Virgil Balthrop - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Professor: Virgil Balthrop

Department: TBD

College: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMM170
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Balthrop! He is the sweetest man and clearly loves the subject he is teaching. He makes jokes and uses anecdotes to break up his lectures. He loves to hear what his students have to say. Tests aren't bad if you ask questions about the study guide and make sure to memorize as much as you can. Homework is very manageable.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COMM170
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is so boring. To do well on exams, you need to basically memorize the study guide he gives you before one. The TA's grade your work, and some are a lot harsher than others.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMM170
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He makes it sound like an easy A. it SEEMS like an easy A. The HW assignments are decievingly easy and infrequent but the exams are TRASH and you have to memorize exact definitions dependent on your TA. He clearly cares about the topic but the lectures are too boring to stay focused on details that are necessary to even pass the exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMM170
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He teaches well and really loves teaching about rhetoric. He is fair and gives several opportunities for extra credit. He does his best to engage the class and have fun along the way. The class is one that doesn't stress you out so much, and you just have a nice time learning. The assignments are clear and straightforward. He is an awesome dude.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMM374
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good, laid-back teacher. He clearly cares about his students and wants them to succeed. Can be a bit unclear in what he wants specifically from you.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMM89
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Balthrop is an extremely unique person. He is very friendly and new everyone's name in the class in 3 days. He is willing to help and explain concepts if you take the initiative. There is a lot of reading, which I didn't do... When he gives an essay make sure you ask him exactly what he wants!!! very unclear about essays.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMM374
• 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:

Great class. I liked his laid back lecturing style. Even though the class was fairly large, he was very good a encouraging discussion. Exams are fairly easy. However, you have to write two long papers, and the TAs are tough graders.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMM372
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved professor Balthrop - One of the best professors I have had thus far at UNC, definitely worth taking this class. Laid back and discussion based.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMM071
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

i loved dr. balthrop! i can't believe the people below complained about him! he's extremely well informed on the subject and class is more about discussion than grades. he is so laid back and very approachable. i wish i could take another class with him!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMM071
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

interesting class, great teacher. very laid back guy, just wants his students to learn something not focused on tests and grades.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMM071
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Balthrop is great! The class was a freshman seminar about Ireland. Very interesting and he is very informed on the subject. He's a fair grader and funny guy. He's more interested in students learning rather than getting perfect test scores. One of my favorite classes and professors.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COMM170
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

one of my favorite professors...it's obvious that he loves what he teaches. also not a tough grader-- i missed quite a bit of class and managed a b. a friendly guy who remembers his students and genuinely cares.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMM
• 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:

One of the worst professors you could ever hope to meet. He pretends to be open minded about social issues but refuses to listen to anyone's opinion in class. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMM135
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Phenomenal teacher, very interesting and fun. Best I have had in college

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMM70
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He can't teach worth %$@#, one of the worst teachers and classes that I have ever had including high school.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMM70
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is by far the worst class I have taken here. I am a junior currently. The course title is Rhetoric and Social Controversy