Todd Vanden Berg - Calvin University

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Todd Vanden Berg - Calvin University

Professor: Todd Vanden Berg

Department: Social Science

College: Calvin University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: SOC130
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vanden Berg is such an amazing lecturer. He makes class very interesting, and he always starts class with a couple dad jokes which is fun. He is very enthusiastic about what he teaches which makes it more interesting for the students. Exams focus a lot on lectures, so take good notes and you will do great.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: SOC153
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a little quirky but really fun to have! Take good notes on his lectures and you will do fine. Average amount of work for a 100 level class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: SOC302
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. VandenBerg is great. He's hilarious and has interesting lectures. He is very opinionated but doesn't force his opinions on you. His tests are straight forward if you take good notes. Would definitely recommend. Only one paper that was pretty interesting to write. The guidelines for it were vague, but helped if you asked. Little homework also.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: SOC130
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 took SOC 231 Intercultural Communications with Vanden Berg and loved him so much I took SOC 130 for core with him. He's really funny and a relaxed prof. He trusts you as a student and doesn't try to micro manage his class. Easy work load but make sure you know your notes for the exams and midterms. Wish I could take more of his classes!

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: SOC130
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took SOC-130 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology over the summer during Calvin's entrada program in 2018. AMAZING professor. Has done anthropological fieldwork in Mali, so he really knows what he's talking about. He's kind of introverted, but once he knows you're dedicated to his class, he'll help you out. I need to take more of his classes.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: CAS231
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Vanden Berg was great! His powerpoint were clear and not too many assignments. Do the assignments and turn them in on time and you'll be good. He brought some jokes to the class to liven up the mood. He has a lot of cool insight and experience. Really cares about his students and understands they have other classes going on too!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: SOC302
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hands down the best professor at Calvin. I've taken every class he teaches and they were all great. He's hilarious and very willing to help whenever you need it. For the test, you just have to know your notes and you should do fine. Take a couple hours to look over the material for each test and you should walk out with a good grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He makes class engaging with his fun stories and lectures are pretty straight-forward. He is not clear on assignments though. Quizzes and tests were hard. He expects you to basically memorize the book word for word.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: SOC153
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Todd is the best professor at Calvin. He cares for his students and is very intentional at learning students names. He is a great professor but assignment might need to be explained a little more.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His tests are the hardest I have ever had at Calvin (3rd year). He's hilarious and is very helpful when you need help. He's not very clear when it comes to assignments though.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite profs at Calvin. Very witty, I was always laughing in his class which made me look forward to it. Take this class if you have room in your schedule, everyone can benefit from it. This class does have a lot of group work though.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the most mind-opening classes I've taken. Definitely shaped and challenged my worldview. I think everyone at Calvin should take this class in order to learn more about the world around them, including different cultures and beliefs. He is a great prof and has a lot of experience.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: SOC253
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:

Terrific prof who knows his stuff. Such a fun and engaging class. He mixes things up and has lots of fun stories to tie into lectures.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: SOC153
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:

Relaxed, easy prof with a great sense of humor. Makes potentially boring material interesting with great examples and stories. Quizzes are slightly picky, but overall this course is extremely easy. Recommended as an easy core course for the global/historical category. If you have already had some sociology before, parts will be review.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Had Todd for Intercultural Communication. The content of the class was over simplified and not at all provocative (curious given the issues that arise from intercultural miscommunication). I got the impression he had memorized lectures (and jokes) verbatim and was too burnt out to pursue meaningful class discussions.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I respect Prof Vandenberg a lot. I learned so much in this class. The reading quizzes kind of suck, and instead of a midterm or term paper there are a ton of smaller assignments. Definitely a class worth taking!

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: SOC153
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:

I couldn't stand the quizzes. They were a beast. I didn't really care for lecture either. BUt I really enjoyed talking with Todd. He loves to talk with you if you ask him. Probably one of my favorite profs here. He is great!

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: SOC153
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not too hard, overall. Horrible reading quizzes, all true/false questions. The material in class was interesting, but his lectures seem to go around in circles often. He's a great guy who cares a lot about getting to know you, even though class is usually pretty boring.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: MULTIPLE
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He rocks! I loved every class I took with him. He's very encouraging.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: SOC153
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

vanden berg doesn't pretend to be unbiased, and certainly shows his flaws. this is a good thing. he's genuine and genuinely interesting, and treats students like people who he is actually interested in knowing. he will broaden how you think, if you let him. don't worry too much about the horrible quizes,you can bomb them and still do well overall.

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