Masanori Deguchi - Western Washington University

Professor: Masanori Deguchi

Department: TBD

College: Western Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JAPN302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Deguchi made me motivated to study Japanese again after a slew of professors that took that motivation away. He has short quizzes most days but they're easy to ace if you study a bit. He is understanding, has clear expectations, good lectures. We went over homework in class and it was very helpful for the unit tests. You're good if you study well.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JAPN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He taught class very well! I don't understand why he has low ratings except for the fact that he can get scattered in lecture. He's funny, and he's a native speaker, so he knows what he's doing. He incorporates some culture in class as well! There are daily quizzes, but they are easy as long as you study. He makes learning Japanese very easy!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LING402
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Deguchi's class was a nightmare for me. He is SUPER strict and harsh. His grading system is strange and unfair. Unless you do a perfect job on an assignment, you'll fail the assignment. Tests are super difficult. When you finish the class, expect to get a different grade because he lowers it for no reason at the end of the quarter. Never take him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JAPN104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a good Japanese professor. He is a native speaker but is also well integrated into American culture which I think helps him explain content to American students effectively. Lots of small tests as well as various papers. The midterm and final are in the form of an oral exam, and participation is important.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JAPN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This prof is really funny and usually stays after class to help with any questions you have. He is also a native Japanese speaker, as an added bonus! He did seem a little scattered during some lectures, but his teaching style is great nonetheless. The oral performances were short and interview-like. Overall, I really enjoyed going to this class!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JPN104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don't understand the low rating he has, he's a very good professor and you can tell he knows his stuff well. Very lenient grader so that's always a plus.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JAPN104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He did a great job working with the different ability levels in the mixed class. Was very clear with expectations and deadlines, and was fair with how he graded. Hes an excellent teacher and Id recommend him to anyone

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JAPN301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Who doesn't want a Japanese man with a British accent saying "doge" in the middle of class? Super funny. Surprisingly easy for a 300-level course. Group projects were tedious but doable. I don't feel super prepared for 302, but I looked forward to every class and really enjoyed Japanese.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JAPN202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Unpopular opinion: Deguchi-sensei was a great Japanese professor. I was worried from prior reviews, but he was witty, caring, and gave some of the best feedback I've gotten at Western. Not sure about linguistics or the 100 series, but as long as you show up daily and work hard, he's a fantastic Japanese professor that made learning enjoyable again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JAP104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I enjoyed taking Professor Deguchi' Japanese 104 class. It was my first experience taking Japanese in a classroom setting and I thought he did a good job. He's obviously a native speaker and was able to give good insight into how the language is actually spoken as opposed to what is seen in textbooks. Make sure you attend every class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LING321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pretty condescending, and has dry humor. If you want some piece of mind and a good nights sleep, I would highly consider taking another professor for this course. Small reading quizzes, two tests, and a final paper. Good luck if you do end up taking him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JPN203
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had an A in this class all quarter. I did my homework, studied for tests and oral presentations, and received good grades all quarter long. He then gave me a D on my final presentation despite never taking oral points away from me before, C in participation and arbitrarily took homework points away. He sent an email saying I can argue in the fall

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LING321
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! He is demeaning and unhelpful in class. He claims he doesn't expect you to understand the readings before teaching the topic but then gives quizzes on them at the beginning of class. He only repeats himself if asked questions and (on multiple occasions) laughed at students after they asked questions or offered answers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LING321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AVOID TAKING SYNTAX WITH THIS PROF. He made lectures way harder than they should've been. Students complained every day about his way of teaching. Quizzes reflected 100% of the lecture examples & HW, though. When I asked questions, he sometimes chuckled in an insulting way as if I should've known the answer already. Dry lectures; awkward pauses.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LING321
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am a Linguistics major and Syntax is my favourite subject. I was so excited to take this class and to learn more. I have never been more disappointed. There was no clarity in his lectures as he moved too fast and didn't care for student understanding. If I asked a question he would act like he was personally insulted that I didn't understand.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JAPN104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was very nervous to take Japanese with such a large class, but Deguchi was very patient & helpful. Stayed after class every day to answer questions. He went out of his way to answer my questions about Japanese phonetics (for a ling class) he scanned & sent me pages of a reference he recomended. I'd love to take more of his classes. He made it fun

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LING431
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No extra credit. Typically did not lecture or directly answer questions in class, expects to meet people in his office hours if they want an A.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LING431
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His classes are all discussion based, so make sure you do the reading and come to classes with your best understanding and ask questions. It is an extremely tough class, but if you are not understanding something be vocal about it. Ask questions in class and talk to him before/after class. Go to his office hours! He is extremely helpful there!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LING431
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I truly think Deguchi means well with his teaching style, but if it isn't working for the majority of the students, I think it's time to change. Read the chapter and didn't understand? Don't expect to get more clarity from class. Unless you live in his office hours--which is not reasonable for many students--you will not do well.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LING431
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I agree with the previous rater that Semantics is a tough subject to teach, but Deguchi isn't actually teaching. When I come to class not understanding the material, I expect to leave with a better understanding after lecture. He's made it clear he doesn't get paid enough, he has a poor attitude and his feedback is demeaning. Avoid him if you can.