James Tompkins - Kennesaw State University

Professor: James Tompkins

Department: TBD

College: Kennesaw State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor! Have the option to do a project over the final exam, but are only graded on a midterm, project/final, 2 quizzes. All lectures are posted on youtube - just have to stay on top of them or you won't pass.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A few quiz grades, Midterm/Final and Group Project. Answers EVERY question with another question to stress the UNDERSTANDINNG of the material.. he knows his stuff but has literally memorized every lecture. Tests are not multiple choice, w/ most ?'s having follow ups. No study guide, or book to study from just lecture/videos which ARE the same.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FIN4220
• 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 took him over the summer and it was a M,T,W,TH class that lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes for 1 month. If you are not prepared to get to school early to study before class then it will be a difficult class. With that being said leaving his class I felt like I had a deep understanding of the material. Lots of study time, but it will be worth it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FIN8020
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tompkins teaches for understanding, not memorization. Come to class, participate and pay attention. Hi lecture videos are exactly what he taught in class so if you don't understand something, watch it until you get it. His quizzes are short, but difficult. I cannot stress enough how important coming to class and paying attention are.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Genuinely difficult professor to navigate, but that is mostly because he tries to make sure you understand the material, which his quizzes and exams directly reflect. Do not bother skipping class because he teaches directly from his powerpoints and will quiz you accordingly. Really tried and still made a 79.5. Yeah, and he doesn't round up either.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FIN4220
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! Taking him in the summer is more difficult to manage tho. Would recommend him for regular semesters.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tompkins is a very good teacher who cares about you UNDERSTANDING not memorizing the material. His youtube videos are extremely helpful, but his tests and quizzes are extremely challenging and quite difficult. He does not care about your grade and makes it nearly impossible to get an "A" in his class. Too much information to learn for a 4 week clas

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FIN4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're too lazy to go to class, study, this is not a course for you. If you are willing to be challenged and (god forbid) learn something, you'll do fine. As long as you work hard (go to every class and start studying for exams way ahead of time) you will be fine. Deep breaths. Relax

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This prof cares more about hearing himself talk than your education. My peers busted their butts for B's, and the B is with a curve. On exams, show him exactly the way he shows you. If not, you are wrong. The biggest barrier to your success will be giving Tompkins what he wants the way he wants it. It's not learning the material.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FIN4220
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is not that hard if you just want to pass. 6 quizzes are 85% of your grade, but they are only few questions each. He grades purely on the curve. His teaching style is to give you a solid understanding of the material which enables you to pass any test he throws at you. He has lectures on YouTube, which REALLY help. Very light workload.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really great and caring teacher. Offers videos of all lectures so that you can study. He wants you to understand the material and is ALWAYS willing to meet for extra help. Prefers to call you on the phone to answer questions over emailing. Tough grader but completely fair.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good prof. Cares and gives you multiple opportunities to succeed. Always willing to answer questions outside of class. My first class with him. Tests are hard, but watch the videos. Go to class and pay attention because it helps you learn. Definitely would take him again! Not an easy class though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FIN8020
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard class. Does not use textbook. Wants you to learn to derive formulas you will not ever use; tests impossible; DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR!!!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FIN4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor and hilarious. I'd recommend taking him in the fall though. Taking him in the summer, four days a week is tougher to manage.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FIN8020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tompkins is an amazing teacher. He wants to ensure that you understand everything to the nth degree. His class was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. That being said, Tompkins knows this and expects a lot but gives a lot of help. He has his own Youtube channel with his lectures to assist in studying. Study and practice a lot****

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's engaging, his lectures are great. I enjoyed his class and the way he teaches.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FIN8320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is just a great Professor and do not hesitate to take his course. explains things well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FIN44204220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Smart, sharp, understanding. Always willing to answer questions. I took two of his classes during the summer. Tests are hard, study the lectures. Pay attention in class; attendance not mandatory, but he will give hints for the testsquizzes. Get a good group in 4220. I wish more prof's were like him. Would take again!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FIN8020
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took him for Fall 2013 class. Dr.Tompkins is a Talented Professor with unique teaching style. Starting from our class, he started providing audio powerpoint presentations which turned out to be very helpful. Tests are very challenging, so pay attention to everything he says. Grade consists of a Midterm, Final or Group project and five quizzes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FIN4420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this professor for a maymester and he was incredibly nice and made what could be a boring class interesting. He is very discussion based so you have to be willing to participate. Grades easily on group project but tests can definitely be tricky and difficult if you don't prepare! He really tries to help you understand the material though!