Marcia Epstein - University of Calgary

Professor: Marcia Epstein

Department: TBD

College: University of Calgary

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CMCL305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a tough class if you don't like to participate. There's tons of reading to do and you have to stay up to date with current events. She's a very sweet lady and a decent prof but wasn't super fond of this class. Lots of writing to do as well

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CMCL305
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The most vague professor I've ever had, doesn't understand her own instructions and gives no clear insight as to what assignments entail. NO slides used in class so note taking is a must even though none of it ties into the actual tests.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: DEST485
• 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 class was so unorganized. The course did not match the context of development studies at all. You have a lot of projects and tests that didn't have any grading rubric or actual outline of what you supposed to do. Her grading is very arbitrary, focusing mostly on the grammar rather than the context of the project.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CMCL203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Avoid her classes at all costs!! She is extremely disorganized and condescending towards students. She acts like its a burden to teach. Lectures are extremely dry and boring. No clear guidelines for exams. I hardly learned anything even with attending every class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CMCL203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr Epstien is a nice woman, and this class isn't hard to pass- but her constant lack of organization and communication gets very tiring. Lectures were mind-numbingly boring and the work load is way too high for a 203 class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CMCL305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Epstein has flexible lectures such as allowing us in-class time to work on group projects. She enables self-learners so read your textbooks carefully & make good notes. She really places a lot of weight on spelling, punctuation, & grammar. She is very helpful if you would like guidance. She is a very tough marker, so be prepared to work hard.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMS369
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Literally the worst. Ever. Trust me. Avoid if you can

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CMCL305
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Marcia is one of the best profs I've had at U of C. People just give a bad review to her because they slacked and got a bad grade. If you show up to class and participate, you'll get a good grade. Her lectures are interesting too.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMS369
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, yikes. Avoid at all costs. This class was such a struggle. Everything was very unclear and the assignments were a mess. Marcia is a mess. She doesn't provide any insight as to whats going to be on the midterms or how to do the projects or assignments. The class was a joke, and I can honestly say I didn't learn a thing.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CMCL501
• 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:

Most dreaded class in my 4 yrs of uni. First class there were 22 students, next day only 9. Incredibly dull lectures. Yelled at me once because I forgot my textbook. At least I actually came to class?? I'm not paying to be treated like I'm in high school and being scolded like a child. If I wanted to get yelled at I'd just stay home. Unacceptable.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMS381
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Yikes, this woman needs to get organized. I took 501 with her and loved it! But when it comes to a more concrete subject like communications history she's all over the place. We had no idea what was happening even at the end of the semester. I think she's a smart lady but she needs some help running a class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CMCL503
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures feel long, but teaching quality is good. Journal entries are easier than Glasberg's, but the lectures aren't as fun. Reading is really high, including all the normal entries plus a whole novel.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CMCL503
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Long, dull lectures, and slow discussion periods. A lot of reading required, but most of the class did not complete or attend class, leaving her frustrated. Fair grader. Large group project, and assignments with very little outline or specifications.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMS381
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am in my last year, and Dr. Epstein is my least favourite professor of my degree. She is extraordinarily unclear, and likes to give condescending lectures (the "you're in trouble" kind, not the teaching kind) about once a class. Her classes are like pulling teeth for me and I consider myself a very engaged, passionate student.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMNS391
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pretty questionable class to say the least. Mid-term was a bit of a joke, 7 questions not related to HER study slides that she put online and marking was really inconsistent and didn't make a whole lot of sense. Book is useless, class content seems obvious and dry. Normally hit the chive most the class. Probably should've taken a rain check...

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMS381
• 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:

Great professor. Flexible with assignment topics - allows for exploration and creativity. Great TA as well. Lisa was very thorough with material clarification - made the exams relatively easy even though we covered quite a bit. I would highly recommend the course and Dr. Epstein.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COMS391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I found this prof to be pretentious and highly condescending. She sent out an email stating that it was not her job to respond to our emails. Although we paid to take this class, she does not feel it is her job to fulfill her duties. When approached for help, she responded with a very rude remark. I would suggest avoiding her classes in the future.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COMS381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

instructions are vague, lectures are boring, but you have to attend this class since she never posts her slides online. whenever you ask her something, she refers everything to TA

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CMCL501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While her lectures were interesting, I found that the they were more like a history class than anything else. Assignments were also somewhat confusing in terms of what she wanted. She also relied heavily on students to start discussions, but didn't leave much clear instructions on what to discuss.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CMCL501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's a great prof. Her lectures are engaging, its class discussion in little groups for the most part, and sometimes she talks to the class as a lecture. Fair marker. Clear expectations. Dont let the outline scare you...its a good course!After Glasberg I didnt think I'd love another prof for CMCL, but i love her. She is great.