Scott Powers - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: Scott Powers

Department: Modern Languages

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FRE201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

201 is pretty easy! If you read the book and participate in class, you will be rewarded!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FRE202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are extremely hard and he expects you to know fluently most of what you learn. Online quizzes and hw are essential, and he doesn't actually teach you in class, just goes over what you teach yourself. I wouldn't go to class, except attendence and participation are mandatory. Tutoring is a saving grace

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FREN202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My best French professor ever! I finally am actually learning the language.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FREN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He expects you to know the material before you come to class, and makes you feel stupid if you do not know the answer to his questions. Also quizzes you on material before he teaches it in class. DO NOT RECOMEND

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FREN202
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Powers is one of my favorite professors at this university. This is my second time taking a class with him and I plan on taking another of his courses next semester. He really cares about his students but he makes you work for your grade. Lots of homework and participation is a big deal to him. Textbook is mandatory.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FRE201202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

dr powers' 202 french class was the best of my french courses and i plan to take more in the future. he teaches mostly in french, but he's very helpful in clarifying and in using body language. Very available during office hours. Just be sure to participate and do your homework.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FRE202
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awful professir. Petty and likes to change his rules on you. He changed the completion rule on me in iLrn and gave me a 20% because I got a lot of answers incorrect. His tests are impossible to pass and unless youre one of his teachers pet, youre going to suffer in his class. Good luck for whoever takes one of his classes.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FREN201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved Powers' class! I would take another of his classes in a heartbeat. Take his class if you REALLY want to learn French. There is homework almost every single night and at-home quizzes. Class time is spent doing discussion, and participation is a must. You can see how much he loves the subject, and his energy and enthusiasm are contagious.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FRE202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Powers has a great teaching style and he keeps you very engaged, but he's an extremely hard grader. He does not curve at all even when the average is a low C, his grading is brutal and he tends to take off points for every small mistake. Don't miss class, do your work, ask questions, and study study study. You might pass his class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FRE201202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hands down one of the best (if not the best) professors at UMW. He tells you exactly what he expects. Listen to him when he says the textbook will become your holy grail. Get to know him by going to his office hours, you'll find he's quite funny and not as intimidating. Great class and great professor. Come to class, participate, and you're set

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FREN200300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

DR. POWERS IS MY FAVORITE PROFESSOR AT UMW. I'm a junior and so far I've taken 201, 312, and 331. I didn't think I would be doing anymore French after I was done with the requirement, but he inspired me to be a French minor because he's so passionate and fun. It's lots of work but he really is nice about it. DON'T SKIP. Love him

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FRENCH201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There are homework assignments and graded quizzes due before every class. He takes the activities from the homework and puts them directly on the tests, so actually do it even though it's only for completion. MUST participate in class. He is very straight forward as to what will be on exams. Difficult class, but not impossible. At least he's funny!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FREN201202
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lets be honest, French is not a good subject and it rarely has good professors. Powers tries his best to get you to understand. He does expect you to show up and participate. You have to do all the online work and you have to study, because his tests are very hard. As far as French professors go, he's pretty good.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FRENCH201202
• 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:

Professor Powers is tough but if you try and actually study, his classes are fair. Don't expect to cruise through his classes without touching the book or doing the online assignments, because it will not work out. Definitely study for his class and look in the book beforehand.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FREN320B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hard grader. Don't try to skate through this class - he cuts through low quality work with a red pen of death. If you try, you'll succeed - simple as that. Would not recommend class to those with ok french skills. Overall, a great professor. Make the effort and he'll be happy to help. I can also confirm that he's very knowledgeable about Quebec/MTL

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I've had 4 classes with him so far. I'd recommend his stuff for 100-200 level classes but I HATE his Quebec Lit course. Also he 100% plays favorites and he's occasionally really rude to students who mess up pronunciation or grammar stuff while speaking in class. A little scary.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FREN312
• 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:

This class is relatively easy to do well in as long as you keep up to date with reading the textbook and doing the homework. Though he's somewhat of a hard grader, Dr. Powers is very personable and always willing to help you out as long as you're coming to class consistently and obviously putting in effort.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FREN300S
• 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:

While Powers knows his stuff, he can be quite petty. He grades the majors harder than the non-majors, so you'll end up getting a B- while the guy next to you (who can barely speak it) gets an A-. Don't bother going to his office hours; he won't really explain what he wants you to do differently.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FREN300S
• 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. Powers is amazing! Definitely the best in the French department, and one of the best at UMW. When I was a freshman, my French was very basic and I thought that I would struggle a lot. Thanks to Dr. Powers, I am now fluent! He is so enthusiastic about the material and makes the readings very enjoyable! Definitely take him if you want to learn!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FREN300S
• 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:

I absolutely ADORE him. classes are a lot of work and you MUST attend. but he's totally sweet and loves the language which is contagious. I see what other people are saying about the intimidation/condescension, but I think he always means well, it sometimes just comes out awkwardly. if you let yourself you learn so much and can be truly inspired!!