Gerald Shenk - California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA

Professor: Gerald Shenk

Department: Social Science

College: California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SBS315
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As a white male, I was unprepared to see US history through a foreign lens (the oppressed). The readings of this class are intended to make you feel the pain of the author/subject. The Culprit of every story is the white heterosexual man. This class dissects US foreign and domestic relations with its own people and others. Very hard to digest.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man is hands down one of the best professors I've had! I had him for SBS350 last Fall and for pro seminar when I transferred in two years ago. Professor Shenk is a very intelligent person who is very passionate about what he teaches.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I love hate this teacher. Hate him bc of all the work but love him bc this was one of the best classes I've ever taken. He's passionate about the subjects he teaches and very knowledgeable. Sad to see him retire but feel lucky that I took this class. It was so hard tho I had to read 5 books and numerous articles. It is a ton of work but worth it

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SBS300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shenk is an excellent professor. He is very clear on what he expects, and easy to approach with questions or concerns. Make sure to read and keep up with assignments, as it is easy to fall behind.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SBS300
• 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:

Dr. Shenk is not the professor he used to be based on previous reviews. He is difficult and hard to work with. Can at times be passive aggressive in his interactions with students. Shenk doesn't lecture or teach anything, your on your own to understand social theory for the class. He doesn't believe in giving the full points on essay assignments.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SBS300
• 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:

This is one of the best profs at CSUMB. He is so thoughtful and open minded. He something to offer everyone and in his humbleness derives respect. This class changed the way I looked at writing papers, and my self identity. Shenk is very overworked as all teachers especially at CSUMB, but his lectures don't suffer... Take HIM!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shenk is a fantastic professor. Smart, interesting, and involved. He is a brilliant man with an unconventional style of teaching. I did not want to miss a day of class because I always learned so much. I highly recommend taking a class with Gerald. You won't regret it!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• 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:

I don't think Gerald and I agreed on much beyond "how to breathe," but that wasn't the point. I learned a TON from him and he was always encouraging of ideas even if he didn't agree with them. Very smart man with a ton to offer students who don't get caught up strictly in the emotional side of the content and want to really think things through.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Real discussions, difficult, insightful reading assignments. A++ Professor. He doesn't alienate students and works to create a positive learning environment. Very receptive to student input-so if you tell him know what you like/dislike he will address it by the next class. That's not something you can say about many professors.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SBS385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great class, great instructor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have taken 3 classes with Gerald and he was my advisor. Wonderful guy, but can be very forgetful and busy. His teaching style is very loose and unstructured. Much of the content and structure of the classs is decided by the students. Encourage him to lecture, his lectures blow minds. Lots of reading and writing, which can be hard at times.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• 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:

Good teacher, when he teaches. TAs, for whom the sole selection criterion appears to be that they've already taken the course, too often "teach" the class. I feel cheated by this; I'm paying to learn from a trained scholar, not from angry, wayward children.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SBS300
• 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:

The class in general is an extreme waste of time. The teacher is very good. I feel sorry for those who don't get to take it with him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 350381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gerald puts his own warped social vision in front of school policy and common sense. You don't level the playing field by turning white students into second-class citizens. I know it sounds crazy, but this is exactly what he does, which for me ruined the entire experience. I'm a proud liberal myself BTW, but he discredits the progressive movement.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• 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:

He makes you think about things that question your prior belief structures. He is a very good instructor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SBS350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading, decent amount of writing in DR. Gerald is a nice guy and helpful, however he is busy and gets distracted easily. He will help you out but you have to keep on him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SBS381
• 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:

awesome teacher. good man, helped me out of many jams. cares a lot about his students. lots of reading but it is managable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SBS315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't return work in a timely manner. No tests. No real evaluation of work. A TON OF READING. Plan on reading for many hours with this class. Don't let him cancel a class for any reason because he'll expect that you come to his house to make up that missed class. Nice guy otherwise.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SBS381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing professor. But his ability as an advisor isn't so great. I always feel like I'm bugging him when I have questions about capstone or graduation.