John McKenna - St. Francis Xavier University

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John McKenna - St. Francis Xavier University

Professor: John McKenna

Department: Psychology

College: St. Francis Xavier University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PSYC230
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Has student in mind with respect to teaching examples and testing. Educational methods are in-line with educational research for memorization/learning. Tough grader but fair, grades always based on the info given/assessments. Extremely knowledgeable on all things Biopsychology/neuroscience. Underrated due to difficult course material imo.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PSYC230
Grade Received: C-
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Makes things kind of confusing and the tests are really hard.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PSYC225
Grade Received: INC
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is the worst prof I ever had.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PSYC225
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took 225 as an Arts elective. He expects a lot of his students, especially if you're in the Psych department. I got an 84 in the class which was in the 10th decile. If you're looking for something easy and good grade, look elsewhere. If you want to take the best Psych class available at STFX and learn a lot, 225 is what you're looking for.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PSYCH328
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you want to learn something/are passionate about a topic, do not take his courses. He showed up for lecture 10-15 minutes late each class, wasted the rest by talking randomly, the final was 30 fill in the blanks (As a story) that took 10 minutes. He did not teach and seriously seemed as if he was there for the paycheck. No testing methods used.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Made the mistake of reading his reviews before class started and was picturing a very scary prof, but I found Dr Mckenna to be funny and approachable. Never found him rude (though he REALLY hates cell phones). His lectures stick close to the text. He seems to like when you show an interest in what he's teaching beyond what is in the textbook.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PSYCH230
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he would be much better if he didn't go through slides way to fast I don't know how he expects people to do well and know his information when he skips through way to fast

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PSYCH100
Grade Received: D
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is very rude when speaking with students. you don't dare ask him a question or he will come back with a very rude comment.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PSYC328
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a tough prof, but I have grown to thoroughly enjoy his way of teaching and his classes. Ive had him for 2 years now and I have learned so much. He does rely heavily on the textbooks and you must read in order to understand anything, however if you do your readings before class he is always going more in depth and clarifying duringlecture

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I couldn't go to any of his classes without being anxious at the sight of him. It is mandatory to read the textbook or else you will not get all the material. He flips through his powerpoints so fast that it is impossible to write everything down. He also does not post any notes. Few pop quizzes that were on the most random material.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was interesting to listen to but he wasn't very clear with coursework. Also, he never gave enough time for us to copy down his notes from the slideshow and he refuses to post them online. The class was also pretty tough, it didn't help that there was a quiz basically every week

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PSYC230
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McKenna is one of my favorite profs so far. He is hilarious, intelligent, and he's style and level of difficulty is reasonable. Those who complain about him are typically the ones not reading or studying hard enough. All the content is covered well and he answers any and all questions you have and if he doesn't have to answer then, he'll get it

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PSYCH230
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Mckenna is an extremely tough guy when it comes to marking or even just connecting with his students. He's extremely hostile and rude when directed at students and even staff. His lecture notes don't even cover half of what you need to know for the class. He relies heavily on the book and if you want to even pass you MUST make your own notes

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
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:

McKenna is a doll, he can seem a bit standoffish but visit him during office hours & he'll be your best friend (as long as you've done your homework). He is extremely intelligent & knows his stuff. Class participation is a MUST. McKenna loves to have banter & discussion within the class, so always be on your toes. Oh, don't use your cellphone..

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PSY100
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McKenna's not as tough as everyone makes him out to be. You do have to study and listen but it's nothing insanely hard. He's biology heavy but it is kind of helpful. I'd say don't even bring your phone to class and try to write your notes by hand rather than on your computer.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't post notes online like all the other profs do. Promotes marijuana use constantly. Very intimidating. Read the textbook. DO NOT USE CELL PHONE IN CLASS. Won't go so far as to say he ruined psych for me, but definitely less enjoyable now.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PSYCH100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was pretty funny most of the time, but do NOT make him mad. And make sure you memorize the whole textbook.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I enjoyed the study of psychology before getting this prof. Extremely rude, doesn't allow the use of laptops, calls students out, reiterates exactly what you're already reading in the text, puts nothing online, gives tests with questions that are barely relevant to what you've covered. Also promotes drug use and overuses profanity. Do not recommend

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PSYC100
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mean, scary, won't help, promotes marijuana all the time, not clear on tests, not prepared, straight outta textbook

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PSYCH100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McKenna is a very tough and intimidating guy. He teaches straight from the text book, right down to the examples-- he does not put the work in that we deserve. I wholly agree with reading the text book but I believe class should be learning other than word for word the text book.

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