James Carroll - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: James Carroll

Department: Music

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUSI389
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Jim Carroll is a great guy. He's definitely a good jazz conductor. My only complaint is how much he talks about religion in class. He once implied that it's impossible to be successful without believing in a religion which really bothered me. Other than that, he's quite good. The big band is definitely a fun class to take, so if you can, do it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Carrol is incredibly passionate about jazz - not just the music but the culture as well. His class is an easy A if you go to class and don't miss quizzes. Often tells exactly whats going to be on the quiz . He automatically drops 2 quizzes, one more if you do a blues solo. Final is a combination of the quizes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Apparently some people found him annoying, but I say he's jus crazy and awesome. Class is easy, and you learn a lot about jazz history. You listen to some pretty sick jazz music. One paper in the class and 10 quizzes, but they're not too hard. If you like jazz music, this is a must-take.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• 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:

An easy class as long as you show up and put a little bit of effort. You should definitely like jazz to take this course. Some times he tells you exactly whats on the quizzes. You have to buy the book and do online quizzes which are only pass/fail. Blues solo Extra Credit was a joke. He's definitely a character...

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC107
• 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 regret taking this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JAZZ101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He was nice at first, but he can also be a big Jerk. He has an online "practice quiz" and said it doesnt count but expects students to get a good grade. When they don't he complains and said they are bad students =/ stupid. Class is pointless and waste of time. dont go. he always talks about how he tours with MJ and famous ppl! super cocky!!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He can get on your nerves, but that's because people take advantage of his kindness. A little disorganized, but very passionate. His goals go beyond the class, and that's good.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

good lord, THE most annoying professor i have ever had! he goes on & on & on... if youre not extremely passionate about music- youre going to want to cut your ears off. jazz is this man's religion. good for an easy A... although you need to study for the quizzes- he usually tells you whats on them.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSCI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Nice professor. Easy class, but don?t expect it to be completely bs. You DO have to study for the biweekly quizzes, which can be pretty tough. Sometimes questions aren't covered in that week's readings/lecture. Gives you 85% of questions to final, act like you love music in the paper, practice the solo for a couple of minutes, and get an A.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hated him and this class. Lectures were unstructured and most times did not relate to the material that was going to be on the quizzes. Piano solo requires 2 minutes of practice, assigns one paper and grades easily as long as it's in on time. Drops 2-3 lowest quizzes, final exam based on quizzes. Class was a joke and waste of time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• 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:

Professor Carroll can be a good guy if you give him the chance to be. If not, he can be a huge jerk. It depends. The jazz class is not at all what I expected. It's a lecture in the choir room, so no desks and hundreds of people. He's okay, but can get on someone's nerves way too easily.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• 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:

A really entertaining guy. Knows his field cold. Lectures can be a bit vague and you've definitely gotta show up to pass. Great personality, extremely likable and friendly. Do not underestimate the class, you've gotta study if you want a good grade. He sort of interjects his left-wing politics, but not too much. Great guy overall.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A very eccentric individual, to say the least - loves music and does his best to get the students enjoying it. He's very helpful and the class is fairly easy as long as you go to class and 'listen to learn' to him...to be honest a regular music class like world music or american music would be easier, but this is definitely a cool jazz class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great guy. Lectures are fun. His class is pretty simple when you study.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I wasn't really that interested in the class. But its pretty easy... Don't get discouraged by the quizzes I basically failed the quizzes but do well on the paper which is very easy and the solo. You'll do fine. I pulled off a B .If you have good ppl in the class its hiliarious.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSI379
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very nice and is very knowledgeable, but not clear about much of the information he teaches and expects students to know/understand more than they do. Beware of written work, as there's lot of information on those which he won't go over ahead of time sufficiently and/or warn you about. Classes, overall, are insanely easy. Jam sessions, mostly.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• 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:

Very easy-going, the class sounds harder than it is but actually is pretty simple.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSI107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

You'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn't take this class. I got a new found appreciation for jazz and Jim is extremely hilarious. One of the best classes I've taken so far. It is ridiculously easy and I highly recommend it. I can't say enough on how much this class is a "give-me" if that's what you're looking for. Long live Carroll!

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This guy is great, very flamboyant and eccentric...goofy moreover. If you love Jazz and love to just LISTEN and anaylze music...take it!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

an easy enough class, if you go bother to attend to get what will be on quizzes. dont bother, just get last year's quizzes from someone else, they are exactly the same. the only thing athat was difficult was staying awake in his class and the listening parts on the quizzes