Bill Belk - University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Professor: Bill Belk

Department: Communication

College: University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Taking a summer course is a challenge, but it was a pleasure taking COM 101 with Professor Belk. No TA was involved, he handled both lectures and speeches. He was very knowledgeable and made learning exciting. I'm grateful for the interest he shows in his students and his efforts to ensure their success in the course.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Straightforward professor but really difficult class. You have to get the online textbook and a course packet that he himself put together. The course packet is quite useless and more of a money scam. Initially did not like the class but as long as you follow the outlines you will do well and might compete at the end of the year speech competition.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• 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:

Your overall COM101 experience is very much dependent on the TA you get - Belk doesn't factor into your class experience nearly as much. That being said, I found him to be really smart and entertaining. Every single lecture, rubric, and due date is available to you from day one, so you can work ahead if need be. The class is structured perfectly.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It all depends on the TA. Mine was great, so I didnt hate class. This class was more how about well you write research papers instead of how well you speak in public. Yes, thats definitely a component, but its also the reason why people who stutter may get better grades than those who dont. Lectures are boring, quizzes are easy, exams are hard.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It is a shame that this class is mandatory for all majors as they literally throw you in here with no guidance on what to do other than to look at the "mandatory" course pack that you WILL actually use once or twice. The classes are overseen by TA's and for the most part, they have strict grading so getting even a C is a miracle.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are not already comfortable with public speaking this will be a difficult class to take. Without any practice of speaking in front of the class, you are toughly graded the first time. If you are comfortable with public speaking this class should be fairly easy, it was for me. Just show up and actually do the speeches.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I am taking this class because it is required for me as an undergrad. The speeches are not that bad, but the tests and quizzes are what stresses me out.I just want to get this class over with.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Get ready to put in some crazy hours on those speeches, and study hard for the midterm/final.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I appreciate his spunk but his lectures are unbelievably boring. He makes attendance mandatory though so if you want your grade to accurately reflect the work you put into the course, you've got to show up. Kind of annoying that you have to buy his $15 "coursepack" which you'll use exactly two pages of the entire semester.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COM102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a hybrid class taught by a GA. It is well organized and the lectures are online. Three speeches, one mid-term, one final. A ton of work, but if you pick topics you enjoy it will make the class infinitely better. Overall, a helpful class, but a ton of info to learn for the tests and a ton of work. Go to class, you'll be fine.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class is taught by TA. I had Patrice B. as a TA she was pretty awesome. There are 3 speeches follow their outline exactly this is not the time for you to get creative and show that you can organize your speech differently they will fail you if you do that plus it's harder so why?

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It's hard to believe this is a 101 class. Lectures are unbearably boring. Grades were ridiculously harsh. Makes attendance mandatory. The things you have to learn are extremely specific. Unless you have a photographic memory you'll have a tough time. I have absolutely no idea why this course is required. Can't wait to get this class over with.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It taught me how to be a good speaker, but it did not teach me how to not hate public speaking. I took the hybrid COM 101 class, and the lectures that he posts aren't bad. I went to him for office hours and he is very approachable. But honestly I hated this class and did not feel like I gained anything but regret.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Belk is passionate about what he teaches. Almost everyone at UNLV has to take this class as a requirement. This class is hard for a 101 class. Most people hate on this class because they approach it with the mindset that its another bs requirement for a major. Approach it positively and you will do fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

How to pass this class 1: Don't buy book. Go to library and photocopy necessary pages. Find friend who previously took class, bum off their study guide. Study guide is key to your A's on the 2 exams. Attend all classes. Maximum of 5 absences before point deduction @ 2%/additional absence. 3 speeches you must do well on.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Disappointing class. This 101 class had plenty of opportunity to make public speaking interesting, instead the way the class is designed is a bore. Speech topic selection is limited so you'll end up talking about something you don't care about which will limit your creativity. This lack of creativity will then reflect on your grade. Pick a good TA.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• 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:

He's not a very good lecturer. It might've been the auditorium we were in but it was so hard to hear him and he doesn't turn enough lights off so his powerpoints are washed out and hard to read. He goes through slides so fast you can't even take notes. Not a fan of the way he lectures though

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Not necessarily taught by Professor Belk, but rather numerous TA's. This class is easy enough if you learn to face your fears of public speaking while putting some time and effort into making your speeches good. This class is pretty straightforward. The midterm and final are solely based on the lectures that everyone has the transcript available.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took his class spring of 2015 and he was a decent Professor. If you are a communication major and passionate about it then i would suggest him. He has long lectures and tries to crack some jokes but they are usually dry. He is very knowledgeable about the material but when presenting, it gets lost in translation. Overall, he is an decent professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Belk is a boring professor that just talks about the powerpoint during the entire lecture. More than half the semester was spent with TA in discussion. You have 3 speeches, 1 midterm, 1 final. 2 audience analysis. TA is a hard grader but willing to help. 3 Speeches took me at least 30 hours to write up out of classroom from beginning to end.