James White - University of British Columbia

Professor: James White

Department: TBD

College: University of British Columbia

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC415
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. James White has changed my perception of sociology. I learned from him that you're not wrong if you disagree with others, and he can be quite critical at times of certain ideas. He's not afraid to be not PC; everything he says is supported by fact and theory. Its unfortunate he's leaving soon; UBC is a much better place because of him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class starts at the beginning. While at first I was confused as to how the content would tie in to family theory, we were presented a course that lays a foundation for understanding sociological theory in general.. very helpful if you are in to reading theory. Truthfully, I think he's great. Knowledgable and good delivery, but go to class!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• 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:

Entertaining lectures (mostly bc he often went off tangent and told interesting stories). He clearly emphasizes concepts that will appear in the written portion of exams. Material is straight from the textbook - some MC q's were on very specific points in the text but in general if you know the text you should do fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He goes off topic ALL THE TIME, and he is extremely vague. You must work hard to get a good grade in this course. He does not prepare students well for tests. He uses his own books for this course, which are extremely dry. I recommend taking a different degree requirement.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• 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: N/A

Comment:

He is quite a nice guy and his lectures are amusing, however his exams are very tricky. some questions on the exams were on stuff he had barely mentioned in lecture and was not in the text. I can't say I would recommend him, and I am definitely not taking another course with him personally.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very straightfoward tests, but you MUST attend lectures.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Although his lectures are incredibly boring and pointless, this class in worth taking for the theory credit. The assignment directions are extremely vague but he doesn't mark all that hard. For studying, ignore everything he talked about in class and remember his exampled from his textbook and apply them to the theories.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. White is an interesting prof, he goes off topic constantly and has talked as much about chemistry (I don’t know why) in our sociology class as he did about family theories themselves. Hard marker and assignment directions are vague. You do learn a lot however. Take at your own risk.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. White is very passionate about teaching this course. The course is about different Family Theories. He wrote the required textbooks which I see as valuable because he knows the material. He is tough with grading but fair. It is an interesting course if you like learning and thinking! Class attendance is strongly encouraged for comprehension.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I will never take another class with this prof. His assignments are so vague and when you ask him to clarify he responds with "I don't understand why you don't understand." His lack of empathy for students who can't follow his ridiculous philosophical lectures and heavy text book readings makes them feel belittled and stupid.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOCIO200A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

EASILY one of the nicest profs in the department. James White is not only incredibly knowledgeable about his research but also cares a lot about his students. Extremely approachable and easy going. His exams are fair and are 65% textbook 45% lecture- multiple choice and short answer. Wasn't my strongest class, but White made it interesting.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The hardest Sociology course I've ever had. The two textbooks are hard to get through however once he starts discussing things you'll understand it more. If you're taking this as an elective then take something else! He is very knowledgeable and funny though :)

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer. However, if you're taking this class for solely a GPA boost, find something else. Overall, I did enjoy the course, though I didn't get that great of a mark.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

James White is entertaining in presenting sociology issues. Even though he didn't receive a riot of a laugh, I found his examples quite amusing. I got away with minimal reading of the text and received B's on my last two midterms. (BUT I did use the text for concepts he emphasized).

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOCIO200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really nice, interesting and engaging professor. I was never bored!Definitely have to attend lectures and read the textbook to get a good grade and make the most of the course.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I wasn't expecting too much out of this course as I took it in the summer mainly to cover credits but I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. I found the subject matter engaging and he was an interesting and funny prof. He managed to keep me engaged for a full three hours, and on a hot summer's day that's saying something.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You would only enjoy his class if you're very, I mean, VERY interested in the subject. I took the summer course and it was alright. I expected it to be easy since it was 200 level course but it was not. Still, I learned a lot. But I think people who are not interested won't like this class at all.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was really worried about this class because his books are really philosophical, but I ended up doing extremely well! Just put in the effort, it's not as hard as it seems. Plus he's an AWESOME guy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCI415
• 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:

I don't know why people make such bad comments about his 415 course. Before I took this class, I was very worried. However, it turned out pretty good :) He is very considerate and helpful. He knows his stuff very well. His exams are challenging but not THAT hard. I don't find him a hard marker either.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOCI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A very good prof! His lectures are mandatory but very interesting! He is very knowledgeable and knows his material well. As long as you attend class and read the text, you will definitely do good! Highly recommend!