Uma Narayan - Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Professor: Uma Narayan

Department: Philosophy

College: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: WMST250
• 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:

Uma is one the best professors I've ever had. Classes are discussion-based, so your experience can vary depending on your classmates, but Uma is knowledgeable, thought provoking, hilarious, and fashionable. She constantly challenges her students (sometimes a little harshly) but that just means you have to really believe/defend any comments you make

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: WMST25001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Talking about Feminist Theory at 9 AM is about the last thing I wanted to do, but I needed this class for my Women's Studies minor. Luckily, Uma made it as bearable and interesting as possible. She's very open about being radical, but still showcases other political perspectives. Lots of reading.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Literally the smartest and best professor that I have taken a class from. I have questioned so many of my beliefs and I have become much more confident in making arguments.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WMST251
• 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:

Extremely passionate professor! She's also quite nice, although you have to be careful what you say in class. The only thing was I had no idea how to improve my papers because of a lack of comments on the paper..but overall, she changed my perspective on how the world works.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: WMST250
• 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:

Readings were short and interesting, class was never boring. But Uma is pretty close-minded and actually quite rude. You get the sense that she has a huge chip on her shoulder. She doesn't like when students disagree with her. At all. And she's mean about it! She cuts people off. And response papers are so useless we don't even talk about them!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: WMST250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very approachable and warm yet also incredibly smart and challenges the way you think. This course definitely broadens your worldview, and Uma helps make you a better critical thinker. Plus, she wears awesome hats

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• 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:

She's SO intelligent. I think she could easily sell out a lecture series. This doesn't always translate well to the class because I'd rather hear her talk than most of my classmates. She challenges you to think about your implications in femtheory. My only complaint is that she's set in her wants for papers and is a tough grader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Interesting readings, wonderful at fostering discussion, mad smart. Also great accent.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• 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:

Uma is wicked smart. The structure of her class is: at the beginning of each class, one student presents a paper about the readings for the day, then Uma makes some comments (the organizational structure of which can be unclear), and students make comments which Uma argues with and destroys, albeit respectfully. A tough but fair grader.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I don't get the hype. She was knowledgeable about cultural and economic issues but it didn't have a monumental impact on the class or my knowledge in general. Seemed checked out or distracted but that could just be the semester i took it. Worst, was patronizing and even insulting.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I found her to be entirely unapproachable, even during her office hours. She was unwilling to help look over my paper's outline, while remaining incredibly picky about what format she will accept. The class was entirely discussion based, with little input from her.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL330
• 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:

Uma's amazing. She's so well-informed about the social and cultural issues of modern economic policy, especially in regards to how it affects our ethics. She's also understands human nature well. Definitely take her classes. Like, whoa.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHILOSOPHY106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love her. Yay for Uma.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL330
• 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:

Definately has a biased approach to the course, but is honest about it. This course opened my eyes more than any other class I've taken. Is a fair grader. Also approachable and nice.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Uma is beyond amazing. Take her class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Uma is one of the most intellectual professors I've had this year. She provides so many viewpoints and just really knows her stuff. Contemporary Issues = Great. Also, you can show up for class without doing the homework. She's tough on the essays though, so pay some attention!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL108
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good mix of lecture and discussion and she obviously really knows what she's talking about. Good range of topics and viewpoints. The class is easy so far as you can show up every day without having done the readings, but you'd better know what you're talking about when you write your essays.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOCPOLPH
• 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:

Wonderfully fair. Failed me but I deserved it. Never appreciated getting a failing grade more.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Uma is fabulous