James Sheppard - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Professor: James Sheppard

Department: Psychology

College: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of reading and you have to do it. There is no way to be lazy in this class and make a decent grade. If you procrastinate one night, you are already behind. I was constantly stressed about this class. Dr. Sheppard is an Okay guy, but a hard prof. The exams were tricky and hard to do well on.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• 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:

This class was one of the hardest Ive taken. Your entire grade is exams. That being said, Dr. Shepperd is the most amazing teacher and cares about his students. He made the point to memorize all of our names. This class took up all of my time, but I found it so rewarding. If you love psych and want a challenge, take this class!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had PSY2012 in Fall 2016. I took a psych class as a senior in HS, so I had an advantage going into this course. However, Sheppard's exams are based off both the readings and the lectures, so make sure you study from both. There's only 4 exams and a research req., which is just participating in studies. If you put in the effort, you'll get an A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a great proffessor, gives a lot of examples which really help you understand the concepts. His office hours happened to be after class which was convenient and he was always helpful. However, the only grades are exams and his tests can be a bit confusing. Overall, if you read the textbook and go to lecture, you should be fine!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm a great student. That being said, this class was probably the toughest I've ever taken. Even though I outlined every chapter and went to every class, it still took a lot of studying time just to get an A. Crazy difficult for an A, probably not that hard for a B. Obviously cares, but incredibly difficult.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• 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:

PSY2012 is not an easy A, although I wish it was. His exams were riddled with grammar mistakes and confusing phrasing. Oftentimes he'd put one point curves on the exams because he had made a question too hard or too confusing. As a person, you can tell that Dr. Sheppard cares about his students, but as a professor, his tests are too difficult.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I barely passed this class. Dr. Sheppard is an amazing professor, but his exams are pretty difficult if you don't study properly. You need to create notes, make your own practice exam, and your own study guide. He only supplies you with 10-30 questions to practice on. You need to invest a lot of time if you seriously want an A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Interesting/entertaining lectures and a pretty difficult class for intro psych. You HAVE to read the textbooks and you SHOULD go to lectures if you want an A. The test material is frequently on minute details from the book which can be frustrating but he's a good professor overall. You really will learn the material.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Sheppard definitely makes lectures interesting but what you learn in class doesn't even compare to the exams. Reading the textbook is a must if you want to pass. The exams focus more on applying the concepts to examples rather than the terms themselves. Not an easy A and very difficult considering it's an "intro" to psych class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shepperd does a great job of making lecture interesting and keeping his students engaged. You HAVE to read the textbook and study A LOT for the tests to do well(which isn't guaranteed even after doing all of that), so I wouldn't recommend his class if you want an easy A or aren't interested in psychology.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Sheppard is an awful general psych prof. His exams focus on details that are only mentioned in textbook footnotes and he acts like he's teaching doctoral level psych. You basically have to memorize the textbook. Additionally, he needs to keep his political views to himself.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSY2012
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

-Dry sense of humor -Engaging during lectures -Emphasizes attending class/lectures AND reading the textbook (print/online) -Focuses exams on applying knowledge to various examples rather than trivial items -As of 2016, only 4 exams and a research study participation requirement (only 5 grades - make them count)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He claims that if you attend lectures and read that you'll get an A. This was not the case for me. I paid attention but the exams aren't just on terms, they're on minute details. I wouldn't recommend this as a psych class for anyone who wants an A and doesn't plan on it being their main focus.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Shepperd is a great professor who really wants his students to succeed. Although the exams are tough, that's all the work you have to do. As long as you attend most of the lectures and read the book, you will do fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• 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:

The class content is very interesting, and Dr. Shepperd does a good job of lecturing. However, his exams are VERY DIFFICULT and your entire grade consists of 4 exams. Although I passed, I wouldn't recommend this as an easy psych course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• 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:

Attend the study review sessions before each test, read the chapters, attend class, and think about how what you learned shows up in your life. Getting an A is possible.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• 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:

Really great professor. He loves what he is teaching and what he is teaching comes across pretty clear, but the tests are killer. Your grade is based upon 4 tests and that's it. No extra credit is offered. Must read the book; half of the exam questions comes from there. Awesome class, HARD tests!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• 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:

He is a very passionate professor and genuinely wants his students to do well. Class attendance is very important bc he doesn't put up all of his power points. I read the book and i feel like that DEFINITELY gave me an advantage. Tests are difficult, worked very hard to get my A.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

you NEED to go to class. you NEEd to read the book, he intends to challenge you and it sucks BUT hes a good teacher. The class is hard, people say its not an easy A... I studied ALL the time and didnt even get an A as a straight A student...Dont take w other hard classes. all in all he's interesting, the Class is great..just tough! good luck

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOP3004
• 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:

Hes a really great teacher, very passionate and engaging in his lectures, but his tests are hard, this is not a coasting class at all. You have to study ALOT and really know how to apply the material. This class is definitely a challenge, but I learned alot.