Steve Spencer - University of Waterloo

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Steve Spencer - University of Waterloo

Professor: Steve Spencer

Department: Psychology

College: University of Waterloo

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PSYCH353
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Be there for every class. Don't worry about the definitions as much, instead focus on the research studies he talks about in class. In order to do well in his class, understand the concepts and memorize ONE experiment/research that illustrated that concept. Remembering names of researchers are mandatory but just memorize the important one.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
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:

Really good prof!! I took the 3 hour lec so it was long and annoying, but he made it as interesting as possible (videos). If you wanna kill the midterms or optional final, go over the notes and read the recommended pages and you'll kill it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This guy's just an awful prof and is impossible to reach. Quotes his own garbage research constantly to toot his own horn. Avoid him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I found his classes very thorough and to the point. Both text and lectures are important, so dont be lazy, He always kept things interesting, (i.e. attacking a Bobo doll to demonstrate "aggression"). He gives bonus questions to increase your marks, and a optional exam, which i didnt even show up for and ended with a really high mark.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had a three hour lecture from 6:30 - 9:30, his was able to keep the class somewhat interesting. Be ready to do A LOT of readings as all the material from the lecture and reading will be on the tests. His tests are all multiple choice but they are very difficult!! Probably the hardest multiple choice I've ever done.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I did not enjoy his class at all.. Doesn't really seem to know what's going on with course material and seems unprepared for most lectures. Uses the word "umm" a lot... And I mean a lot.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had a 3 hour lecture from 6:30 to 9:30. Was very hard to sit though, not a very good speaker, very hard to listen. His questions are very concept based so you must understand the concept in order to know how to even begin answering test questions. Tests are multiple choice-but don't let that fool you, they are quite difficult. Switch out.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The weight of the final made it one of the most stressful exams I have ever written (it was 75%). Not much help as an online prof. Maybe he is better in class? Won't be taking another of his classes if I can avoid it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: 101
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:

His lectures aren't bad he's very engaging The only thing about this prof was his test were quite difficult they are all multiple choice and they are mostly application multiple choice. Just reading the textbook isn't enough he takes material from the lecture and textbook. Ps remember the songs played in the lectures it will be a bonus question.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: SOC253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tests are all multiple choice, and very confusing. He is a great lecturer though, very interesting, and knowledgeable. The final exam is optional, and replaces one of the 3 term tests. plus a paper. My final exam was lost!!! we had to work out a grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He had moments that made the class really interesting, a lot of "umm" that may be distracting to some, but wasn't much of a problem for me.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really tough unit tests

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tells you the tests and exams are based on lecture and textbook material but you could do well in the course with just studying off of his lecture notes. Barley studied for the exam (in one day) and managed to do descent in the class. Final exam was not difficult at all but the tests requires you to know the material well since its 20 MP in 20 mins

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
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:

One of the most difficult 200 level psych courses at Waterloo if you have it with him as an instructor in-class. My advice: I finished with a low 90 (with 4% research bonus), and I studied by practicing explanations for all of the studies he mentioned in the lectures, and then I practiced answering all of the learning objectives in the textbook.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Laziest Prof I've ever had. Not helpful and doesn't update tests. Take screenshots its likely many Q's are from the wrong chapters because he doesn't update anything. It's extremely frustrating. If you have a Q for him, don't expect to get an actual answer. He told me to read ch 6 again when I didn't understand a concept. That's really helpful...

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PYSCH253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

To whoever left the really good review about PSYCH 253, you must have taken it in class. This prof clearly does not care about you if you take his course online. Tests are super hard and he barely does anything to help students. It's so sad that he bell curved for his in-class course but left his online course to fend for themselves.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I found Spencer super inspirational! The fact that he is very influential in the field he is teaching, and could still show his sense of humor in his lecture is what makes his classes intriguing. I never wanted to miss a class, and his tests are very fair, clear, and he so obviously wants us to succeed (two bell curves in one semester!)

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PSYCH101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It's unfortunate that my only exposure to this prof has been in a 350 person class. The positives: he manages the stage well and has a good sense of humour. If you listen carefully and take detailed notes you'll only have to refer to the text chapter summaries for definitions of terms.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this course online with him!

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PSYCH253
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

110 would not recommend

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