Michael Nowakowski - Oakland University

Professor: Michael Nowakowski

Department: TBD

College: Oakland University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HRD3420
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very smart, intimidating. Tends to swerve from the subject when telling stories. I hated when others would talk about themselves/their problems as if I paid a class to learn about them, instead of the course. Homework is interesting. Exams hard - do his study guide, have detailed answers/powerpoint is the key. Overall, not as bad - he is okay.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HRD324
• 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:

I had Nowakowski for Employment Law. It was a good class, but the subject is a tough one. We had to read cases almost every week and a lot of people had trouble understanding them. If you know how to read a legal case/statute, you'll be totally fine. Tests are all essay questions.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HRD324
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed going to every class, but was disappointing that we did not get any of our grades back till near the end of the semester to see how we are doing. The 2 exams are only 5 essay questions. Tough class ... but I enjoyed it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have taken Nowakowski before and he's got a bad rep but he's not a bad guy. He's actually a fairly easy grader if you participate. Our class was small and it was a lot of him story telling about cases he's been involved in that were actually pretty interesting. Do the study guides for exams. Don't put off the handbook group project, lots of work.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HRD324
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took him for work and law. His class is mostly lecture and you'll need to read the book to be involved. He's a little cold but for the most part a nice guy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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:

This in no way is an easy class. Most of the assignments come from the book, so if you don't have the book you are S.O.L. You will spend close to 3 to 4 hours a night doing all the case studies. There are usually 12 cases per chapter. The professor is very blunt and at times can be hard to follow. Pick a good group or you're bound to fail.GOOD LUCK

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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:

Horrible Prof! If you can take another teacher for this class do it!!! Know your stuff he tries to trick you, he's intimidating and tares students apart in class. He can't balance his work life & teaching - he canceled 5 classes in an accelerated semester!!! Whatever you do DON'T take him!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class is run like one for law students, not tailored for HRD students. The trick to getting an A in this class is listening to his lecture and writing down everything he says coupled with reading over the things he hightlighted in class that are in the book. He tries to TRICK you on tests on purpose - know your material inside and out!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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 took Prof. Nowakowski a couple years ago and felt I should add a comment on here. He can be intimidating and he has a Drill Sargent Persona. He really makes you earn your grade and there is no easy way through this class. However I must remind everyone that it is tough out there in the real world and he is merely preparing you for whats to come.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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 doesnt seem to understand that we're not law students we're HRD STUDENTS! He should be teaching at a law school not in HRD. He's got a nasty attitude too and I wish that OU would consider replacing him with someone else as he clearly doesnt care about helping students succeed and is more interested in making himself seem superior at their expens

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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:

The one thing I have learned about him from the last couple semesters is that he will never directly answer your question and its best to look things up yourself. He can be a real jerk at times and he would not be my first choice on an instructor to take. I would take someone else. If your struggling in the class he won't lift a finger to help you

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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 is a tough class but as long as you pay attention and do the reading you should do fine. Prof. Nowakowski can be a bit intimidating at times but he is not as bad as everyone makes him out to be.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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:

I don't understand how an instructor as incompetent as this one is can still have a job at a place like Oakland University. He is an embarrassment to the Human Resources Development Department, and he can't teach at all. He is arrogant and does little to nothing to help those that are struggling in the class and the Dean should be told about this.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• 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:

Why is he wasting his time teaching?? He has no idea how to make a study guide, because what he puts on there is opposite of whats on the test! I have never failed a test before his class and I failed both the midterm and final with tons of studying! Worst professor I have ever seen!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nowakowski is an ineffective professor. He is not clear on the expectations and criticizes people when they do not think like a "lawyer". He should not be teaching in the HR program as he does not connect with his students and can care less that he doesn't. Why is OU still employing him is beyond me. He is the WORST professor that I have ever had.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HRD320
• 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:

Hard miterms! No matter how you study, or what you study.Allows sometimes for a cheat sheet, but don't think it will make an impact on your grade. Cheat sheet or not, you have to know the material inside and out in order to pass. You will LEARN in this class, regardless of if you pass, if you pay attention you learn. Grades just don't prove it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. He knows his stuff and wow - you actually have to study! I think HRD students have gotten too used to the "easy way out", you won't get it here. Do the work and earn the grade.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HRD328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good teacher, but sometimes a little intimidating. Just pay attention, take notes, do your work and you will do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HRD320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely knowledgable about labor law, arbitration, mediation, and unions. He would be a good mediator or arbitrator but isn't very effective as a professor. He doesn't connect with the students, unclearly answers questions, and speaks like an attorney not a professor in HR.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HRD320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have to say he knows his law, but he is a horrible teacher. Most failed his midterm and he is not helpful at all with questions asked. He talks about things as if we already know what they mean and expects us to catch on fast. I wouldn't take him again, except he teaches 328 too! At least I'll know what I'm in for, study hard!!!