Curtis Smith - Grand Valley State University

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Curtis Smith - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Curtis Smith

Department: Languages

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: CHI101
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really loved him as a professor. He's very passionate about the language and the culture altogether. Definitely wants you to succeed. He seems like he wants all his students to be as obsessed with Chinese and China as he is though so that can seem a tad overbearing. Study hard and try your best and you'll do fine.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have to agree with those who have taken Smith for their Asia Civ sequence. He is extrememly hard to understand when it comes to essays and a tough grader. He's passionate, but spends too much time on Chinese poetry. Secondly, his student-teacher relations are fairly tense, he doesn't reach out and remains cold throughout the semester.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

For a CIV sequence, he is a terrible professor. He's clearly very knowledgable and passionate about his subject, but cannot teach it in an interesting or easy-to-study way. Three hours of endless boredom in his class. Waaayyy too obsessed with Chinese poetry, he talks about nothing else. Also, incredibly tough grader on papers-pretty unreasonable.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took him for my civ sequence, so skip my review if you're taking him for a language. He's a really nice person, but the class is hard. This civ sequence was harder than the others, from what I've seen in my friends, and he grades papers really hard. It's hard to understand what he wants from you for the papers.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: CHI341
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You jump right in translating everything; there is a lot of time dedicated to this particular class. He expects you to be absolutely in love with Classical Chinese, but he keeps his expectations with the quality of the translations realistic. Sporadically puts things on blackboard. Answers questions if you ask, though, and is understanding.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: CHI322
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's really really enthusiastic about Poetry, especially when it comes to Su Shih. While he is exacting, he lets you know precisely what he wants. Papers graded ruthlessly, though his tests aren't that bad (open book/take home.) He's really smart. He constantly shows up late and then keeps you late; this is really annoying.)

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: HNR161
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have no idea how he is for a language class, but as an Honors Asia Civ. teacher he is a total bore. While he is so knowledgeable, he cant connect with us or discuss the material in an interesting way. If you cant handle boring 3 hour lectures on ancient poetry, DO NOT CHOOSE THIS CIV. Even though its not the hardest civ.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you like long lectures on poetry and philosophy, this is the class for you. Personally, I got way sick of hearing about poetry in an almost 3 hour lecture every class. He is also a tough grader on papers. Just a hard class to get through when you're bored.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His expertise in his field is clear to see, but he fails to sufficiently instill an acceptable sense of purpose of the information he presents. Also, it seems that he is so expert, that he cannot imagine not being a specialist, therefore he's a ruthless grader. Three-hours of lecture with no outline or, seemingly, main points.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: CHI102
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:

He is a nice guy, and really knows his stuff well. Unfortunately, he seems overworked and cannot keep track of whats going on in the class. He pushes us hard, but I trust him to teach me the language. Its just that its hard to do well in a class without structure.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: CHI102
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Smith is a great teacher. Confusing when he starts rambling in just Chinese, other wise, a great teacher.He's so sincere about the subject matter, and he really cares that you get your pronounciations right, so you won't make a fool of yourself.But I do have to admit, I am growing to dislike his favorite explanatory phrase "Context Matters" lol

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: CHI101
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:

Smith is an excellent prof! He takes a bit of time to get used to, but once you get to know him, he's probably one of the most intriguing people EVER! He's done more in his life than probably 10 people combined ever even get the chance too! Get to know him, you'll like him!

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: HNR280
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very confusing and vague on homework assignments/papers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: CHI101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very nice prof! He is very relaxed but this is not an easy class. Beware of dictations and make sure you know grammar well! Very cool class but you have to put the time in!

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: CHINESE101102
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:

老師 is one of the best teachers I've ever had. He really listens and loves to give you real life examples and funny acadotes about things that happened to him. He might come off as aloof and uncaring but once you come to know him a little better you see that isn't the case at all. A great professor who knows his field very well. Highly

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: CHI102
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:

I've taken four classes with Curtis so far, and my only complaint is that he is a bit aloof, or "elitist" as some have commented. He has a bit of a right to be though, he really knows his stuff, and really cares that you learn it. That being said he is still very personable and has a great sense of humor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: CHI201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't give real life help, rambles on about his experiences and how his study abroud trip is so much better than any other offered by GVSU. I tried so very hard, but he's not very understanding. If you start in CHI 101, you might have a chance. His attitude is hard to get used to.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: CHI101
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:

Good guy, good teacher. He knows his stuff, and he likes to go on fun cultural tangents too. there's a lot of studying and memorization involved but what else would you expect from learning Chinese?

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: CHI101
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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Obsessed with Taiwanese food...

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: CHI202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Anyone who has anything negative to say about this teacher put in no effort to the class and is just plain ignorant. He's not conceited, you just need a sense of humor, and he will ALWAYS help you NO MATTER WHAT, even if you miss half the semester!

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