Curtis Hoffman - Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA

Professor: Curtis Hoffman

Department: Anthropology

College: Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH410
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Hoffman is the man. Ive had him for 2 classes and for 2 sessions of fieldwork, hes also my advisor. Hes crazy smart, but honestly just a tad socially disconnected. He expects a lot from his students & his classes are far from easy, but youll learn a lot. You get what you give in his classes, put in the work and it will relfect in your grade.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH103
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is an intro course but was treated like an upper level class. Going into the class with no knowledge of the subject is not smart. He is all knowing in archaeology but lacks the ability or motivation to actually teach students. The book was barely used and would often just give personal accounts to his life unrelated to class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH216
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you don't have any interest in anthropology don't take this class with him, I was confused thought out the whole semester and he was not willing to listen or help. He expects you to know about the stuff. I felt really stupid in this class. There are 3 presentations, 10-15 pages paper considered final and you have to participate in a class debate

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH204
• 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:

I took this class as part of my humanities requirement. Don't just randomly take his class unless you have an anthropology background. That being said, he's remarkably intelligent and while his lectures are long, they are interesting. Quizzes are based off the readings (which you have to do) and tests are based on lectures (take good notes).

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would not recommend to take Professor Hoffman if you are taking his class to fulfill a core requirement. He assumes that every student has prior archaeology interest and knowledge. He makes students feel stupid when they answer a question wrong and his assignments take hours to complete. Do not take him unless you need to.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH103
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this professor unless you have a genuine interest in archaeology. Took him for an intro level course and there was far too much work and the material was too complicated for intro. He is very vague in what he expects. He is a nice man but without archaeology background you will go crazy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTH340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hoffs is a wicked chill professor. If you don't have a genuine interest in the topic though, don't take a class with him. His assignments are reasonable and make you think. He is ALWAYS willing to help if you ask. His lectures can be a little confusing, but he is always willing to answer questions. Quotes Monty Python A LOT. 4/5 stars overall!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hoffman comes off tough but it's just to make you think. Assignments are meant to make you think about what you are learning but he grades them easy. He's always willing to help if you ask and love people who are opinionated! His classes are geared for Anthro majors. I love his nature tunics and he is tough on the outside but is soft inside! :)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTH305
• 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:

1 in class exam, 3 essays. Opportunity for essay revisions, also gives helpful comments. Lots of assigned reading, but found it more or less optional. Lecture style with opportunity for class discussions. Liked his teaching style, but not easy. Serious students, take him!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTH103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For those of you that are serious students who care about getting the best education you can, please take Dr. Hoffman. Put in the extra effort to ask him questions outside of class (or even during class) if you don't understand something! He is an awesome guy, and you'll succeed with him if you TRY!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTH111
• 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:

FIRST OF ALL worst teacher i have ever had in my career of LEARNING.SECOND of allhe wears these ridiculous smocks.Gives you an assignment that he calls the impossible assignment& says he grades you on the way you struggle.like what?says attendance doesnt matter then BAM,last class he notifies you how many days you missed and its 5% of your grade

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTH199
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was extremely boring, not that hard to get at least a B though. I had absolutely no interest in the subject what so ever. I wouldn't recomend taking him, but he wasn't that terrible. I felt kind of bad for sleeping all the time in class though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTH404
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Was so happy to see a class like this offered on campus & even more that it was so well organized. Was weary with all the comments I've heard about him, but he's truly an incredible & intelligent prof. Awesome class if you're interested in topic & put effort in. Hope to take this prof. again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTH404
• 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:

Class was about the constructs of human consciousness within our culture. he is intelligent and speaks slow so that you can write everything he says. Some may say he's hard to follow but it's probably just because they are not intelligent enough to follow along... you have to have the ability to comprehend culture to understand!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A great understanding teacher if you care about anthropology and archaeology. He is a great man for saving valuable history by preserving the Middleburo fields. Also if you were on the trip to Jordan, you would know the two girls were at fault as well. They lost their passports. Also Jordan is quite progressive and they are pro women rights.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTH199
• 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:

Horrible teacher. Talks about all of the "digs" that he has done. Doesn't care about the students, but about all of the things he has accomplished. The name of the seminar was "Who Owns the Past?" He thinks he owns the past. He wouldn't let the Middleboro Little League build a new field because he wanted to dig there for 10 years. Painfully boring.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTH199
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He may look like Santa, but he does not act like him. He obviously knew his stuff, but he went out of his way to make you feel dumb. If you answered any of his questions, he would always give you a follow up question that you wouldn't know. He did give good comments on papers. I would suggest that only Anthropology and Archaeology majors take him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This guy LEFT 3 students in Jordan on a study tour because they had passport problems. If you want a teacher who gives a crap about anyone....he is NOT for you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTH201
• 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:

Took Myth & Culture. I had no background knowledge but he really knows his stuff. Can be hard to follow but not impossible. As a writing intensive class hes great giving multiple chances at doing well. And only 2 "surprise quizzes" that are subjective and you just need to be kind of on the right track with information. Great professor!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTH340
• 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:

Extremely intelligent. His classes are mainly writing intensive. Great teacher if you are into anthropology.