James Pennebaker - University of Texas at Austin

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James Pennebaker - University of Texas at Austin

Professor: James Pennebaker

Department: Psychology

College: University of Texas at Austin

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Pennebaker is the sweetest ever. Just do the readings, rewatch the lectures, and take really detailed notes. It's definitely not easy and you have to find a way of studying that works for you. Definitely utilize the class outline they provide and take notes on everything outlined--that's what they'll quiz you on.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Heres how to get an A: It takes 3 hours per lecture of prep. 1. During lecture pay attention and take detailed notes. 2. After the lecture rewatch the lecture at x1.5 speed and retake your notes. 3. Read all the reading material and take detailed notes. There is a quiz each class on every little detail from the class before. It's hard

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have to pay very close attention to the lectures and the readings can be very long. He is a very funny professor though. The daily quizzes can be challenging and are taken heavily from the lectures, but some from the reading. Make sure to do the readings and re-watch the lectures for proper understanding of the material.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely not your run-of-the-mill online course. Must meet at specified times and your grade depends on daily benchmarks composed of 8 questions. No extra credit, exams, or final. You grade relies on those benchmarks so don't take it lightly (get 4 low scores dropped though). Lectures are ALWAYS interesting and very interactive. Take this class

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

readings are long. Which would be fine, but the benchmarks are extremely specific. Benchmarks are 8 questions, so even if you only miss one question on each Benchmark you're looking at a B MAYBE. no extra credit, no curves, nothing, the only thing I liked were the lectures although they were not helpful. There are much better psy classes to take.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While an online class, the class has a normal meeting time that must be met. Lectures are informative and give good information. Daily quizzes make up the most of the grade - no tests or final. Take good notes and read the material and passing will be easy. Getting an A requires a bit more effort but is still doable. Great professors for the course

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Quizzes everyday, and I found lectures to be off and on when it comes to interest. I studied all reading materials assigned every class, and watched all lectures and barely managed a B. The class is tough to make an A in even though it doesnt seem like it would be!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is online but its more like a live class than an online one because you have to watch it at a specific time and you interact with other students. If you do the readings, pay attention to the lectures, and take notes you can do well on the quizzes and get an A. The lectures are really interesting so its not hard to pay attention.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gosling and Pennebaker are an amazing team! The lectures are funny and engaging. Definitely not a difficult class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best class ever. So funny and interesting. I didn't get a fantastic grade but it was worth it, lol.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Him and Gosling are great lecturers. I took the online class and was very engaged the entire time. Make sure you're taking notes during the entire lecture! No textbooks.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

often slip into completely irrelevant stories and are distractable. humour is fine but not when it detracts from the actual teaching. goslingpennebaker combined intro to psych made me miserable, especially when they played the kitty genovese video. they constantly normalise depression instead of making it out to be the serious issue it is.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pennebaker and Gosling are the psychology dream team. Learned so much in this intro class. Loved it. No tests, just one benchmark (short quiz) every day before class regarding what you just learned in the previous class. Got an A. Can't imagine anyone having a hard time in this class. It can't be more straightforward. Also, no textbook.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took this online class with Gosling and Pennebaker. Loved it. No final or midterms. Eight question benchmarks at the beginning of class, open note. Benchmarks are normally easy as long as you take the class seriously. Would suggest rewatching lectures and skim the readings before benchmark time.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PSY301
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:

Great & interesting class. Highly recommend taking Dr. Pennebaker because he's so helpful and knowledgeable.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really great professor alongside Dr. Gosling. I really loved this class! They have 8 questioned benchmarks at the beginning of each class. They are quite hard and frustrating at first but after doing so much of them, it gets easier to know how to study for them. I completely recommend this class. Don't shy away from this class because it's online!

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The professors are fun BUT the way this course is graded is ridiculous. The questions are difficult to understand. I was once asked to answer an exam question from a selection of lyrics. There is quite a bit of reading and while i appreciate the effort they put into their classes, it is nearly impossible to focus.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pennebaker is amazing and adorable! His lectures are dynamic and super interesting. Gosling and Pennebaker make a great pair, reminiscent of Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles from Whose Line Is It Anyway? They somehow manage to slip lots of humor into the fascinating psychology material in this class. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great class. Taught with Samuel Gosling. No +/-, just letter grades. All classes are important. 88% of grade is a benchmark taken at the beginning of class based on previous class's lecture and a few online readings. Quizzes are 8 application questions, not memorization. They are difficult, but possible if the time and effort is put forward.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PSY301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed the class and it was very interesting. There are no finals but there are benchmarks everyday (they are more conceptual and not just about terms and definitions, which is why people say its hard). As long as you take notes and go to every class you should get a good grade

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