Samuel Yamashita - Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Professor: Samuel Yamashita

Department: History

College: Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST100J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not bad. But definitely overrated.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST168
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wow, an amazing professor. Every time I think about this class, and the curriculum Professor Yamashi ta developed, and the breadth, and depth of his knowledge... I am superbly amazed. I have never learned history like this. He is also very helpful and understanding in office hours. The class IS pretty hard, however.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ASIANTRADITIONS
• 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:

One of the best out there- recently made Princeton review's list of America's top profs. Every sentence teaches you. He will teach you how to read, think, and write. Difficult class, but you learn so much. He's wise and has great stories. Highly recommended.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST60
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Asian Traditions is one of the best courses at Pomona College. Samuel is the man, he's like Yoda, wise beyond words

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST168
• 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:

Excellent, knowledgeable, brilliant, accessible, kindly, funny. I was worried about this class because I'd heard he was a hard teacher, but get this--he's not! Assigns a lot of reading, but this is college, what do you expect. And it's interesting stuff (mostly). He's really sweet and cares very much about his students and their lives.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST060
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher I ever had at Pomona. I still remember many facts and historical theories taught in his classes, and that impresses many of my co-workers and peers. Great preparation for law/grad school. I went to a top 14 law school, and I now made six figures. Needless to say, his classes were just a tad bit easier than law school classes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASIAN000
• 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:

I took his class a long long time ago, but just ran across this site and wanted to give some praise to this stellar professor - one of my favorties. Only take his classes if you really want to think and learn. If you do, you will reap great rewards! Matt Jorgensen '90

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tough, but nice. Humorous, but serious. Great mentor to have in your corner as he is genuinely interested in your success.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 100MRETHINKING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The best and hardest class I've taken at Pomona. I'd recommend it, probably should start with something less hardcore though. It's a real seminar meaning your participation grade matters a lot and that has been difficult for me.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Absolutely brilliant, thoughtful, very tough and demanding, generous, inspired ...

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

prof yam is friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. he genuinely cares about his students, though the class is often really big for a pomona class. awesome outside of class, as well. don't miss the buddha lecture. there's a ton of material in the class so it's overwhelming but i learned a lot even though i hardly did the readings. exams are difficult.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Yamashita is quite an important man - he's done so much in his time. He's hip too; has no problem talking about smoking hash, drinking, etc. As for the class: 10 2-pagers are quite overwhelming to the end, but thought-proviking in the beginning.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

ATrad is a really good class, just a lot of work, but Yamashita is such a good professor and lecturer. If you want to take a class where you will be challenged and learn take this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST100J
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

this man rocks. beneath a mellow exterior is a sharp mind.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Prof. Yama****a is excellent; very enthusiastic, engaging and extremely helpful. His comments on papers always guide you in the right direction, and his willingness to help is a plus. One of the best profs. I've had at Pomona.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST100J
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As good as they get. His tests are MURDER, but he is generous on grading papers. Very friendly. Good at lecturing and at running discussions.