Russell Smandych - University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB

Professor: Russell Smandych

Department: Criminal Justice

College: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He reads his powerpoints and often doesn't know what he's talking about. He is very touch at grading papers and doesn't give much good feedback once it is marked.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC3880
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Smandych is a fantastic professor. This has by far been the most interesting criminology class I have taken! His lectures are heavy, but have lots of information with great explanations. He makes exams and papers super easy because everything comes from the lectures! Definitely recommend him for Global Criminology!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, super friendly and passionate about the subject. I don't know why his score is so low it should be at least a 4 in my opinion. Highly recommend him!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CRIM2510
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tests are easy if you study for them. You are required to write 3 small papers along with a group discussion about your paper, that is where the participation comes in. His notes are based heavily off of the textbook. He takes an interest in his students and class discussion. The only con is that the papers don't have any feedback on them.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CRIM2510
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He does not post his notes online and skips through his slides too fast sometimes. He could be dry and boring sometimes but interesting at others. He grades his papers not too hard and his tests are easy if you study. He gives hints about what is important and what is not in his lectures. He was a decent prof.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CRIM4490
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Smandych is a passionate and experienced Criminologist. Students who have rated him poorly are likely not used to dry wit/sarcasm and direct feedback/communication. In any class he teaches you need to prepare with assigned readings and really listen to what he considers important information. The U of M is extremely lucky to have him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Definitely grab the online textbook. It's actually a good read. The tests are pretty easy to study for if you are good a memorizing - not a lot of deep thought needed. He makes you write/type his notes (does not post) which is really too bad because your so busy trying to copy everything down in time you really don't get to listen to him talk

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC3830
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

tests are tough. multiple choice and true false questions are very specific

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 2510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst proff for Crim. Take it with another professor if you can. He also grades the papers way too unfair and his lectures are beyond boring. Please just quit

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC3830
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For some reason, his lectures and papers are great but his exams are terrible. His multiple choice questions are badly worded and very tricky; lots of a and c, b & d, none of the above, all of the above type of questions; basically choose the best answer as there is more than one or two right answers. His short answer questions are actually essays!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC3830
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was my third class with Smandych and he's the reason why I like Criminology. Yes, he's hard, you have to work for your mark and read lots, but so what!! it's university not high school anymore, I really enjoyed him. Thanks for everything you've taught me professor!!!! :)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic Prof, I hate crim but he made it fun with great papers to write.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CRIM2510
• 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:

Terrible prof. I was very excited about the class beforehand, but he ruined it by his monotone and useless teachings. He was not helpful when I asked him for help. I had to rely solely on the textbook to study for tests. If I had any other classes with him, I would drop them ASAP.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CRIM2500
• 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:

Unfortunately ended up having him as prof. Cant answer questions and is awkward when he has to stray from his slides, which are terrible. Spelling mistakes and brutal formatting, but he treats them like his babies. Managed to suck everything interesting out of an interesting subject, so I guess he was good at that. Very awkward at everything.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• 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:

Not very good. His powerpoint slide said "What is crime?" for the first 5 classes, and I still am not sure what crime is! His tests are awful, he added 5 marks to the first one and that still only put me to a C+. He doesn't answer emails and if you ask a question in class he gives an unrelated, useless answer. Wears the same clothes everyday too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Right now waiting for my mark, tough prof, his multiple choice and true/false questions are ridiculous, really wish I had taken a class with the other professor teaching criminology. If you want to barely get an A with a 90 %, then this is the class for you!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• 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:

Just had my first class with him,seems like an alright kinda guy, although beware an A is 85-92 and A+ is 93 and above, kinda****ty but gotta work harder for that A+ motivation!!! Will keep you posted

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOCIO2610
• 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:

He's awesome in Soc 2610, I've had him for a few courses but this one is one of his best. Read the damn text book and you'll be fine. However he'll put tricky questions on exam, so whether your one of those students who never show up...you'll get a C (if that). Great prof...you will definitely like!! Thanks smandy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC2510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's pretty good, not very clear when you ask him a question on essays but the essays are easy. Tests were average, just study the book and you'll do fine. However if you want you 10% participation mark go to class discussions!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOC3780
• 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:

does go through info really fast, but overall an easy prof in terms of assignments and essays, tests on the other hand....