| Information | Review |
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Rachel Berndtson
GEOG330 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/06/2021 |
This class was fairly easy, and the material is mostly common sense revolving around sustainability. There are a lot of readings every week, but you don't really need to read them to do well. She also usually goes the information from the readings in the lectures, and specifies what readings you will need to go back to for assignments. There were only two exams the whole year and she provided a review for both. Her lectures are really thorough and they are all posted online. However she withholds some info on the ones she posts, so you will only get the full information if you come to lecture. There are also lecture responses that you can only respond to in class which can impact your grade. There were three big papers throughout the semester, but they were not that hard, and they do require a lot of scholarly sources. There is also a lot of group work and writing in this class. There is usually a group paper due every week, so if you have a good group it is not that hard. If you enjoy learning about climate change this class is definitely very interesting and fun. Attendance is only "mandatory" for discussion, they required you to fill out a form every week in discussion, but you can also do that at home since the link doesn't change. Overall I really enjoyed the class, loved the professor and TA's, and would recommend it to everyone. |
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Rachel Berndtson
GEOG330 Expecting an A akl2025 12/06/2021 |
Dr. Berndtson is amazing! I definitely recommend this class to students who want to fulfill GenEd requirements (DSHS, DVUP, SCIS) but don't want to do a final exam. Her class was very enjoyable or at least manageable: group assignments in discussions on Friday (aka reflection activities) that is due before the next discussion, short lecture responses that she posted at the end of the class (just write your opinion using terms or knowledge you learn from the lecture), a big debate, a video assignment, a long paper, 2 midterms, and 1 final paper. This year the final paper is optional! Attend every lecture and discussion and you will pass the class! Although Dr. Berndtson posts her lecture slides on ELMS, she blocks out important info written in red that's only shown in class. Also, she gives the exam layouts and debate/presentation formats only during lectures. This year, Dr. Berndton didn't seem to take attendance during lectures, but the TAs in the discussion do (and you lose lots of points for it). The TAs are also awesome (Natalie and Jeff). Ask questions when you don't know! Don't be shy because they will help you until you get it. Overall the class is easy, but make sure you and your group communicate well, divide the work clearly, and put full effort into every assignment. Watch out for small mistakes (the TAs will deduct points for missing page numbers, in-text citation, etc). Also, study well for the exams! They are completely based on what's taught in lectures so review the notes well. |
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Rachel Berndtson
GEOG330 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/23/2020 |
Her lectures were really well done. Her exams were quite fair , the only issue is some of the essays and sources required for example felt quite excessive. She assigned alot of readings too, but you did not really need to do them to do well. |
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Rachel Berndtson
GEOG110 Expecting an A ChrisPBacon 01/09/2019 |
Dr. Berndtson is great! She made the class very engaging and enjoyable. The class was mostly debates and group presentations, with 2 midterms and 1 group final paper + presentation. Attend every lecture! While Dr. Berndtson posts her lecture slides on ELMS, she blocks out a lot of the important information that's only shown in class. Also, she gives the exam layouts and debate/presentation formats only during lecture. Also, there are reading quizzes that are free points since they are participation. Lastly, during finals, if you skip class on days that other groups are presenting, she will knock your grade down hard (happened to one of my group members). Overall the class is easy, but there aren't many assignments, so make sure you and your group puts full effort in every assignment. Also, study well for the exams! They are completely based on what's taught in lecture so review the notes well. |
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Rachel Berndtson
GEOG212 Expecting an A Siema101 05/17/2011 |
Very good doctoral program teacher. You will learn a lot, without having to take notes in class. Workload is definitely manageable. Must go to class, or your grade will severely suffer as participation is about 1/3 of your grade. |