Herbert Smith - Northern Virginia Community College (all campuses), All Campuses, VA

Professor: Herbert Smith

Department: Music

College: Northern Virginia Community College (all campuses), All Campuses, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He wants you to challenge and find yourself which I respect. That said, he was a waste of my time. he just talks and repeats on and on about how europeans/america/white people ruined everything and play music. you learn on your own. not hard to earn a decent grade easy, just show up and work on other classes when you get tired of his rambling

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This mans is extra and crazy... Do not take this class if you don't like getting picked on. He takes up the whole 3 hours of class,. He barely even teaches, he puts on music on Youtube and talks about the most random stuff. Literally you have to learn the material your self for the exams. 2 are take home, also don't get the textbook u don't need it

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC473
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The minute this prof open his mouth, I instantly had respect for him. He is a very knowledgable gentleman and he is fair - sample questions given in the syllabus as well as entire schedule. His class on Death and Dying has an erie feel to it when it begins, but it quickly zooms in/out with a sociological approach that nods to Freud and others..

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS159
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He teaches in a way that not only shows you the basics of form and function, but he also creates an environment that shows you how to study, and be self sufficient-dedicated to a craft. Truly incredible, 10/10 would take it again.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS225
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Smith is an awesome historian as well as musician. He can take you back to a historical moment in music and allow you to feel the struggles, processes and creativity that inspired the change in the world through music. Prof. Smith taught me more than music, but the history that challenges each of us.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hes not a conventional teacher. The assignments are a very long study guide for a 90 question test (not as hard as it sounds trust me), 2 take-home exams and a pop quiz of some vocab. A lot of his lecture includes talking about some music on youtube or about life itself. Dont take this class if you dont like getting picked on a lil. Its fun imo

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Smith is such a weird professor. We don't really do much in class. We just listen to random music on YouTube and he takes attendance. Attendance and exams make up the grades so show up to class to get those easy points. Overall, I wouldn't take him again because I didn't learn anything.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is probably the worst professor ever! He doesn't even teach for most of the class. He just goes on and on about how America is a lie, asks students if they want to fight, or makes fun of his students. He expects us to learn the material ourselves by handing us a 40 page packet & says it's due in 2 weeks. DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

he is the best

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST159
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The man is either crazy or brilliant. I disagree with his political views and almost everything he stands for, BUT, he will challenge you to grow as a person. This is a spiritual almost religious class it its own way. Disagree with his methods if you want but NOVA is so lucky to have this ranting lunatic. Please please take his class. I loved it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUS159
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

An authentic, caring and incredibly talented musician who takes the time to teach and REACH -sometimes unorthodox in his methods, yes -but I learned to respect and appreciate jazz, it's history and context thanks to Herb. I had to participate and be willing to learn (note: does not mean you have to agree with EVERYTHING!) NOVA is LUCKY to have him

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I don't know why everyone is so sensitive. His class involves lectures of classical music and some of his experiences, if sensitive and take what people say to heart even if for a fact hes not serious, dont take his class. He gets his students to interact with one another In no way does he disrespect our country or the military, hes air force

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A poor excuse of a professor. You are nearly wasting your time going to class, but he requires attendance. He uses a lot of class to lecture about random ideological things, and then he hands you a packet to learn about music yourself. He is also very manipulative and can subtlety intimidate his students. I would avoid.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This is a man who means well but holds a grudge. He is very unprofessional, and he lets his political views and grudges that he says he doesn't have influence his lectures. Don't believe everything he says. Read as much into everything as you can. He expects you to to self teach mostly. He's friendly, but I strongly suggest another teacher.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUS225
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've had several of his courses as well as private lessons and learned tons. Some may think he's ranting or rambling but Herb is all about getting you to try to understand how the musician THINKS and what informs this music. Any one can practice notes but music isn't just about chords and theory. It has a story and a history. Its not like PS4.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very Good!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS225
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It was the single worst class I have ever taken! I had to consciously try not to listen to his incoherent bigotry and ignorant theories. Please take a class from any other professor I beg of you!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• 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:

Herb Smith is the worst teacher I've ever had. He's hates whites, verbally abuses students, teaches nothing but expects you to magically know the material, bashes on America, disrespects the military, religion & people. He claims to be open minded but cusses you out when you try to debate him. Save your money & time, don't take this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS121
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

OMGGGG loved him sooo much! he doesnt use blackboard or email bc hes kinda well old. BUT HES SO SWEET! once u get on his good side u will love him. hes so wise. at first i was worried bc of his reviews bc they said he was loud and scary. HE IS LOUD but definitely not scary. just show up to class ON TIME and participate very well n ull get an A!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS225
• 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:

Unbelievable. First day of class, he talked about random stuff, completely irrelevant to the course, did not go through the syllabus, put on music just to sing and dance to it,....i felt like i was wasting my money and time there. I felt disturbed when he picked on some students and verbally insulted them. He shouldnt be teaching.