James Smethurst - University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Professor: James Smethurst

Department: Ethnic Studies

College: University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AFROAM151
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mandatory attendance in class and discussion. Graded based on attendance and 3 papers out of which the final is a take-home. You can write all these in your own time but it is important to pay attention in a few classes because you may have to base your answers in the final on that. Boring lecture classes but interesting content.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AFROAMLIT117
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy but class is boring. Lectures make no sense and the only thing he does is babble and play music videos for us. Easy class but would never take again. No homework and 3 essays but they're stuff you really don't care about, would rather take an exam.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AFROAM118
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

easiest class. showed up and listened to him babble. only 3 papers and no homework

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AFROAM151
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pros: Easy A if you put in a little effort, caring professor will help out any student, not too work intensive, takes up two gen ed reqs, rewrite your first paper, can select topic for final paper Cons: Super boring lectures/material it is hard to stay awake, mandatory attendance, graded on few things attendance30%, 1 paper 10%, final paper 60%

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AFRAM118
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable and nice professor. Attendance is mandatory although his lectures are so boring they will lull you to sleep. I barely read anything he assigned because its honestly not necessary. Everyone takes the class because they know its an easy gen ed. Grades are attendance, 2 papers, and a take home final. Easy class with not alot of work

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AFROAM151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Probably the most knowledgeable professor I have ever had. He is very understanding and has a great personality. He makes himself very available if you need help and loves students who show interest. I highly recommend taking any of his classes, they will not disappoint.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AFROAM151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher, very knowledgable, attendance is mandatory, speak up in class and he will love you. Three papers and a final exam with two essays. If you pay attention and do the work you will do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IND6000
• 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:

I took an independent study with him at UNF while getting my MA. He is brilliant, caring, and still passionate about his subject. If you slack then you lose. When I began teaching his advice was to be kind. I've taken it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AFRAM118
• 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:

I liked this class, although his lectures could get boring at times. The material we read was interesting and he was always available to help with papers. Discussion was a must! Easy to get an A in this class!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AFAM151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

pretty easy class. don't need to come to class and no tests just 2 papers. dont really need to do any of the readings either. grades based on discussion attendance and papers

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AML2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took Jim while he was teaching at a different university, and I found him to be the most accessible and academically serious professor. He is has a good nature and inspirational personality. One of the few who really helped me graduate while other faculty were discriminating against me. Someone I would like to consider a friend.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AFRAM118
• 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:

boring boring boring class. Barely go, but its still pretty easy to get a good grade

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AFRO290
• 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:

Great professor. Very accessible and gives good feedback. Definitely familiar with the material he teaches, making it easier to pay attention.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AFROA390C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ridiculously nice professor, not a hard class at all, you should do the readings but he doesn't quiz you if you don't. Kinda peaceful, lots of sitting back and listening but he encourages participation if you want to. He really wants you to do well and learn, probably one of the nicest professors i've ever had.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AAS117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

it's too bad so many people slack off in this class. jim is one of the nicest professors i've ever had. this class is really interesting if you do the readings--and you should, 'cos they're great. jim knows his stuff, and he wants you to be interested and learn something. the class isn't hard, you just have to care.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AFRAM652
• 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:

He is very smart, kind, and helpful!! Take classes with him--you will learn and he won't make you feel stupid for asking a question or having a different point of view.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best in the department. Very helpful professor. I'm greatful to have had him for two smesters straight and if he taught more classes, i would take them.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AAS117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is not the most interesting person to listen to, but he is probably one of the nicest professors. He really does want to help you and for you to do well, the class can just be boring sometimes. If you keep up with your work, it's easy to do well.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AA117190
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

To Date, my favorite professor. Had him when I was a freshman for both semesters. He was at times boring, but that would not have been the case if people actually did the assigned readings. Worth taking his course.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AFROAMLIT117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

this course is really easy ... but he tends to drone on in his monotone voice and that kills me, personallu. i like him as a person and he does know his stuff but i just took the class for the g,u so hey, if you're interested and lazy take him i guess ...