John Burtis - University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

Professor: John Burtis

Department: Communication

College: University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PERSUASION
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Participation isn't required; better know you're stuff when it comes test day though if you want a decent grade. Attendance is virtually extra credit.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GROUPCOMM
• 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:

This class was extremely easy. If yo have any common sense and study you will get an A. He literally tells you EXACTLY what is going to be on the test a week before. Also with his "pap" you can fail the test and get a C In the class , if you attend and do hw. Easy A

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMM1000
• 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:

Burtis means well but don't expect to learn a whole lot. Had him for oral comm. and it was an easy a. All your speeches are graded by your peers so no one fails. Just study your notes for tests and show up to class everyday for PAP points.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMTH2
• 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:

This class made my semester a living hell! Burtis is the 2nd worst prof I've had at UNI. Talks fast, doesn't stop for anything. If you ask him for help understanding something he simply says "you just don't get it, ask a friend to help you." His grading system (he calls it PAP) is a massive joke as well. Take this class with anyone but Burtis!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMMTHEO
• 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 pisses me off every day I'm there. It's required for Comm majors DO NOT TAKE it with Burtis! He is a terrible prof. He doesn't lecture he just circles stuff on his notes and then says "unless you stop me we're moving on." His point system is 3XS the amount of homework, if you aren't in it, then your grade is completely based on exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Burtis is a nice and funny man however a horrible proffesor. The in-class lessons do not correlate with the exams in the least bit. There is very little guidence and he treats you as if he is managing you rather than TEACHING you. Would not recommend taking his classes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMTH1
• 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:

JOB means well, but is a very difficult prof. I am a pretty good student and am prepared but his class was impossible to stay on top of because his tests are impossible to study for! Avoid professor if possible!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COM178
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burtis posts his lectures on eLearning & just takes questions during class. He has an optional participation point system. Otherwise, attendance isn?t required. Your grade consists of three test scores (plus participation) & if you score higher on your final than your combined test grades, it counts as your final grade. He?s an intense teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMTHSP09
• 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:

Wow... I cannot believe the things I just read on here about JOB... He is a great professor. His goal is you learning and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Tests are a bit challenging, but studying isn't hard for his classes. This is my 3rd class with him and all were great. He is funny and relates class info to things college kids know!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMMTHER
• 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:

Horrible, Horrible, Terrible, Awful. He is mean, talks too fast, hates you if you miss class one time, tells students they aren't trying hard enough. Expects way too much out of students. Worst professor at UNI that I have had so far

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMTHER
• 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:

Communication Theories with Burtis was the hardest class I have ever taken. He is worthless. Doesn't explain the material. If you ask for help he tells you "you just don't understand." His tests are difficult and very lengthy. Half the test is from his lecture and he picks the parts you wouldn't think would be on a test. HORRIBLE!

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

JOB Is a great prof. This class taught me a ton on group skills, and is very useful! If you read and come to class you will do well. 4 tests, with the 4th being optional.... He does a great job of trying to really teach you, and if you try, you will learn! He also is extremely funny!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GROUPCOMM
• 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:

This class can be intimidating because Prof. Burtis did write the book that is used.However, as long as you read the material, go to class(not madatory but highly encouraged), ask questions that you have, you will do well in this course.He's always willing to answer questions!! The only downside is he does tend to talk fast. Loved him though!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GROUPCOMM
• 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:

John Burtis is the worst professor I have ever had. He speaks too fast and you can never understand the words that are coming out of his mouth. He uses a book that he wrote, so you get no help there. He basically made up his own language and attempts to teach it to the students. If you want to have a horrible semester,you should take class with him

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHIICOMM
• 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:

This professor talks way way too fast and is hard to understand all the information he is covering. I would rate this class a B though. The little assignments are pointless but very very easy. So are the papers!! The tests are kindof hard but workable. The final is optional too if you are ok with your current grade. J.O.B. is frustrating but ok

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CURRHISTISS
• 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:

this is not a free ride. he def makes you work. try hard and study hard and you will be fine. there are 4 tests and final is optional if you do well enough on the other 3 tests. i think his little assignments are pointless wastes of time and I honestly dont think he teaches well or explains things well at all. grading scale is a little intimidati

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I took this class as an elective hoping to get an A and I got my first test back (which I thought was easy) and was shocked. I don't recommend this class because Burtis is a little mean sometimes. He gets mad when no one participates and has a huge vocabulary which confuses me. The only good thing is the final is optional.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ORALCOMMUNICAN
• 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:

Ok...if you are looking for an easy A (or any kind of A at all) this class is not the class for you. I worked my butt off in the class and still came out with a B-; I only missed 2 days and did all assigned homework excluding one quiz. He is very helpful with questions, but even if you meet all requirements you still may not end up with a good grad

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 48C006
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had Mr.Burtis for Current and Historical Issues in Communication. Wasn't too bad, Mr.Burtis has a huge vocabulary that can offset and confuse at times but you should ask if you don't understand something and hope that he doesn't use more of his large vocabulary. Nice guy, just be a student and study I guess.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ORALCOMM
• 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:

This class is a complete joke. It's really hard, and it's like he does everything he can to pretty much make you teach yourself. He makes simple ideas hard with crazy vocabulary and over analyzes everything. I don't recommend him for Oral Comm at all.