Ted Palys - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Professor: Ted Palys

Department: Criminal Justice

College: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It was an online class, so I have never seen him. However he is the author of the textbook and weekly modules, so I can rate him according to them. The textbook was very dry and contained a lot of useless information. His lectures were little bit more interesting, but it seems like he did not change them for at least five years.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220DED
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great guy and professor. Very reasonable and respectable as well as understanding. Tries hard to make dry material easy to understand. Glad I had this class online with Ted.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CRIM419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is a very caring professor. There are 3 papers which are worth 25% which were marked fairly and participation which is worth 25%. He is very approachable and really cares about Indigenous issues in Canada. Overall, it was a good course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Book makes the course so much worse. Chapters are too long & dry, they don't get down to the point. Essays also take up so much time & are too long to get a direct point across. Taken online so I can't assess teaching abilities.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CRIM429
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is a genuine professor who has a passion for teaching about Indigenous peoples and the law. Although he is very knowledgable about the issues, his lectures are extremely boring. I am a student that attends every class but sitting through his lecture was brutal. He does not give clear guidelines for what he expects for the presentation or papers

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FNST419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is the most frustrating prof I've ever had in my undergrad. He has much knowledge of indigenous leaders, history, & activism. Course material is awesome, & puts indigenous voices first as much as possible. However, his grading criteria is unclear, he's rarely in his office hours, & he doesn't like being asked questions about how he does things.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CRIM419
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Caring, knowledgeable, soft-spoken, and extremely passionate about what he does. Majority of grade is participation, so participate! No exams, only four papers due at semester's end. Everyone who wants to understand more about indigenous issues and culture should take this class. He's a really friendly man and is easy to talk to outside of class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid the online section unless you have no choice. The textbook was super dry and very hard to read. The foundation of the final exam is based off of the text so if you don't read, prepare to fail. There are 2 quizzes; make sure you know the material - it is TIMED. Also 2 10 page papers. The TM was picky so make sure you understand the guidelines.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took this class online. Two tests worth 15 % each and you're online given 10 minutes to answer, too rushed to complete it. Essays marked mediocre but take a long time to complete. The book is one of the most boring books ever and you have to read every chapter of it with chapters ranging from 30-40 dry pages each. would not take him again

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Palys is a friendly and approachable prof. Passionate about this subject and is very willing to help. Read the textbook and review the study questions at the end of each chapter and you'll do well.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CRIM220
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about online privacy and ethics. Many research stories to tell that reflect the research decisions chapters in the powerpoint slides. Marks hella tough but you get some leverage with the TA marking the other half of everything. Does a good job emphasizing key points/ concepts multiple times in slides. Lectures can get a bit dry

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CRIM419
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is one of those few profs that leaves a lasting impression on you: my entire view of Aboriginal-Settler issues has changed. He is knowledgeable, approachable and encouraging of questions. Grading is 25% participation and 75% essays (4 essays). There are no assignments due the whole semester and 4 (5-7pg) essays due at the end of the semester.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CRIM419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted was the first Prof in my four years at SFU that took the time to memorize every single students name. He is passionate about what he does and does it show. Participation (showing up and talking in class) counts for 25%. Rest of mark is for papers. Don't wait till the end of the course to do all the papers !

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CRIM429
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good prof, however he tends to rant and go on long tangents. He is not very clear when answering a question but he is there to help with anything. Very nice guy, fairly good prof. downsides: goes on a round about way of answering things and is a little unclear on what is expected for the finial project and presentation. PARTICIPATE!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CRIM320
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't need the textbook, and don't need to attend lectures. The research project was actually a lot of fun, because you get to chose your topic. Went to class a handful of times, worked moderately hard on my paper, and got a B-. Just print off all the lecture slides and study them, and you'll pass and get a good mark.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CRIM419
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He really cares about his students and is passionate about what he teaches. Would recommend.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CRIM321
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is encouraging, caring, and fair with his students. The material can be dry at times, but he's knowledgeable and well experienced in qualitative research. He makes the material interesting with real life examples and his own research projects. The term project was fair and he prepared you well for it. You learn some pretty cool stuff.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CRIM321
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is really encouraging to his students and cares about the success of everybody in his class. The material can be dry at times but his knowledge is evident and can break things down thats easy to understand. We did one big term paper that as worth 50% but he gives tons of feedback and help. Would totally take a class with him again.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FNST419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ted is a great professor and lecturer. He is knowledgeable in the fields of First Nations studies and Crim! The first paper you submit, but he only provides feedback. The next 3 assignments plus the first one are due on the last day of classes altogether, but they are assigned throughout the semester. Do not leave them to the very end!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 321
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Palys' class was a break from the usual grind. He is passionate about the material, which I personally find to always make a class easier. The content was not difficult to grasp, and I found the term research paper to be interesting and not a chore. I seriously recommend this class. Oh, and tutorials were optional (not marked).