Charles Tompkins - Furman University, Greenville, SC

Professor: Charles Tompkins

Department: Music

College: Furman University, Greenville, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took him for music appreciation. He is all over the place in using his syllabus and with tests. Not the hardest grader, but you should put a little effort in studying for his exams. Nice guy, too smart to be teaching music appreciation making his lectures pretty boring and all over the place most of the time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tompkins is a really funny, nice guy. He gets off topic a lot and his lectures are pretty confusing, however, if you ask for help outside of class he will be there. If you struggle with theory, I recommend getting a tutor (it's free and they are great). Only tests are the mid-term and final. We have quizzes every once in a while. You can def pass.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC111
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tompkins is a useless theory professor. He is not clear and never stays on subject when lecturing. Try to stay clear of him for music theory.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS111
• 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:

He is very knowledgable about the topic but talks so much about the things that are taught in the higher level classes that it is hard to keep track of what the class should know now and what the class will know later.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSICTHEO
• 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:

Dr. Tompkins is a PHENOMENAL Organist! The best I've ever heard live. However, he is a completely worthless theory instructor. At Furman they purposefully teach you theory badly so you'll quit the music department. Tompkins did a good job of sucking at Form and Analysis. I had to read Schoenberg's "Theory of Harmony" to teach myself. UGH!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS221
• 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:

I actually really like Dr. Tompkins. He is really nice.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Take Tompkins over Kilstofte if you don't care about learning theory

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not helpful....****ish....

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC23
• 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:

Avoid. He doesn't work with students or contact outside of class. professor isn't understanding and is not clear at all!!! Take someone else!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUS34
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tompkins is awesome. I think he's one of those profs that some people adore and some people don't get. He's hilarious, though he can be extremely vague (which is bad for Form and Analysis) but in his defense, he's fair. Music majors should have him at some point just for his point of view.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I liked Tompkins because of his strange sense of humor. He's very willing to help you one on one basis, despite his busy schedule. He's definitely not the warm fuzzy type, pretty much business-like, but I learned a decent amount and it was a pretty painless class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Well, all I can say is that he is quite a weirdo. His humor kind of reminds me of Alan Rickman attempting to do a comedic role. He is also a bit insensitive, but in the music field, you can grow to be that way. I must say that I did learn a lot, but I don't like his personality.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUS22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's kind of eccentric and in his own little world. He can be mean in class and sometimes doesn't even realize it. He's completely out of touch with student's needs and where they are with the material and just not a good teacher Music majors, avoid him if you can. koppelman is much better.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

i don't know what these other people were talking about. this class was not that hard, and if you did find it hard then there are help sessions. some of the hw was monotonous, but that's expected in a theory class. unbelievably dry humor, but he taught the class well. nothing to be afraid of.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUS21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He moves a little fast but only in an effort to get through all the material by course end. He is also very helpful outside of class and keeps ever entertained inside class with his extremely dry wit. A good teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This has to be the hardest music teacher at Furman. He moves EXTREMELY fast and I really did not like him at ALL. I only reccomend him if you have had A LOT of theory in the past and like a challenge because his class sure did kick my but.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC22
• 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:

I love Tompkins. He's really funny in a dry, sarcastic sort of way, very clear, and gives enough homework that you learn the material but aren't ever overloaded. Highly recommend him for freshman theory.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really funny, in a quirky kind of way. You have to get used to his goofy sense of humor. "The Good Housekeeping approved method of ......." A good teacher too, not too hard.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

All right class - Moves at a pretty good pace, but he could be clearer on some of the topics

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Is a pretty good teacher, but makes weird faces and is kind of dorky. Cool nonetheless. Somewhat absentminded, but it's funny.