David Thomas - Ohio University, Athens, OH

Professor: David Thomas

Department: Film

College: Ohio University, Athens, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FILM343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Thomas started off our semester with a clear syllabus but at this point it seems he has thrown it out the door. I don't know what's expected of me and when anything is due. He also spends a good 20 minutes of class talking about politics for whatever reason when he should be teaching screenwriting. He doesn't seem to care at all about teaching.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best film professors I've ever had. Goes out of his way to help students. Extremely smart. Yes, his exams are tough. Welcome to college.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FILM2030
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have written a novel and I think it was less writing than Dr. Thomas' exams. It's excessive, and there is a manic glee with which he administers them. And he rambles. Zone out for a second and he's talking about Scientology and radical Islam. Some of the docs are good, but early ones are totally miserable. Take a different class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FILM2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are pointless, often going into news stories that have nothing to do with what the class is focusing on. He offers horrible notes and pretty much relies on TAs to actually teach the students and TAs can only do so much. His exams are just awful, multiple essay questions regarding topics we've barley covered. Avoid if possible.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FILM2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible class. Crushed any enjoyment I had left of writing and watching movies. Avoid if you can.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FILM2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible class. Crushed any enjoyment I had left of writing and watching movies. Avoid if possible.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FILM2030
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Thomas has a very James Lipton aura around him when it comes to speaking about film. Very smart. I took an intro class so prepare for him to not show up to 13 of the semester. Agree that most of your grade depends on TA's. My TA was very fair and the discussions were good. Documentaries shown were great; book gives answers to arbitrary exam qs

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FILM2010
• 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:

One of the best professors I've taken at OU. He is very passionate about the topic and knows what he's talking about. You may be bored during some of the lectures but he makes quirky jokes to make it less painful. Highly, highly recommended!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FILM2100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Thomas is passionate about film and in general I enjoyed the lectures. He definitely evoked some sympathy at me. However, he sometimes doesn't give enough context when telling a story. Your grade almost entirely depends on your TA, but don't expect this course to have clear guidelines, notes and assignments on Blackboard.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FILM2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Thomas is very knowledgeable about the film business, and it's history, but man does he ramble during lecture. Veers off into pointless stories very often. Also spent several classes informing us about politics & presidential election. Worst professor I've had so far at OU.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FILM343
• 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:

Dr. Thomas is one of those profs in which you either like him or you don't. Personally if you have any issues he always has office hours and is more than willing to assist you. I also had him for FILM 201 which was a large lectured based class. In screenwriting, he is much more personable and easier to talk to.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FILM203
• 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:

The more classes you take with Dr. Thomas, the more he'll grow on you. This class should be taken only by those with an interest in learning more about documentary film. If you're not interested in the subject matter, this class will be wasted on you. A lot of your grade depends on your TA with any of Thomas' classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

Dr. Thomas is clearly knowledgeable and has a passion for film, but very often his own interests dominate discussion. The tests for 201 are difficult just because he pulls a lot of arbitrary facts from the lectures that really have very little bearing otherwise. This is NOT a class for people wanting to watch movies in class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

This class is a joke. If you have a passion for film, it could be a different story. But it is DEFINITELY not cut out for everyone. Dr. Thomas does next to nothing as far as teaching goes. 75% of the time in class is spent watching movies. I could do that at home... I do not recommend this class to anyone.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class totally depends on who you get for your TA. If you get a TA who is nice and understanding, the class isn't all that bad. If you get one who is picky and strict with grading, good luck. I went to office hours a few times and have to say Dr. Thomas is a pretty nice guy. I just wish he didn't rely on TAs so much.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FILM203
• 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:

Boring films, poor teaching, our TA old us that if we wrote some of the information he told us during lecture on the exam that he would mark it wrong. My TA was a tough grader. Dosen't give enough info. Extremily unorganized: the syllabus had many mistakes of due dates and he would give out assignmets last minute. still taking film 201 in fall.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

Dave is not a bad guy-he knows his stuff and I don't get the pretentious vibe at all. He picks some great films to watch and has a good system in terms of the outside work you do and what you need to learn. I've grown to like Dave a lot.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

Take away Dr. Thomas and the TA's and you're left with a pretty good class. Most of the films are worthwhile, but having to listen to Dr. Thomas rambel on and on and get completely off topic is frustrating. I had a terrible TA that graded extremely hard. I'm taking 202 now with a different teacher but an awesome TA. If you don't like your TA switch

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

i really enjoyed this class. some films were snooze fests, but others were very good. it's true, the ta's will save you. my TA gave us all of the answers from previous exams and graded very easily. as long as you go to class and study some, the class is easy, depending on your TA. i definitely recommend this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FILM201
• 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:

I only liked the class because of the material. His lectures are impossible to follow and the TA's can't keep up with him for the overhead either so dont expect to get good notes from lectures, so read--your book will save your ass. Also be prepared for writing 7-8 essays on the exams. I wouldnt take it if I didnt like film at all.