John Vanderspoel - University of Calgary

Professor: John Vanderspoel

Department: TBD

College: University of Calgary

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GRST339
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The guy is an absolute gem, his lectures arent really too organized and he goes off on tangents but dont really need to show up to pass. He posts all you need to know for the midterms and finals and if youre uncertain about a topic just wiki it the night before and youll get at least a B.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GRST417
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of those profs that is easy to get a B with, but very hard to get an A with. Going to class isn't mandatory, but it is if you want an A. Super helpful after class, and pretty funny.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GRST339
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are really interesting and he is a terrific lecturer. He does go on tangents, but they're interesting and serve as a break from taking notes. He doesn't have lecture slides so going to class is mandatory. Tests are fair, and he gives great feedback if you see him during his office hours. Insane how knowledgeable he is. great prof. 5/5

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GRST417
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had him for 4 classes (GRST 339, 347 417, & 433). Goes on so many tangents you're better off reading the textbook(s) than going to class. In both essays and exams he cares much more about discussing the history rather than just rehashing it, so make sure you read all the sources. Seeing him after hours is very helpful, much more than his classes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GRST417
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a really awful professor. The worst professor I have ever had at this university. His lectures make no sense and his marking is arbitrary. He has no concern for students, he just wants to rush through the lecture. Waste of a student's time.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Vanderspoel is a bit quirky but he's a really good prof. He doesn't post his lecture notes and comes up with them on the spot. That being said, if you attend every lecture and take notes, you'll do well on the tests. He only has 3 tests and they make up your entire mark so make sure you do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GRST01
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man was an awesome professor. ( hardest class I ever took but learned a lot!). I don't care what all the whiners are saying. I took the classes and he was great, funny, and extremely intelligent. Fair and kind. The best professor I ever had. Sure would like to see this posted.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

All he does is stand at the front and talk (half the time in latin), he never uses the board or powerpoint which makes him hard to follow. He obviously cares about the subject and knows what he's talking about, however he has a high tendency to ramble and get off topic, which leaves the lectures with a general lack of direction. He grades fairly.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GRST3XX
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Assigned 1200+ pages of reading material. Lectures consist of 15% akward silence at the start of the class, 35% off-topic ramblings (e.g. Donald Trump), 25% ultra-specific and completely useless details (such as family trees of irrelevant people), 20% direct copy paste arguments from the readings, and 5% thought-provoking discussion. Funny Guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GRST425
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's the best! Sure the lectures can be a tad boring, but if you take the time to listen, its actually really interesting. He's very approachable and helpful to everyone, definitely one of my favourite profs. He marks very fair, and usually gives the test questions before the test, definitely wants everyone to do well.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

At first I was skeptical because he rambles a lot, and it doesn't seem like he's saying anything useful, but I actually learned a lot in his class . . . When I showed up. The Midterms were simple essays and he basically gives you the topic before hand. He's a little odd but over all he was a good prof. His grades are very fair.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GRST425
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a little awkward when you talk to him in person and in class at times as well, but overall he's really into the material and that promotes a solid learning environment. Go talk to him about the material too, it helps if he gets to know you. Not many people get As but if you get to know him, he can be more helpful.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GRST345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Rather easy workload and a fair prof in terms of marking (not easy and not hard). Be prepared for 10 minutes of off topic rambling. Taking good notes is MANDATORY, which is just half listening until he says something interesting. His lecture style is unorthodox. Not recommended for visual learners. Textbooks are helpful but not essential.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GRST345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He asks for a lot (3 essays in 50 mins) on the midterms. But if you practice before hand then you'll be able to refine your understanding of the material and you'll do better (he gives general question areas ahead of time but if you go to class you'll know anyway). He does go off-topic, but if you have a heavy course load, then it's tolerable.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 419GRST
• 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:

Doesn't use power point or visual aids often, and can be difficult to listen to at times, but is a fun prof and well mannered. Grades moderately, not easy not hard. his style is refreshing, giving three essays as assignments or midterms/final depending on the class level.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Actually one of the worst profs ever. He is getting us to write 3 essays in a 50 min class for our midterm. He is unhelpful, unclear, and generally offtopic. I hated his classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not a bad prof. Only had 2 midterms which were essays and if you read the textbooks you were guaranteed a good grade. Went off topic a bit and made funny comments.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GRST419
• 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: N/A

Comment:

kind of an awkward guy. I think he knows his stuff really well and like anyone whose passionate about their subject he gets off track. the nice thing about this class is that he has organized the essay questions so we can just use the text book (probably cause the library is ruined) Also, gotta love the hair and squeaky shoes!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GRST347
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Vanderspoel is an amazing professor. It may seem like he's simply rambling but, in retrospect, I actually learned a lot from the course. His tests seem tricky, but all he wants you to do is read and evaluate the primary sources pertaining to the topic. Being taught to think for yourself is something that should be mandatory in university!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GRST205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very low class avg. Interesting prof but tests were pretty hard. The essays were fairly easy but don't leave them to the last minute.