Janis Hutchinson - University of Houston

Professor: Janis Hutchinson

Department: TBD

College: University of Houston

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She lectures through powerpoint, which is fine, but when you're learning about the evolution of humans and some other species, i think it would be best to go in chronological order; her stuff was all over the place timeline wise. The book would be a better option to study instead of your notes. The tests were a bit frustrating.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Many of her test questions either are incongruent with scientific knowns, or contradict the book directly. When approached about these concerns, Dr. Hutchinson will simply ignore you. This was the most infuriating class I have ever taken.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took a winter mini-mester online with Dr. Hutchinson. The class lay-out was simple: 4 exams with one being dropped, but the exams themselves were just downright frustrating. Regardless of whether or not you understand the material, her questions are worded in a way to confuse, and are often open to multiple interpretations.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Excruciatingly frustrating. Took as a hybrid class no online component other than quizzes and word docs to read for the tutorials. Gives vague information conflicting with textbook then tests on very specific info. Double negatives in test questions not helpful. Never answered emails. Adverse to questions in class. Study notes over textbook.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ANTH4352
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love her so much! She's very knowledgeable, engaging, and has a sense of humor. She's also very understanding of life issues and late work, and while she's not the easiest grader on individual assignments, she tends to round up. That said, she's very busy and can be a bit hard to get in touch with outside of class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was interesting but difficult in terms of sheer amount of material. She goes through so much so quickly during the lectures, you really have to just take notes as fast as possible and read the textbook afterwards to fill in any gaps. An extra credit paper at the end is worth up to 5 points on the final grade: I highly recommend doing it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This course was extremely interesting to me, I enjoyed it greatly because I like the subject. She is a fair lecturer and it is important to takes notes, however, she will tell you to concentrate on studying the lecture notes while glossing over textbook to fill the gaps. I say do the opposite, hit the book hard, and gloss over the lecture notes.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The material is a lot but interesting. 4 discussions, 9 quizzes (drops the lowest 2), 4 tests (drops lowest 1), no final! However, she is very unavailable and never eager to help. Reading the book is the only way I really grasped the info. Her online tutorial printouts aren't much help. Quizzes and tests were difficult. I wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• 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:

Not a lot of homework in terms of many assignments, but TONNNS of reading. She flies through PP slides, and goes through material in class just as fast. You are better off reading every chapter, and printing the tutorials she provides online. Very cut and dry, what you get is what you get. You don't get to see what you got wrong on tests either.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ANTH4394
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have taken Dr. Hutchinson in several different classes but nothing clicked until I took her Biomedical Anthropology class, which is an upper level course. Our class had under 10 students. She is brilliant and will do everything in her power to help the student that wants to be helped. I struggled in her lower level classes. A+ professor

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 2301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Initially, I had trouble in her class. But I really just needed to buckle down and do the readings and ask questions if I didn't understand something. Her tests are challenging but she literally tells you what you need to know or highlight during her lectures. I assume most students may find her intimidating, as I did at first. Loved her class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly interesting lectures, exams can be hard if you don't read the book AND attend lectures, discussion posts were fun, extra credit opportunity was also really fun! No papers, just 4 exams and 9 quizzes, 1 exam and 2 quizzes dropped. I heavily advise Getting the book! If you're not into physical anthropology, this will be a hard class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 2301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's tough but her lectures are extremely interesting and informative. If you study you will pass. I will most definitely be taking her again. Highly recommend her if you are an anthropology major!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ANTH33602301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took two of her courses this past semester -- ANTH 3360 and ANTH 2301 and enjoyed both, immensely. She is a great professor-- she really knows and cares about the topics she teaches. In ANTH 3360, her tests consist of two essays and vocabulary, you really have to study and understand the material to get an A. I would take her again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANTH3360
• 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:

It seems like a decent class from the syllabus, but it really isn't. Tests are actually a plethora of (non-verbatim or regurgitated) definitions and requires you to answer two very vague essay questions. Not to mention this course requires a 20 page research paper. As if my other classes didn't exist. If you're a full time student, avoid this.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A friend told me about her rating on here and I'm shocked! I took this course last semester. The professor is great! Her lectures stay on topic and she was even funny at times. Was not my first ANTH course and I still had to study hard- the material isn't easy. A challenging course does not equal a bad instructor. Really liked both her and Niles.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst prof I ever experienced at UH. Condescending, lazy, and virtually refuses to answer questions. The epitome of the person who lacks the requisite demeanor and talent to operate outside of academia. As a group, the anthropology profs at UH are great. This prof is known to be the exception.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher. I never write reviews on here but I had to for this one. While considering whether or not to take the class, I figured "Oh well maybe it's just them, I'll do better." NO. I promise you do NOT take this class, you will THANK ME.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANTH3360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Her exams are an opportunity for her to take out agression on students. Does not take the time to explain things, and half of her forms are outdated/have wrong dates. She grades like she's at Harvard, but the way she copes with the writing-based course design is just idiotic and rude.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANTH2301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She says she uses bell curve but how can people that have ninety percent or close be getting Cs and Ds.