Joe Derivera - Clark University, Worcester, MA

Professor: Joe Derivera

Department: Psychology

College: Clark University, Worcester, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH288
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is by far the worst prof I have had at Clark University. He thinks that he is the smartest and best man on earth, when he just might be the devil. He is an extremely hard grader, and will fail you if you turn in anything that slightly strays from his personal views. Do not take his classes ever! And...shouldn't be retired by now?

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYCHNONV
• 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 had Joe for the psych of nonviolence first seminar (psych 240?). This class should NOT have been offered through the psych department as it had nothing to do with psych and was completely a peace studies class. He's closed minded (agree with him or he'll flip out) and rude. I hated this class and dreaded it every day. I don't recommend it or him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

i love joe. i don't take him to be very hypocritical or unfair. readings must be done and quizzes do not necessarily judge whether you've read or not, but the readings are interesting, the class informative, and i find him to be a smart and resourceful old man.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYC192
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Perhaps he is more suited to research than actual teaching. there was a situation in this course where I had repeatedly met with him to find a suitable research topic, an he offered no real insight into what he wanted. I presented a draft two days before the final was due and he dismissed it as "not being a research paper". Not recommended.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101PSYC246
• 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:

I care to differ. Sure in thoughts of "peace" he is unrealistic, but he's very knowledgable, and is a good perspective to see. His classes are easy, but you have to spend time on assignments in order to get an A. If hes not clear etc., he is very helpful in office hours. Just be honest and patient with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101
• 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:

de Rivera, is absoultly horrible. He has unrealistic expectations and is not at all helpful or clear. He is by far the worst teacher I have had so far at Clark. I can not see anyone liking him as a teacher. He is unclear and offensive to top it all off.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH170
• 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:

Unrealistic expectations. Quizzes on numerous readings, but are incredibly specific and intentionally confusing. Assignments vague and unclear, yet graded harshly. Tricks you into thinking you have input in the class (you're actually powerless). Very rigid (eg: no extra credit, rewrites, make-ups). Often confused and forgets material. Just awful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC170
• 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:

Ugh. I wanted to study social psychology @ Clark, but this man turned me off to it. He's friendly and nice in class, and is wonderful to talk to, but his expectations in the class are unrealistic. His final paper for the class counted a third of the grade, and I recieved no comments as to why I got a C. High expectations, very little explanation.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH246
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

he is very picky on papers, etc - but is unclear regarding his wants. he may be approachable but is unconstructive in his comments. he is rude and extremely harsh. although i find his subjects interesting, he does not gain my vote of approval. undergraduate is the wrong place for him. avoid joe if not a die-hard fan of peace/social psych. good luck

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCIALPSYCH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DeRivera is an ass. If you don't take commands well, prepare to fail. He needs everything to be done his way and is EXTREMELY intolerant of other views (however charming he mights seem). I do not reccommend taking his courses.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOCIALPSYCH
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. DeRivera has some crazy quizzes on the reading. He asks you to read a bunch of material and then when quiz time comes every question is so specific. Things no one ever remembers when reading. He seems like a nice little man... just make sure you read. I don't know if I'd ever take a class with him again. I don't like the style.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MANYCOURSES
• 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:

joe takes a bit of getting used to, he's much better on a smaller scale because you really get what he wants. his teaching style isn't for everyone, but he cares so much for everyone! really!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOCPSYCHPSTD
• 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:

I can't believe these bad reviews. If you put the work into his classes you will get a lot out of it. He is very approachable when you are in need of help. Yes he does push you to do your best but if he hadn't I wouldn't have known what I was truly capable of. I also published a paper with him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101
• 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:

Derivera is an idealist fool who is intelligent enough to realize his theroies are complete garbage but chooses to keep a positive mindframe. interesting way to look at life but it shouldn't be involved in politics. take his classes if you don't like realistic politics

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PEACESTUDIES
• 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:

The course has a huge emphasis on finding peace within yourself so if you aren't into all that bs, then don't take the course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSTD101
• 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:

beware of the sugar coated syllabus!! Not too mention all his other BS

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PEACESTUD
• 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:

SO smart and passionate toward the subject. Although easily led onto tangents, he is SO interesting. His quizzes are hard, but if you do your readings you're all set.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH
• 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:

Add too much politics into his Psych courses

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PEACESTUD
• 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:

Joe deRivera is a self-interested and overblown narcissicist. His pleas for peace are superseded by his late-life need to do something meaningful with his career. His earlier work in narrative psychology and phenomenology of emotion is boring.