Stephen Berens - Chapman University

Professor: Stephen Berens

Department: Fine Arts

College: Chapman University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very clear teacher. Freedom to explore your own ideas with support on technical proficiency. You end up learning how to see good vs bad photos. Let's face it. Most are bad. Stephen helps you see that and if you pay attention, how to avoid it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best photo teacher i have had yet. Great for beginners and the more experienced. I have taken two other photo classes before so i know the technical aspect of photo already. but the way he taught makes everything so clear. i wish he was my first photo teacher. it would have been way easier learning if he taught it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Berens is good when it comes to teaching you the process of developing; however, he is not big fan of experimentation. He expects you to give him his ideal range of tones. So just beware of his expectations. Also, Lecture aren't too bad. If for nothing else, show up to see what vintage tie he as on. :)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly tough grader and boring reviews (which are mandatory). Either be interested in photography or, like my friend did, faded in every class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• 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:

I learned SO much in this class. It was one of my favorites even though I only took it for elective. Berens is tough and a hard grader, but if you put your all into the class you'll be rewarded. It's a lot of work, and very time consuming, but SO worth it! Berens just doesn't want students that will waste their and his time. Awesome class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHOTO101
• 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:

stephen is the best! like a dad.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is probably best for people who are already interested in photography and are interested in learning how to print photos. If you have no prior knowledge of photography, the course might be tough. If you've already learned some things about printing and composition, then you'll have no problem.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He has a very subtle sense of humor, and if you listen closely, it will keep you from getting bored. Prepare to do lots of work for this class. And remember, if you miss more than three classes (counting lab days) he will take points off your grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

An extreme elitist that will always grade you on your worst print. He constantly reminds the student that they are no artist, and can be hypocritical when it comes to grading. Prepare to feel utterly crushed and dejected about your best work. Does have a subtle sense of humour though.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the hardest professors to please at Chapman. Even if you and the rest of the class agree you have a great print, he already has his mind made up before you did the assignment on exactly what he wants from the student. Which is wierd because he'll never tell you what he wants before it is due he'll just tell you to be creative

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

A very passionate photographer. Engage him and he will engage you back. Not an easy A, true, but instead you will LEARN.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy. Lectures consist of "ummmm's" and "errrrrr's" (LOTS of filler words). Work load is extreme and cost of class is high (don't be fooled by their being no lab fee). Willing to help, if you ask for it. Tends to pick teacher's pets. If you like photography or art, take the class. If you are taking it for a GE, skip it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• 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:

He was very helpful. I really enjoyed his class. I will I had the time to take another photography class with him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

berens is extremely hard to relate to. he is very narrow minded and will disagree with you constantly. his handouts are long winded and it is hard to figure out what exactly berens wants from you as a student.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ART410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Berens is a very hard teacher who expects EVERYTHING from the student. You can never please him, yet he has a lot of respect for his students. I have found that he is the type to be critical to your face but actually be a softy in the inside.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Good class, however, Stephen is extremely picky in terms of what he wants. If he doesn't find the picture asthetically pleasing you will not get an A despite how well you technically produced/developed the photograph. I'd consider rethinking photo as a "Mickey" course.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is a great class to take if you like photography. True, Berens' grading is a bit biased according to his aesthetic preferences, but what art prof does isnt? No one is completely neutral in evrything they do. I'm learning a lot b/c he's very helpful and won't accept anything less than the best.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ART120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I very much enjoyed learning how to take, develop, and print photos, but I did not enjoy being graded on my own concept of art instead of the technical merits of my work. This class is a great way to kill a GE requirement, but do yourself a favor and take it pass/fail.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHOTO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he has the biggest ego ever! all he cares about is himself and his own art work (if you can call it that). he isn't a "art historian" as he says, so stop grading us on art history.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This class is very time consuming but it is worth it in the long run. I am glad that I had Prof. Berens for this one. He really knew his Art Crit. Very well read in the subject.