Thomas McGovern - Arizona State University

Professor: Thomas McGovern

Department: TBD

College: Arizona State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McGovern is an excellent teacher. He provided great insight and feedback on my essays and was willing to talk to me and help me improve my writing. It's a shame he's retiring this semester or I would gladly take another class with him!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very smart guy and expects quality work. He appreciates students who make an effort, and grades based upon individual improvement over the course of the semester. Very willing to help if a student is sincere.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG420
• Grade Received: N/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:

One of the best professor at ASU! During the semester there are six autobiographies assigned. McGovern requires six essays each 500 words. I think that this work load is reasonable for an upper division class. Essays are graded quickly and provides excellent/clear feedback. I would recommend this course if you like reading, thinking, and culture.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IAS420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is A LOT of reading & writing, but should be expected for a 400-level Multicultural Autobiography class. From the get-go, he is very clear about the amount of work required. I suggest to start reading the books before class starts. They are VERY GOOD books too. All you have to do is communicate with him & you will be fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Seven books and three assignments for the entire semester - and you have to read and complete them all or your grade will be terrible. However, his essay prompts are nearly incomprehensible - they barely make sense and give little direction for the essay. Also, he assigned a book HE wrote; large portions are dated to 70s, not current psychology.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL381
• 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:

I'm currently taking his online religion and moral issues class which I thought would be interesting but all he does is critic everyone on how bad they are at writing or responding. He will ask us to explain what we thought of something and then completely undermine our response and say that we didn't answer the question right. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IAS220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Interesting class and a good professor, though you need to be interested in morality and religion for this class to go down smoothly. Expect to work hard and flex your philosophical muscles. I enjoyed the challenge of the class and the thinking involved, but not the material, i'm not really interested in religious concepts.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHI406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mcgovern is a good professor. At first this seemed like it was going to be a very hard class, but upon asking him for advice and help he came through and helped me to a B+, and I am not that strong in philosophy. I would highly recommend his class. You will work hard though.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: IAS220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are taking this class for the gen studies requirements it covers, don't. The class is extremely demanding and will likely take up more time than any other. It can be quite rewarding if you are willing to put in the time and effort, though. Also be advised that he gives very hard A's.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IAS406
• 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:

This guy is awesome! He is so insightful & really makes the subject interesting. It never feels like a class but rather a discussion group. He allows u 2 bring ur own life 2 the table. On the 1st day that he'll treat u like an employee & we should treat eachother as collegues. U have 2 read the assigned books inorder 2 do well on his papers

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class expecting to learn a lot dealing with Religion and Moral issues. But all he did was talk about the books he assigned which were extremely hard to grasp and horrible to use for writing papers. Terrible class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IAS406
• 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:

Can we say egotistical?!?! All he ever talks about is how he is part of a "Intellectual Group" and how he has his doctorate. The classroom text is his own book, and he never gives out A's. He favors the adult (+35) students.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG394
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McGovern is fascinating & makes you think. Lots of lecture; very little group work. Very hard grader and somewhat unfair - encourages you to "go out on a limb" with assignments but doesn't really want you to. No tests, extra credit or credit for attendance so if your 3 essays don't fly you are SOL. I am a solid A student but ended up with a B-.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IAS300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tom McGovern is a professor full of knowledge. He is a person that inpsires you to appreciate your life more. You'll gain a lot of wonderful knowledge from his class that prepares you for the future. The toughest thing you'll have to deal with in his class is the grading. Even though his grading his tough, his classes are still worth taking.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Has won a national teaching award, and for good reason

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: IAS300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

excellent teacher! wise beyond his age... a man among men! what a treat to be a part of such knowledge.. want to get to know yourself deeper? take a course with dr.mcgovern... and look into your soul....i will never forget his teachings. :)

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHI406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a tough but fair grader. Don't expect an A in this class unless you're a really good writer. The reading material is very very interesting, and the writing assignments will challenge you. Very worth it, it made me a better writer.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHI406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing teacher, if you are willing to learn. Each assignment will bring great rewards.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: IAS220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

VERY DEMANDING. If you are a dedicated student looking for an enriching class, he is the teacher to take. If you want to slide by, don't even walk his direction. I learned a lot, and I feel like I will be a better writer because of his class. Requires word limits, which can be hard for long-winded students. It improves your skills in the longrun.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: IAS220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McGovern is a great teacher, but his classes are HARD. He's a smart dude, and he demands a lot of his students. This is one class where you're going to have to work to earn your grade. In the end though, you leave class a better student, and a better writer, so I've got no complaints.