James Kalsbeek - Pennsylvania State University

Professor: James Kalsbeek

Department: TBD

College: Pennsylvania State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ARCH132
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

James is a wise professor, you can learn a lot from him. That said, his is very tough, and isnt afraid of giving a C average to the class. Hell give lots of good info and tips, but most of the time its in Heinsight. All I can say is show that youve been in studio a lot; he expects Architects to be there 50 hours a week.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 1STYEARSTUDIO
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

James is one of the best professors in the Architecture department at PSU. He cares about his students and is willing to stay after class and goes the extra mile to make sure you do your best. I've had him for studio and Building and Time/Arch497. His enthusiasm makes class a blast.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ARCH132
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you're reading this then you probably have no choice but to take his class so this review doesn't matter. None the less he's a boring green little man who likes to hear himself talk.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've had James for multiple classes and the more I learn about him, it has become apparent how much more I don't know. Yes he can be snide but it usually isn't unwarranted. He mainly tries to help students realize architecture on a conceptual basis and see something on a metaphysical level, but also explores the actual making of things as well

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131
• 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:

After having James, you'll want him back. He may get annoying with constantly hanging around studio, talking forever, and his analogies, but you'll realize he really cares (and those analogies help). Great studio professor, really works with you and makes you think in the abstract.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a great professor. Among all the first year professor he is the strongest one. He makes you think differently and demands really hard work from you, but it's totally worth that. At the end of his class you realize that you made a huge progress. I don't agree with those who badmouth him, it means they just chose the wrong major.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ARCH132
• 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:

James is an ass, but you'll learn. You'll learn what it takes to be successful in studio and how to talk about architecture. He has his favorites but if you put in the effort, you'll do fine - and get more out of his class than you will from any other first year studio professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

great professor, really cares about making you better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131132
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely hard. Last month of school, towards the deadline, I slept maybe 3 or 4 days a week. Also, extremely pompous. He's always right in his mind, and he lets you know it. However, he teaches you the most out of all of the first year professors. By far. Some by his teaching, some just by making you work hard. He no good guy, but he can teach.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 1STYEARSTUDIO
• 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:

You'll hate him when you have him but he will give you the strongest first year studio experience. He'll make you work. He'll make you think. He won't take anything half assed. He's set in his ways, but he's the best person to debate once you realize that. A lot of people here badmouth him. He doesn't deserve it, he just expects more.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ARCH132
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was my favorite professor of all of the studio professors. I had to work EXTREMELY hard but I think it was worth it...its too bad they're changing first year curriculum and he'll be in Rome in the Fall cause the 1st years are definately missing out in my opinion

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: STUDIO
• 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:

James was one of the best studio teachers i had. Although he did push his own ideas, mine were still accepted. He gave me alot of advice on actual building and constucting, which in that project was most important.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ARCH132
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

if he is in a conversation, nothing anyone says is important unless he is speaking. that said, he is very passionate about the field, and he is very helpful and is extremely knowledgable about anything architecture.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ARCH110231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Well alright...here's the thing. He is by far the worst studio professor I ever had. Very biased and oppinionated. However, his theory classes are the greatest classes i've ever taken. He needs to stick with theory and loose studio!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the most biased person i have ever met. Best grades go to the person who sucks up to him the most.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: STUDIO1STYEAR
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible! Chooses favorites! his grades are somewhat biased and he thinks hes right for everything, its his way or the highway! thumbs waaaay down

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ARCH131S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A really nice guy, funny. Seems to know what he's talking about, but often goes on random tangents. Grades almost arbitrarily.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: STUDIO
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is abrassive; a very bad teacher. He cares only for his own wellbeing and he complains A LOT! I think he drags down the architecture dept. Hopefully he will leave once the new building is finished as he has threatened!

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is stuck in the past. He has been teaching the same thing for way too long.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ARCH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very helpful.