Marc Bermann - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Marc Bermann

Department: Anthropology

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1528
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This wasn't the most interesting or boring class I've ever taken but the class does require a lot of readings beforehand. You are required to come to class since he doesn't post his slides online. But, you can't hate him as a person and the grade I received was due to a lack of hard work.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1528
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unless you're really interested in South American Archaeology, I found the class super boring. You have 50+ pages to read before each lecture and are tested on the readings. His lectures are dull, would not recommend especially if you can find something you're more interested in to take for a gen-ed.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1528
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Marc is a great guy that is really passionate about the topics he teaches. Tests are very straight-forward and there are a couple assignments/quizzes that aren't difficult. Notes aren't posted online so you'll have to go to class to get them. Overall I would recommend Marc. He really seems to care about what he teaches

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1528
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do the readings, go to class, and his class is an easy A. The lectures can be a little dry at times, but once in a blue moon he throws in a poorly photo shopped picture that makes it all worth it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Lectures can be a little dry at times, but as long as you show you don't need to read the text since the exams are based from lecture. The final isn't cumulative, and is multiple choice. Only a few written assignments - none too difficult. Large final project time consuming but easy and manageable as long as you start it a few weeks early!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There's not much work put into this course, so tests are worth a lot. If you feel like something was graded unfairly by your TA, then you can take it to Dr. Bermann, and he might give you credit.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class is very interesting and Marc is very enthusiastic about the subject. He does not post his lectures online so you have to go to class to get the notes.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy A but also an interesting and fun class. Reasonable assignments. Marc is a real gem, if you pay close attention in lecture you can pick up on his humor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting lectures and he is obviously interested in what he teaches. All of the assignments he has given out so far have been very reasonable and relevant. He does NOT put his lectures/powerpoints online so you have you take decent notes. A solid choice for people who want the HPS certificate.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You will do well if you go to lectures. Its not a big deal if you miss a few lectures either. It is important to go to recitation though. You cover what was learned in the lecture, and that is where you turn in assignments (which are few). There are lots of readings but if you go to class regularly, he discusses the readings in the lecture.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0582
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was really dry and bland in lecture. If you skipped lecture a lot there is no way you're passing the class. Textbook is a good reference but not necessary because he only tests material discussed in lecture. Straight-forward teaching.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0582
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bermann is an incredible professor. Not only is he extremely intelligent, but also accessible, funny, and practical. He knows you have other assignments to do, and we only had about 5 assignments over the whole semester. I will say that you need to come to class to really connect all the points in the powerpoint. Also, text book use will help.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0582
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really boring and bland professor. The class is not as interesting as you would think. However, it's an easy A. As long as you read the textbook, you don't even need to show up to class. Recitation is mandatory but is also easy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0582
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Although sometimes dry, Dr. Bermann is extremely passionate about what he does. He is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in the field. The exams are almost exclusively from lecture but if you go and pay attention this is an easy A. Attendance is taken in recitation but is not really mandatory. Overall a solid professor & great class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTH1530
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You cover a new city every week but if you're not writing a paper on it, you don't need to do the readings or pay attention. He sometimes assigns talking points on the weekly readings but just skim for those. Class is discussion based so if no one's talking, it'll drag. It's pretty easy for a W option and I learned more than I expected to!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was very interesting and fun to take. No textbook, just readings on Courseweb, which you only need to skim. Exams are usually solely on the lectures, so if you show up to those you will be more than fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome guy! Exams are based solely on lecture notes (there is no textbook and you do not have to read or watch anything he posts on CourseWeb). Take the class with a friend because he goes fast through notes sometimes and does not post them after lecture. The final project is time consuming, but easy (just show good effort) and you will do fine!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bermann was very knowledgeable and experienced in his field. He made the class very interesting and easy to pass. The TA is helpful too. Highly recommended!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bermann was awesome and made a topic that I had no prior background in really interesting. Tests were incredibly easy, and so were all the little assignments he had. He says you have to read a lot but I didn't miss a point and I didn't read anything. Show up (or don't honestly) and its an easy A. TA's were also really awesome.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTH0538
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class can be boring, but you just need to show up and make sure you copy down everything on his slides. Review your notes a few times before the test, and you should be fine. Lots of papers are given to be written in recitation, but nothing exceeding 1000 words.