William Epstein - University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Professor: William Epstein

Department: Social Science

College: University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, this professor can be difficult but all you have to do is read his articles that he presents and the assigned textbooks. He is brutally honest and makes his students think outside of the box and be realistic with what the social work field offers. I would definitely take the professor again.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SW795
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Only required to meet the first time in person all other meetings are up to you to schedule. He is funny in his own way and incredibly intelligent. Willing to help you with your paper as much as you want although sometimes it is unclear exactly what he is looking for. Use peers for help on paper.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult professor

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SWK709
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You won't like him. He doesn't care. LISTEN and you will LEARN more from this professor than you will in all other social work classes combined. He is brilliant and changed my entire paradigm. Miss his lectures and you may never understand social justice. He's tough but a MUST not miss. Buy ALL his books and read them all twice!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have had in my entire life. He tells everyone to drop out because we are all going to be horrible social workers one day. Extremely unhelpful and gives such limited feedback when he grades your paper harshly. I would never take him if I didn't have to. He gives me literal anxiety. I am looking forward to never seeing him again!!!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst class ever! This professor does not throughly explain the content of the course. The grade for the course is based solely on two papers. He provides little to no feedback on the papers. This course seriously made me consider dropping Social Work as a whole. He is not supportive or helpful in any way. If you a have a choice don't choose him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SW703
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor! When reading the reviews (or hearing rumors), please consider the students making them. Many UNLV MSW students are not good students. You can't fake it in Dr. Epstein's class. I highly recommend his courses. I learned a lot and so appreciated his honesty regarding the landscape of social work.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SW703
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Epstein is an amazing teacher. He tells it like it is & comes off a bit strong, but he gives the harsh reality that no other professor does. There is a midterm and a final, which you will have to work very hard on, but otherwise just show up and pay close attention to the lectures. Regardless of what's said, it is an opportunity to be in his class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Would only take him if he there was no other teacher available. The thing that I did not like is I felt that he was rude and not helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SWK701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Epstein is very intelligent, however his lectures are confusing. He doesn't discuss the readings very much. He talks about his opinion and comes off condescending when you try to input to the discussion. Take home midterm/final. Tough grader. READ EVERYTHING & WATCH HIS VIDEO LECTURES. He's a challenge, but in a good sense. Just condescending.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I hated every minute of this class. Hardest instructor I've ever had. Brutal take home midterm and final. Talks really fast, no time to for notes. Reads his lectures for the most part. HOWEVER, Ive never learned so much in my life and Ive never worked so hard for a B (5yr 4.0 student until this class). READ, show up, listen and record lectures.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 785
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you want to get your money's worth, then get on board with Epstein. Not for the faint hearted!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SW703
• 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:

If you will allow your mind to open up to new perspectives that challenge what you think you know, take this class. You'll get your monies worth!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Everything written I believe is correct. I very much enjoyed both of his policy classes. I'm glad I didn't let the negative comments influence me to drop his class. I learned more in his classes than any of my other social work graduate classes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SW701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible class! He mumbles throughout his lectures which are hardly relevant to the exams. He shuts his students down when they attempt to answer questions. The class is based on the points you receive from 2 exams. His class is entirely too long and extremely boring. It's a waste of money. RUN WHILE YOU CAN!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SW1002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult to understand his concepts; a ton of assigned reading, overall clarity of material is not well presented.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SWK701
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A wonderful professor. He is extremely an intelligent professor in the department. I wonder if he could teach advanced philosophy in addition to social policy. I believe policy maker need to have consultation from him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SWK716
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This Professor has the corner market so to speak on all the Social Policy classes. He's been at UNLV for decades. I learned more from reading the books in the class and nothing from his lectures. The first lecture will be the same lecture over and over again. In a nutshell he thinks Social Work is a useless field. I wish he would stop teaching.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SWK702
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr.Epstein is an extremely challenging professor. I did respect his rule of not using "I" when speaking in class. Glad I didn't hear people's dramatic experiences and personal opinions throughout class. Dr.Epstein thinks outside the box.His arguments make sense. He makes time outside of class for his students & is a dedicated professor & researcher

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SWK709
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Epstein is hilarious! He has a dark sense of humor but lays the reality of social work on the table. He is so committed to education and the teaching process. He is very professional, knowledgeable and available for individual questions. I wish I gad more classes with Dr. Epstein. One of the few trying to change the status quo!