Don Kuiken - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Don Kuiken

Department: Psychology

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO432
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kuiken is a gem! I took his class knowing nothing about the psychology of dreams, and came out impressed by all that I had learned. He's not only an amazing teacher, but he's also a genuinely compassionate human. My only wish is that he taught more undergrad classes. Work hard, read his readings, and ask him Q's. He's amazing! Thanks Dr. K.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO432
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult, even for a 400-level class. 4 papers and 2 exams. His focus for the essays was "perspective comparison", which was difficult for me with the limited instruction/feedback given. Readings of nearly 100 pages/week were a regular occurrence. Lecture style is vague and pretentious. Don't take unless you're actually into dreams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO495
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hard class, weird, difficult content, but a good professor. Willing to help if you ask for it and wanted to see all of his students succeed. Gave special help to anyone not doing well in the class. Always willing to answer questions (that weren't completely stupid). Use the study notes, start the papers early. Pay attention and participate.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH465
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Don't need to go to class! All he does is talk in circles and metaphors. Just do Study Questions and use the forums and you are set. Most study questions are from the readings. Read the study questions first and then just skim the readings for the answers! The study questions from the notes can be answered from the powerpoints or google mostly.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kuiken is the loveliest man- he is so helpful, will do anything to help you out and encourage you. Wonderful man.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYCHABC
• 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:

This prof recieved and Honors with Distinction rating by his students this past year. The course section median response was equal to or greater than 4.0; for Honors with Distinction, the course section median response was greater than 4.0 and at least 45% of the students agreed strongly that the instructor was ?Excellent;?

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYCHXXX
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don is a terrific instructor. He is very clear about expectations for exams and papers. He expects alot of work but the reward is that you learn alot in his classes. The topics he teaches are very interesting and I would highly recommend him as an instructor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Intellectually arrogant, petty, and incredibly self-absorbed. Can't see beyond the chin on his own face. Expect to be buried in a pile of work and dismissively patronized unless you brown-nose enough to be considered "expectional" enough to bother with.

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

:(((((((((((((((((

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Excellent instructor. Goes beyond the surface of course content and delves into the depths of the real (implicated) issues. He makes you think and he makes you learn. Strong lectures build on eachother at a fast pace, since he throws a pile of information at you. Don is ALWAYS available to students and encourages you to talk with him about material

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO432
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Often presented material and terms in class that were not elaborated upon but tested. Assigned way too many readings and assignments, no course pack. Made himself available for students by appt though he didn't have office hours. Take this class if you want to be worked over by a heavy workload, though the material when made concise was interesting

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Kuiken was not always clear in class, but would gladly clarify during his office hours- ALWAYS making himself available for students. Take lots of notes- more important to read the underlying currents of the text and material you're covering. I found him to be an EXCELLENT prof who respects students who work hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO485
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I wish I had dropped this course when I had the chance.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH485
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Pompous and arrogant - for no reason! Very unclear about his own stance on the readings or anything else! Doesn't seem to like students. Unavailable for help - no office hours?????! Maybe he's tired of teaching???

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At one point he told the class that none of us should be working jobs or having families because we should be completely devoted to our education while in university... sure, does he want to pay our tuition?

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Stay away from this professor and his courses!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Very unhelpful prof. Cold in his dealings with students. Don't take his class unless you are an exceptional student and never expect any individual help. Lord forbid office hours!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYCO405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Don expects a lot of his students (justifiably so), and many will find the course work difficult. However, Don is very helpful and always willing to talk, and those interested in the courses he teaches will learn much and enjoy themselves in the process.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH402
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hard class but fun with such an small group. Don really opened up to our smaller audience.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had him for Psych of Dreams. One of the toughest classes I've ever had. Very very unclear notes, talks too fast, next to impossible exams, not very friendly.