Chris Ball - College of William and Mary

Professor: Chris Ball

Department: TBD

College: College of William and Mary

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Cog psych with professor Ball is really low stress. No homework, no reading, no assignments. 3 multiple choice tests that are easy if you come to class and study the powerpoints well. He also scales the class so around a 91% is an A. Interesting material and not too hard.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Cog psych w/ Ball was pretty low difficulty, Ball is really cool and funny; no outside reading required - all exam questions are from his powerpoints so make sure you go to class and pay attention/take good notes, 3 exams total - all multiple choice

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class was always interesting and he employed recent psychology studies as a replacement for a textbook. I found it difficult to study for his exams since there was no textbook. You really have to write down what he speaks because looking at powerpoint alone won't get you the full picture of any concepts. Be sure to come to class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tests are all multiple choice with extra credit questions. He also scales the class so that if you have about a 91/90% you get an A. Gives interesting lectures and is the least focused on neuroscience of the professors that teach cognitive.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY311
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ball is awesome. Lectures were really interesting and engaging. Only graded on three tests which are pretty easy if you read over the notes. Reading isn't totally necessary but is really helpful. I would definitely take him again. And his accent is amazing so that helps too

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Love Prof Ball! Class consists of only 3 tests that are equally weighted. Gives 60 questions and 3 extra credit questions on each test. This makes up your entire grade so be prepared for that. I barely got an A by getting 100 on the last test. Textbook is needed to get the extra couple questions but most questions are on powerpoints

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYC301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was a fairly good summer class, better than during the year. If you have to take stats, this is the way to go. Ball knows his stuff, is very opinionated, and pretty funny. I'm decent with math, and the open book tests made it easy to do well, but I know it was hard for some others. We only used the textbook for the charts in the back.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you take Professor Ball's class, I guarantee you will learn a lot. He assigns a group project in which you basically perform your own study, statistically analyze your data, and write a paper in APA format. The project is time consuming, but he is very helpful if you ask him for help! He is also pretty cool for an Australian, I guess.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYC301
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Loved him as a professor! I bombed his first test but after going to him and asking for help, after the next two tests I totally turned my grade around! He gave homework but was understanding about deadlines. His accent is awesome and he's a really funny and laid back guy. Wish I took him again!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYC455
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ball is an absolutely amazing professor, and I can honestly say that his Autobiographical Memory class is what sealed the deal for me in deciding to be a psych major. From learning about the default memory network, to PTSD, to flashbulb memories, this course is an absolute must for any student interested in cognitive psychology! A++!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH470
• Grade Received: 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:

Probably the best professor I have ever had here at the College. I can't emphasize enough how great he is, and teaches probably the most interesting material I've ever studied.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSYC302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, an incredibly helpful class and professor for a psych major, just because you learn how to do independent research. Professor tore apart class presentations and provided excessively harsh criticism, but perhaps this is helpful in the long run. In the least, you'll learn how to write an APA report. Take if you're going into clinical.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was really hard to understand bc of the organization. Ball is a really nice guy nad has so much great experience, but this being my second class with him, I don't think he is the strongest lecturer.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COGPSYCH
• 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 Ball is a very knowledgable and fun professor. His powepoints can be difficult to follow sometimes, but take key notes on the major points of each and you will do excellent on tests. Also has a great accent.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYC301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ball is a very nice teacher, likes to make jokes in class. But teaches in a very disorganized and sporadic manner. Easy to know how to do the math because you do the same problem over and over again in class, but he isnt good at explaining the concepts of Stats. He rambles and is unclear but if you're confused and take the time to ask he will help.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ball is very knowledgable about the subject. His powerpoints aren't organized well enough and sometimes he isn't really clear when he is lecturing.He is also VERY critical when it comes to papers, so make sure you go to him and ask him to review it before handing it in!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSYC302
• 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:

He has no problem yelling and will not pull any punches if he doesn't like your presentation. He also contradicts himself from time to time which was really confusing. I would recommend talking to your TA if you need help since they'll actually be grading your reports. Once you figure out what he wants from you, though, things should go smoothly.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYC301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Psych Stats with Professor Ball was a pretty good experience. He has you work with real data instead of dry textbook examples, which makes the class more interesting. The concepts are really simple except for the section on ANOVA tests, but he spends extra time on that to make it clear. He also has a great Australian accent!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYC311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cool accent. Tough class. Almost everyone got caught off guard by the first exam, and had to work to make it up on the next two. Only grade for the class are the three tests, which are non-cumulative. I finished with a B.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSY411
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Disorganized at times which can be really difficult. Doesn't really give a clear idea of what exactly he is looking for on assignments, kinda leaves you on your own. He is helpful outside of class and really knowledgeable. Class was a lot of work and frustrating at times but was still worth it.