Joe Polen - Shasta College, Redding, CA

Professor: Joe Polen

Department: Astronomy

College: Shasta College, Redding, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Joe is a great jolly energetic bear of a guy. He loves his students and he'll put forth 110% effort to help the student succeed. He doesn't like to take breaks, such is his entheuseasm, so after a long session, you may be a bit snoozy. Take notes, ask questions and use his study guides and practice tests. Hard not to do well, if you pay attention.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There are good things and bad things about professor Polen. I like that he is happy and has a positive attitude about his subjects. I like that he assigns homework and gives examples that are relevant to the tests. I like that he gives out answer sheets to the homework, and he gives out practice exams. I like that he practically does the lab write

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The king of tangents, but that's not to say he doesn't prepare you for the exams. He's very up front, gives you all the information you need in packets. Even if you don't go to the lecture, you'd have to be retarded to fail the tests. He's enthusiastic, whether he's lecturing to ninety or nine. Good, easy class for science credits.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• 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:

Very friendly man with a kind heart. He is also very passionate about his subject. Unfortunately, I did not find it very interesting. But his class is very easy (just two tests + extra credit). Easy science credits and a very nice teacher. I recommend him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This man, is the happiest man alive. A previous poster said he reminds him of Santa Claus and I laughed for 5 minutes straight because it is so true. I took him for 4A, extremely helpful, his lectures are a big drag though, hard to pay attention to. He is the only physics teacher for the "4" category, TAKE HIM BEFORE YOU LEAVE SHASTA.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly enthusiastic teacher who embodies everything a teacher who loves what he does should be. Unfortunatley his enthusiasm can take him off subject a lot during lectures (example: extensive physics discussions during an astronomy course). I got an A in the class. Again, he's an extremely great guy, but lectures drag. Do lots of extra credit.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Also took astro. Love his enthusiasm and happiness. Fell asleep alot in class, to my chagrin, because his voice is VERY soothing, but was very amped up when awake. Got an A in astro, expect an A in phys. He is always eager to help, and his explanations were so clear, I got what he was teaching even without always being awake.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4A
• 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've had him for two semesters now for Physics and he's really the happiest person I know. He loves physics and learning and frankly if he weren't such a happy guy I would hate physics. If you ever have a chance to take one of his classes. Do so.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHYS4B
• 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:

I've had Joe Polen for physics A/B, properties, and circuits and he's probably my favorite person in the whole world. DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIM! His lectures arn't the most exciting material, but what keeps you paying attention is the periodic shouting of DUALITY! or YES! as he extends his arms triumphantly. He also can draw perfect circles.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Joe Polen is probably the happiest professor at Shasta College. He's very passionate about Astronomy, and is always willing to share his passion with everyone in the class with a big smile on his face. Very easy course, only two exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Nice Guy, but his lectures could be a litte bit more engaging... Because of the amount of vocab to memorize he does provide study guides and practice test. Could be an "Easy" A if you put the right amount of work into it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Felt sorry for Polen when the grade sheet finally got back to him, and 20 students left. Easiest class I’ve ever taken, 2 tests, all out of a study guide full of definitions. Some interesting tidbits, some not, and his passion for astronomy shines through during his lectures. Enroll in his class to learn, not to take advantage of an easy situation.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely the nicest guy you will ever meet. Too nice, if you ask me. Hardly any of the other students ever showed up, and they missed a fun, informative, interesting class. He's a wonderful man and a good teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTR1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

One of the sweetest people I've ever met. 100% passionate about everything. Even if you don't like astronomy it's great to take the class just to be around him and be inspired. He does give a study guide 100% identical to his real test (at least when I had him) so the class is really easy and doesn't encourage much studying or work at all.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY
• 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:

I really enjoyed your excitment about astronomy and I enjoyed learning interesting new facts. Also I enjoyed the program you used to look at the stars.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I love this teacher, he is so nice and so dedicated to his work, even if students don't pay atenttion to him, he always has a smile on his face

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

My only critisism is that Mr. Polen may be a hair too easy. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed his class. Although he was easy, he explained topics very well. Perhaps, he is such as good teacher that his class seems easy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The sweetest man on earth also the most gullible. You will soon learn that you are precious and so are your questions. This is a good class to take if you are in need of some extra sleep because the lights are always low. But try to stay awake because the poor guy must feel so unloved because of how many people walk out or go to sleep. Easy A.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Wow. I didn't go to more than four classes and I got an A. I felt bad. He is the sweetest man, so naive. I almost wanted to retake the class and actually sit through his lectures.... almost.