Alan Smith - Boston University

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Alan Smith - Boston University

Professor: Alan Smith

Department: Languages

College: Boston University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: LS454
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:

DO NOT take this course if you are overloading, because readings are (too) LONG, and difficult to understand even for "native" speakers. Tons of material to memorize. Participation is essential, BUT grading obscure; speak up on the first day so he calls on you more. Over 50% of my class got less than a B on the midterm, take that for what you will.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: LS450
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Do the reading and participate. Heavily discussion based. Have taken 2 semesters w/ him; if I did the reading probably wouldve easily gotten an A (still got a B). He just wants you to think outside the box in analyzing the novels and appreciates unique opinions. Very fair grader though. Accessible outside of class. Also has an interesting accent!

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: LS575
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith is amazing and very passionate about his job. Most of his class revolved around discussion of the poems we were reading and as long as you pay attention in class and jot down notes the exams should be very straight forward. I have taken him 4 semesters, he is very consistent with his exams and what is expected. Very Fair grader.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: LS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For the most part a nice guy (except towards male students), and definitely knows his stuff, but is vague and lazy about assignments. He gives you extremely broad essay topics sometimes 2 days before the essay is due, and makes the topic up off the top of his head at the end of class. Don't take a class with him unless you have to. Bad professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: LSLS
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:

This man requires genuine thought of his students. You will be challenged, you will be in the dark once in a while, but if you're curious and willing to learn it will be one of the best Spanish language and culture experiences of your life. Care about what you study, for God's sake.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: CASLS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DON'T PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS. The guy is a weird old man that lives in Lorca's mind. AND you have to rite 3 essays, 2 text explanation, 1 midterm and FINAL with an essay in it and an explanation of text + vocabulary. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH IT TO TAKE IT!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: LS454
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It is hard to know what to expect with him. I met with him repeatedly to discuss the term paper and his advice was extremely unclear (almost incomprehensible). This applies to exams as well. I have taken several Spanish literature courses at BU and have NEVER done so poorly before. His feedback is confusing and unhelpful so it is hard to succeed :(

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: LS566
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:

I'm not exactly sure why Smith gets such a bad rap. I think his grading is fair (though he expects a lot) and he really knows what he is talking about. On the other hand, I've spent more time on his classes than any others in college- there is WAY too much reading to do.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: LS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily the worst professor I've had at BU. Plays favorites, doesn't know when his own tests are scheduled. Do not be fooled by the green face rating he has. Do not take him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: LS552
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Smith is the most ambiguous prof. I had had at BU (especially in the Spanish dept.). His HW assignments are unrelated and rarely useful. He drains Lorca's work of any real life. His interpretation is far out and removed. He is also close-minded on his views of Lorca's work. He lives on a Garcia Lorca pedestal.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: LS454
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

good guy, cute sense of fashion, very smart, interesting, articulate, a bit egotistical, a little bit scary (but only when he decides to drill on you in class...), but grades fairly leniently (or well...fairly, at least)

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: LS454
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a very friendly man. He is an extremely intelligent man. He is not a good teacher. His exams are so ridiculously broad, you have no clue what o study. He loves all knowledge so he just thinks you will know it all too.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: LS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith is an excellent teacher. He is always so animated and so excited about the class so you pay close attention. he is a fair grader and the reading material he gives is good reading.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is an intellectual and is able to bring that out in his students.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: LS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

he laughs at his own jokes, and is the only one who is excited about the class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: LS454
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

can be intimidating and demanding in class, but fair grader on exams and papers

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: LS350
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

i really like smith, he's very well-educated & easy to follow.

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