Tom Patterson - Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

Professor: Tom Patterson

Department: Sociology

College: Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOCI203H
• 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:

Dr. Patterson fills his lectures with comedy and tries to engage the class in discussion. There were only three graded assignments, all tests but he offered extra credit on each and if we did well enough then we didn't have to take the final. It's important to read the text to pass the test.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOCI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Literally said to the class, "I would lecture, but this video can teach you better than I could." I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he's the most frustrating professor I've ever had. I don't think I actually learned anything in this class, because he didn't teach us. Also, he does include his e-mail on the syllabus, but don't expect a response. Ever.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOCI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Patterson is one of the most adorable, old philosophical men you'll ever meet. You'll only have 5 tests in theory and that's it. Class isn't mandatory to attend but if you don't attend then you will not pass - TRUST. ME. Stuff that is on the tests isn't always in the books.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOCI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely love Professor Patterson! He's such a sweet guy, knowledgeable and funny. A tough grader, but if you read the book then you'll be just fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOCI340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely love Patterson. He's such a great person - he makes every effort to connect with his students and will repeat anything as many times as you need. I will take him again for sure. I've had him for theory and I hear his humor class is great!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOCI340
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE HIM! he tells the same 3 jokes over and over. He stops teaching in the middle of a sentence to tell a story hes already told. He uses tv shows from the 50's and 60's as examples. he doesn't actually read papers and just slaps a grade on it. he's made a class on humor miserable.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOCI203H
• 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:

This guy will make you really think about the world you live in. Like hardcore. He's really repetitive and can get off track easily, but you do learn a lot of new information. Study the crap out of the vocab terms and sociologists mentioned in the chapters you get tested on. If you want to impress him, read the chapters necessary before every class

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC203
• 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:

His jokes were repetitive but he was my favorite teacher in college. Learned so much from him, however, not from the textbook; very educated man. Quizzes were tough (probably bc I didn't study) but through the grace of God and Patterson's kindness, I got a C. Wish I could take him again; thoroughly enjoyed every class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

No matter how much you think you know the subject, you must write it verbatim, or else it's wrong. Do all of the bonus work and attend class for extra credit and you can still pull an A. I got 80s on all of my quizzes even though I knew ALL of the material- got an A through extra credit.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCI203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I loved him, very funny and a good hearted guy, the class was entertaining but it was HARD! You have to know the definitions verbatim on his quizzes. I failed the class but I won't blame him for that. If you don't do the extra credit you're screwed

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC203
• 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:

Quizzes are unreal. Way too hard. Did every extra credit assignment, and got 10/10 on a paper that was 10% of your grade and I still failed

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC203
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR!! He's a good guy at heart, and has some jokes, but he often forgets that he has said them 10 times prior or forgets where you left off in the lecture. 25+ definition questions which he grades with the utmost scrutiny. I know someone who only got a 5/100 (and they answered every question)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not a big fan. Hes a nice guy but I didnt like anything about his class. His jokes are funny the 1st time but not the 8th. I dont think HE actually taught me anything, I just studied the book FOR HOURS. His quizzes are all writing out definitions. Which is hard when he chooses 20 out of the 150+ you have to memorize. Difficult class. Take Kavanaugh

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• 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 professor is amazing. You will actually want to attend his class. He is very passionate about teaching and the final exam is based off of all the quizes. Dont get me wrong the quizzes are difficult but if you read the book and attend class, you should be fine. He relates sociology to the real world which helps one understand. Best professor!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOCI203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Patterson does not tell you what will be on the exams. He expects you to memorize everything,and repeat it verbatim. This really shouldn't be required course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOCI203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy class. Must know definitions verbatim to do well on tests. He knows his field well and likes what he does. Very humorous. Attendance not necessary but you'll miss out on his humor and extra credit. Do the extra credit assignments and you'll do fine!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Patterson is not an easy professor, but he is willing to help his students. He gets angry when students don't read and don't use their resources; for example- coming to his office if you need help. He acts as if he doesn't care for his students, but he truly does. I loved him as a professor after I got used to him! Good luck!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC421
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Patterson is one of the coolest guys i've ever met. Soc of Organizations is the best class I have ever taken but watch out for Social Theory! Teaches directly from the readings but a great lecturer. He expects alot out of you and his tests are HARD! Alot of memorization. I wouldn't do social theory again but social org. will change your life.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCMCD
• 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:

Patterson is a nut-job, but he is a smart nut job... He is always wanting students to understand multiple views and perspectives If you relay you understand various modes of thought, pay attention, take notes,study notes, read over what's assigned, and just ask if you don't understand something, you should do fine. & Don't take him wrong,he jokes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI399
• 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:

Still the best and funniest professor I've ever had. Take his class and you don't just learn the subject matter, but you learn how to think about the subject matter--and that carries over into other disciplines. My senior thesis is going very well thanks to my classes with Tom, and I am not even a soci major. Go out of your way to take his classes.