Kirk Shaffer - Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Professor: Kirk Shaffer

Department: TBD

College: Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST467
• 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:

Awesome Professor! this isn't my major but I kinda wish it was. He makes you think outside of the box. The lectures are incredibly interesting even though the topic itself and the text are quite dry. Shaffer does his absolute best to make sure all his students are learning, not just memorizing information.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Shaffer is a great teacher; however, if you do not like to read or have difficulty interpreting readings, I do not recommend the course. There is a quiz every week (which are harder than the exams) on the readings and his lectures. Pay attention in class and fill out the study guides. If you want a good grade you have to work for it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST116
• 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:

He is a good teacher and he is so much fun while he lectures, however, there is a very heavy amount of difficult reading. There is a short answer quiz every week and it is on all of the details of the reading and his lecture the day before so you must pay attention to details. Also, he doesn't put grades in so you never really know your grade.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: INART15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher only downside is that you don't know your grade until the end because he doesnt put any grades up...

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The biggest issue here is that Shaffer doesn't seem to know the material he is teaching. Constantly have to email him to point out the answers he has selected as correct on quizzes are in fact incorrect. His wording on questions is also somewhat ambiguous, leading to a situation where you have to decide what he actually means.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SPAN131
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good guy, kinda crude. A lot of books to read

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Shaffer is the absolute best. He keeps the class energized. There are a lot of readings but they are interesting and his assignments are always fair. Take this class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CMLIT153U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely loved this class. This professor loves to teach which makes this such an enjoyable class. He loves when you speak your opinion and his quizzes are always fair. He brings up interesting topics and questions. Definitely recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST467
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very interesting to listen too but your notes wont help you on exams. Most of the exams are centered around the long readings he assigns. Don't take this class if you hate public speaking because a huge chunk of your grade is based around 2 debates and 2 individual presentations. His exams are open ended and he is a tough grader.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LIT151
• 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:

Favorite teacher I've ever had, I enjoyed all his material and the way he taught it.. plus the literature chosen for the (multiple) courses I took with him were all enjoyable as well.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLSC440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was pretty good. Very funny. Very political motivated class (obviously) that brings out a lot of strong opinions. Dr. Shaffer is opinionated himself, but he tries to keep that to himself. No tests in this class, but weekly response papers. Have to read textbook cover to cover throughout the year. I recommend

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST468
• 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:

best teacher I've ever had! so far I've had him for SPAN131 and HIST468 and his teaching style is by far the best in my opinion. he explains everything in a clear and fun way. and always stops along the way to make sure you understand. He is also my advisor and has helped me navigate my way at berks since I transfered there.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPAN131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shaffer's taste in movies is impeccable, the video clips he uses relate with the discussion. And his essay's are reasonable with easy questions, take any of his classes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SPAN131
• 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:

Take good notes, and read the required reading and you should be set.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST131
• 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:

He's great professor, you will never be bored in his classes. He's so AWESOME!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST467U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Really tough, but very intelligent and worthwhile classes

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CMLIT153
• 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:

Really interesting

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CMLIT153
• 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:

he is amazing and he is the only professor at BERKS who is a professor!! he is reasonable, funny, interesting, and will help you do anything to get the grade you want in that class. it would be stupid if you dont take him at least as a GE

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SPAN131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

delightfully insane

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST179
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was my favorite class! Shaffer is the man. He's a freakin riot. Every class is super interesting because he's totally into his material and he knows how to relate to students. If you need any kind of course that he teaches you MUST take him. He dropped the F bomb the first class, and refers to "whitey" frequently.