Terry Besser - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Terry Besser

Department: Sociology

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Her class was super hard, because she was never clear on how to study for exams and what would be on them.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 401
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Rudest Prof ever. I was in her class for a week and didn't understand the classical readings that were required and she basically told me i was an idiot, because i was a college student who couldnt understand the readings. She also told me to have a nice life when i had her sign my drop slip. DO NOT RECOMMEND

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

Very interesting material, but extremely hard class. Dr. Besser lectures with PowerPoints, but does not allow laptop use nor does she post complete PowerPoints to Blackboards. The TAs are helpful. On-line homework is ridiculous; textbook doesn't help for homework, just for test preparation. The on-line tests are very difficult, but the curve helps.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

SOC 134 with Dr. Besser was my worst class of the semester. The TA's did not respond to emails and were rude when you needed a grade they messed up fixed. Dr. Besser was sometimes polite in email responses, and other times quite rude. I have been trying to get my grade corrected for this class for a month, but it still has not been fixed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

I loved this professor. She was a very lenient grader. She curved all tests, homework, and our final grade. She made adjustments to assignments and tests that she made mistakes on. It is necessary that you read every chapter in order to do well. If you do that, you will do great. The people giving her a poor rating probably didn't do the homework.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• Grade Received: 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:

Very very intelligent teacher. She is very interesting to listen to and is always very clear in her explanations. She explains expectations well and grades very very fairly.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

worst teacher I've ever had. Impossible test and confusing course work. Test not even related to what we learned in class. Doesn't help with any questions; she always directs you to her TA's. If i were you, get a different teacher before she ruins your GPA.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

Notes unorganized, tests awful. If you have to take sociology, I would recommend another teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible teacher, went in to talk to her to try to get help and was helpless. Very frustrated to pay so much for a class and get little to no help. Get a different teacher.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC401
• 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:

Pretty tough class. If I had to write one more paper for Mr. Besser this semester, I would have just dropped out with 9 credits left until graduation. Seriously. My head hurts. However, I did learn a lot.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Such a terrible teacher. She ruined my interest in sociology and I probably will never take a sociology class again. If you have the choice with another teacher go with the other teacher and not Besser. The tests were nothing that she taught and her notes are extremely disorganized.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

Tests are very difficult. So many notes and book readings

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tests are impossible, doesnt give study guides. I would not recommend taking this class with her.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC401
• 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:

Too many papers!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC134SECTION1
• 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:

You learn the material well

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No more words. Worst that I've ever taken any class :(

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

Lots of cool info in this course. I went to class, I listened, I did well. The book is unnecessary if you don't mind missing a few points.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC380
• 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:

Tough but fair. Requires a moderate amount of reading and frequently assigns papers. Does not allow laptops in class. Is pretty clear about what she expects from written assignments, and if you make the necessary changes, your grade on papers will improve.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• 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:

Never went to class and I paid the price. Fail the class; hard exams, lots of reading and studying. She is tough and expects a lot. GO TO CLASS.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOC134
• 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:

This was my only 100 level class I took this semester and easily the hardest. Tests are hard and nearly impossible to stud for. If I could go back I would not take this course.