Ivan Townshend - University of Lethbridge

Professor: Ivan Townshend

Department: TBD

College: University of Lethbridge

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're already decent at math (and are okay with some pretty dry lectures), Ivan is an okay prof to take. If you know you need extra help with math, though, definitely take this course with someone else, because good luck getting any outside help from him. Labs are confusing and formatted weird. Tests are fair.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was a constant struggle. If you have problems with math and need extra help, don't expect him to help you because you'll be out of luck. All extra help I got this semester had to come from outside sources. I really didn't feel like he cared whether or not I succeeded and put no extra effort into helping. It was a rough and boring class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ivan is a really nice and funny prof, however, his teaching style isn't for everyone. His lectures tend to be extremely packed with information which can be really overwhelming. He teaches a concept and expects you to be a master at it by the next lecture. Tests were pretty fair, and would be decently easy with enough studying. Labs are impossible.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3230
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cumulative tests range from 1-3 long and short answer questions. Very hard marker. Provides study questions which he chooses from when making up the test but very few are straightforward and typically aren't the ones on the test. Must have a full, very in depth, and detailed understanding of all theoretical concepts if you want a good mark.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEOG1200
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A great first-year class for people of any major. The prof is passionate about the subject and you can get a lot out of the class if you put in the effort. 2 midterms and a cumulative final. The midterms were very long and challenging, but manageable. The class was a reasonable level of work and lectures were enjoyable.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm awful at math, so this course is already hellish. Ivan doesn't make it much easier. He's a nice enough person, but he starts sentences without finishing them and makes lab assignments and lecture slides overly wordy and confusing. He gives very little practical examples of problem solving in class and assumes a lot of prior knowledge.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3230
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ivan is a great prof and is very knowledgeable. His tests and assignments are very straight forward and the instructions are clear. Many of the topics he talks about are conceptually difficult so attending his lectures are quite helpful. He expects a lot from his students (maybe a little too much) so get lots of studying in before his exams.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were clear but a little dry. Tests were quite fair. Textbook was definitely not required. Prof tried to engage the class the best he could. Non-stressful class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I felt bad for him, he was teaching easy intro stats to a class of less than interested students. You could see the pain in his expression when he asked the class questions about the material he literally just spoke about. Nice guy. If you've taken a math class before this is an easy A+

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The content of this class is interesting, but he's pretty boring and for the most part it feels like he hates teaching. 70% of our grade was due after the final adddrop date so you really have no idea if you need to drop or not. There was a midterm which was fairly easy, a paper and a final paper both of which were a lot of work. Not an easy A.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 3230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If he has any grading criteria at all, he sure didn't let us know what it was.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3230
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Smart guy, knows his stuff. Sometimes has difficulties clearly explaining some concepts, but is more than willing to reiterate in an effort to help students understand. Has higher standards than most other profs, so if your looking for an easy class, this isn't the one. Nonetheless, it is an interesting subject and requires you to think critically.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: URBAN3200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he is only ok... I found him a bit intimidating but he does seem like a nice person. The tests and paper are quite difficult (doesn't give students a break) so make sure you attend class and do the readings. If you're looking for a interesting elective then this probably isn't the class to take. It's a lot of work and can be boring.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Took Geography 3230 with Ivan. I found him very boring and very unhelpful. I would suggest not taking the class from him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3750
• 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:

This was a really great course. It seems a little dry but it was useful and always nice to learn another mapping program. He was very helpful and explained things in simple terms. Attend class, understand StatsCan, and ask for help because he is always willing to help you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2700
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Awesome guy. Knows his stuff and is pretty clear in lecture. Can be a dry if you aren't into geography. If you get a chance talk to him about the Canterbury trip.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEO3230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Knows his stuff. On the surface can be intimidating but a great guy once you get to know him better. Read his articles, and footnote them in your papers b/c you will get a good mark.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 3230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

papers are a lot of work, but good prof and class

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEOG2210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An interesting class. The prof. kept the pace even. Helpful with assignments. Brilliant sense of humor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOG3230
• 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:

Read. The assignments are fairly easy, but the term paper is tougher, requires a fair amount of research. Prof is funny, expectations are fair.