90% of comments made in his class with "no" or "wrong."

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ART101
• 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:

Almost a decade after graduation, I think of the Shipps class I took all the dang time. His kindness, his chops, and his peculiar insight are all astounding. You will always remember what 'Shibo' is. You will never look at a piece of art the same way. Heck, I even bought his book!