Kara Shaw - University of Victoria

Professor: Kara Shaw

Department: TBD

College: University of Victoria

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ES405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic prof. Tough class (but definitely worth taking), interesting material and amazing guest lecturers. Don’t miss out on this class or this prof.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ES301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Be warned: This class is not easy, but its worth it. Shaw is an excellent prof. She is a fair marker and is always pleasant.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Shaw is a fantastic professor. Her grades were fair and her lectures were interesting. Since ES200, I’ve gone out of my way to attend her classes

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

I really recommend Dr. Shaw, she presents the very interesting material quite well! She does not do lecture notes though so you do need to pay attention! There were A LOT of guest speakers, which was awesome. DO THE READINGS. There are a lot but to get an A in this class you NEED to do them AND attend the lectures. Would take her class again!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is an easy A as long as you attend lectures OR do the readings-- no need to do both. Kara's lectures are hard to follow, and some of the guest speakers' topics were irrelevant (the course is supposed to be focused on food). The midterm and final are a piece of cake, but there is a lot of work for tutorials.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class was pretty much BS. Her lectures would consist of her talking in circles by posing questions that she wouldn't answer or bringing in guest speakers. You could make up whatever for the tutorial and midterm and as long as it sounded okay you'd get a decent mark. I love talking about the environment and this class made me hate it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

I can't rave about Dr. Shaw enough. Her class was often the highlight of my week - I found Dr. Shaw's lectures to be really inspiring and really get me thinking. She also went above and beyond when I came in for office hours or extra help. I've learned so much this year, and I really feel I've been challenged (in a good way). She is incredible!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ESA01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Political Ecology: Pushes students to work hard. If you're wanting an easy class to slack off in and get good grades try another prof. If you like to be challenged and learn take the class. Warning: Lots of reading

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Passionate and kind; genuinely wants to see her students succeed. That in mind, you do have to work for it, be prepared for a considerable amount of reading so that you understand the key concepts. If your Goal is to slack off expect a D or an F

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome prof!! Very passionate, gives great lectures, and definitely knows what she's talking about. Everyone should take this course. It was very worthwhile. Thanks Kara!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

I really enjoyed the content in the course. However, be prepared to read a****load. There are AT LEAST 5 readings assigned each week (10 pgs min) plus the lab workload making it really overwhelming. Lectures not necessary to attend. Exams were difficult to do well on. Surprisingly learned a lot though

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

Way too much is expected in this 200 level course. FAR too many readings (all which must be extremely well known for exams); tutorials are a waste of time (class and prep wise) and drag your mark down; marking is very tough for the intro to ES course; lectures can be interesting yet aren't helpful on exams. Avoid Kara's courses like the plague.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

This class is not an easy elective. A LOT of readings, which are boring and long. This class is basically just lowering my GPA. Kara is boring, and I barely showed up. Don't take this class if you want to just half-a** it.. Biggest waste of money/time/stress.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kara is definatly a passionate teacher and knows what shes talking about. She is an overall great teacher but i found she talks WAY to fast.. makes it difficult to take notes ( since she does not use lecture slides ) .. and even when paying full attention, it can be hard to pick out important things she says due to the pace. Great class overall tho

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Overall I think she is a great prof who is passionate about what she is teaching...BUT this course requires A LOT of reading (many of which don't get discussed in tutorials). Only take this class if you are willing to put in the time and effort to go to all lectures and read all material!! I recommend forming a study group outside of class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

Kara is an awesome prof who utilizes the 3h a week to maximum potential, she talks fast and everything she says is important. Do the readings, pay attention and you'll do well (hard marker but don't get discouraged!). One of my favourite profs and classes so far!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great class concept, but poor instruction. For the size of the lecture hall, she needs to utilize some type of communicative medium. Refusing to use powerpoint, overheads, the blackboard and even a microphone make it difficult to even hear her. Be prepared to regurgitate info directly from readings, without even article names to explain context.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• 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:

Kara was by far one of the best professors I have had during my 2 years at UVIC. She is incredibly intelligent and passionate about what she has to say. Listen carefully though, because she is very concise and all her points are valuable. She's a hard marker but if you take good notes and study the material, you will do just fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class. Not only am I really interested in the material, I thought the focus on food (which originally seemed ridiculous to me) was ultimately really useful. When you're in the hall, it really is easy to fall asleep, but that has nothing to do with Kara; she's an amazing lecturer and I wish we'd had fewer guest lecturers. Very worthwhil

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ES200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her lectures are so boring. Sit at the front if you want to hear because she whispers at the front of class. All she does is read off her notes and barely even looks up from that piece of paper. One of the worst classes I have ever taken, even though I was interested in the material. Don't take this class with her!