James Stewart - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: James Stewart

Department: Physics

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHYS115
• 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:

Jim is a nice guy when it comes to talking to him, and in general, but as a professor he is by far the worst one I have had in my entire academic career! He tells you one thing in class that is the opposite of the book, and his test study guides and hints are horrible. I would definitely not recommend him if you are wanting to understand anything.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Jim is by far the worst teacher I have ever had in the history of my education. He has no clue at all about what he is talking about and is corrected by students everyday. His lectures are unclear and unorganized. He is not helpful at all. The worst part is the exams which include material that we haven't even studied. Worst teacher ever!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHYS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr Stewart did his best to create discussion amongst the class. He was passionate about his subject. Homework was from the book and easy, and the tests were easy too. He made us come up with questions which I think was stupid for such straightforward material, but it was easy points. I recommend him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I never thought I would have a teacher in college that knew less about the subject than me. Class lectures were confusing and often incorrect. Unfair grading policy. Awful class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT take Physics 101 with Stewart. He rarely knew how to answer questions, and was often corrected by students. No study guide on tests, just a list of concepts and tells you to do problems from the textbook- not helpful. Average grades on our 2 tests were around 60%. Seems like a nice guy, but shouldn't be teaching this course.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Stewart started out the class making sure everyone knew he had a Phd, then went on to screw up almost every lecture. He is getting old and probably needs to retire. Most people stopped attending class because the textbook was easier to understand. If taking this only as a GUR you will probably be miserable.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

wow...this is one of those professors that makes you wish tenur was illeagal. If you want to acctually learn physics i found it helpfull to attend other sections' lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SCED370
• 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:

He likes to break class into small groups to discuss readings. Problem with this is very few students actually read the material, so talk was pointless. No final, just a presentation -- very cool. He taught only once (nuclear physics). Rest of quarter he doesn't teach, he just coordinates students prsentations. Boring class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHY122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not a good instructor. Avoid his classes. He is hard to understand and a hard grader. Way to theoretical.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHYS122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. uses equations, examples, demos, visuals to teach ideas and concepts. have to do work outisde of class to grasp the application aspect. but with the strong understanding of the concepts from his teaching its easy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHYS122
• 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:

The people that give jim a bad review obviously didn't put in the time and effort in the class. Jim is an awesome teacher. He is harder than some I've had, but I learned a lot in the process. You have to be able to think about things conceptually, and that will go a LONG way. Go to class, do the homework, and ASK QUESTIONS!!! He will always help!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHY121
• 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:

Okay the work is NEVER ENDING. But it really pays off. HE's a really great teacher, if you have him you'll do well in lab (and undersand unlike other profs students). He REALLY makes an effort to get to know you personally and help whenever you need it. if you want to learn, take him. if you want an easy A, take anothe prof.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

if you enjoy busy work then this is the professor for you. if your like most of the other students in this world who doesnt have time to waste on meaningless assignments don't take his course....unfortunately he is the head of the department so the labs are a load of busy work that just can't be avoided

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• 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:

Stewart teaches concepts in class, then tests on the math. If he does do a problem in class, he'll often screw up partway through it and then not take the time to explain the correct way to do it. Very frogetful and spacey.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• 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:

Great teacher, but you have to realize he is not dong to give you the answer. Very funny too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I taught myself the entire quarter out of the textbook. He tries to teach every now and then but if you don't already understand calculus then you're going to be completely lost. If you ask a question he's likely to tell you he'll come back to it, but won't. MasteringPhysics and the Workbook don't prepare you for his RIDICULOUSLY HARD exams.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHY
• 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:

If you want to learn the subject, this is the prof to have. Lots of work though!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PYS121
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a hard prof. People say he doesn't teach well, but they fail to realize there is more material in the book than he is able to cover in just lecture. He is very helpful if you just take the time to go talk to him. He puts an emphasis on the concepts instead of the math. He doesn't give out answers, he gets you to figure it out for yourself

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHYS121
• 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:

Stewart now relies on a combination of a student workbook, as well as an impossibly frustrating and unhelpful online program called Mastering Physics, to teach the class for him. 90% of class time is devoted to reviewing the confusing problems from MP, some of which confuse the professor himself (forcing him to grade them only as exra credit).

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHYSICS121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I agree with this person "Not a very good teacher. Impatient. We spent 2/3's of class time "Discuss this with your neighbor." Basically he doesn't teach, but expects you to talk with your neigbor and figure it out. " Lectures NOT helpful!! If you want to learn physics, try someone else