Cynthia Barstow - University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Professor: Cynthia Barstow

Department: TBD

College: University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MKT410
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I sincerely enjoyed Prof. Barstow's classes! She does not teach directly from the textbook, but instead assigns in-class projects to work on so that we are able to experience assignments that we would be responsible for in the "real-world." I have work to show at interviews, which is also extremely helpful thanks to her style of teaching!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MKG301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Barstow is awesome. She does a good job of inspiring students and keeps the class interesting. Of the three profs that teach MKTG 301, she is definitely my favorite. Easy lectures, easy test questions (directly from TopHat) and very helpful. Definitely take a class with her if you can.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MARKETING491SM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had Professor Barstow for Sustainability Marketing and it was hands down the best class I've ever taken. Unlike classes where you cram text book information into your head and spit it out on exams, you gain real-life business experience by crafting a marketing plan around a product, system, etc. that can solve a sustainability issue- AMAZING.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My only issue here is that a major percentage of your grade is based on a group project. This was very disappointing. There were few examples of what the project should look like and often our grade was less than expected considering the level of effort. There was no extra credit either to make up for the short fall.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Now there were many important things I learned when taking this course, so I don't want this to come across as completely negative. However, the group project has a lot of components, and there is not a clear-cut rubric to follow. Understandably businesses, and sustainability especially are complex, however there needs to be a well laid out plan.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Cynthia is an amazing educator and wants the best for her students. Her sustainability class is extremely interesting and inspiring. There are no exams, just short quizzes, and the one group project is a lot of work but really allows you to think about all the ins and outs it takes to start a business. Best professor I've ever had!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MKG301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cynthia's course was quite challenging, and that is what made it so fun. Cynthia knows how to keep her students engaged and interested in the material, while inspiring them to learn as much as they can. Cynthia is also the most kind, and understanding professor here. I would recommend to all, her course is an experience I will never forget.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MKTG301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've heard she's a great teacher for smaller classes, but for a big lecture she's not great. She flies through slides, and the tests are vastly harder than you think they'll be. The class is very long and boring, but the mastering marketing sections with Matt Glennon are great. Lots of projects though, would not take again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cynthia inspires her students to think compassionately. Her class revolves around the creation of a comprehensive marketing plan for an entirely sustainable business. Pieces of the group project are due throughout the course and offer a chance to receive useful feedback. Truly the MOST valuable class I have ever taken.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A truly passionate professor, but it is hard to understand what exactly she wants for things because of the lack of guidelines. Explanations of expectations would be very helpful. Her feedback can be very helpful, but also unclear at times so you can't be afraid to ask her for more information. Her love for sustainability is obvious. Participate!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MKT301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Her class is pretty out there, she brings in speakers and musical guests and lots of things to the class, so sometimes it feels like sort of a waste of time. But the exams are pretty straight forward and the group projects are easy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The material is stupid simple you feel stupid reading the textbook its so simple. Tests seemed a little more tricky, overall easy class for requirement

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor barstow is amazing. She truly cares for her students. One of the best professors in Isenberg. Take a class with her or you will regret it!!! Shes awesome and such an easy, laid back type of teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MARKETING301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is very good at what she does and keeps her lectures interesting but the class overall is a burden, frankly. The concepts are so broad and almost common sense but the tests are based on memorization and are very specific. I went to the lectures just for the iclicker but was on my phone the entire time and still did great.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MKTG301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm a Marketing major and this was my least favorite class all semester. Attending these lectures somehow managed to confuse me even more. The grading for the class was easy, but I struggled to follow her thought process in class. The exams are REDICULOUS. They make NO SENSE at all. Take with a different professor. I was disappointed.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 491SM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cynthias lectures are both eye opening and inspirational. You have to watch 8 documentaries and read 3 books to educate yourself on the most up to date sustainability issues in the business world. Semester long group project is intense, but she gives great feedback and helps you create the best possible marketing plan.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MKTG410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Consumer Behavior is made interesting by Cynthia! She makes you read 3 REAL books about CB making the class fun and interesting. You take super easy quizzes on the book once you finish. She hardly refers to the textbook. She always uses real-world examples in class making you look forward to her lectures. Exams are easy because she prepares you!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MKTG660
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Unclear, unrealistic, and unprofessional. Stay away!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MKTG301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cynthia is such a nice professor. She's definitely my favorite of the three professors for this course. Her exam was based totally on what was covered in class, so you definitely need to go to her lectures.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MKTG301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Cynthia is awesome! She's the only teacher i can listen to in this class because she has real world experience. She keeps the material new and exciting by comparing it to her past work. She also provides great in class examples of the material. Cynthia has a niche for teaching!