Brian Obach - SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Professor: Brian Obach

Department: Sociology

College: SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Social statistics class. Ask questions and he will clearly explain. Unit quizzes helpful for midterm and final. HW did not go over and I didn't do it. Midterm and cumulative final, but final focused on second half. Highly recommend for this class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The professor is unintentionally lecture based. He tries to have the class participate but fails to do so. He has us in a circle as if it was a Socratic seminar. Although he fails to have the class engaged, he does bring up good topics and assigns great readings. He only gives a midterm, a paper, and a final. He usually assigns only readings.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• 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:

Interesting class it definitely helps if you want to learn about sociology. I liked some topics more than others but overall good class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a great teacher, tests are average. Discussion on blackboard, 5 short answer, short essay. 3 tests 1 final paper. Paper is mostly opinion based, not much to worry about. Lecture and conversation based but he'll call on you to get you to participate. Gives thorough studyguides, xtr credit for visiting him in office hours.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I like Professor Obach, but he's not very engaging. The info is interesting, but I find myself zoning out a lot. He assigns a lot of long readings and he does expect people to participate in class, so beware of that. Overall I like him, but he isn't my favorite.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC493
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for Soc of Food and Ag, and he was... okay. Definitely not the worst, but also not the best. I would not be afraid if a class with him was my only option, but don't be afraid to choose another course/professor over him. Effort is definitely needed. The readings were all super long. Don't leave them till the last minute! Speak in class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Learning statistic in this class was awesome, it was interactive and interesting to keep up with and it was well explained. Math could be challenging for most people so it be Social Statistic is another fear factor for some people, and I am glad to say class to say that this class being thought by Professor Obach put me at ease.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC493
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not sure how I feel about him. Really nice guy and caring outside of class. Took him for Food & Agriculture, he's really knowledgeable on the subject and expects a lot from his students. Very tough grader and I felt like I could never read him as he's very vague. Very attractive though. He means well but I wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC317
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I've ever had, very informative and eye-opening class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a horrible teacher but unfortunately I don't really understand why everyone raves about him. Not very engaging, test format was ridiculous and I didn't get much out of the class which was disappointing, especially since environmental studies are his thing. Nice guy and means well though, just wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENVISOC
• 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:

Really great professor. Didn't miss any classes, he actually held my interest- also really hot. Kind of a hard grader- you have to study. Not crazy study though. Definitely take the class- opened my eyes to alot of things

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: NEWS101
• 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:

good man. in to the subject. keeps things interesting. yay questionable authorities!!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC3
• 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:

Excellent professor! I've had him 3 times now, and I wish he was more. He has very liberal viewpoints and he's not shy about sharing them but it's ok cause he's very good at listening to what students have to say. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC100
• 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:

great professor, passionate about the subject, has eye opening viewpoints and is open to discussion. attendance is required, tests are few, and i loved how a textbook wasn't needed, he putall readings on blackboard for us! just a generally awesome guy, got me interested in sociology as a major

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC100
• 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 LOVED prof obach. opened up his student's eyes to a lot of new viewpoints and opinions without seeming condescending and pushy. really chill guy, easy to approach if you need help. his tests are pretty hard, 5 short answers and an essay with a lot of the material coming from class lectures, so class is mandatory if you want to pass.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOCALL
• 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:

He is one of the WORST TEACHERS I have ever had at New Paltz. He is a self centered man that does not work with the students. I would never take his classes. He is also a very unfair grader.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC100
• 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:

i <3 obach.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INTROSOC
• 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:

I did not care for this professor. The take home "exams" in this class were as lengthy as in an upper level, writing intensive senior seminar. It is supposed to be an Introductory course! The workload should not be the same as a writing intensive class. He is also bad about returning emails and calls, but to be fair, some students liked him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• 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:

not a horible prof. but some of the things he would say made him sound like a jerk. I know it's an into class, but i felt like i was back in high school. no need to avoid him, i just didn't find him very engaging.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: INTRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting prof. Although he is monotone and intro is not as easy as people assume. You have to go to class and take good notes in order to do well on his tests. Much of test material covered in class because there is no textbook. He is not very helpful outside of class which can be a problem but otherwise very good professor-knows his stuff