Paul Burke - California State University - Sacramento

Professor: Paul Burke

Department: Sociology

College: California State University - Sacramento

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof B changed my life. I went in to his class not knowing so many important things about racial history that had been left out of schools and he taught a lot of truths that are hard to swallow. His lectures are amazing and he is a really funny guy. I felt like I grew as a person. If you do not do the readings, you will not pass the 4 tests.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Has lots of extra credit opportunities, loves talking about his adopted kids from Haiti and he is just an amazing professor and helps you with further understanding, he stops the documentaries to talk far too much though but it's okay. Just make sure not to fall asleep or be on your phone because he will call you out.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC130
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, you have to read to pass quizzes, but even if just skim through readings. You should do great on quizzes (they're only 17-20 question quizzes)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terrible. He graded us on four test, multiple choice, the lowest of which (excluding the final) is dropped. He used videos constantly, which he would constantly interrupt, and used extensive class time to talk about his personal life and to solicit money from his students. He ran out of time to lecture on test material so he fed us answers.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC130
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Attendance is not required per se, but Professor Burke gives extra credit points for students who stay the entire almost-three hour class. The tests and exams do cover a lot of the material in lecture and movies, you do not want miss one class. The professor offers multiple opportunities for extra, utilizing them makes the class a tad bit easier.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Burke is someone who easily got on my nerves, but he's a damn good professor. His lectures are super interesting. Make sure you do the readings, not mandatory, but helpful. Highly recommend him as a professor. He does random attendance so make sure you go. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT! It's super easy. I loved this class hope you do as well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DO the study assignments if you want to do well on the quizzes. Prof. Burke has a lot of fun EC opportunities. Take advantage of them. Pay attention to lecture and take the best notes you can. This class was hard work. Not overwhelming if you manage your time well, but tough. Not a fan of Burke and him pushing his political views on us, either.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

We basically just watched a bunch of documentaries in class while he paused to lecture. He is very, very liberal and will often bring up politics. There is no homework, but attendance is required. He has 4 exams, but the lowest grade is dropped. Each exam is only around 25 questions. But in order to get an A, you have to do a lot of extra reading.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• 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:

lectures are boring the first day of class I wanted to drop it. He dose not upload grades so you wont know if your passing or not. He does not check or respond to emails he says he gets too many. He does not have office hours he has after class hours the only good thing about this class is their is no homework.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• 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:

Prof. B is a character. Hes strict with his in-class policies but he just wants you to be attentive. He lectures, and boy do these lectures get you thinking. He gives you four exams, the final one is mandatory and he drops the lowest one. He tests on exactly what he lectures on. He holds events at his house for extra credit. Guy is super chill.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's a teacher you either love or hate because of his biased nature in the lectures. I personally loved his class and am taking him again this semester for politics. Literally every single class you watch a film. Take 4 mult. choice quizzes & drops lowest one. His Politics class (Soc 130) is same exact thing except he adds two essay tests. Easy A

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paul's teaching style takes time to adjust to. His lecture is predominantly opinion based speech with a sprinkling of sparse and sporadic factual commentary. Although one can expect this discourse in the modern social sciences, I was hoping to gain insight and a change of perspective from his class. It's the same same social justice group think.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor who knows his stuff. I recommend not skipping class as attendance is definitely part of your grade. Took about 3 quizzes which I find almost as hard as any other test so far. Only drops one lowest quiz. Tried the best I could to catch up on everything he covers as his teaching is all over the place. Turned out okay in the end.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great course content. Too bad he has to make it all about him. Acts like he wants discussion but really just wants you to regurgitate phrases. Does NOT want to be challenged. Mainly shows videos and lectures and messes with the lights. Easy A though. But don't do it

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor and knows his facts, a very interesting class will defiantly change your perspective and make you value more what you have. you do need to study like most classes but not too much 4 quizzes total he drops your lowest one except for the last one, 30 points in extra credit, don't miss class 1/3 of quiz is based on his lectures

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Paul Burke is intellectually dishonest. It is unfortunate because this class has so much potential and I was eager to learn. Show up to class and you'll pass.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Second time taking prof B, and he's really passionate about his job. His discussions are always interesting, but the way his presentations are much hard to pay attention. He shows videos and writes terms for you to follow and define. Some of videos are really boring so it hards to pay attention but overall its easy. Very different from other profs

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy class so far. Stick to his script and you will pass. Paul does not seem like he is too bright though. His thoughts/ideas surrounding race/ethnicity in America are formulaic and seldom involve critical thought. He is a harmless lug that makes for an easy A.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Burke is a true lecturer. You will be able to tell a great amount of preparration was done. That being said, it's highly advised to not go against the grain. Sit down, take your notes, study them thoroughly, and get an A with multiple choice tests. Prof. Burke's info forever changed how I view the world, and it is much needed.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOC120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The best way to describe this class is neoliberal fantasy devoid of fact. Confirmation bais is strong with Paul so be prepared to question the presentation of his lecture material and side rants. Be optimistic, try to learn from this class. Question everything.