James Snapko - University of St. Thomas

Professor: James Snapko

Department: Theater

College: University of St. Thomas

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FILM200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class and Snapko are fine overall. The class is not very difficult and after first two weeks mainly consist of just watching movies then discussing and writing on them. There are two big papers and group project. My main complaint is a lack of feedback from Snapko, you wont really know how you are doing until course is done.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FILM200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

TAKE SNAPKO!! I took this class for fine arts requirement and i'm so glad. At the beginning of the semester you go over filmmaking techniques, take good notes because you will need to use the terms for your papers. 2 Papers that are easy if you are specific and use terms he looks for. Very approachable, and you get to watch tons of cool movies!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FILM200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

All you do in this class is watch movies and discuss them and write a few papers on them. Overall this class was pretty easy and he's pretty laid back, but you don't get much feedback on how you're doing. I didn't know my grade in the class until he posted final grades which was kind of annoying. Don't buy the textbook, you won't need it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CSCL3910
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He seemed a bit distant at times but if we ever had questions he was there for us. Knows a lot about the technical side of film-making which was helpful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FILM200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The class is VERY manageable! Big chunk of the work is writing out a pair of essays. Just pay attention, participate (he bumps your grade UP if you do a lot). Snapko knows his stuff and brings in films that expand your critical analysis skills/ explore more universal/global themes. Downside: Essays have little feedback, but you can redo them

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: THTR259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite professors at UST, he's very into film and makes class interesting even though its a 3 hour class. I actually looked forward to class most of the time. You watch a lot of films, discuss them in class and write a few papers. Definitely take this class with Snapko if you need your fine arts requirement.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THTR259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a once a week night class. it's dope. we watch no country for old men and other really interesting movies that will open your eyes as a a viewer. James is a cool guy and enjoys what he does.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THTR259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class for JTerm because it looked interesting, and it was. You watch movies in class and he's a very clear teacher. However, do not take this class expecting an easy "A." Because of the lack of class time (for a JTerm) don't expect a lot of feedback on papers and don't be surprised if your final grade is just a "B."

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: THRT259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Just right the papers about what he says in class. I took the J-term class and it went by fast. You watch movies and right papers and talk about them in class. Very easy class to take. I recomend it. He knows what he wants to hear. Will review drafts for papers.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FILM260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really a fun class. He knows what he is talking about and has even made some movies of his own. Overall a great teacher.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FILM259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Okay, so, here's the deal...Snapko is a very knowledgable professor and knows what he is talking about. The only problem is that he is pretty tough when it comes to papers. He knows what he wants and if that is not what you wrote, expect a C. This class, however, will teach you more than any other class and is interesting. Take this class!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THEA259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very good, smart prof. Great guy, really cares about what he's teaching. The class is a lot of fun, and if you are engaged then you'll do well. Work on the papers but he's willing to help. Great prof, I wish there were more film classes more often.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

In my 4 years, he is the most knowledgeable, organized prof I've had. It was a 3 hour class, but wasn't boring because he was always teaching you new things. It's a fair amount of work, but it's really not that hard as long as you listen in class. If you're interested in film, he's a great prof.!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FILM259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

if you do not agree with him expect to not do so well. He tends to use comples language to sound good.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: THR259
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Um...he talks alot...repeats everything over just to kill time. He acts like we have no other classes but his! Too much busy work and writing! But cool...I guess.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FILM
• 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:

Snapko is a total dude. Great prof.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

God help you if you take his class...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FILM214
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

James is a decent person, but a very tough grader when it comes to papers. Expect to do a lot of work in the course, and don't think that this film course will be a blow off. James is very organized, and throws a lot of material to his students in a relatively short time frame.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THR259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It's an okay class but a fair amount of work if you just want to meet the fine arts requirement.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: THR259
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not able to relate to other interpretations/idea of the students. Dismisses all comments or thoughts that arent in line with his own. If you are interested in learning how to think for yourself and interpret art such as film steer clear of Snapko.