Ayad Al-Qazzaz - California State University - Sacramento

Professor: Ayad Al-Qazzaz

Department: TBD

College: California State University - Sacramento

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He posted recorded lectures to Canvas. He didn't really have a schedule, he would just email us when they were posted. Grade consists of four 10 question quizzes and a midterm and final each 50 questions. He canceled the essay, which requires you to go to a ME restaurant, because of the coronavirus. If you are not a good test taker don't take him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really liked taking his class as he gives a lot of information about ME culture. We just had 2 exams and one 1500 words paper to write about a restaurant visit. He also collects a one-minute paper at the end of each class which is actually an extra credit opportunity and also attendance for class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Ayad is INCREDIBLY arrogant, we spent the first week talking about his (lack of)accomplishments. Makes you write a 1500 word paper about eating at a restaurant. You think that's easy, until you write 500 words and realize there is nothing left to say. Favorite thing to say is "Can you hear me" Yeah, we can hear you. Stay away, trust me.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SOC163
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is still organized poorly. This semester was so bad because of the 2 weeks that we lost. the midterm and the final were combined. He was really unclear on what he was going to test on. The test had very specific questions and you had to know the dates to everything. Attended class everyday, passed the paper, and failed the exam. Got a B

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOC168
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved this class!!! Professor has a great sense of humor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible class. Once a week from 6-8:50 pm. Lectures are very dry and boring. Very biased against America. Always goes off topic and half the time you don't know what to take notes on. AVOID AT ALL COST.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There was one midterm, 1 paper (which was pass/no pass) and a final. These tests were extremely difficult and covered an insane amount of material. He is very hard to understand and also is constantly getting side tracked. If you do the one minute papers every class and pass the paper you can still fail the tests and get a passing grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The tests were literally death. Luckily for my class, he did "1 minute papers" that count for like 1 or 2 extra credit points, and you can turn these in at the end of every class. The lectures were dry, he's very easily distracted. No matter how much you read or paid attention, tests were really hard. The lowest A on the first test was a 70.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Al-Qazzaz is a great professor. I learned a lot in his class. He is open to any different opinion. He gives an interesting information about M.E. culture. His class is worth to attend. He treats students as equal, has great sense of humor , is very approachable, encourages questions . Tests are difficult , long. Must read, take notes

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have to show up to the class, or you won't pass. He doesn't used online at all. He also has no powerpoints, so you have to pay attention. He also gives extra credit. The tests are a little tricky, but there's a huge curve.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are interactive and allows students to ask questions and discuss current issues in the Middle East. Dr. al-Qazzaz has a great sense of humor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you actually care about learning, take this class. It is an important course for anyone and not just Sociology majors. I would recommend this class for people who are active in their education (people who actually do the reading). The course is lecture heavy but it is an invaluable experience that can't be replaced with Powerpoint.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

VERY POORLY WRITTEN EXAMS AND EXTREMELY TRICKY. QUESTIONS ARE WRITTEN SO SPECIFIC THAT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER EVERY LITTLE DETAIL TO GET THEM CORRECT. EXCELLENT CURVE BUT YOU WILL BE WONDERING UNTIL GRADES ARE POSTED AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER ON WHETHER YOU'VE PASSED OR FAILED THE CLASS. NEVER LETS CLASS OUT EARLY. 3 VERY LONG BORING HOUR CLASSES.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

WOW this class was hard! Attended every lecture & did all the reading yet broke down during test time because the tests are very long and difficult. I studied for 6+ hours and got a D+ on the test (before the curve). Basically, he expects you to read everything & remember everything. Must also point out that he can be very condescending & unhelpful

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are so hard!! No amount of reading will prepare you. Lectures are spacey. He is unclear about grading or expectations. I thought I would get a D, but found out I got an A.. Probably from the curve of his tests. Don't take his class. Not worth the frustration. Attendance mandatory At least for second half. ALWAYS turn in your one-minute papers

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE HIM, unless you are a masochist. His lectures are very spacey, too much reading, and tests are HARD. He grades on an excellent curve, and I was shocked to pass with an A-. His grading and expectations were unclear. You don't even know if you passed test until he posts grades at end of semester. So hard. So frustrating. GAH!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Get ready for 3 hours long and boring lectures. Must attend class and take good notes. read the his green book and the textbook for the midterm and final. just one 5 page essay, and one minute paper at the end of each class, turn in for attendance i think. do all that will pass, must take study all notes, green book and textbook to pass.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 162
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unless you are interested in other cultures and are considerate of understanding others then I would really recommend him. He is def old school. It is just straight lecture no power points, he is pretty straightforward on what will be on the 2 tests and he gives you options for the essay. He likes to joke around and very humble.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He definitely is knowledgeable and loves the subject BUT his lectures are very dry and he barely touches on material. He always asks for students experiences but, it is impossible to hear their response (due to having 200+ students in the class). If the class was formatted differently it would be a more manageable.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SOC162
• 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:

One of the best professors I've had. He genuinely seems to want to share his knowledge with his students. No, this is not an easy class but the topics covered are very interesting and relatable to the Middle East. Be sure to keep up on readings, take tons of notes and attend every lecture.