John Bogardus - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: John Bogardus

Department: Social Science

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: 300LEVEL
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Strongly political, very closed minded to things that don't fit his dogmatic, ultra-left view of the world.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SA100W
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took it online, it was so much unnecessary reading! Exams were fair , assignments not graded fairly at all

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SA402
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have the highest regard for John. He is quite honestly one of the few profs in the department whose values match what he teaches about. Really made me think!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SA201W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a good experience with his online class. The TA did all the marking, and John didn't even show up for any of the exams. I understand large classes are busy, especially a W class, but I was discouraged by the lack of participation by the prof. The TA had unclear expectations. I wouldn't take a class with him again if this is how he conducts them

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SA201W
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John is a very fair, well-meaning, and passionate guy. Lots of films in this class, probably wishes we would participate more & he deserves that tbh. Lectures are basically like extended tutorials- you have to teach yourself the lecture every week with 60pages from his self-written learning module (free!) & extra readings. Better keep up.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CMNS260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best teachers I've ever had. Very democratic. You have to read, but the readings are outstanding. I was genuinely sad when the class was over. It changed my life.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have taken another anthropology class online, and I was hoping for another good experience with this one. However, the class is extremely disorganized. It may not be John's fault, but the TA never got back to students and it took days if she did decide to reply to an email. Assignments are unclear. Best to take in person if possible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 302W
• 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:

John is such a great professor, he really truly cares. The class is NOT easy... especially the very rigid assignments but this is one of the only classes that makes you think 'critically' and 'independently' as John would say. Make sure you visit him in office hours, he has great advice and is always very nice. You most definitely need the textbook

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SA100WDISTED
• 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:

Took this course as a DE course. The content was interesting and the textbook was relevant. The exam was fair. There is a lot of extra reading because there are no audio lectures. I wouldnt really recommend this as a DE course. Only take it if you need it or have no other choice. He'd probably be better on campus.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SA302
• 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:

Interesting lecturer. Willing to listen to people's opinions even if they differ from his. Learnt a lot in his class. Different way of marking with his critique factor. But is there if you need advise. A lot of reading involved. Class is constructed well. Overall a good prof.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SA498
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hands down this is the best learning experience I have ever had, this is what university is all about. I took this class in my last semester and it was easily the best experience I had in my entire undergrad. If you are all about marks, John may not be the guy for you. If you actually care about learning and critical thinking, do not miss SA 498!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SA100W
• 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:

Having him as a TA and as a prof is good in the way that if you have any questions it is easier to ask for feedback and help. There is no final and no midterm, just three writing assignments worth 15, 25 and 35% of your grade. Just remember to incorporate as much course material as possible. Tons of reading though, be prepared for that (:

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SA302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Critical summaries are only going to marked well if you dont include criticism, just focus on specifically what he details and outlines - thats all. Heavy reading and not well focused - this should be 2 courses. Pleasant man, but dont let that fool you into thinking you have creative wiggle room, especially if your views diverge in any way

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this course distance ed; HORRIBLY DESIGNED ONLINE, which really isn't John's fault. However, he is incredibly helpful but I do find it quite tedious to fit so much reading content into six pages, double spaced for the annotations. Take his courses in a classroom - he's so much better in person than on Webct! Otherwise, an interesting class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SA1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The readings are generally good but his assignments are tedious. His 'critical summaries' are awful and so is his marking. His marking is inconsistent. Despite all the extra readings, he still relies heavily on the textbook, which is itself pretty horrible. Don't take this course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SA302W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

In other classes, you don't learn much but get high marks. In his class, you learn an awful lot but get on average a full letter grade lower than you do in other classes. He gets back at the Capitalist system by punishing his students with lower grades. Be Warned

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SA302W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading, I took this prof before, and everyone was complaining about readings, even my 4th year friend in our 1st year SA class with him! not fun! he is a nice person though! office hours may be limited.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SA302
• 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:

This class has sooooooo much reading and writing. Lectures are really long and boring. He is an okay professor, and the course content is tediously boring. DON'T Take this classs! Please!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great class! lots of intresting movies, debate and lecture. Prof was amazing and very respectfull of everyone and thier stance on issues. Lots of reading, however its university so get use to it!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SA100
• 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:

His notes are clear and is willing to explain things again if necessary. If you put in the effort on your assignments, you'll do fine. If you really want to get a decent mark on your assignments, make sure you have him as your TA too. Oh and one more thing, go to his office hours often if you are confused on his notes and really need assistance...