Jon Okamura - University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Professor: Jon Okamura

Department: Ethnic Studies

College: University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's very knowledgeable in what he teaches, but he tends to force his own opinions on students and will think you're wrong if you have an opinion that contrasts with his. His teaching style is archaic and boring.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The work from the class was super insightful, but it was a little awkward. He can be scary sometime, but it seems like he's passionate for what he does. The work itself wasn't too hard. Overall it was just an okay class. But I wouldn't want to take it again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ES380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Course is essentially doing lab leader work for ES 330. Once a week meetings either afterwards or in office (depends), and responsible for leading/grading lab on Fridays / proctoring exams (which isn't hard). If you had him before, you know how he teaches / expectations (just pay attention or look like you're doing other work). Easy 3 cr though.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ES301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Assigns readings and questions to answer in class. Be sure to do it because he calls on you in class. Lectures during the whole class period which can be somewhat boring. Attendance isn't mandatory. Emails lecture slides after class. You are graded on a midterm exam, final exam and two papers. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to the subject.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While lectures are optional, the lab sections aren't. Make sure you listen to lab leaders because they put up with him once and know what he wants. Journals and quizzes are generally easy; papers require effort but are doable. Warning: Pay attention in class / look like it or he WILL publicly chew you out in-class. It has happened a few times.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are interesting..... very interesting about Japanese in Hawaii. But be aware, he makes us do (short resp) quizzes every other week, read a lot, and journal topics.. you have to know the RIGHT answer, although the topic provides multiple choices.. ETHICAL or UNETHICAL. basically... everything is unethical.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ES301
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are long and he talks for the whole 70 minutes of class about 98% of the time. I usually do other homework in that class otherwise I'd fall asleep. Participation matters and he will call on you for certain questions he gives for the readings. I've never read one article for that class and would be able to answer most questions.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are long, but you might find them very insightful. However, Okamura is very particular on how he wants you to do things that he can also be very literal. It's good to check with the lab leaders if you did your assignments the way Okamura wants you to form your answer. The lab leaders are his former students, so go to them and ask for tips.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Honesty didnt read a single reading for this class, yes i failed the quizzes in lab but they are only a small part. Not my favorite teacher as he is boring, but is EXTREMELY knowledgable. Tests are written essays in class and essays are at most 5 pages. If you have a good lab leader and listen to them you should have no problem in this class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ES301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fall 2011 - Emailed us the powerpoints after class. Offered office hours--very helpful so go in for consultation. Don't have your phone go off. Definitely read all chapters and reading/handouts before class; you'll need to know them for exams. Trying to wing exams = fail. He doesnt give credit for beating around the bush b/c u don't know the answer

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ES301
• 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:

If you come prepared to class and actually read the books and readings, you'll do fine. DON'T be roundabout in the essays and just get to the point with the info you learned--it'll be obvious if you didn't read the material. Going in for consultation helps; ask questions about things confused about. DO NOT have cell phones on ringer or vibrate =/

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

It's sad he doesn't upload the powerpoints in laulima. Midterm and final have study guides. Quizzes and journals are in lab on fridays. Weekly readings range from 20-50 pages in textbook(s). You have 4 books. There's a lot of history involved so you need to keep up with reading (b/c of quizzes) and you'll need to know the historical facts/events f

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

Japanese in Hawaii could have been a very interesting class, if taught by a professor who didn't make it as boring as possible. he should just quit teaching since it seems like he hates it so much! do not recommend this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

Be prepared to write or type a lot during his lectures, because his outlines are "incomplete" and his essays are based on what he says not really what is on the board. The lab sessions were a positive note, but the class itself was extremely hard.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

I was interested in this class at the beginning but during the lectures I began to see that this guy is pretty damn biased about how he views the subject. But the one thing is does well I will admit is he drills the information into your head. But he expects everything he said during the lectures to be on the exams. Labs were good though

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

I was so interested in this course but Professor Okamura made it boring. I'm not interested in Japanese in Hawaii anymore. Do NOT take "Japanese in Hawaii" from Okamura.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ES318
• 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:

I have mixed feelings about this guy. As a lecturer, he is pretty good. Write down everything he says. He has one midterm, one final, and two papers. Paper consultations totally changed my view on him. He yelled at me and gave me nothing but criticism. I didn't get much help for my paper. Instead, I got a lecture. Take at your own risk.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

crankpot... grouchy old man who obviously hates teaching. nobleprep work. ta do all the work and he gets the tenure and prof. salary

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Okamura lacks innovation in his lectures. He doesn't do any of the grading. Exams are all essay, but not bad. Skipping lectures won't hurt your grade unless you don't do the readings. Lab attendance is mandatory though. Lab leaders were uninterested in the subject matter, so labs were pointless and a good waste of 50 minutes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ES330
• 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:

I was really excited to learn in this class, but the professor managed to make it extremely boring. It's hard to pay attention in the lecture because its hard to hear. Tests were a little hard (essay exams), but not too bad if you study. But, make sure your answers have everything they're looking for in it. Lab was helpful, the TAs are great!