Tsuyoshi Kawasaki - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: Tsuyoshi Kawasaki

Department: Political Science

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL446
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took one of his upper level Political Science courses last year and despite the rigor he puts you through, the stuff you learn is extremely practical. I can honestly say my level of academic writing would not be where it is at had I not taken his course. For his lower division courses, however, I had a friend tell me he is actually rather easy,

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He isn't a horrible prof and lectures aren't that bad. He requires us to hand in a journal every week (which require quite a bit of effort), basically a 1000 word essay every week that counts for 1.5% of your grade and he doesn't give any feedback on them which scares me. I liked the class at first but it began to became dreadful after some time.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL449
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you dont mind he's strong accent and put effort, you will do fine. He's generous enough to not easily fail you, but he won't give easy A's either. You will do fine as long as you read EVERY reading and put time to think about those. The thing is, you will do fine in every other courses if you put the kind of effort to do well in HIS class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL381
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The textbook is extremely biased for Japan. The lecture was meaningless to sit there and listen but gotta attend for the attendance. He is deterministic in interpreting political matters, rather than being more objective or neutral. I think he sometimes confuses himself in distinguishing Realism, Constructivism and Liberalism.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

At a first year level, Kawasaki cannot be any more forgiving. Understanding that most take this course as an elective he structures his course as such: Attend class, do the weekly response questions (prep for the midterm/final), and complete exams which require no critical thinking and you will do absolutely great. Get to know him beyond ASC101 :).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The textbook is worthless, he says so himself... At least I think that's what he said. Most of the lecture's were completely unintelligible. As far as writing a final paper goes, you better be able to read Japanese, there were nearly NO English language sources for information. If you need to ask him a question... good luck getting an answer.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

he's aight... just memorize EVERYTHING off the worksheets and you'll be good for the midterm and final

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL446
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible professor. I could not understand anything he said all semester because of his strong asian accent. He told our class that the final exam wouldn't be too difficult and it ended up being one of the hardest exam i have ever written. AVOID HIM at all costs.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this guy takes an attendence everyday by handing out signing cards and it will reflect on ur mark..... be aware

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL381
• 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:

A very witty, funny prof. I really enjoyed his Japanese politics class. Highly recommended.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You can tell he enjoys teaching. Can be funny but mostly very dry. I hate how he runs the class like high-school. Takes attendance TWICE to make sure you stay the whole time and doesn't allow food. Unnecessary since you can pass just by taking notes from the book. Make sure you do the key terms from his handouts!! And you'll be just fine.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

Course consisted of two tests and marks for attendance. The 3 hour lectures were BORING to say the least. Pretty much spend most of the semester memorizing the hand-out given out and you'll be fine. The book isn't really used besides background reading. A very small portion of the book material is tested.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

I dreaded this class every week and couldn't wait to leave 5 mins into the class. He can't communicate information well and is just plain bad at teaching. Can't believe he's the director of ASC!!! I want to drop my ASC Extended Minor because of him. Anyone else can replace him and be 100x better.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

Extremely boring class and terrible professor. He gives no breaks and when someone gets up to use the washroom he completely chews them out for it. Completely crazy. Didn't help me at all when I went to his office hours. Don't take his courses!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

he's a super super funny prof!! he played sailormoon and doraemon during the break so we could relax! he does have a thick accent but most of the time its not tat hard to understand what he's saying..easy materials..just do the weekly assignments and memorize his handout..i'd say the lowest u can get is a B!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

this is an extremely easy class! definitely a GPA booster!! all u have to do is to attend all his lectures and do 10 weekly statements and u get 20% free!!! midterm and final are 40% each!! but all u have to do is to memorize brief dates and u will definitely ace the exam!! everyone take this class!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Refer to the post below. I literally Laugh Out Loud, as the guy left the exam room. Anywayz, Tsuyoshi gives easy exams, and jokes around in class. Though his lecture are exetremly boring, the notes he gives u are mandatory on the exam so be prepare to memorize it=)

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

Cool guy! Very funny too! He was giving this guy late to the finals a hard time taking his jacket and all haha...turned out the student was at the wrong exam anyways LOL. Exams were super fair. Attendance very important for the marks. Though accent is a bit heavy, it's nothing to worry about. This prof is very knowledgeable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Highly reccomend!! Easy course with easy midterm/final and 10 weekly assignments(check upon completion) IF you are looking for a booster, this is the right choice, though his lectures are boring, however, you'll be surprised at easiness of this introductory course =)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASC101
• 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:

Very unorganized, very boring class. Don't ever take this class. You will bound to fall asleep and cannot hear him at all with his heavy accent.BRUTAL CLASS