Mike Baran - South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA

Professor: Mike Baran

Department: Business

College: South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took his business 101 class. His lectures could sometimes be a bit boring but he tried to make them interesting. He wasn't clear at all on how to right cases and being a beginning, I had no idea what I was doing, which was frustrating. There was a lot of homework. He had us write 2 cases a week and had a lecture for each one with good info.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There were multiple things that made this class the worst class I have taken at this school. He assigned us a textbook that had nothing to do with the assignments we were doing in class, and there are two essays a week, two discussions a week, and four 100 point quizzes, so it is really hard. I do not recommend taking a class with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IIS129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pros: Lectures had great info and I enjoyed all the material. He required 3 books for the class but they weren't too difficult if you like to read. Cons: He doesn't give much feedback at all, often instructions are unclear for assignments and he doesn't seem to give full points on much. Learned a lot but i wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I fall asleep in this man's class everyday. Honestly though, I feel like as long as you take half decent notes and skim book, you'll be fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mike Baran was an easy grader for case studies and discussion topics. However, his tests are a little difficult in that you HAVE to read the text book and the lectures, as some of the questions are very specific to those things. Like you need to use his examples.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very harsh grader, and doesn't give good feedback. The syllabus itself was vague. Instructions were not clear which caused my grade to suffer.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IIS131
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There was definitely lots to do for this class, two weekly discussions posts, a few tests and papers along with two books to read. So far I really like this class. It was also my first online class and it makes me want to take more, in fact I will be taking his other class next quarter on the Middle East(this quarter was Asian Studies)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IIS129
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took intro to Middle Eastern Studies with him, and I have to admit that it was an amazing class. The professor was very knowledgeable about the subject and would respond almost instantly if you contact him. The tests are very easy if you understand the concept and it was fun to be in this class even though there was a lot of reading.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST279
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There is a lot of reading and writing to be done; but it is purposeful. I learned a lot about the Middle East, its history and some of the key people who shaped the region today. The tests have study guides provided. Take the time to fill them out and you will do well on the tests. Professor is quick to respond to questions and concerns. Great!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Keep up the pace with the class. You have due dates. If you meet them, you will be fine. READ THE SYLLABUS. Everything you need to know is in the lecture notes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IIS131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Just took my second online class with him and loved it! His assignments and quizzes are all very straightforward and if you do the work, you will get a good grade. Almost all the work is easy and he's a good teacher. His lectures are just a bit too long but besides that good!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fun class where-in everything on every test it laid out since the beginning of the quarter. Clear speaking and wise on the practical applications. It is a generally lively class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 1718
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have 100 points in this class. Every point counts. If you miss one point on a quiz or a case, it drops your grade. He is a tough grader. He would not budge on changing my 4.55 to a 55. I got -.5 because I didn't define a word he never asked us to define.. you never know what he's going to dock you points for. SO. FRUSTRATING.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A very nice professor who means well. He is knowledgeable and sometimes forgets it's a 101 level class. His lectures are monotone but informative. Don't bomb any of the 4 quizzes otherwise your grade will suffer. He needs to change his grading scale. It's a good topic and teacher but be careful if you are trying to maintain a perfect GPA.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terrible for quizzes. Tells you exactly what he is looking for, provides everything you need to do well, and then when you take the quiz and do exactly what he tells you, he scores you poorly, and leaves NO feedback on how to do better unless prompted to do so. Not enjoyable. MURDERING my GPA.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Show up and be respectful. He is a good teacher.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class was pretty easy, only 4 tests, they were not multiple choice and he would change the grade on them sometimes, he changed on of my test's grades 3 times. The tests were not completely reflective of the material we read but still fairly easy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

overall a good teacher, attendance isn't mandatory but to get good grades it is necessary to be there on lecture days.He can get off topic easily and his voice is monotone.the tests were pretty easy and he was willing to help you improve. the content of the class was interesting and didn't require much experience.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

IIS: Middle Eastern Studies was a fast paced summer class ( which is to be expected summer quarter) all things considered, it wasn't too difficult. All you need to know to get a good grade is provided; just do the assignments, read the lecture notes, and follow your study guides for the tests. Also, the 3 required novels are all Pretty Good Reads!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: IIS129
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I found this class to be fairly easy. I got a C+ but it's only because I didn't turn in 2 assignments, otherwise I would have received an A. It was a diversity class but the parts related to diversity seemed a bit contrived. Everything was pretty straightforward. A good class for that diversity credit. We did have to read 3 different books.