James Gaines - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: James Gaines

Department: Modern Languages

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FREN300S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Gaines is the professor you want to take if you have no interest in learning French. He's a brilliant man, but gets off topic, and doesn't require French to be spoken at all times in class. That being said, his classes are very easy. Also he NEVER emails you back.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FREN202A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hughes is a super laid back, nice professor. He rarely speaks French in class, which is fine in my opinion. He is extremely knowledgable and has interesting stories. I would definitely recommend taking a class with him!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FREN102
• 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'm surprised to read all these good reviews... he just kinda sits there. he requires that you do all of the online bookwork, which is time-consuming and of negligible helpfulness. even bs-ing it is time-consuming. i've learned more about monsieur gaines than french this semester. now we've taken to watching videos from the '80s over and over again

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FREN101
• 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:

Lots of pairing work, sit next to someone you like. Tests took up the entire period, leaving no time to check your work (which sucked!) make sure you do the entire workbook, all the textbook activities, all the video modules, they will help you SO much. Be active in class, and go every day...really.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FREN102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took Gaines for 101 and 102, and he is great. Class is based on french immersion and youre always doing group activities. Just do all your homework and classwork and study, and youll do fine. Plus, Gaines is awesome..pretty funny and has a great personality.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FREN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gaines is one of the best French professors in the department, especially for "beginners." He is very clear about the material and a fair grader. Taking his classes made me consider majoring in French.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FREN201
• 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:

I've had Gaines since FREN 101, and he is by far the BEST French teacher. Helpful, sympathetic, funny, and easy class. You must go to class and do the small daily assignments, though.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FREN201
• 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:

Doc Gaines is such a fun professor and great for non-French majors. Class is very participation-based and he really breaks down the information in the text. He does a great job of making sure everybody understands the material.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FRENC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gaines reminds me of santa. He's a really jovial, easy going guy and extremely intelligent. The 300 classes are loosely structured and consist of a little bit of grammar, going over homework but mostly random conversation. Take him if you're not a French major. Willing to help outside of class. Great guy, pretty good teacher.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FREN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I LOVE HIM!!! he is hilarious. i took french in high school, but this is WAY better. I did okay in the class, but whatever. I LOVE HIM!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FREN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Doc Gaines is a crazy man. Lectures consisted mostly of weird girls asking him questions about his life...and he spends approx. 15 mins answering each question- LOVES to talk about himself. Other than that, class work was easy and tests weren't too bad. Don't take this class if you didn't study French in high school.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FREN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. Tests are somewhat hard, but I took 4 years of french. Go to class, there are sometimes quizes, but they are not graded super seriously. Plus these quizes will help you on the test. Follows the textbook pretty carefully. Do the homework, it is an easy grade and the workbook. Had chance for extra credit.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FREN412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best.Class.Ever. Gets off topic but it still is useful. Who *doesn't* want to know how to say "gravedigger" in french? Only upper-level major class that I liked.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FREN102
• 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:

Class is mostly about going over exercises in the book in groups. Grades are basically workbook exercises and tests. Definately a good prof to take for french.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FREN01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice teacher. We do all the exercises in the book in groups. As long as you study a bit you will do fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 201AND202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you're not a french major, this is the professor for you! Attendance counts and tests can be difficult, but overall it really isn't bad. He gives plenty of opportunities for extra credit. Gaines is the only french professor at UMW who understands that learning a language is, in fact, diffcult for many.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FREN102
• 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:

Very good class, he's probably the best french teacher I've ever had. Tests need to be studied for, and he does take attendance. I would take another one of his classes in a heartbeat.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FREN312326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gaines is the nicest teacher on earth. He is a genius and tells wonderful stories during class. Extremely helpful and interesting, even when the topic is not. He always adds little tidbits about a subject. I would take any class he offered, even if it was on eating bugs in French.haha.TAKE HIS CLASS

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FREN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's the only french teacher at UMW that understands that BEGINNING French is for beginners. Go to class, study a bit and you'll do fine. Do the workbook b/c he grades it and it does help overall. He's j'amazing!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FREN201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He knows French very well but doesn't shove it down you throat. Speaks about 50% French, 50% English in class, and encourages students to always speak French, but doesn't make you.He's also funny and tells good stories. I learned a lot and really enjoyed his class.