James Spina

This professor has taught: BMGT289F, BMGT360, BMGT495, BUMO720

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Information	Review
James Spina BMGT289F Expecting an A- Anonymous 11/03/2015	This class is a joke. We do absolutely nothing. The teacher is nice but adds random things that make absolutely no parallels to what the class should be like. For example, he had us draw a picture based on what a class mate described out loud, which was just a random cactus with a bridge over water. Another, he described that he knew what we were thinking and read our minds one class, for 20 min. Seriously, avoid this class at all costs.
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/18/2012	HORRIBLE CLASS.I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HIS RATINGS ARE SO HIGH. I can truly say that I did not learn a single thing from his lectures throughout the entire semester. We learned how to fold napkins and play with straws more than learning anything educational. He was extremely unorganized and ADD in class and honestly it was really weird. I'm not going to lie this was honestly one of the worst classes I have taken here at UMD, I would definitely say avoid at all costs.
James Spina BMGT495 Expecting an A Anonymous 09/23/2012	I do not understand how this professor's ratings are so high, as I thought this class was very poorly taught and even more poorly structured. Half of your grade is based on group performance in Capsim (an online business simulation), and several writeups and a presentation relating to your performance in the simulation. Your performance is not graded fairly, as he simply bases your score relative to the others in the class, as opposed to grading every group objectively (this was an issue in our class where one group did extremely well, thereby making the other groups look terrible and as a result, each of the other groups got lower-than-justified grades). As for the writeups and presentation, it seems as though Spina has no clear grading method, as he is not able to justify the grades he gives. You are likely to get about an 85% on each assignment, but if you complain that he did not give you any feedback, he will always reply with something along the lines of "in the real world, you won't be spoon-fed the answers, you just have to infer what to do if you are given no directions". Other assignments include a midterm (you will not do well, as he does not teach what was on it since other professors create the exam, and the latter group actually prepares their classes for the exam), a final (very easy, as it is just doing the Capsim simulation yourself without your group), and attendance-based participation. I would avoid Spina as he is just too disorganized, does not give adequate feedback, and has an awful and random grading system. You will unquestionably leave this class feeling like you learned nothing. The most you will get is a bit of anger that the business school is requiring you to take this course, and a bit more anger with the fact that Spina is teaching it.
James Spina Expecting an A Anonymous 12/24/2011	This was a very FUN course, you will learn a lot of new things but you will always get a feeling of being clueless about things mostly related to Quantum Mechanics. There's just one long class a week and its quite fun. Make sure you get good teammates or else you won't be able to turn in a proper paper. THe paper counts for most of your grade (35%), 3 exams only 15% of each, peer evaluations 20% etc
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/22/2011	This is a pretty interesting class, and if you do your work is a pretty easy A. I learned a lot about the world of Human Resource Management and got some insight on how the job search process looks from the side of those recruiting. While Spina makes the class interesting with activities and videos, the 3 exams that are worth 60% of your grade are all based on the text. The other 40% of your grade is attendance in lecture in lecture and discussion and some group homework in discussion, so don't skip class like a jokester.
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/13/2011	I love Spina. From his little old man wardrobe to his mildly funny jokes. He's such a great professor. He brings up volunteers from the class and has them do different activities in order to show content we just discussed. He also uses youtube to do the same thing. Granted his multiple choice exams are stupid and have two really good choices (choose the one that's the BEST one, they say -_-), this class was great! His wife is also a good T.A.! They both use stories from their lives to help explain a topic.
James Spina BMGT364 Expecting a B Anonymous 07/11/2011	This is the best class that i have ever taken in the business school. I learned a lot while having fun doing it. I took the course during the summer, so it was more hours per session but i had a lot of fun. The course is easy if you read the chapters and look at the reviews at the back of the book. I would recommend this course even if it is not for a major requirement for your major. LOVED IT!
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B Anonymous 07/07/2011	Attendance counts for 40% of your grade. Do NOT skip class like a jokester or you will seriously fail because there is no curve. Material is hilariously easy and participation is very entertaining in class. Do not try to cheat attendance with clickers. The TA douchebag takes attendance manually in his diary sketchpad. Easy A or B if you attend class.
James Spina BMGT495 Expecting an A toiletpaper55 05/24/2011	i took this professor exclusively because of the great reviews on here. it ended up being my only B at the university of maryland. be warned, this class is not as great as the reviews say. full review to come later...
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B Epa Epas 05/20/2011	His class is not demanding at all. Just 3 tests 20% each, attendance is about 17%, and FBO 20%. Just make sure you don't have his wife for the FBO. She is a harsh grader, and kind of rude. Her grade can easily lower your final grade.
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/16/2009	Good class, and Spina makes the material interesting. Just make sure to go to class and do the homeworks for discussion for easy points.
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting an A Ruthie 11/09/2009	I would recommend Spina's class to those who are trying to make a choice btw 360 and 364. He's a really good teacher - always has some funny comments and ideas up his sleeves :, but always manages to relate what he's saying to the HR management! He knows just how to make lectures 'not boring' and at the same time informative. I had first thought that the 75 mins of lecture was too long, but Spina knows just how to keep his students engaged and interested in class. I would take his class again any time! As per grading, just try to attend classes and the FBOs, the exams are prety straight forward too (make sure u have the text book!) Overall, Spina is a great professor!
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B Scotter 02/26/2009	I loved this professor. He made class so interesting. He does fun stuff with people in the class and there is really never a dull moment in class. He uses clickers. His tests are really easy, you don't even need to read the book. He tells you exactly what you need to know in review sessions before the tests. You do get a decent amount of HW in the class, but it is all really interesting hw. Great class and BY FAR my favorite professor at umd.
James Spina BMGT360 Anonymous 05/20/2008	I really enjoyed this class. Spina is adorable and really funny. He makes lectures bearable with all this groups activities (he will randomly picks you out in lecture to participate in his activities), it will feel like you're in grade school again. Attendance by clickers (25%). His wife was my discussion leader and she is awesome too! Exams were not bad, he gives you exact pages to study from. I am borderline A/B, dont know what I'll get, it all depends on the final exam (missed 1 lecture, attend all discs, did all hw assignments (there are quite a few), and B's on 2 exams. I definitely recommnend this professor, one of Smith's best!
James Spina BMGT360 Expecting a B pluralfacade 05/17/2008	Would definitely recommend him. He's pretty interesting and does demonstrations every lecture to keep the class engaged. He also gives you the exact pages out of the book to study for the tests. If that isn't motivation enough to come to class, however, he also takes attendance. He gives about two assignments per week but they're nothing intense.
James Spina BMGT495 Reawen 03/21/2008	Great Class. Completed last Fall. Highly recommend Dr. spina.