Ronald Arthur - Brigham Young University

Professor: Ronald Arthur

Department: Japanese

College: Brigham Young University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT take this class UNLESS you have time to. He's a good teacher for SOME, if you are honestly school part-time. There is a crap ton of homework, like a LOT. And the kanji memorization is honestly unbelievable. I felt like I had to skip so many other classes JUST to stay caught up, and I did. HONESTLY, worst experience of my college career.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class during the Summer Term, so there were only a few students in the class and he interacted a lot with each of us. He is amazing at simplifying grammar patterns and making them very easy to understand. I felt completely comfortable asking questions, and he consistently answered them very thoroughly and encouraged active learning.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst experiences I've had at BYU. The material is challenging and he doesn't feel the need to offer any sort of help. Expect quizzes at least weekly and intense memorization. Not a fan of his teaching style (if his lectures could even be considered teaching) but the TAs will save you so rely on them. Wish I had never taken this course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you dont want to minor or major in Japanese, dont take this class - join Japan Club j-kaiwa. Itll just cause extra homework load and stress to your already full plate. Arthur Sensei is kind of strange, and teaches things like were children. I appreciate that he simplifies bunpo patterns, but time in class could be used way more effectively.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Japanese is hard, yes, but this class is unnecessarily difficult. Have to memorize kanji like crazy every week. Tests are primarily based out of the textbook which is nice. Reading is absolutely essential. Take advantage of his feedback after each of the midterms, don't wait until the end of the semester to get feedback.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Arthur does have a unique personality but he is a really good teacher. He is incredible at making concepts really simple and easy to understand. I was nervous to take his class after reading reviews but it was great. He's really good at what he does and is entertaining.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class isn't too difficult, but you do have to learn A LOT of kanji. Arthur sensei's lectures aren't very helpful and he doesn't like answering questions. He makes you feel stupid when you don't understand something and is not accessible outside of class for help.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved JAP 301 from Mr. Arthur. He is the goofiest guy alive! I'm telling you, it's totally worth it! He indeed makes fun of everybody, so if you make a mistake and he starts acting out Titanic or something like that, laugh with everybody!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

GREAT PROFESSOR--- although he can be rude, his pronunciation is dismal, and he is repetitive--- he does explain grammar in a way that clicks, and helps students have epiphanies. If you are NOT an RM, he will respect you, whereas the RMs get humble fast. Sit in on his class for a day before actually registering to see his sense of humor/rudeness.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I got an A+ and I hated every second I spent in his class. He's rude, he's rude, and let's see, he's rude. The man has no decency and loves to make an example out of anyone who makes a Japanese mistake. He's like the insecure child in every family. Someone needs to tell him his Japanese really isn't that great and his pronunciation is dismal.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I hated this class. He almost made me hate Japanese. It's a lot of work and no matter how hard you work, if you can't memorize kanji well enough; you're doomed. So do the kanji cards and cry. There's no other teacher choice for the class, so ganbatte! But the TAs are great and very understanding. They can't go easy on you though :/

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN301
• 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:

He is very rude to students with no reason to be. Hard to tell if he is trying to be funny or rude cause he's not that funny. Harsh grader which can be good to help you work hard to learn the material, but no mercy/doesn't know when to stop. Very vague questions and acts as if everyone should know exactly what he's thinking. Get different professor

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So, he's really good at Japanese and teaches useful things, but don't expect a great experience. Most students become more and more irritated with him as the semester goes on. Being able to read his mind would be more useful than knowing Japanese during his MWF sessions. He can act rudely towards students.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Boring class lectures. It takes him 30 minutes to explain a concept that his TA's can cover in 5 minutes. He also repeats everything a million times, which actually does help you learn it but creates a boring environment. He can also be rude towards students' comments or ideas. I didn't enjoy it but in all honesty you'll get out what you put in.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very funny teacher. Heavy work load. Kanji lessons 1-10 are a breeze if you're an RM, but 11-20 proved difficult. Go to class every day to earn participation points. Read from the book because he'll ask very specific questions from them. Practice Kanji everyday because there are 1-2 quizzes every week. Doesn't post grades on Learning Suite.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I learned a good amount of things in this class, but I didn't like the professor as much by the end. He fishes for answers constantly and gets defensive if you don't agree with his way of doing or classifying things or if something needs clarification. He repeats himself A LOT. All in all, it's not too difficult, so take it if you wish.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very cut and dry lecture style. Not a lot of creativity. That being said, he's great at helping RMs learn Japanese. Also a stickler -- not very flexible on grades or different answers, etc.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JAP301
• 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:

Hilarious guy. He may come off as a dope, but he will drill things into your brain. He does a great job and helping RMs learn that they don't know Japanese as well as they think. Class pace is very fast and you need to stay caught up on readings and homework. Sometimes the questions asked can be ambiguous, but if you stay caught up, you're good.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN301
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Arthur's class is very well done. He is helpful and pretty brilliant in that he uses his humot to help memorize important things. You'll always be able to study for any test. If you don't go to class it's a little difficult to pass. There's either homework, reading, or quiz each day so just stay on top of things and you'll do good

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN301
• 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:

Arthur is awesome, extremely funny, and one of the best at explaining the Japanese language. Don't think that mission experience will be enough to pass this class; Arthur expects his students to learn, and you will if you study hard. I had to spend about six hours a week studying kanji in order to do well in this class in addition to the readings.