Judith Shapiro - American University

Professor: Judith Shapiro

Department: International Studies

College: American University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SIS106
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was at first very intimidated by Professor Shapiro's qualifications, but she is very down to earth and interesting. I was lucky to have her for my fys, because it gave me a good idea of what future classes should be like. She did not treat us like freshman either, which was nice. She expects you to be prepared, and that makes discussion better.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Judith Shapiro is a wonderful human being. By far my favorite teacher last semester. She's so interesting, like one day she dropped that she did sword dancing. Such a cool teacher. She will expect you to do your reading and participate but personally I think thats what made her such a good teacher.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Shapiro is super knowledgeable about the Chinese history and environmental politics, and she shares fascinating stories from her past and work. She is deeply connected to the fields and often brought in guest speakers. She is strongly opinionated, which is good, but it can color her teaching. Other 2016 SIS140 students exaggerate the difficulty.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This 10 student class felt more like a 3 hour conversation than an academic class, and that is not necessarily bad. Reading is essential for being able to participate in class and if you do not speak she will put you on the spot. homework was mainly a couple essays and of course the readings

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If grammar or spelling are a challenge for you, beware she will go after you 1-on-1 & in class. You HAVE to read!! You will not survive the blackboard post or class discussions without it. My class read 4 novel sized memoirs. You are graded super subjectively on "if you are getting it" & you are graded on two essays and BB posts. No tests/quizzes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SIS660
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very into the subject matter. Excellent professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SIS660
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her class starts with meditation and ends in fulfillment. She inspires you to read and ensures your participation through online and in-class activities. Her projects prepare you for upcoming challenges. The 5K you pay for her class is easily worth 50K in uni itself and over 500K in career. Money can't buy you a better class and a greater mentor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SIS660
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Students discuss the subject, while she moderates. She never taught in the class, thus after paying 5K in uni fees you get opinions of ur peers & understanding from readings She is unable to keep her prejudices out of class & grading. If she dislikes you then it gets difficult Her approach is idealist & not policy based Take another professor

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SIS400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

EXCELLENT Professor. Amazaing upper-level teaching style. She requires that you read, respond, and discuss which was extremely helpful. Discussion board was obnoxious at times, but really did force you to do the readings. We wrote one huge paper throughout the course of the semester, and it was probably the best paper I have yet to write in college

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SIS110
• 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:

She's Amazing. THE Greatest professor I've ever had. Like everyone else said, her priority is for you to understand/care about the material taught which is exactly why we're taking this class. It's like she's preparing us to become model citizens of the world.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• 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:

This class is chill because of Shapiro and fun because you get to know everyone in your class. Assignments are fairly simple- such as attending a religious ceremony, interviewing an immigrant, or visiting a foreign restaurant. Lots of reading (but no need to read it all) and several papers. Overall, a fresh class that's worth taking.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It's true that you may take it for an easy A, which it is, but b/c she cares, you will care as well. You will ACTUALLY become friends with the people in class because it is all discussion based, so be ready to talk. There is a lot of reading, but it can be skimmed easily. Assignments involve going out into DC to experience culture & write about it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHINAHNRS
• 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:

Hard work, but worth it. I learned so much!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SIS396
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you enjoy reading, take this course. It is a book a week plus projects.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SIS396
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

An immense waste of time!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Judy truly cares about the personal well being of her students and their internal learning more than tests. You may take it bc its easy, but she'll care so much about you that you end up caring alot about the class, and learning. And she's brilliant.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INTSTUDIES
• 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:

Shapiro may be easy -- but this is because she develops such a strong personal bond with each student that you feel guilty if you don't truly apply yourself. She is smart, makes students excited about class and aware of the issues, and assigns work that you actually learn from

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class. A bit repetitive at times, but she's incredibly nice and very helpful. She is willing to help you with anything she can, even issues outside of class. I later did an independent study with her and it was great. Take her class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SIS140
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy grader and super helpful. So intelligent! Very lenient with deadlines which is great.