Kathleen Normington - San Jose State University

Professor: Kathleen Normington

Department: Theater

College: San Jose State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: TA05
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Excellent instructor. Helped me through a personal crisis and enabled me to finish the semester successfully! Great class, fairly straightforward, and you learn a lot!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: TA05
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fine, I guess. She seemed nice at first, but as the semester progresses, she showed to be really moody and often snapped at students, making loud, dramatic sighs in response to questions. Otherwise, she teaches you enough about acting and as long as you put in some effort, you're fine. Also, she makes you buy her own textbook and read it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: TA48
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I loved Kathleens class! She is a very nice person and when you like theatre, acting, etc you will love this class. It is extremely important to be present every class and be on time though, so try not to skip it! But it is always very fun with her and she doesn't have any quizzes, tests, or hard exams. I highly recommend her class!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: TA127
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kathleen is one of those teachers who truly cares about the success of her students. She will challenge you, but as a way to help improve your critical thinking abilities. I am glad I took her class because I was able to learn about the daily lives of people through contemporary plays. I really recommend taking this class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: TA5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

In the beginning we did a lot of warm up activities to open up. We had 2 partner scene which the first one is easy the second is a bit more challenging due to memorization. The final performance is a monologue. She would get upset when people wouldnt show up and had some mood swings but most fairly nice and easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: TA05
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

An excellent class for someone new to acting. The instructor is patient and passionate about her students and the subject.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you do not like analyzing plays to their core, I would recommend taking another class. There are definitely easier GE's to take. Whether you enjoy this class really depends on if you are passionate about that. The Prof was nice but she had sudden mood swings and snapped at the people she didn't like. Changes syllabus every week so stay alert.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: TA127
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A professor who went beyond what is expected including extending assignment due dates and helping students through personal problems. I would highly recommend and her knowledge and ability to communicate on the subject is awesome!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you have the option to take another class, do it. This class is pretty difficult. There are a lot of quizzes and they have very specific questions about the readings. Your grade is pretty much based on those and a few other things. Wasn't a big fan of the prof. She seemed nice but other times she would put people on the spot or snap at them.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The instructor always posted changes to the schedule on line. She also had a disclaimer that notifies students of those changes. You really have to work at it to do poorly in this class. Give the lady a break, she was upfront about losing her father and other personal concerns.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: TA05
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A teacher who uses fun teaching methods to help non-actors be comfortable and successful and is always accommodating student's needs and concerns. Awesome!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She lost her father in the beginning of the semester so maybe she isn't normally like this, but she took her aggression out on the students at times. I asked her privately for help many times and every time she would give me attitude and made me sad/embarrassed. I never skipped a class/did all my work so I never understood why she hated me so much.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, great class. Easy and fun.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: TA13
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She was very passive aggressive and rude to pretty much everyone in the class. You can't come to her for help, even if it is something simple. I really expected to enjoy this class, but I left feeling upset and sometimes humiliated. If she's having a bad day she really brought everyone down with her. Don't take her.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TAENG127
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. I was going through a lot of personal stuff and she was so kind and allowed me to be successful and complete the semester. Would highly recommend!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: TA48
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Kathleen teaches many GE classes and is always willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed. This was an easy GE class but you needed to be there and for some students that was an issue. Not her fault. Plays fair but expect you to engage in the material. No textbook, no exams - just be there!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: TA10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is very accomodating and is willing to be flexible. She offers alternative assignments and there a not much reading. Yes, she doesn't like tardiness but in this 9 AM class that is to be expected. Great class, great instructor

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: TA10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class itself is not super hard. Plenty of reading, must do 10 hours of volunteering, and must go to at least one play and review it. The hw wasn't hard but makes you watch videos that are sometimes an hour long. The thing that makes this class really annoying is that she gives students attitude for no reason. Also she hates if you come late.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: TA1015
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved her, but not necessarily this class. This class was an intro to acting, and we mostly did voice and body movement no real acting. However she was wonderful, super passionate and nice and really engaged. Always had so much fun in this class, got me out of my comfort zone! Take her if you can, especially for a more advanced acting course.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: TA05
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

TA 5 was one of the best courses that I have taken at SJSU. Not hard and the professor gives each student individual attention.