Peter Metcalf - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Professor: Peter Metcalf

Department: Anthropology

College: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2320
• 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:

Coolest person ever. I looked forward to his lectures so much; they were so interesting and entertaining! His lectures come out more as stories, and yet you leave the class knowing more than you though. The tests definitely required studying, but they weren't ridiculous. I'm an ANTH minor because of this class. Everyone should take it!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH3550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Love this guy. Remarkable. Incredibly interesting and captivating, GREAT story teller. Very enthused about ethnography, you will do great if you show some interest and passion. Definitely need to read and participate. He is so charming and an incredibly intelligent and experienced anthropologist. No one could teach ethnography better.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as an interesting filler. I have never gotten less than a B at uva and I ended up with a C in this. His tests are ridiculous. I studied for days straight for the midterm and final and it didn't help- he asks the most specific questions, unless you are telepathic, steer clear!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Metcalf is scatterbrained to the point of being utterly incomprehensible during lectures. His points are definitely there, but you have to pay close attention or you'll miss them. Success depends on your TA, so get a good one.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Created his own over-priced txtbook. Lectures were long and boring - material wasn't necessarily applied on test - mainly from book (which he neglected and only left for discussion sessions - which were utterly useless b/c we never discussed the book in the discussions). Don't take this class to fulfill requirements, unless you're ANTH major.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Quirky prof, fun class. As long as you attend the lectures and do the readings, getting a good grade is a piece of cake - but be warned, the midterms look for very specific answers. His stories are great, but keep the "narrative" in mind, since you'll need it for the essay final.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is very interesting, and the reading is light. Metcalf is very good-humoured and fun. He has a lot of experience and good stories. There is only one essay, a midterm, and the final, and the exams are very specific. The reading is not hard, but it since its so light its easy to fall behind, however if you do the reading it REALLY helps.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH232
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really interesting material, all about non traditional religions. Lots of info and exams are pretty specific, but grades are negotiable. Great British accent

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTHROOFRELIG
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although there is a fair amount of masterial (and he covers it well), his exams are Extremely picky. Be Very Careful with his wording and make sure you are answering exactly what he wants. His teaching style is somewhat unconventional but it is interesting and gets his students to want to know more. He has many personal views but makes sure he keeps his clsas unbiased and his students unoffended with whatever comments he brings in to class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

His Berawin stories made this class...we applauded him at the end of the semester and that is only one of two times I saw a prof. being applauded as an undergrad!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTH224
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really interesting guy. He gives a lot of details about his own experiences and field work, which I found very insightful and interesting. A very eclectic course that covers a lot. Expect some challenges on the quizzes: he wants very pointed, specific answers; he is, however, fair.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Probably the most entertaining professor I've had, and I've had two classes with him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTH368
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

lets put it this way - he can make the industrial revolution and the inner workings of a combustable engine interesting and understandable...all in an awesome accent

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTH224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very good, entertaining lecturer. Has great life experience.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Metcalf makes human evolution and rise of civilization into an almost thrilling drama. I graduated a long time ago and Metcalf was one of my most memorable profs. Very engaging...still is now, as I email him from time to time for book recommendations.