Dan Willingham - University of Virginia

Review your college professor, faculty and staff

Dan Willingham - University of Virginia

Professor: Dan Willingham

Department: Psychology

College: University of Virginia

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures were ridiculously long, unstructured, and pretty boring. The questions on the 2 midterms and final were extremely tricky and difficult. There was no other coursework that went into your final grade, so if you don't do well on the exams there was nothing you could do to pick it up. I wouldn't recommend this course unless you need it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. has his own textbook which I thought was great because it is almost identical to lectures. The material is pretty similar to psych 1010, with emphasis on certain topics. His tests were easy, but I always thought that his lectures were a bit unstructured and hard to follow (the textbook was my bible). Super nice guy and very accommodating.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Three exams (lowest dropped) and final make up your grade. Willingham is awesome and he keeps the lectures super engaging (even when you get completely lost). For psych majors, definitely a better option that cognitive neuroscience.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Willingham is one of my favorite professors at UVA. His class was very challenging but the review sessions were very helpful and he was accessible through collab at all times. His lectures were sometimes a little information heavy.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PSYCH2150
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He makes class interesting but he goes so fast so it's almost impossible to get everything he says clear enough for you to understand later and then he tests you on specific things that you only talked about once. Like you have to know everything. I just felt that this class was unnecessarily hard. I wouldn't take it unless you absolutely have to.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While his tests are hard, if you study and do the readings (and follow his study techniques given to you at the start of the semester), you can definitely get an A. He was very funny and always tried to make his lectures interesting and engaging. Must go to classes and you have to do the readings if you want to do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: 2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I like psychology. I like Professor WIllingham. He's funny, his jokes are great. Overall, class is good. Can be a bit boring at points. Make sure you study for the tests, they can be tricky. If you the readings and go to the lecture you should be fine. I'd recommend the class if you want to be a psych major but not just as a fun class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dan is the man! His personality is great, and his jokes are even better. The only downside to this class is that it was a pretty tough psych course. As a psych major, I actually had to study like crazy to get a decent grade. He grades using a bell curve so it all depends how the class does as a whole. Material was interesting, but you have to study

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although my rating seems low, I definitely recommend this class. Take notes and get everything he says. He's super nice -I went to talk to him twice and he really makes you feel better about the class. As others have said, figure out the tests early (I bombed the first). The class is funny and very interesting but you must have good notes and read!

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: 2150
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A fairly likeable guy. Entertaining enough to listen too, but you'll have to be able to type quickly if you want to get everything down. Test are somewhat difficult; multiple answers will seem correct a lot of the time- the correct one is the one that applies most specifically to the question, though that isn't always so clear cut.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though he goes really fast in his lectures and sometimes can be unclear, the class is definitely worth it in the end!

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PSYCH2150
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an incredibly charming professor! I am a huge fan of his, he's a great guy. Loved his lectures although some were a bit dry. I think the whole class knocked out once. Tests are tricky but if you figure them out early on and are careful it's not too bad. Must attend lectures and read.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PSYC215
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 lecturer, wanted to come to class. YOu also kind of need to because tests are more based on lecture.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSYCH2150
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:

Willingham is amazing. The class is easier if you have a bit of a background in psych and you are interested in the material -- otherwise the tests can be tough. There are only 3 grades (including the final) so you need to be good at multiple choice tests to do well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

...Dang. This class. The professor is kind, energetic, knowledgeable, personal and hilarious. Type really fast!! Get everything! His test questions are one of those kinds where all the questions sound right, in fact, all of them usually are but you have to choose "the one that is BEST". Killed me every time.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PSYCH2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely take notes with a laptop, because it is important to write down most of what he says. His slides have the outline of information, but he explains it. So you really have to go to class. But I never wanted to miss, because he is so entertaining. He throws a few jokes into every lecture. The textbook isn't as important, but should be read.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class didn't have any homework other than reading. Tests are hard though. Professor is really personable and entertaining.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
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:

Incredible teacher-one of the best at UVA. Very knowledgeable about the subject and presents it with both clarity and humor. Tests aren't as bad as they used to be (33.5/40 mean on tests for Fall '11)If you go to the lectures and read the book, you'll probably get an A-/B+.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an absolutely fantastic professor!! Definitely recommend his class. He is absolutely hilarious, engaging, clear in his lectures, and really wants to make sure everyone understands his material. Take this class if you can even though the exams are tough. It is worth it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PSYC2150
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very intelligent and fantastic lecturer; clear, gets info/point across, structured, and amusing. You really must have everything down pat from the lectures and texts, because the exams are difficult and will be cryptic to the unprepared student. You will learn a lot if you put in effort. Highly recommend

Add Your Review Below:

Search Professors:

Welcome:

Before signing up for classes every students should gather as much information as possible to make a decision on which professors as well as which courses to take. This website will help you make this decision easier.

Here, the students can rate, research and cross-reference the overall performances of the professors to select the best ones, and always be informed and up-to-date with what’s important.

Join the fun! Visit all pages and get all the information you need to choose the best class and best professor that you’ll enjoy listening to and learning from.

Our Friendly Sponsor:

Schools:

Our Friendly Sponsor: