Wilma Van Der Veen - Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS

Professor: Wilma Van Der Veen

Department: Sociology

College: Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Van Der Veen can certainly come off intense and intimidating at first, but she quickly weans out the students that are not there to learn, and, as in my case, you're left with a small group of students who take their education seriously. She is opinionated, but is open to hearing yours as well. I appreciated her challenging me!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wilma is a very passionate woman, she deeply cares about the subjects she talks about, but she taught this class as if it were a sociology class, and not an anthropology class. If you do the readings and attend classes, it is hard to achieve anything lower than a B. There is a group presentation and a lot of group work in class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC1112
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Just another obvious Zionist. I can't see how anyone in their right mind can support what she supports, but I guess everyone has their opinion. My problem is that she will mark you down for expressing yours.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ugh. Yeah.... I did it. It's over... Won't be doing that again..

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC1112
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She has excellent explanations, but her directions are sometimes unclear. Lots of group work, but it helps makes you understand better. There is a quiz every monday, which is suppose to help prepare for your exam. Take notes! (Not recommended) I learned to be more open minded, & view things differently.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

At first I didn't like her at all. She comes off as very arrogant and rude. Can't say that I enjoyed the class, but she does make you think about some stuff and question things you wouldn't normally think about. Every monday is a test and every wednesday is test review, so you can't miss a class or your marks will go down. Not the best.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC1210
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Absolutely awful. Don't recommend.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC391
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Wilma is very frank in her approach to academia - work hard and back up your work with serious scholarship and you will be treated accordingly. If you present flimsy work, she will call you on it. She is respectful of all views and even encouraged people who disagree to be clear about how to present these views. A true role model.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC1210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Van Der Veen's definitely strict when it comes to certain things. Essentially something is due each class that requires textbook reading, so if attendance and reading isn't your thing don't sign up for her class. She can be really harsh and blunt about things, but she's very knowledgeable and you'll learn a lot.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCIINTROPUNI
• 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:

I loved this prof.Extremist for sure but interesting.All she looks for is respect and if you give it, she's nice to you.No electronics at all in class.Easy to get great grades if you mold yourself to her extremist views which isn't hard.Agree with everything she says whether you agree with her or not.Feminist,Anti-capitalism,environmentalist.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1211
• 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 is basically her class to express her views. No cell phones, no computes, no lecturing, although that is all she does the entire class. She provides no direction nor do her links, but she takes no emails or phone calls. If you have her, good luck. Terrible prof, very opinionated and rude. Her way, or the highway.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

just like the topics she teaches, this is a very complex yet powerful teacher to review. If you enjoy having the foundations of your worldview challenged and reareeanged, this is the prof for you. you will learn something, and the direction of this class is yours alone (and your group :) )

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very little respect for society including her students; this class is basically her platform for displaying her personal beliefs and is incredibly black and white - she is not open to opinions that are different from her own and the classwork is group oriented and extremely disorganized.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She is very knowledgeable and brings good information to the class. A bit too biased towards the left side of the spectrum in terms of materials and views brought to the classroom.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC1210
• 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:

Over all she's a great prof, yes she is passionate about her work but that's what makes her great, I had her in a night class in my first semester with a small class and she was awesome. Follow her rules, don't use your cell during her class and pay attention, she's very helpful just send her an email and she clears things up perfectly, cool as a person. Cool as a prof.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

She is intimidating and unclear in her directions. Everything is group work, so hope you get a good group. I would not take her again.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOCIO101
• 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:

I enjoyed her intense attitude. I can see how she may come across as intimidating but overall, I enjoyed her class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1210
• 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:

Very interactive class - consists mostly of group assignments. Very little lectures. She has very strong views on pretty much everything (especially women's rights, aboriginal rights, and how the Conservatives/Liberals are bad to name a few) and very openly expresses them. She's a good sociologist, but not a good prof.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome class, Very interactive, However she's a little...intimidating... First year students beware, she represents a small number of crazy prof's at SMU... When i first had her, i was a little scared myself.. But she's a VERY fair marker, quick, and friendly when approached in her office.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI1201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Somewhat intimidating, especially for first years. Prepare to comment and participate in class; very interactive. Mostly group work until the exam, which is why you need to read the text.