Allan Thompson - Carleton University

Professor: Allan Thompson

Department: TBD

College: Carleton University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1002
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a good prof but also very bland. He probably could've taught the whole semester in a month if he wasn't so repetitive and slow. He did give good advice as a seasoned journalist and brought in some awesome guest speakers. His assignments and tests were very fair.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed his storytelling. I found his lectures to be redundant at times, and when he wasn't telling a story, I felt like I was wasting my time in class and everything he was saying was better and more efficiently communicated in the readings he assigned. He is very organized and assigns a very reasonable workload.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

While Carleton's actual journalism program should be moved around, Allan's teaching of this class makes it a lot of fun -- and pretty informative. Tells lots of stories.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1002
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy. I found his lectures to be boring and pretty to a T what was on the slides uploaded to cuLearn, but the readings and assignments he gave out were cool. He is organized and incredibly fair. I had him during the COVID outbreak and he was the most accomodating of all my profs. He has lots of experience in the field so he always has stories.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3215
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I've had Allan twice as a prof and highly suggest taking a class of his to anyone out there who's looking to get into a hard news reporting career. He has been in the industry long enough to see it change and provides knowledgeable ways of helping his students one-on-one. Also, brings a relaxed but professional tone to the classroom. Awesome guy!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Even though I wanted to transfer out of journalism, and really didn't enjoy the previous semester of JOUR 1000, Professor Thompson made the class very interesting and fun. He is truly an amazing professor and a brilliant journalist. His assignments and quizzes are interesting and fair. Hope he teaches JOUR 1000 again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Allan could be a tough grader, but usually wasn't. His feedback is insightful, though sometimes blunt -- it's good for developing thick skin. Very approachable, so if you're having issues, go talk to him. He's sometimes unrealistic in his expectations. Put in the effort and you'll do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Allan is extremely honest in his feedback and you will learn a lot in his class. Sometimes he is a little too honest though, and if you don't like showing your work to the class then be warned. However, he really cares about his students and wants people to do well. He is a great prof for a practical writing class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Allan has a lot of experience working in journalism which is really interesting, sometimes his stories get a little pretentious though. He brings in a lot of cool guest speakers that bring a lot to the lectures and help give a good idea of what real world journalism is like. However, I found that some lectures seemed unnecessary and really boring.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing prof

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Allan is an absolute gem. He has had a lot of experience reporting for the Toronto Star and has tons of stories he shared with the class. I never missed a class, it was that good! Also he likes to play songs at the beginning of lectures that are relevant to that lesson. Great prof, take this class if you can!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He saved Journalism for me. Last semester, while under a not-so-great JOUR1000 prof, Klaus Pohle convinced me not to drop out of journalism until I finished Year 1 of Journalism. I'm so glad I stayed. Great lectures, informative, educational, cool, practical projects, inspirational guest speakers - what's not to love? All hail Allan.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JOUR4101B
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing prof, his class will change your outlook on journalism. He is an inspiration. His class is thoroughly enjoyable and even fun! (though discussion subjects can get very serious). Lots of student involvement in class. Be prepared to sacrifice a weekend or two for some out-of-class trips/events.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• 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:

Absolutely fantastic prof. His personal anecdotes during lectures are moving and inspirational, he brings great guest speakers to the class, and he's a highly-accomplished journalist who has changed lives with his work. His class will instil in you a desire to change the world with your reporting.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great Prof. Made class very interesting and always available to help

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JOUR1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great, helpful prof. Accessible and genuinely interested in helping students succeed. Organized lectures, funny, and always brings in journalism superstars as guest speakers. Goes kinda fast.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JOUR5000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great prof. Works hard on his stuff. Higly approachable and friendly. I'd definitely recommend future students taking his classes.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The most inspiring, dedicated, and helpful journo prof at Carleton. A rare human being. Guarenteed to restore your faith in j-skool. I would make huge concessions to be able to take another class with Allan.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 2201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Oh Allan Thompson, how you restored my faith in Intermediate Reporting! Not only were his comments effective and appropriate, but his assignments were manageable. He was not rude and harsh, like some j-school profs, but was encouraging and supportive. Very smart and dedicated. Good freelance work for Rwanda tribunals and oh yeah, very hot... drool!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JOURN52005208
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

An extraordinary individual, in my opinion. A caring, clear-minded and fair instructor with a real knack for team building. A wealth of knowledge and anecdotes, which really help with journalism skills. He tries very hard to be liked by students, though remains impartial and keeps boundaries.