Karen Barzman - Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY

Professor: Karen Barzman

Department: Art History

College: Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The only reason I ever went to class is because lecture was mandatory.. if you don't go to class you will fail. Her lectures are extremely boring and dragged out. She does nothing to help students. Most of your grade is the midterm and the final, both of which are unnecessarily difficult. I took this class for a gen ed and I regret it....

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is the worst and I regret taking it immensely. After looking at the other reviews and was warned I still took the class and severely regret it. She doesn't give a lot of help and there is NO study guides or even guidelines on what to study. You just have to study her lectures which are LENGTHY. Unless your looking to enter this major, NO

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Barzman is an expert in her field of study and demonstrates her knowledge of the subject very well. However, she is also incredibly egotistical and rude to her students. She boasts about her past accomplishes while looking down her nose at you. Do not leave class for any reason. Also, be sure to read and study. Her test are hard.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HARP280Z
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Maybe she is different when she teaches ARTH, but I took her seminar on vacant properties in Binghamton but I dont understand why she has these negative comments. I havent seen many professors as passionate and hardworking as her as she taught this class. I learned so much. Cons: class was a bit disorganized and there was a lot of work. Worth it!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ARTH110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It's an incredible amount of material to study and participation in section weighs heavy for a measly Aesthetics credit. She's understanding, but damn tough - you've got to work for it. Don't even think about using your phone, leaving lecture, or putting your head down even in the dim lighting and cool room. Never been closer to napping in class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ARTH110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were so long and boring. Topics which should only take 10 minutes would take upwards of 30 just because she goes on tangents. Just show up to class to waste time and get your attendance grade. You don't have to pay attention, just study before the tests.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ARTH496
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The materials are easy enough that you don't need to go to class. However, her attitude is the problem. She is very rude and mean to her students. She shows zero interest in helping. If anyone is interested in her class, I recommend you to take a online class so that you don't need to deal with her rudeness.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ARTH225
• 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:

SO happy that I ignored the negative comments regarding Barzman & took her class anyway. Attendance is mandatory, but her lectures are interesting. If you want to learn about the renaissance or baroque then there's no better professor. She solidified my desire to minor in Art History. Understanding, intelligent, has clear expectations for students.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Pro. Barzman is very knowledgeable but her lecture is extremely unorganized. If you can adapt to her way of teaching (go back to previous slides again and again, you need to selectively take down what she says) maybe it'll be a great class for you. But she is not for me. However, the content of the text is useful. Memorize all before the test.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 440
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Won't let you leave to go to the bathroom even during a 3 hour lecture. Rude. Make sure to check your e-mails constantly even though she won't and will not answer you in a timely manner. Huge ego. Don't skip class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ARTH225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy A. There are readings you're supposed to do before each lecture, but I never did them and I got an A. As long as you go to class and take good notes, you'll do fine. She doesn't let people leave during class unless it's an emergency.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ARTH225
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Barzman isn't as rude as others are saying. Just don't try to leave her class in the middle and she'll leave you alone. Her lectures are very clear and provide all the info you'll need for the tests; I never read anything but got a 100 on the midterm. Just study the works she IDs on the powerpoints and the artist techniques and you'll be all set.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ARTH281H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Extremely rude to students. I know several people who she has made feel worthless. She is a demoralizer and has an incredible ego. Do not take this course no matter what!! I love art and art history, but I would rather read wikipedia articles that don't berate me over the smallest things.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ARTH496
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst Professors I have ever had. Disorganized, disrespectful and there's no getting around it--crazy. Brings her personal problems (and dog) to class every day. Changed my final paper topic three times starting halfway through the semester. Absolutely horrendous. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ARTH225
• 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:

Wonderful professor, but very strict. She will stop class if you get up for any reason, so make sure you hit the bathroom before class. Her exams are somewhat difficult; lots of memorization spanning several powerpoints (she doesn't consolidate them into one). She tries very hard to reach out to non-majors to get them interested. Highly recommended

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ARTH446
• 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:

I cannot rave about Professor Barzman enough. She is so passionate and willing to help. If you get a chance to take a course with her, do it!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ARTH225
• 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:

A good teacher who knows what she is talking about and is passionate about what she teaches. She is sensitive to disturbances in class but treats you like a college student in the sense that she will just politely ask you to stop. You'll enjoy the class, but be warned it's a LOT of memorization which makes the midterm and final difficult.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ARTH281
• 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:

I really did not like this women. She is rude to her students and will not answer her emails but will direct you towards the TA. She gets annoyed easily like when you sneeze or stand up she stops the class. Her presentation style I found boring and not engaging. It seemed like each class dragged on and on and on.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Take this course as a LAST RESORT, esp if you have no interest in art. If you have any questions she prefers if you ask the TAs, but is available for brief questions via e-mail. Very knowledgeable. Her exams are hard b/c she doesn't give out study guides and basically expects you to know all the images (a plethora) like the back of your hand.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ARTH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

She knows what she is talking about and I am interested in the subject but she treats us like we are in middle school. She asks us if we have to use the bathroom before tests and prohibits any student from leaving her class in the middle or she will chase you down. She also doesn't give you study sheets like most Arth professors.