Dencil Backus - California University of Pennsylvania

Professor: Dencil Backus

Department: TBD

College: California University of Pennsylvania

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite classes, a real surprise since it was a gen Ed. You have to write well, read the book, and show up for your speech. Do not expect any computer skills or a midterm bread from this prof. It is a lot of work, but if you follow his instructions and make the effort you will get an A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COM250
• 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:

First of, Backus is a nice guy. However, he is very scatterbrained. He's a very hard grader and the quizzes don't really come from the book even though he says they do. You're supposed to interview 3 people for this class and sometimes that's hard to come by because of schedule conflicts, but there are ways around that too.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COM250
• 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:

Dencil is nice guy and will treat you well if you give your best. First off, you have to read the book. Tests are straight from the book and not from the lecture. As for the speeches, do exactly what he says and you will ace them. Is the class simple? Not really, but I earned an A with by simply doing what was asked.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DON'T take this class. His tests are multiple choice but EXTREMELY subjective as to what he thinks the answers to be. They are not worded correctly and we had several instances of arguing with his answers. Yes, for a communications teacher, he pauses a lot with "ummm". You will leave the class not feeling that he was fair at all. Don't take it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is tough. I liked him though. I hated his tests, a 101 class should not be that hard. He's a good guy just a little rough on the outside!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COM438
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not knowledgeable of the material. Tests on things he has not taught. Gets mad if you have questions about the purpose of the assignment. If you can switch your major do it because this guy will literally drive you insane.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: INTROPR
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Can't put his thoughts into words so it is hard to pay attention. Teaches straight from the text book. Will say the tests are one thing but make them totally different. Avoid if possible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• 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:

Wow... one of the tougher speech classes I've ever heard of. He is a funny guy and is very knowledgeable but struggles to put his thoughts to words (i.e. pauses and umms) Tests were hard considering its a speech class... reading is STRONGLY advised or you will not do well at all. Just get on his good side and its not god awful

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Has the worst speaking ability for an oral communication professor. Uses the word "Ummm" constantly, take 4 minutes to say one sentence and doesn't teach. I learned nothing from this class. Poor instruction, poor teaching, hated this class and this professor!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I like this professor as a person, but as a teacher he is terrible! You have quizzes on material that you never go over in class. You never really do anything in class. The speeches aren't graded, only the outline. Someone in my class pulled off what I thought was a great speech and he still graded her low because her outline wasn't correct.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS TEACHER. worst teacher. You have a whole bunch of mini quizes that have nothing to do what what you talked about in class. He is SO hard on grading. You can make one TINY LITTLE mistake on your outline and you GET A D on your speech! he is ridiculous! Expects everyone to be perfect, no one can make this man happy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor i ever had! He would assign a reading assignment, a decent 50 pages over the weekend and the tests were always monday, then the material you read and answered on the test that was correct in the book was wrong to him. Then I thought I gave gave a great speech and he fails me because he didn't like my outline!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is straight ridiculous with tests and grading of speeches.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COM303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever had, he makes no sense at all he is a joke. His material has nothing to do with what he is talking about and I have no idea how even became a professor. I will never take him again and I am not considering switching my major after taking this PR class. AVIOD HIM AT ALL COSTS! I promise you, you will get a terrible grade

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ORCOM101
• 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: N/A

Comment:

he was not that baddd! you just have to get on his good side. i didn't read for the weekly quizzes and usually failed them but he graded on the outlines of your speeches... he didn't even grade on the speeches. he is boring but kinda funny. not as bad as everyone says, i don't think

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

not the best, not the worst. i found him to be really friendly. its true that he grades you primarily on your outline. so if you want to do good, just do it his way. i had to learn my lesson that way. weekly quizzes are tricky, but do-able if you study thoroughly. it wasn't easy but I pulled of an A. just study and follow his outline

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This teacher freaking sucks. He doesn't care to help you, just criticizes you. He grades strictly on outlines and marks the littlest things wrong and gives you horrible grades. He grades on what he thinks an outline should be not what one really is. Overall: Sucky teacher!!! Dont take him if you dont have to!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is extremely difficult! Nothing you do can please this man. When he talks, he makes no sense at all! His test are RIDICULOUSLY hard!I am in the honors program, and I am having a hard time even passing this class! AVOID HIM

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy is no help at all. The man does not have passion for his job or respect for his students. I wanted to drop his class, but decided to stick it out. I'm now regretting that decision. There are 3 speeches, HUGE quizzes, and a final. And that's it. No more point opportunities. No extra credit. Avoid this class at all costs, I'm warning you.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COM101
• 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:

Ok, no lie I actually liked this guy. Yes his class is hard, but you know what YOUR IN COLLEGE. Read your text book and write the speeches the way he wants, and guess what you will get an A.