Michael Niman - Buffalo State College

Professor: Michael Niman

Department: TBD

College: Buffalo State College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Niman made class worth going to. Not only are his lectures engaging but he also is such an understanding person. I have never met anyone so woke about politics, semiotics, and just life in general. Great advice incorporated into his lectures. His love for signs, and for educating his students efficiently is evident. I love him. Will marry 10/10

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SPC309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

GREAT PROFESSOR and A GEM!!!!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Non-major. This was the hardest class I have ever taken, but it was also easily one of the most engrossing. He's a tough grader without a doubt, but if you put in the work and make the effort to seek him outside of class, you can do good in there. Lectures are amazing, I can't emphasize this enough. He'll keep your attention. Interesting dude too.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COM450
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sometimes he can go on tangents, but if you bring it to his attention, he'll curb the conversation. You'll have around 2 or 3 chapter reflections to do (4 books to read in total) each week but the reading isn't super hard. He wants you to participate, so do that and you'll actually enjoy the class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SPC309
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You'll either love or hate Mike Niman. His lectures can be inspiring if you can even follow along and understand what's going on. This particular course requires 2 papers a week based on readings from the 5 required books and 3 heavy projects throughout the semester. I wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COM210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took his class my first semester my junior year and I failed it. Ended up taking 4 more classes before I graduated, he challenged my view points and help me grow a lot . He also taught me to be a better writer.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SPC333
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Show your respect and due the work and one should be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Niman is an over the top liberal hipster. Putting that aside, he is a good professor, and has very good knowledge on what he is teaching. There are a couple of photo array projects where you need a camera. Overall, he is a fair grader, and I personally would not take him again, but he is a knowledgeable, sometimes funny, professor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Niman's Visual Communications my Junior Year at Buff State. If you can, definitely take this course with him. He had such an interesting perspective when looking at why we are drawn to capture things on film. I loved his lectures and if you pay attention, you will do well!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Niman is like a hipster type guy. He's not a super tough grader, but don't do a crappy job, and study! He has his own textbook to buy. It's long, and gets boring. Overall, I would not take his class again.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

2 photo array projects where u take pictures, need a camera. Gives a guide to follow but the grade is based on how well he feel you portrayed what hes looking for. Mid term, final & final project where u make an ad. Study for the 2 test, look at him during class & he'll give you full participation credit. Photo array messed my grade up a lot

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Niman is a great professor. It is very important to participate in his class, even if it is just asking for clarity or visiting him during office hours. It will benefit you on your tests. There is only a midterm and final, with 3 projects. Read the instructions for the projects and study his study guides for the exams and you will get an A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's very entertaining and keeps you engaged. Makes you go off campus to buy the book but its very affordable.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• 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:

At first, I was not sure how I felt about Niman himself & the class. But as the weeks went on he really is an interesting professor who does not put you to sleep. Yes the photo array projects were a pain, but there is no other side work or papers you have to do for his class. Prepare yourself to read a bunch.. the reading is BORING.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A lot of people liked his class, but I just could never see why. The book is completely unnecessary, I didn't read a single page and I got an A in the class. He has photo projects which are fun, but he can be a picky grader at times if you don't hand him exactly what he wants. Also he has 2 tests which are reviewed online. He also counts attendance

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• 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:

Dr. Niman is just great, he made every lecture fun and interesting. A bit of reading but all really neat stuff. He gives you the info you need to know for exams and photo arrays (which are a blast). I took him after seeing that he won a SUNY Chancellor's Award for teaching excellence and he didn't disappoint. Looking forward to taking him again.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor is the best i ever had. He is a real teacher, he challenges all students and always provides a helping hand. The course is challenging but if you show up; pay attention and read, you will do well. I recommend this professor to all Communications Majors, and also everyone who want to learn

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor WILL challenge you and, in turn, you WILL learn something. He is very passionate about the topics he covers and I have learned so much from him. If you're a COM major, please don't miss the opportunity to take a course with Dr. Niman.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SPC309
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The professor made class sessions interesting, and encouraged class discussion and open communication between students. The class was not something I thought I'd be particularly interested in prior to enrolling, but I actually found the subject matter quite enjoyable. I hope to enroll in future courses with Mike Niman again.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COM215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Niman has a sense of humor that makes class interesting because you never know what to expect with him. He uses his textbook alot so if you take the class you need to purchase it. It's not an easy class but you can get an A if you pay attention in class and spend the recommended amount of time on his assignments