Mwatabu Okantah - Kent State University

Professor: Mwatabu Okantah

Department: TBD

College: Kent State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher! Really enlightened me to so many things I never knew before. I highly recommend taking this class! Some of the information will definitely blow your mind. My first advice for the class is to walk in with an open mind.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP12
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wants you to succeed . Clear grading instructions. Easy to talk to. Old school. Be prepared to learn about BLACK History.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

"Baba" Okantah is by far my favorite professor at Kent State. He is very welcoming to all students and as long as you come to class (he remembers who does or doesn't) and actively listen to his lectures/videos/readings, he will make sure you do well. He is very wise and will challenge you to think in ways you have never before.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PAS23002
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I've ever taken, very patronizing. he makes it seem like your fault for not knowing the answers, 4 discussion posts and 2 exams, and all discussion posts are graded by TA. Random points off for dumb stuff: took this class to boost my grade and now i have to retake it. changed the syllabus mid-sem. just a very frustrating course.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Okantah is such a good professor. The class is filled with a mixture of lectures and reading and videos and is never boring. He is super wise and inspirational and very willing to help if your struggling but the class is easy and there is not a lot of homework, just a few discussion posts and a take home midterm and exam. Take for a Kent Core!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PAS23002
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a very inspirational guy and this class was probably the best class I had my first semester of college - I felt like I learned something I can use the rest of my life. His syllabus can be very confusing and his lectures aren't the typical lecture. This can make it hard to take notes, but the readings are very helpful and he's inspirational.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PAS23002
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing guy, and really insightful. He gives his opinion a lot, so be prepared for that, but he is always respectful of others views. His lecture style might be a little difficult at first, but you get used to it. A lot of films, and it's important to do readings if you want to get the most out of this class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP1
• 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:

Here's the thing. Okantah is an amazing professor but he never tells you when discussion posts are due, now I realize i'm in college but it would help a med student if you would just mention it a week before. UGH im so bothered.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PAS23001
• 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:

He doesn't update grades often and grades are based off of like 5 assignments, but you do a learn a lot if you go to class

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP2
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you need a Kent core requirement, I would high suggest Okantah! Some of the material is hard to understand but it's all so interesting. He takes this information seriously, but he's a very easy going man, funny too. He's my all time favorite professor to this day. His classes aren't mandatory, but I would suggest going.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BLACKEXP2
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The assignments are 5 discussion posts which are like a paragraph each, one midterm, a final, and a one to two page reflective essay. All of the assignments are online. He lets you know exactly what is going to be on the final and the midterm. He shows a lot of movies, so bring your popcorn or a blanket. He is also a poet. This class was easy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PAS23002
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Okantah knows his stuff! I like how he relates things that have happened in the past with current events. You'll leave this class looking at the world with a different perspective.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PAS23001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is such a nice guy and really enjoys what he is teaching you. He is very passionate and wants everybody to understand the history of African Americans.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PAS23001
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love Okantah! I'm going to take Black Experience 2 & I wouldn't take with anyone but him. Some of the information he gives you is confusing, but he goes over it multiple times during class and encourages you to ask if you're confused. He does use the discussion board. He also follows his midterm exam step by step & gives you everything you need

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PAS23001
• 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:

I loved Okantah! He was one of my favorite professors at kent, he really gets into his lectures and he knows what he's talking about! if you love history about africa and the meaning behind black history, TAKE THIS CLASS! you will learn so much!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PANEXP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was not very helpful or considerate

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PAS002
• 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:

Baba Okantah was my favorite teacher of the semester. He is passionate about his work and he is a wonderful person. I really enjoyed attending class. I learned a lot about the decent of African people. It was refreshing to have a professor so down to earth. I would recommend Okantah in a second. Take his class! Easy A and lots to learn !!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PANAF101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okantah is a good guy for sure. His class challenges you to think outside of your comfort zone as a white person, and there is equal treatment for all students.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PAN000
• 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:

If you are a student attending Kent State University and you don't experiance this man and what he has to offer in his classes, trust me: YOU ARE DEFINITELY CHEATING YOURSELF OUT OF A REAL EDUCATION!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PAS1
• 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:

Had Okantah in 2001 for Pan African Studies - was one of only two white students (the only female) and was a little intimidated at first. Was always treated equally and encouraged to speak and understand the black American experience. Was my favorite college class and opened my mind to other cultural studies.