Josh Kanin - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: Josh Kanin

Department: Communication

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FILM05
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Kanin is one sick man. In a good and a bad way. His film knowledge is second to none, but this man sticks his hands in his pants a lot. He grades you on 3 things, a midterm(which you can honestly fail) and a notebook and final. The notebook and essay determine your grade

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FILM02
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Kanin only gives two exams, and you keep a course notebook that is more like a journal. Also, he gives opportunity for extra credit. I learned so much, and was blown away by the amazing movies being shown in this new state of the art theater with a giant screen, HD bluray video projection, and full surround sound. What an experience!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FILM5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kanin is head of the Film department. He loves film and it shows in his lectures and the great movies we saw. The discussions after seeing movies involved almost all students in the room, and in most other classes I have had here, there is much more work expected and more difficult testing. If you like movies, this is the place to be.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FILM008
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Get ready to read. Two notebooks are half of the grade and they need to be written in your own words. One notebook is for is lectures and one is for the textbook (400 pages). Professor Kanin is very knowledgeable about film in general and you can tell that he loves what he does. Overall good class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FILM8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have had 2 classes with Dr. Kanin that were filled with memorable movies, lectures, and class discussions. He is the nicest professor, and I learned much more than I thought I would about cinema from this great scholar. Getting an A is easy because there are study guides, and he gives you a lot of help and support in the work that is assigned.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FILM2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This teacher is the best. I had 3 courses of his, and they are entertaining and you really learn film. Only 2 exams, powerful lectures, some good reads is the text, and a class notebook that you take notes like a journal that he gives you feedback on all through the semester. I couldn't wait to get to class each week, and the hours went by so fast.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FILM5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Big time learning in Dr. Kanin's class! He supported my efforts to get the most out of the work, gave out study guides, and the tests and what we had to write were perfectly matched to his rich lectures. Everyone in class was so enthusiastic wanted to talk about the films seen, and there was even applause after the films were over.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FILM8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I rate this teacher the highest because the class was fun, entertaining and I learned more than I thought I would from a film class. Not so much work that you are unable to enjoy the movies which are shown on a giant screen. His fascinating lectures and the lively discussions that take place after the movies are shown are highlights of the class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FILM2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING PROFESSOR! You get two exams, a course notebook that Kanin allows you to work on over the whole semester, and much extra credit. His grading curve is not a downer, and he rewards if you speak in class. He knows how to inspire us to work hard for the A we all want. He truly cares, and it shows. I plan to take more of his exciting classes.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FILM8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The nicest teacher and Dr. Kanin never bores. He organizes his lectures clearly, and shows powerful and unforgettable films. He gives study guides, test preparation handouts, and much more to help you get the most from the class and to be able to get an A. He cares about students, and it shows in the way he teaches. It is a win-win all the way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FILM5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kanin is the head of the film department and a top professor at smc. I really enjoyed the 4 classes I had with him, and the hard work I did in them helped to prepare me for transfer to UCLA's school of cinema. You must take good lecture and film notes, keep up with reading, see all films, and you should be able to ace the midterm and final.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FILM2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Far and away the best prof I have had at SMC. His classes fill up fast and are hard to get into, so you must preenroll early. My class had 90 students in it, which shows how popular he is. A truly inspiring teacher like this makes the whole subject come alive, and he motivates you to do your best work under his patient and dedicated guidance.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FILM5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor!! If you show up, take good notes, and do the reading, you'll end up with an A, because tests are easy and written work is done mostly in class. Kanin was always available to give me feedback on this work, and most of all, he motivated me to major in film at smc, and to go on to film school. I cannot recomend him highly enough.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FILM8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

An exciting and brilliant professor!, and the workload is reasonable and manageable. If you like film, you will be excited by this great film scholar's lectures and the questions that are discussed after the movies are shown. A journal is kept, and the books are fascinating to read, and exams are a snap if you keep up. Take Kanin's classes!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FILM02
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Kanin is a great teacher of film. His lectures are long but inspiring, and he is the go-to person if you want to get into a film school. His letters of recommendation are highly coveted. Tests and reading assignments are easy, and you have to take good notes. Mostly, its the wonderful movies that you will never forget.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FILM2
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Kanin is absolutely brilliant but has no idea how to run a classroom. His approach that 'there are no wrong answers' leads to meandering, class "discussions" that are basically an echo chamber of students giving their opinions on whether they liked the movies or not and never answering his questions.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FILM9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I wanted to like this class, and enjoyed the films (Hitchcock), but unfortunately, Professor Kanin didn't add anything that wasn't already in the textbooks. In fact, his lectures were long, repetitive and dull. I'm sorry to say it - he's a nice guy and means well, but his teaching is sub-par for one with so much experience. He needs to listen more.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FILM9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

THIS TEACHER IS AWESOME. The best class I have ever had. If you want to be prepared for transfer, he will make sure you are ready. The textbook and his lectures gave me so much understanding and appreciation for films, and the discussions we had after seeing films were the best. You can't afford not to take Dr. Kanin's classes. So much fun!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FILM05
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kanin's the head of the film dept. and he an amazing teacher. He is supportive, kind and has so much knowledge about. If you take good notes and do the reading, it's an easy A. I wish I could see as good films in theaters as he shows in his class. I can't wait to take another one of his classes, if I can get in. I hear they fill up so quickly.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FILM9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great class. I will not forget this professor, he's so approachable, and best I have had at smc. Kanin's informative lectures kept me eagerly coming back each week. Only two tests, and you take notes which get submitted at the end of the class. We had thorough study guides, which made it easy to prepare for the exams. TAKE HIS CLASSES!