Stephen Slawek - University of Texas at Austin

Professor: Stephen Slawek

Department: TBD

College: University of Texas at Austin

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I thoroughly enjoyed professor Slawek's History of Rock class, but if rock music is a completely unknown territory for you, this class may be a little difficult. There are three exams, and only a couple other assignments including a research paper over a concert/band. He gives easy extra credit, and the discussion sessions with the TA are fun.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Everyone thinks this class is a nightmare, but if you have a musical background you'll be fine. If you don't care about music, it'll suck but if you're a good test taker/ good at memorization it's not bad. Do your readings and listenings, procrastination makes this class harder than it should be. He gives extra credit and curves your final grade.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Slawek is a really nice person. He genuinely tries to help you when you are struggling or is in need of extra credit, BUT this class was WAY TOO HARD. Don't expect to do well even if you grew up listening to rock music. The questions are SUPER specific. Expect to know what the drumbeat is for the 2nd verse of the 7th song on Beatle's 3rd album.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures are online so attendance is optional. However, the tests are very difficult. Too many details you have to memorize. Unless you have a photographic memory or are insanely passionate about rock music, I wouldn't recommend this as an easy VAPA course. Slawek is a sweet guy and he cares, but the class was too hard considering the subject it is

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Yeah, this was the hardest class I've taken. Exams are difficult unless you're able to memorize word for word about 20-30 pages worth of notes(typed). You have to memorize facts, terms, dates, and details from about 50-100 different songs for each unit. Very detail orientated. Not an easy class at all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Definitely have to work for the grade. Exams are pretty difficult. Gives out test reviews but they are extremely extensive. I had to memorize at least 100 terms and songs for 1 exam. He has a very monotone voice but attendance is not mandatory. He gives out extra credit that he adds to your final grade. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took history of rock music because I like rock music and I was expecting to learn about it, but he took more than half a semester to even get to it, and most of the class is super detail-oriented. I would only recommend if you have time to read the book and put effort into the class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

There is a LOT of reading and you have to memorize a ridiculous amount of trivial information for all of the tests. I took this class to have an interesting and not too hard VAPA class and it's my worst grade. There also are not that many grades (but there is extra credit which is nice).

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took History of Rock in order to have a doable and somewhat interesting VAPA class, but this class requires more work than expected. You are expected to remember copious amounts of information and tons of songs with each test being around 80 questions. 3 tests, 3 quizzes & a paper. Almost everyone I know is failing if that tells you anything.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUS307S
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Yeah this class is really hard. He does give you a study guide for tests and what songs to know for quizzes. But that being said. You have to memorize a ridiculous amount of information for the tests. But he also gives you a lot of extra credit opportunities so thats cool. He is a really nice guy though do not get me wrong. Lectures aren't great.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The class is not that bad. Don't take this class unless you actually really do love rock music. There is a lot of reading and the tests can be a bit hard but if you keep up with the reading and pay attention to details it can be doable. It's not a blow off class as some sites might say. Just be ready to read, have lengthy and detailed exams.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If youre expecting anything reasonable in terms of a music class dont take this class. The test are packed with way too much information and you are expected to memorize tens of songs along with their form and characteristics. He knows his history but this class is not worth the time it requires to simply pass.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Slawek expects you to know a ton of information for tests and quizzes and does not provide a study guide to know what to focus on, despite the amount of information that you need to memorize.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Slawek knows his material very well but his tests cover a plethora of information from lectures. Be prepared to memorize many songs that will be covered in tests and he expects you to be able to analyze the songs; asks questions about analyzation on exams. Overall, this class is very time consuming, and tests are harder than they need to.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: UGS303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Easy class, very knowledgeable on the Beatles. The textbooks for the class were "recommended" and really didn't need to be bought at all. Posted all of the powerpoint slides from lecture, which was nice. Discussion was the hardest part of the class but the TA was really flexible and it was more of a discussion about the Beatles than anything else

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Slawek is a really awesome guy. He speaks a bit monotone, but he has some really cool stories and knows what he is talking about. The class is a bit rough at first, but it gets easier and more interesting as you go. If you enjoy rock music, what you learn will stick with you forever. Tests are usually hard, but if you study you should be fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Clearly qualified and knowledgeable, just speaks very monotone. Exams are rough so be prepared to memorize. Be prepared with some musical knowledge because it will be important early on. Definitely NOT a blow-off, but he does throw you a bone

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Slawek is a nice guy and definitely qualified for this class. His grading is not very strict, as many people have said. You don't need a textbook to ace this class unless you want to learn more. One thing to mention is that you are required to remember lots of famous songs as well the importance. Be prepared to remember stuff!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Just show up to class and pay attention. If you do that, you'll be sure to get an A.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS307
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Slawek was very lenient on his grading scale and assured that if you showed up to 2 of 3 random attendance checks in class, you would get an A. Beyond that, the class is fairly easy for anyone with an understanding of rock music. If you can, DEFINITELY take this class