Mark West - University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC

Professor: Mark West

Department: Communication

College: University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MCOM104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was looking forward to taking this class and was disappointed in the lack of interest West had in teaching. Little direction, we had to wait for him to unlock the door even though his office was right there, and we had to pay to print our assignments in the classrooom. He must not have cared that much, he would usually dress in a (free? T-shirt).

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He does not really teach anything. Class is a waste of time. Not helpful. Boring.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knowledgeable in several fields and passionate about the success of his students. He does get off topic, but his stories/tangents always have a message that he wants you to comprehend in some capacity. Will (politely/privately) call you out if your work does not reflect whatever level of potential he sees in you. Great guy, great professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• 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:

I took Dr. West for Newswriting. There wasn't much instruction in that class. The main thing was that you had to get all of your articles done on time and have them edited by him. Plenty of chances for rewrites, so there's really no excuse not to get an A. Get to know the AP Style book well. He quizzes you on it quite a bit.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mark is one of the most caring teachers at this school. He's a really strange guy, and if you need heavy structure in a class then you might have a hard time. But if you are looking for someone who genuinely cares about your success, in class, and in life, then I can't recommend him enough. I've taken multiple classes with him and loved them all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Unprofessional and uninspiring. I would say more but apparently I do not know how to write. You would think he might have passed on a little insight on writing, seeing as it is a class and all.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Never really explained how to write as a journalist would. He has you write a story about an event with three interviews from people who attended the event. Once you print it and turn it in he hands it back without reading it in full and tells you to fix an error. Then you print it again and he finds another error, do again. Inspiring (jk)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

West is a character. He's really funny. He's a bit challenging to talk to and understand sometimes, only because he has a very abstract personality. But I like him a lot, nevertheless. He can sometimes be unclear, but his assignments are not very hard. Newswriting is probably set up differently than his other courses, though.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MCOM498
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

West is one of the best professors I ever had. He was always easy to contact, and he always had my best interest. He inspired me to be a better, more interactive learner. I can't recommend him enough. Be sure to do your readings! He loves class participation, so be part of the discussion and you will succeed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MCOM492
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Theory was one of the worst courses I've taken at UNCA and absolutely the weakest in the department. West is scattered, often off topic, and seldom genuinely invested in the learning outcomes of the students. The readings were useful and insightful, his lectures were not helpful.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MCOM104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All you really need to know to pass this class with West is that all of his test questions come straight from the book, so all of the reading is essential if you want to pass. Avoid him if you need structure in a class; he sticks to the schedule for the most part, but he also tends to ramble, though it usually leads to a lesson. Really funny guy!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: NEWSWRITING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best teachers I've ever had. He gave constructive, actionable criticism, which I hadn't had in years. If you don't hear criticism as a compliment (meaning that your work is valuable enough to improve and you have the aptitude to do it), you'll probably drop his class in two weeks. That's your loss.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MCOMM104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are great but scattered. READ THE TEXTBOOKS. The tests are based off of the books. Extremely difficult to contact and meet outside of class, but once you get his attention and time, he is extremely helpful and very nice. Unique sense of humor and probably the smartest person I've ever met. I got a B because I didn't read the text enough.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MCOM395
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

West may be a little hard to take at times, but he is undoubtedly intelligent and knowledgeable. His classes are hard and he expects a lot, and he will give back what you put in. But he's also hilarious and if you get on his good side, he's a great resource to have.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MCOM498
• 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:

Dr. West is the best professor of all time. He really has the students best interest at heart. He is funny and makes every class an experience. He treats you like an adult and not a little kid. His honesty is refreshing. I will miss him when I graduate.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MCOM498
• 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:

I love Dr. West. He is my favorite professor of all time. He always has the students best interest at heart. He is funny and intelligent. Every class I've had with him has been wonderful. He's a tough grader, but if you've been to class, you should pass with no problems.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MCOMM179
• 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:

Don't miss class and turn everything in on time! But Dr. West is an extremely smart man and his class was very interesting. Everything he says has a point even when you think he is babbling.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. West is a great professor. He is not easy, and he isn't one to sugar-coat. Nonetheless, you will learn from his class. Period. If you are sensitive to blunt comments, or demand structure in class, you may not respond well to his teaching. But I urge you to give him a shot. It will only benefit you. Plus, he's really funny.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MCOM201
• 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:

I took him for Newswriting. The class was confusing and needlessly difficult. I worked really hard and turned in some good work but he still gave me horrible grades. He's "funny" but that's not enough.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MMCOM325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best teacher at this college, helpful and very interesting. Will help outside of class and replies quickly to emails and questions, wish I could take another class from him.