Stephen Shawl - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Professor: Stephen Shawl

Department: Physics & Astronomy

College: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AST1ISH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Just Don't.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Quite simply the worst professor I have ever incountered. It almost seemed like he made Astronomy a elistist club that only few could actually thrive in. If you did not understand something he was very condescending, not to meantion the rediculousness of the projects. I only wish i had reviewed him before signing up.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASTR290
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

TERRIBLE teacher. Way too hard for an entry-level astronomy course. Every class period you have to take an online quiz, then and in-class over the same material. Tests are impossible. Boring lecturer. This class was the only WF I ever got. GO WITH BRUCE TWAROG INSTEAD!!!!!! I re-took this class with him and got a A, much better teacher.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• 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:

Bad choice if you're just trying to fulfill a science credit. The work isn't too much, as long as you don't have any other classes, a job, a family, a social life, a need for sleep, etc... There isn't a time in this class when there isn't something due, and you have to look in 3 or 4 places to figure out what it is. The textbook is written for othe

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Quite simply the worst teacher in the galaxy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I really didn't enjoy this class. People like me that took it to fulfill a science requirement and got ****ed over BIG TIME! He is overly difficult and most of the class my semester dropped it. I admit that he's one of the smartest people I have ever met but that by itself in no way makes somebody worthy of being a teacher. Work for NASA Steve!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AST294
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy required the most inane, useless homework of any class I've ever experienced. I had to buy some stupid remote control just to take the quizzes. He got mad at me when I dropped the class, like it was a personal insult. Which it was, but still. This was a sophomore level class that he taught like it was grad school. He's obsessed w/ himself

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor I have ever had. He is generally unhelpful, monotonous, and he bombards his students with busywork that doesn't really help to understand the topic. Also, the textbook (which he wrote) is simply terrible. Instead of answering questions, he'll tell you to look it up in the book, even if it isn't there! Avoid him at all costs!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• 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:

He's just not clear, and there is SOOO much work for the class, i felt like i was back in high school with all the work sheets that he never gave us the answers to...we just did them in class and then...never knew if what we answered was right or not then we'd be tested over things we've never seen before...not recommended

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

GET OUT.. JUST GET OUT...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have been at KU for 3 years now and have taken all upper division courses except this one. I can honestly say that this was the hardest, lamest, most frustrating and annoying course and teacher that I've experienced. Prof Shawl is exceptionally poor at teaching. Oh and prepare for some liberal e-mails, cause he likes to indoctrinate his students.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• 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:

This guy SUCKED!! Avoid him at all costs;he's not a great professor, and he loves to hear himself talk!!! He teaches this course like a 500 level course and doesn't help you on ANYTHIHNG!!! The work wouldn't be a problem if he didn't just throw all of it at you and say, "here now go do something with this"!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Yes, I agree that it is extremely difficult for a 100 level course; But, guess what, WELCOME TO COLLEGE!!! You would've known within plenty of time if you should've dropped it or taken a credit/no credit. Steve always had an open door and was helpful if you took the time to find that out. The resources were there if you would've just used them.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

generally a poor instructor. I don't have anything good to say about his teaching or out of class help.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ASTRO191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

For those of you who are saying don't take this class if you don't want to work- Work is fine, but this class is a 100 level that he conducts like a 500 level. Its absurd for steve to require so much from many people who are only in it for a graduation requirement. DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ASTR191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class sucked.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ASTR128
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Avoid him at all costs! If you're not a science major, don't waste your time and money.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ASTR128
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ASTRONOMY
• 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:

Prof. Shawl is awesome - and I got my first C ever in his class. I'd never had a grade so low, but I'm pleased because 1) he cares so much about the subject *and* students 2) i ended up learning about both astronomy and scheduling my time and 3) he expects a lot out of people. Yeah it's a lot of work and can be confusing - um, that's learning.