ARCH225 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/12/2024	This one is tough because you can genuinely tell that he is a passionate professor who really wants his students to succeed and he holds so much passion for what he does. He is really helpful in terms of feedback and overall, just a really nice person. It's just sometimes, he has this tendency to go on tangents and his lectures are very poorly organized, making exams hard. Great guy, not the greatest professor.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting an A Anonymous 04/18/2024	Very boring. Good teacher. Cares about students and subject, very evident. Once again, very boring.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 grizzlybean 10/26/2023	boring but not bad, essay takes some time but if you do the progress checks you'll be fine. He is passionate and if you like history and weekly vocab and sketching you'll be fine.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting an A Anonymous 10/20/2022	This class was not that bad honestly. Professor Williams seems really passionate about what he teaches and its important to listen to his lectures because it will be on the exams. He sometimes does go on tangents however. He does really care about his students, if you come up to him and ask for help or clarification he provides as much to help you succeed. The book itself was kind of a nightmare to read just because it felt like word vomit and had no organization, just a bunch of information given to you one sentence after the other. But luckily the exam covers more of the lecture anyways. The exams were a bit meh, I've heard some people find it easy and straight forward from the lecture slides and some had difficulty. For me I think they were pretty challenging, you need to pay attention to details and semantics of the topics. There was a slight curve and the research paper which was most of the grade was graded really lenient so not bad overall in terms of grade, it evens out. Overall, not bad.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 08/04/2020	I really enjoyed this class with Joseph Williams! He was obviously very passionate about the material, and I think that contributed to the overall atmosphere of the class. He was very accommodating, especially during the last part of the Spring 2020 semester when everything went online. His tests aren't too hard and really cover the information well; not little things, but instead more general concepts that are important. His lecture style is also really helpful, and overall the information I learned in this class was interesting and stuck with me past the final exam. We also got to practice drawing in the class, which was a helpful experience.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting a B- Anonymous 05/12/2020	Prof Williams is obviously very educated on the subject but it really really does not translate well. I really wanted to enjoy this class because I do really like history but his lectures are so monotone I couldn't pay attention for very long. His slides don't have very helpful information and I had to rely on the textbook for the majority of my learning.
Joseph Williams ARCH225 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 08/16/2019	Professor Williams was one of the best professors I have had so far. He genuinely wants his students to succeed in his class and offers a lot of opportunities for his students to boost their grades back up. His main objective is to help you understand the material through experience and analysis and not only through exams. Although he js a great instructor, the TA's in my section were not in sync in regards to grading harshness, feedback delivery, etc. Though it is understood to be beyond the professor's control. I would reccomend Prof. Williams if you're looking forward to fulfilling credit with a fun and dedicated educator.
Robert Vann ARCH225 Expecting an A Brittney Leeb 11/09/2011	Most brilliant professor I have ever encountered. He is very intimidating - if you fear that you aren't doing well in his class make an appointment with him and talk to him you won't regret it I promise! If you have the opportunity to study under him do it especially if you're interested in Architecture. you WILL NOT find a history of Architecture professor that knows more than this guy. You have to go to class and you definitely have to pay attention to what he says.
Robert Vann ARCH225 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/10/2010	If you are required to take this class and want to apply to the architecture school, be warned that Vann uses this class to "weed out" the slackers. Many students in my class were forced to switch majors because the school does not accept Cs in this class. His tests are hard (all writing except for the final) and graded harshly. He has very high expectations, but if you ACTUALLY DO ALL THE WORK, you will do just fine. LISTEN to the tips and hints he gives about studying and follow them, or you will fall behind quickly and not be able to catch up. If you flunk the first test, Vann does also reward students who improve throughout the course, so if you get a better grade on the second test (which most students did), you have a good chance of passing. He offers an extra credit project which was a LOT of work for an optional assignment, but it can help you out later on if you put the work into it. Vann is very knowledgeable and approachable and loves when students come to office hours. He genuinely wants to see his students succeed, and rewards the hard workers. If you go to office hours with any random question, he will most likely talk to you for a while and give you tips about how to prepare for the tests. Go to the review sessions, because sometimes he brings his dog. Bottom line: this can be a VERY difficult class if you do not take it seriously, but if you put in the work and improve your scores from test to test, Vann will recognize that in your final grade. Do the readings every night, GO TO CLASS, and do the extra credit. Vann takes the class pretty seriously, but he is a fair teacher and a great guy. This is a class where you truly get the grade you deserve.
Robert Vann ARCH225 Expecting a B- Anonymous 09/07/2010	I must confess this is one course that I don't know how to study for. Vann gives out pop, yes let me repeat, pop exams and quizzes that make up 40% of your grade. Bottom line: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PROFESSOR!
Robert Vann ARCH225 Anonymous 12/14/2009	After two semesters with this professor, i feel you would be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable professor in this field. You would only agree, however, if you have an interest in architecture and its history. I have heard many complaints about the class being boring and monotonous but this applies only to those who have no real interest on the topic. I learned more than I thought possible in every lecture. I would suggest not skipping any lectures so as not to miss out on useful information. You can really tell he knows his stuff and has been to most of the places he lectures on.
Robert Vann ARCH225 Expecting an A- kweaving 12/10/2009	At the start of the class I thought that Vann might be the typical lecturing professor who has trouble escaping monotony. After two semesters though, I think Vann is the best professor one could have for an arch history course. He knows almost every single period in history like the back of his hand, has been to literally every one of the thousand buildings you review, and uses his own photos. The courses, compared to the average course, are definitely more difficult but I think I've absorbed more in taking his courses than in any other course to date.
Robert Vann ARCH225 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/06/2008	Took this class Fall 2006. Most boring architecture professor ever, really know this stuff tho. There were popquizes in lecture. His exams are tough, all essays. He is the only one teaching this course so there really are no options.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/12/2024

This one is tough because you can genuinely tell that he is a passionate professor who really wants his students to succeed and he holds so much passion for what he does. He is really helpful in terms of feedback and overall, just a really nice person. It's just sometimes, he has this tendency to go on tangents and his lectures are very poorly organized, making exams hard. Great guy, not the greatest professor.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting an A
Anonymous
04/18/2024

Very boring. Good teacher. Cares about students and subject, very evident. Once again, very boring.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

grizzlybean
10/26/2023

boring but not bad, essay takes some time but if you do the progress checks you'll be fine. He is passionate and if you like history and weekly vocab and sketching you'll be fine.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting an A
Anonymous
10/20/2022

This class was not that bad honestly. Professor Williams seems really passionate about what he teaches and its important to listen to his lectures because it will be on the exams. He sometimes does go on tangents however. He does really care about his students, if you come up to him and ask for help or clarification he provides as much to help you succeed. The book itself was kind of a nightmare to read just because it felt like word vomit and had no organization, just a bunch of information given to you one sentence after the other. But luckily the exam covers more of the lecture anyways. The exams were a bit meh, I've heard some people find it easy and straight forward from the lecture slides and some had difficulty. For me I think they were pretty challenging, you need to pay attention to details and semantics of the topics. There was a slight curve and the research paper which was most of the grade was graded really lenient so not bad overall in terms of grade, it evens out. Overall, not bad.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
08/04/2020

I really enjoyed this class with Joseph Williams! He was obviously very passionate about the material, and I think that contributed to the overall atmosphere of the class. He was very accommodating, especially during the last part of the Spring 2020 semester when everything went online. His tests aren't too hard and really cover the information well; not little things, but instead more general concepts that are important. His lecture style is also really helpful, and overall the information I learned in this class was interesting and stuck with me past the final exam. We also got to practice drawing in the class, which was a helpful experience.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting a B-
Anonymous
05/12/2020

Prof Williams is obviously very educated on the subject but it really really does not translate well. I really wanted to enjoy this class because I do really like history but his lectures are so monotone I couldn't pay attention for very long. His slides don't have very helpful information and I had to rely on the textbook for the majority of my learning.

Joseph Williams
ARCH225

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
08/16/2019

Professor Williams was one of the best professors I have had so far. He genuinely wants his students to succeed in his class and offers a lot of opportunities for his students to boost their grades back up. His main objective is to help you understand the material through experience and analysis and not only through exams. Although he js a great instructor, the TA's in my section were not in sync in regards to grading harshness, feedback delivery, etc. Though it is understood to be beyond the professor's control. I would reccomend Prof. Williams if you're looking forward to fulfilling credit with a fun and dedicated educator.

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Expecting an A
Brittney Leeb
11/09/2011

Most brilliant professor I have ever encountered. He is very intimidating - if you fear that you aren't doing well in his class make an appointment with him and talk to him you won't regret it I promise! If you have the opportunity to study under him do it especially if you're interested in Architecture. you WILL NOT find a history of Architecture professor that knows more than this guy. You have to go to class and you definitely have to pay attention to what he says.

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/10/2010

If you are required to take this class and want to apply to the architecture school, be warned that Vann uses this class to "weed out" the slackers. Many students in my class were forced to switch majors because the school does not accept Cs in this class. His tests are hard (all writing except for the final) and graded harshly. He has very high expectations, but if you ACTUALLY DO ALL THE WORK, you will do just fine. LISTEN to the tips and hints he gives about studying and follow them, or you will fall behind quickly and not be able to catch up. If you flunk the first test, Vann does also reward students who improve throughout the course, so if you get a better grade on the second test (which most students did), you have a good chance of passing. He offers an extra credit project which was a LOT of work for an optional assignment, but it can help you out later on if you put the work into it. Vann is very knowledgeable and approachable and loves when students come to office hours. He genuinely wants to see his students succeed, and rewards the hard workers. If you go to office hours with any random question, he will most likely talk to you for a while and give you tips about how to prepare for the tests. Go to the review sessions, because sometimes he brings his dog. Bottom line: this can be a VERY difficult class if you do not take it seriously, but if you put in the work and improve your scores from test to test, Vann will recognize that in your final grade. Do the readings every night, GO TO CLASS, and do the extra credit. Vann takes the class pretty seriously, but he is a fair teacher and a great guy. This is a class where you truly get the grade you deserve.

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Expecting a B-
Anonymous
09/07/2010

I must confess this is one course that I don't know how to study for. Vann gives out pop, yes let me repeat, pop exams and quizzes that make up 40% of your grade. Bottom line: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PROFESSOR!

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Anonymous
12/14/2009

After two semesters with this professor, i feel you would be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable professor in this field. You would only agree, however, if you have an interest in architecture and its history. I have heard many complaints about the class being boring and monotonous but this applies only to those who have no real interest on the topic. I learned more than I thought possible in every lecture. I would suggest not skipping any lectures so as not to miss out on useful information. You can really tell he knows his stuff and has been to most of the places he lectures on.

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Expecting an A-
kweaving
12/10/2009

At the start of the class I thought that Vann might be the typical lecturing professor who has trouble escaping monotony. After two semesters though, I think Vann is the best professor one could have for an arch history course. He knows almost every single period in history like the back of his hand, has been to literally every one of the thousand buildings you review, and uses his own photos. The courses, compared to the average course, are definitely more difficult but I think I've absorbed more in taking his courses than in any other course to date.

Robert Vann
ARCH225

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/06/2008

Took this class Fall 2006. Most boring architecture professor ever, really know this stuff tho. There were popquizes in lecture. His exams are tough, all essays. He is the only one teaching this course so there really are no options.

Reviews for ARCH225