2.3
Quality3.7
Difficulty19%
Would Retake112
Reviews19%
Would Retake
112
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
18
4
18
3
10
2
11
1
55
What Students Say
“I've been deterred from practicing criminal law”
CRIMINALLAW - 1.0 rating“Easily the worst "educator" I've ever had”
CRIMLAW - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
97%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.01 avg changeRatings by Course
TORTSB
5.0
(1)TORTS3
5.0
(1)CRJ100
5.0
(1)CONST200
4.5
(2)TORTSSECT
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
LAW
5.0
CON
5.0
CRIMINALCON
5.0
CRIM100
5.0
TORTSB
5.0
Reviews (112)
Stay away. Stay away at all costs if you can help it. Sell a kidney to get into Simon's class if possible.
worst ever
though obviously brilliant, he knows it and doesnt hesitate to make you feel like your below him. one word : arrogant.
No Comments
Stay away. I have a fear of going to class.
Chang is clearly and intelligent man. The problem is that he is beyond arrogant both in and outside of the class room. He wastes at least 25min of every class by rephrasing the same exact question, each time trying to use bigger words cause he loves to hear himself speak. Many Hand gestures!!
Why they let this man teach is beyond me. He does not give a damn if you learn. He just wants to hear himself speak. But he has no practical experience and examines problems from a purely hypothetical position. This class is not reality and thats just how Chang likes it. Kill me now!
Those who speak ill of him need to grow up an appretiate intellectual greatness.
He thinks he is tough, angry and scary. He is NOT. He is a small guy who has a complex. He is smart, but not really. Teaches the same exact thingover and over, but knows it well. Proof=he doesnt change exams AT ALL. Go2 class, listen, learn HIS logic. NEVER apply it in life, and notes are useless
Chang is obviously a very intelligent individual. His depth of knowledge is immense. Students who consider his lack of real world experience are misplaced since Criminal Law can only be progressive if it attempts to move from convention. Chang treats his students as professionals and demands perfection, what could possibly be wrong with that?
No Comments
intimidating person, but in the long run it is beneficial to have a professor who expects so much from you and forces you to think on your feet (in front of 100 other people!)
It's not Criminal Law, it's Chang Law! But, he's a great guy and knows his stuff. He's wonderful about office hours and has a genuine interest in being a teacher- nice for a change.
No Comments
Is it true he never took the bar?
DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASSES WITH HIM. ALSO, A PEACE OF ADVISE: DO NOT SIT ON THE SIDES OR FAR IN THE BACK IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE CALLED ON.
Going to have to disagree with everyone - he has a very unique approach, but he's actually a great professor. He tells you exactly what you need to look for and precisely how to approach the questions/cases. Admittedly tough and you certainly have to do your work, but it's ultimately worth it.
Quite possibly the most challenging professor I've ever had. I would also have to say he was hands down the best professor as well. Although he is demanding, if you pay attention in his class and do your stuff, I guarantee you will know the material as well as if not better than kids in Ivy League Schools.
No Comments
You learn "Chang Law", not Crim Law. If you can memorize lots o key phrases word for word, youre good to go, if not youre screwed. NOT REGISTERED WITH NY BAR ASSOC
Chang is your worst nightmare. He will not teach anything you will need for the bar. Super theoretical. Very Picky and anal.
His goal is not to teach you anything relevant to passing the bar, it is to hear himself speak. His method of "teaching" consists of rephrasing the same question over and over, each time making less sense than the next. Arrogant as hell, though he has no reason to be. Don't know why they let him teach. This class would be better taught by my dog
He IS a great teacher and will teach you an approach to law that no one else at NYLS ever will. Having said that, he can be very intimidating and scary, but I went to meet with him once and he was very nice and helpful. He likes people who want to learn his way. Will it help you on the bar? maybe not, but it will help your analysis skills.
Professor Chang is probably the best professor I've ever had - that being said, the key in his class is to NOT get intimidated but to participate as much as you can force yourself - he will TEACH you legal analysis that is beyond helpful in all of your other classes
Although some do not appreciate Chang's teaching style, I believe you are not a "law student" until you have taken his course. His teaching style is intellectually stimulating and he really has a passion teaching his students how to critcally analyze the law. After taking Con I and II with him, I can officially say that I am a law student.
Spoke in the most esoteric and irrelevant language. He was able to turn an interesting subject into a bore. Will never take another course with him again.
Don't take this guy. He is more concerned with making himself look smart than teaching his students. He assigns a ton of reading then never discusses it. I would go to great lengths to avoid taking him again. He killed my interest in criminal law.
Professor Chang was one of my favorite professors because he made you think like a lawyer.
Condescending, intolerant of any opinion to the right of his--which is just about anything. Thinks he's smarter than every Sup.Ct. Justice. Hey, if you're so smart, why are you teaching at a third tier law school? Huh?
The worst professor I have ever had. In love with himself, with no reason to be. Hasn't even taken the bar exam!! Why do they let him teach? AVOID THIS JERK.
Some professors don't get that maybe if almost everyone in the class do not understand you then you are not doing your job which is to teach.
Professor Chang is an astute professor with a grasp on the material better than many professors I've seen/heard. Does he go into depth? You bet your life he does. Is it worth it? You bet your life it is. He believes that he is the end-all of the knowledge of the field and isn't afraid of communicating that to everyone. He requires diligent efforts.
He is the most condescending man in the world. He has called on a person three classes straight. Right down his hypos. Very important. Also, if you look at his old exams you see that he repeats his questions so that makes you breath easier. Wouldn't ever take him again though. Too much theory. Overcomplicates the subject matter.
Love him. He is very clear in letting you know what he wants & in teaching the subject. I have to disagree w/ the other posts, he smiles & laughs in class & while he does cut off people when they are wrong or off topic this is good because it keeps class on schedule & the class doesn't get off topic. He is very smart & you can learn a lot from him!
I had Professor Chang almost 9 years ago and some of his teachings still ring true, "Words are an attorney's most powerful weapon". While in law school it is hard to appreciate his style of teaching "Changstitutional Law" (his words not mine), but he really does teach you to think in a critical way and analyze everything you read.
Prof Chang is like no other. The other comments represent what Chang calls 'the old him.' This man is brilliant. His teaching methods & lectures are exhausting & draining, but in the best way. Every single word spoken by him is vital, sharp, and intimidating! Chang represents the quintessential legal scholar - implanting fear & analysis in all.
You will rarely have a better professor, or a more passionate professor. I have never learned more than in the 3 classes I have taken with him. He is exacting, precise, demanding, and exhausting. He also knows his subject-matter better than almost anyone, and if you're willing to work, he will impart his knowledge on you. A genius.
Overcomplicated the subject matter. Spent a month on actus reaus which could have been covered in 10 minutes. He was rude to students. He lowered your grade if you didn't write the way he liked on the final. He thinks he is a lot smarter than he is. I have no idea why he got good reviews. Everyone at school says he is THE WORST!
He is rude to students and so arrogant. He thinks he is brilliant. Doesn't understand that teaching is about making complicated things simple not complicating further complicated ideas. You willl not learn any of the things you are suppose to learn in con law. Spend 7 weeks on the commerce clause. He spends 3 weeks on how he hates marshall.
He is a total **** and the reason I will most likely be dropping out of law school. He even gave a speech on the last day defending himself as a good teacher. I dislike him as a person because he gets off on giving bad grades and making students feel stupid.
he ain't bad. -Rubin.
Very good professor. Tough, but very good.
Prof. Chang is not for the faint of heart. He is ridiculously intelligent, very policy driven. But if you commit, I guarantee he will make you a better lawyer. Those not willing to work don't belong at the top anyway.
Garbage... pure garbage. He is simply the worst professor ever. He is long winded, speaks too fast, waste time, takes me 3 hours to short hand than transcribe a 1 15 min class because he speaks way too fast and covers too much useless crap-- i have no idea why anyone thinks he is smart, he just says the same long winded crap over and over again.
I'm not done complaining-- he is the worst; avoid him at all costs, i would rather go swimming in a pool full of sharks w/ a fish hanging out of my a$$ then be in this guys class. I got a really good grade, but that doesn't take away from what an arrogant, pompous, egg head, long winded tier 3 teacher who has never practiced law before. (continued.
Easily the worst "educator" I've ever had. He focuses heavily on theory that is useless outside of class and skips over what you need to know for the bar. His pauses, stutters and rephrasing of questions into more complicated terminology don't help in trying to understand. He will demolish any interest a person could possibly have in criminal law.
excellent teacher, super intelligent and yes, if you dont know what you are talking about he will make you look like an a$$ in class, but one can learn alot from him. He is into theory and the application of law and not so much about "memorizing the rules" making him a great professor in my book!
Absolutely my favorite professor as a 1L. This is NOT a Prof for someone who does not want to work, as he will challenge you every single day, from the beginning to the end of class. He is the MOST helpful Prof I have found; he reviewed several practice finals and my outline during office hours and said exactly how to refine my analysis.
1L crim law. He's hard but he wants you to do well. And he straight up tells you exactly what is on the exam and how you have to structure and say it. And you better follow him. uses slides does not post write it down! TA saved me. use them!! a Normal outline does not work. Outline each type of question he'll ask see his old exams get A.
Very clear on what he wants on the final. Pay attention every class and DO NOT USE COMMERCIAL OUTLINES. Structure your notes and outline based on his exam questions (which are all the same type since 1990) and you will get an A. Overall great professor.
I had Chang for Con Law in '04 - '05. The truth is, both those who love him and those who loathe him have valid points. On the one hand, I still appreciate Chang's emphasis on being CAREFUL in analyzing information. This does not happen nearly often enough in the real world. But at the same time, his interpersonal skills ARE often direly inept.
Everyday will be scary (partly because of all the rumors of how horrible he is). However he is the most clear professor in what he wants on his exam - if you take his practice exams seriously, study the sample answers you will get an A. He gives more than enough resources to understand how you need to answer a Chang exam.
I've been deterred from practicing criminal law. Don't ask questions; he will make you feel dumb. Chang promotes fear & anxiety--NOT learning & growth. He talks about precision and clarity but he is so wordy in speech & writing His syllabus is impossible to follow. Wish I learned crim law this semester. I tried. Its impossible to please him.
You won't complete a thought without being interrupted - he has laser focus on precision with words. The focus of his class is public policy NOT substance of the law. Understand that early and you'll go far on the final. His demeanor is inimidating, but he will tell exactly what he wants to see on the final. Have to be prepared everyday.
He's a jerk, you'll think to yourself the first couple of weeks... fine, months. I despised him and his class. However, after you begin to know his style you'll grow to respect/like him. He ended being my favorite prof. Out of ALL the people at NYLS, this guy cares the most. Just be prepared for class and a beating or two. Don't piss him off.
Chang's class is very difficult and hard to grasp at first--don't be alarmed if you can't follow his rhetoric the first couple of weeks. If you put in the time slowly and steadily throughout the semester you will ace his exam. He may seem intimidating but he is truly an amazing and helpful person. Would absolutely take again!
Honestly I was scared to death after the first day of his class. He's intimidating and cut throat, but he really is a great professor. Most people love him or hate him. But he is super clear about what he wants and how he wants it, no surprises. If he's saying something over and over- write it down. Hands down my favorite professor in hindsight.
If you put forward some effort and show that your are involved and want to learn, he will respond in kind. If you never raise a hand, answer a question, ask a question, he may not respond to your emails and such. Be prepared.
By far the most dedicated, knowledgeable professor i have had the pleasure of learning from in my entire academic career.
He is like the teacher from the paper chase. Get ready to be challenged like never before and you will get your feelings hurt. Don't ever Wing it in his class because he can sense it by just looking at you. Don't ever come to class without reading each case 3x. His favorite words are "articulate and internalize". His SYLLABUS IS OVER 400 PAGES!
This professor was responsible for teaching me Torts, Apparently he did not ge the memo because all we learned was two elements of negligence and respondent superior. You have to abide by his methodology. Knowing the cases is not enough, you have to follow his way of thinking. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.
I truly believe that Prof. Chang means well with his teaching style, but a lot of times it seems that he is forcing himself to be intimidating. Chang also likes responses in class and on exams to be EXACTLY how he says them in class, so take great notes.
Well let me put it this way. Tons of readings which is fine, however you can read all these cases and then not go over them or go over a small blurb of another case in the notes. More about statutory interpretation than substantive criminal law. With writing you really have to write exactly his way. If you have the option to take him, do not.
great prof
He works hard and care about his students, but he can be nasty. Stay away if you can.
The class is about identifying legal issues, not necessarily torts. He pretends to be nasty, but its just a game. He will give you endless time out of class. Dont get psyched out by his focus on notes and outlining. Just learn how to IRAC really well and pay attention to the exact question he is asking.
I took Chang for Crim and going into his class I was told he was very intense/difficult. In my opinion, he was one of the best teachers I've had so far. He pushes you, he questions your logic, and he makes you apply what you've already learned throughout his lectures. Tests are straight forward, no tricks. He loves Socratic Method. You'll be fine.
I took this Professor for Torts. I felt he made the class more complicated than it should be. The Final didnt include 90% of the material he covered. It seems that he has never practiced law and it shows in the way he answers, or refuses to answer, questions. I would not recommend him as a qualified or caring teacher.
AVOID! Everything he says is contradictory. He has graded things for me saying the info was wrong even though it came directly from his slides. He is absolutely a horrible man who does nothing but disrespect you. I met with him constantly to prove how hard I was trying & still a miserable human being. WON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS. yells! rolls eyes!
By far one of the most narcissistic professors I have ever had to deal with. I have constantly come to him for help showing him I care only to be yelled at. He has told me I may not be qualified to ever be a lawyer because of a question!?! Multiple complaints by students. School doesn't seem to help at all with how he treats students! AVOID!!!
The worst professor and possibly human being to ever exist. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
If you enjoy being verbally accosted by those who are hired to impart some semblance of knowledge on their students, then this is the professor for you!
Enrolling in this professor's class is the biggest waste of time and money. Save yourself the hassle and choose another professor's course.
Youre honestly better off teaching yourself than having this Professor attempt to teach you any subject. STAY AWAY!
I wouldn't recommend enrolling in any class this professor purports to teach. Not even to my worst enemy. His lectures are torture, his methods are severely lacking, and his approach to teaching is fundamentally flawed.
Poor teacher and lecturer.
If you want to actually finish law school, then avoid this professor.
He is an abysmal professor in general. He is obsessed with having his students internalize his flawed legal methodology.
Taking a class with this professor is like subjecting yourself to intentional infliction of emotional distress. Which is a tort. And which is something you shouldn't expect to learn in this professor's TORTS class. Total joke and waste of time.
Terrible teacher with a terrible attitude. If you can choose not to take his class, I suggest you do so.
Literally the worst teacher ever.
His grading and lecturing are both arbitrary and capricious.
Quite simply put, taking a class with this professor was the worst academic experience I've ever had. I don't know how he's qualified to teach.
Unequivocally the worst professor I've ever had the misfortune of sitting through.
Here is an absolutely abysmal professor. But, I suppose that is why tenure exists, it is job security for abysmal professors such as this.
We never even learned torts from this professor. Enough said.
The worst professor I've ever encountered. I highly recommend that you avoid his classes.
Entire grade for the semester hinges on the final. Which he doesnt prep you for. GG
Don't waste your money on a class with this professor.
I completed two semesters of Con. Law with Professor Chang many years ago. He is one of the best instructors at NYLS because he forces you to deeply explore the meaning behind the law and forces his students to a higher level of legal analysis. Some students don't appreciate his style but he is a real gem and has a great heart.
I'm with the majority opinion of those who have hesitations about this professor. He is a terrible professor that conducts boring lectures, and his classes are unequivocally an overall poor experience.
Unequivocally the worst professor I've taken a class with. I'm surprised this man has the qualifications to teach a kindergarten student, let alone a law student.
Chang is the worst instructor I have ever had in my entire life and I have 4 degrees. Friends don't let friends take a Chang course.
I never thought that I would meet such an uninspired, and frankly boring professor in my academic career. But this man is that professor.
He prepared me for the rest of law school and life as a lawyer more than any other professor. I applied the skills I learned in his class to every other class I took and I will forever appreciate his teaching style. If law students can't handle a tough professor who pushes you (for your benefit), then they are in the wrong field.
If you have Chang as a professor, get yourself a therapist to talk about the crippling anxiety that will come with the class. He is stern, mean, and extremely intimidating. If you're unlucky enough to have him, I will say a prayer for you. He calls on 1 person for an entire lecture, and if you're wrong, he still stays with you.
Tough professor, but it is because he is trying to get students to realize we are studying to eventually be deciding factors between whether people get justice or if the system fails. Meet with him and put in the work. Chang pushes you, and prepares you for the intensity of this field. If that makes him a jerk, then you're too soft for law.
Great Professor, but strict. What you get out of the class is what you put in. You learn A LOT and he really pushes you to think outside the box. Not necessarily cruel. Just dont try to cheat...
Tosses you in the deep end day 1. Very much puts you on the spot by asking one person to respond to questioning the entire class. Overall, teaches you a lot. You now have been warned that he has very high expectations.
Please avoid at all costs. Spent our entire "spring break" doing assignments and having "optional but highly recommended" classes on weekends. Makes you redo assignments if he feels like it. Absolutely a miserable person who enjoys making your life harder.
Professor Chang is extremely strict, and a very challenging professor. But while his class stressed me out a lot, I respect his style. He's hard on you because he wants you to be ready for this challenging field. I genuinely feel I am better for having had him. Don't worry, you'll be alright.
Avoid this class if possible. Hours long weekly non-graded writing assignments. Will not allow you to attend review if assignment is not complete/satisfactory. Assignments during Spring Break. 2 hour weekend review meetings solely to disparage students. Assigns readings that were never covered. Ridicules students for asking questions.
Awful Prof who teaches so he can belittle students, even for asking seemingly relevant questions. Seems to love that students apologize while asking questions. Will tank your GPA even if you've been a straight A student your whole life. "Just pass" is the common saying. I can't believe he gets away with what he does.
if u have Chang - u are in the competitive section or ones with a ton of scholarships. Chang has been said to be an "anamoly" by an actual dean and "not the standard". Admin allows him to give u a 5 hr final when all other crim sections are 3. Grind from the start - rewatch lectures/office hrs. He ruined peoples gpas and is the reason ppl drop.
Weekly writing assignments that are not graded but mandatory. The toughest professor I have ever had and he does not care about his students mental health or academic success. I think he enjoys insulting and belittling students. Cold calls on one student per class session so you are on call for two hours straight. Brilliant man though and respected
Just ridiculous. Avoid taking any course with this professor.
Gooooooooood luck
Was automatically placed and it is the most painful class of my life. 2 hour long review sessions on random nights (till 10pm) about assignments that aren't even graded. Belittles students and yells about random topics (how we ask questions, how fast we type). Extra classes before semester started, extended class and exam (no other crim law does)
High quality professor that instructs the way you would be taught at Yale. Complainers expected classes to be easy/ didnt put in the work. He does NOT hide the ball- he teaches/thoroughly explains EXACTLY what he wants to see on the exam. Most challenging 1L class BUT you will be SO grateful you had him bc he sets you up for success in law school.
Don't let the hype about him cloud your judgement. He's the stereotypical difficult professor that you later appreciate. Students that take Chang on average perform better overall in law school & this is no coincidence. There's a genius to his method and he even takes the time to give you additional detailed instruction on how to succeed on exam
Worst, most politically and socially biased professor I've ever had.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
97%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.01 avg changeRatings by Course
TORTSB
5.0
(1)TORTS3
5.0
(1)CRJ100
5.0
(1)CONST200
4.5
(2)TORTSSECT
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
LAW
5.0
CON
5.0
CRIMINALCON
5.0
CRIM100
5.0
TORTSB
5.0