Stephen Siemens - California State University, Northridge

Professor: Stephen Siemens

Department: Anthropology

College: California State University, Northridge

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTHR308
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you need this class specifically for you GE, find another professor. If you need this for your major, again find another professor because this guy ain't it. He expects you to do a TON of HW which at least only a few of the things will be on exams. I would HIGHLY advise anyone to take another professor for Anthro 308.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH308
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Okay, pleeeeease pay attention to what I'm going to say here... do NOT take his class IF you are NOT majoring in Anthropology (I Do ).... He is tough and there are LOTS of reading for this class, and if you haven't taken any Anthro classes before, you will Definitely face trouble since he assumes that you already know about most of the topics.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This professor is very monotone with his lectures, and very quiet, making this class very hard to bear. This class requires about 6 textbooks, and be READY TO READ, or you will not pass. Attendance is mandatory. Very tough and unbearable to take, if you are a full time student or work outside of school. All of your time needs to go towards class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Currently taking this as a senior and it has added so much extra, unnecessary stress. PLEASE don't take this professor!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At this point I'm fairly certain that he has assigned this many readings just to spite those who are happy. I'm debating reporting him to the board for giving TOO much homework. There's genuinely not enough hours in the week to do everything if you plan to do it well and have other classes. SPARE YOURSELF.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I got the highest grade on the midterm but i didn't like it. This class is SO much reading. If you can avoid this class, PLEASE DO. its not fun, he's not fun, the books aren't fun, PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF. If you read EVERYTHING, you'll do well. If you know you're not someone who will read for 10 hours a week, don't take this class and save your GPA.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTH308
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As long as you go to class and have the study questions ready, he will give you the answers. You definitely need to read in order to pass the test but he gives you clear study guides and the study questions you get every week answer a lot of the questions as well(which he again, gives you the answers to in class)so attend! there is one EASY paper

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Assigns way WAY to much work. There's on average about 100 study questions per week that he expects every to attempt before lectures even though he goes over the answers in class. His grading is basically all on tests outside of a research paper. The books are pretty important but you can skate by without them.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTH305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Siemens is a good guy but he has trouble prompting students to participate. Most of his exams are composed of study guide questions, which he provides. Likewise, he answers the study guide questions during class. As a result, class attendance is crucial. Lastly, he requires students to write a long research report worth a significant amount.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is so boring. Elaborates answers to much and doesn't get straight to the point, which can be very annoying. I thought this class was going to be interesting, but I dreaded to go overtime. Expect to read a lot and expect a boring professor. He's a nice man and I know he means well, but just hated this class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ANTH310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The toughest part of this class is the beginning of the semester after that its smooth sailing. He knows his stuff and is very willing to help you. Aim high for the paper, he is willing to review it before you turn it in. Good papergood grade in class. Study guides are provided for exams and covered in class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTH315
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy is so boring! I have to have a few cups of coffee to stay awake! google disproves him majority of the time. wikipedia is more knowledgable. It sucks because I love anthro.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANTHRO308
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very unorganized and CONFUSING! I got a B in the class because half of the time I did NOT know what was going on. His class is super boring because he answers study guide questions and you watch these weird videos. His class would have been an easy A if he wasn't so confusing and the material was interesting. I will never take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 12487
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There is a textbook that is needed to complete daily study guides.. but you can find answers online. If you want an A, read everything. If you want a B (like me ), read half. Class was constantly confusing. never knew what was going on. takes the entire time, and will keep talking after time is up unless people start to walk out.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 308
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Interesting Class with Good Instructor

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTH308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very boring and super monotone. Strictest grader I've ever known, even marked me down for a quote I used because the author used the wrong grammar. Gives you worksheets which is all you do during class, he tells you the answers and are supposed to help during test but don't. Went to office hours many times and that didn't do much. Not clear at all

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTH308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I dont understand why Professor Siemens has such a bad rep. He is a great professor! Sometime he can get a little boring but it you really listen you will learn really interesting things. He gives a lot of study question, BUT he answers all of them in class, and they are also the ones on test! P.S. The essays are not as hard as they seem.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTH475
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Siemens has a bad rap, but he's a great anthropologist. He's a bit odd, he wears suspenders, he's a bit fidgetty. I took his Ethnographic Research Methods class which is really only for serious Anthro majors. In this arena, he knows what he's talking about and is very helpful with your fieldnotes and presentations. Go to his office hours.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is so anal in grading papers!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 19552
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst Anthro professor I've ever had. He is monotone, and it's ironic because the class is on communication and language. He loves pointing you out for anything. His lecture is way too long, he honestly doesn't stop talking until everyone gets there stuff and leave. His instructions are very unclear, and all the content he wants you to read is crzy