Tom McHardy - James Madison University

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Tom McHardy - James Madison University

Professor: Tom McHardy

Department: Communication

College: James Madison University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: SMAD202
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This mans is retiring so I doubt anyone will be looking at this, but hoping him the best. Hated the class because I'm not a good film director at ALL, but he was very good at explaining stuff. Knows his cameras. Wishing him the best

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: SMAD380
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I did not like this Professor McHardy. He always was looking for one specific answer to open-ended questions and would cut people off if it wasn't what he wanted. His lectures were not intellectually challenging at all and I was bored in most lectures. Wasn't that hard of a class and I think he has good intentions but not my favorite class for sure

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: SMAD202
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The amount of work you have to put in outside of class is absolutely absurd. He expects everyone to be professional videographers even though this is an intro class. He is flexible with meeting outside of class in order to receive feedback, however, his feedback on all of the projects is quite condescending. Do NOT take him!

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: SMAD202
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was his first semester teaching 202 which is why I think he went easy on grading. Keep up with readings because he doesn't always announce quizzes. Drops lowest quiz grade. Had to work with a partner for 3/4 projects and you get maybe 2 weeks to do each of them. Tests aren't that bad. The projects and homework are the stressful part.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: SMAD202
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The actual class simple but the projects are difficult. Mchardy is caring and helpful if you are respectful and put in effort. He gives tough feedback but you learn from it. I recommend him for this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: SMAD202
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's great. The class is hard but he's very approachable and I definitely learned a lot. I would definitely recommend taking him!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: SMAD305F
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

300 level class and spent a whole day learning how to crop a photo. Learned nothing. Condescending, extremely unhelpful, and zero social skills. Patronizing tone and huge ego make him unpleasant to be around and a flat out bad teacher. Avoid!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: SMAD305F
Grade Received: INC
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I was really disappointed by this class. For a 300 level SMAD class it was an extreme disappointment we only learned imovie and wordpress. I feel I gained absolutely nothing from this class. The assignments were petty af and we had a lot of stuff we had to do for no credit. It was a major waste of time and he grades you down for really petty stuff.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: SMAD 302
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's really knowledgeable about what he teaches and is firmly rooted in teaching through experiences. Your grade is basically a LOT of out of class work with some reading quizzes but he offers extra credit and is open to helping if you ask for it. He's pretty chill and I would definitely take this class again if I could!

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: SMAD302460
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a professor that you need to have like you in order of you to like him, otherwise, he'll grade you even harder than he already does. His tests can be confusing somethings, but to me, he's a nice guy and I enjoy his classes. I don't seem to do as well in them as I feel like I should be, but I don't hate going to class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: SMAD302
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE IF YOU CAN HELP IT. Will not give you any creative license when it comes to your video projects. Class is all about memorization and not about actually learning the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: 302
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of my least favorite professors I've had at JMU. Not very respectful to students, very boring, and you leave with memorized knowledge, not improved ability in the field. Attendance policy is very strict. Your grade drops significantly if you miss more than 2 classes. And his tests are HORRIBLE.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: SMAD460
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: Mandatory

Comment:

This class is fun and you watch a movie every week, so what's not to like? The more the class participates the more enjoyable it becomes. Do the reading and take notes during group presentations, the tests are difficult.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: SMAD404
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I haven't learned a single thing yet, requires attendance but teaches nothing, class is a huge waste of time. Made us buy book, it was confusing and useless. Assignments were practically the same as in 307/308, not challenging whatsoever yet very time consuming. It's a shame this is the best guy SMAD can find.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: SMAD308
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: N/A

Comment:

Good professor--you will leave with a solid understanding of Flash. You have to put some work into your projects, but it is well worth it. Very helpful class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: SMAD302
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It's a decent class. You'll learn a lot. McHardy is very kind and approachable. The people who say he isn't have no idea what they're talking about.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: SMAD302
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:

Excellent professor. Knows what he's doing and explains it very well. He offers many bonus points. He does criticize at times, but it's only to make you a better videographer in a professional world. Nice, funny, and down-to-Earth. You do several projects, tests, and readings, but it's worth every bit in the end.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: SMAD404
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a pain in the ass but you will learn from him, whether you want to or not. He believes in the "learning hurts" motto. He knows his stuff and he's willing to help but not too much.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: SEVERAL
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not constructive, gets very defensive because of his insecurities.....but SOOOO much better than woody

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: SMAD302
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 very open or helpful. Can be very defensive, which can make learning anything difficult. Not very constructive and quick to create an opinion on a work and has trouble accepting different viewpoints or ideas.

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