2.6

Denise Wales

Philosophy - Seneca Polytechnic

2.6
Quality
4.1
Difficulty
38%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
2.6
Quality
4.1
Difficulty
2.7
Helpful
2.6
Clarity

38%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

20

4

9

3

14

2

11

1

30

What Students Say

GO TO A DIFFERENT CAMPUS IF YOU NEED TO

HUM100 - 1.0 rating

Denise is NOT a helpful prof at all

HUM200 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

87%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 22 grades
Most common grades:
A (7)
A+ (4)
B+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(11)B(1)C(2)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(6)
Based on 27 reported grades
A: 7
A+: 4
B+: 4
C: 2
Common Tags
Get ready to read (11)
Tough grader (9)
Lecture heavy (6)
Respected (4)
Tough Grader (4)
Skip class? You won't pass. (4)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (3)
Participation matters (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.32 avg change
Jan
Apr
Oct
Mar
Apr
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

HUM301Y

5.0

(2)

PHIL

5.0

(1)

YCK100

5.0

(1)

HUMYKC

5.0

(1)

HUM100HUM200

5.0

(1)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GAS

5.0

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5.0

FSMSECT

5.0

LSP500

5.0

NAT108

5.0

Reviews (84)
5.0
4.0
HUM301Y
Apr 6, 2002

She's a nice lady when you get to know her. She is clear w/ what she wants.

5.0
5.0
HUM301
Apr 9, 2002

No Comments

2.0
5.0
GAS
Apr 9, 2002

No Comments

3.0
5.0
YKC
Apr 10, 2002

Very strange! Robot like personality! Snobby!

5.0
1.0
HUM301
May 9, 2002

Simply the best

5.0
5.0
HUM301Y
Jun 1, 2002

If you ask relevant questions she is VERY helpful.

5.0
3.0
CUL535
Sep 5, 2002

patient, intelligent and warm-hearted teacher. learned a lot from her!

3.0
5.0
YKC200
Feb 6, 2003

*warning* Avoid at all costs. Expectations too high.

4.0
5.0
YKC200
Apr 24, 2003

This professor is tough! If you work hard you will do well however Denise will always challenge your ability. She expects your best but your best may not be good enough. A nice lady.

2.0
5.0
YKC200
Oct 6, 2003

she only teaches part of the class, not all the students in the class

4.0
4.0
YKC100
Oct 8, 2003

GOOD TEACHER EXTREAMLY WIERD THOUGH!

3.0
4.0
YKC100
Nov 29, 2003

not so clear, though not sure if it's actually her or just the course

2.0
5.0
YKC100
Dec 5, 2003

horrible!!! total nut job

2.0
5.0
YKC200
Dec 7, 2003

Very snobbish. Be choosy of the questions you ask her...you may not get an answer at all!

4.0
4.0
YKC200
Mar 29, 2004

very tough, prof. but learned A LOT from her. if you can pass this class with her, you can accomplish anything!

3.0
5.0
YKC200
May 12, 2004

She picks favourites! Good luck getting a good mark if she does not like you. Word of advice: Take her philosophy to get a good mark! Do not have your own opinion in her classroom! PHILOSOPHY IS A GREAT SUBJECT 2 learn, however not w/ Denise as your prof.

3.0
1.0
CUL480
Feb 22, 2005

Very easy-going.

1.0
5.0
YKC100200
Mar 8, 2005

Very bad attempts at teaching. Complained so many times and she still has a job (don't know how). Treated you as if you didn't exist and as if she didn't care. Lady we are not teddy bears we are human beings WAKE UP AND LEARN TO TEACH.

2.0
4.0
CUL535
Apr 18, 2005

its a very good course if the teacher is gud..but if the teacher is Denise Wales then its better to drop the course its hard to get marks in her class..very boring..doesnt take up articles in the class...try to avoid her otherwise u'll feel u r in hell

5.0
1.0
PHIL
Apr 25, 2005

you should simply learn

4.0
3.0
YKC100
May 11, 2005

she is a good teacher, but hard marker. read before the class... and i heard her philosophy class is terrible... avoid her philosophy class..unless u ar not care about ur GPA, and just want to learn

5.0
5.0
YKC100
May 26, 2005

I can't believe what I'm reading! This is a very difficult subject, but I found Denise very helpful and fun. She is NOT a hard marker, the material is difficult, not the teacher!

5.0
2.0
YKC100200
Aug 11, 2005

I am glad I got to take YKC 100 and 200 with Professor Wales. She made the course work as clear as possible (which is a difficult thing to do) and was available for extra help (if needed). I found her sense of humour very funny and endearing.

3.0
5.0
CUL535
Grade: A
Aug 15, 2005

Prof. is really nice and offers help. but her class is very boring and confusing. Very hard marking and expects too much from her students! She will give you 50 mins to read a new 1 page artical, and in that 50 min, she expects you to write a 3 page single space essay on that artical in class! Give you too little time to do too much work!!

3.0
4.0
YKC100
May 10, 2006

I Didn't like her way of teaching, I thought she was inconsiderate to the classes needs, I wouldn't want to take a class of hers again.

1.0
5.0
FSMSECT
Nov 14, 2006

No Comments

1.0
5.0
FSMSECT
Nov 25, 2006

no consideration for students, gives 30pgs of text reading/160pgs to read for a major essay/Case Study Test/online short answer questions due ALL within the same time. Doesn't care abt your other courses, WORK LOAD is TOO MUCH for one course. Having so much work for one course dsn't help stdnts learn. Very unreasonable marker on essays.

3.0
5.0
LSP500
Dec 3, 2006

the definition of ****!

5.0
5.0
LSP500
Dec 23, 2006

To be fair, she is a very knowledgeable, fair, and good teacher. It's the workload makes students complain. But if you think in another way, she is helping you to learn. If you did the reading assigned and all the online participations, you do not have to put much effort on the night before your exam. She wants you to learn little by little.

1.0
5.0
NAT108
Dec 12, 2007

she is a so horrible....she gives unusual stuff to study...so boaring..

1.0
5.0
YKC200
Mar 25, 2008

Horrible. Hard marker, monotone, and wierd. The only way you get answers write is if your opinion is the same as hers. She offers to help after class, but its no help at all because she restates what she already said. if you have her switch fast!!!!

1.0
5.0
YKC200
Apr 30, 2008

First off, she's in her own world. So learning from her is pretty difficult since shes so strange. She isn't clear about what she teaches, and she is a very hard marker. I would avoid taking her classes at all possible costs.

3.0
5.0
YKC200
Aug 17, 2008

If you dont have to have her dont i think there is 3 people left in our program because of her.

3.0
5.0
YKC200
Aug 24, 2008

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yea shes one proff yo hum "its in the reading is her fav quite" she makes you do some exta work at home trust me.at the end you pass and you kno tht yea ur really ready for unversity after her course i knew that yea i would make it in uni ( honeslty i felt like i was in university but yea man i passed her course 1 round i lov tht pro

1.0
5.0
LSP500
Dec 3, 2008

The worst teacher you could possibly have. She has mental problems that is for sure. I can't believe that she was allowed to teach. Don't expect a mark higher than a C. She's aweful

1.0
5.0
NAT108
Jan 15, 2009

She is nice to your face but an evil after you leave the class. She doesn't like you even when she smiles. Very hard marker and her class is usually boring. Anything you do, she will find errors in it, especially in stupid essays. No matter how much you worked on it.

1.0
5.0
WALES101
Feb 5, 2009

completely batty insane

1.0
5.0
LSP500
Oct 14, 2009

Very tough, hard to understand, values only her own opinion.

1.0
5.0
LSP500
Nov 11, 2009

She is teaching us ethic, however, she focus more on English. She should work in English depart instead.

2.0
5.0
LSP500
Nov 13, 2009

I love her, all she does is talk about herself the whole class. "I have other assignments to mark... I have other classes to attend to..." She only makes excuses and reads exactly from the course book. If you go to her class, you'll only hear she whine about how Ford created a crappy Pinto for every class. 30 pages of assignment in total!INTENSE!

1.0
5.0
LSP500
Nov 26, 2009

Students learn from good professor. With her you will just get pissed off and demotivated to learn. My friends, stay away if you want to keep your GPA and bless those who sacrificed.

4.0
4.0
YKC200
Feb 18, 2010

I am pretty much disgusted with everyone's comments. Wales is a hard marker but she is always there for extra help. Just because you are not enjoying the course doesn't make her a bad teacher.

5.0
5.0
YKC200
May 5, 2010

Great professor.Prof. Wales has such a unique style of teaching that I found refreshing.She is strict and a hard maker, which is a perfect recipe for success at the university level.Her teachings were not only useful in class, but she has helped me see the world in a new way.She is truely a beautiful mind, that if you pay attention can change your

1.0
5.0
LSP500
Sep 8, 2010

She is a monotone crazy dog! She's mental and seriously in her own world. You have to write your papers in her opinion or you will fail the class...any MLA mistakes = FAIL! She is the worst teacher ever

5.0
4.0
YCK100
Jan 15, 2011

Denise Wales is not a bad teacher. She is a tough teacher and teaches overall well. I am really ashamed of everyone else's comments. She has office hours damn near everyday and is available through email all the time. In order to learn from a professor you need to put an effort in to. She is very clear and passionate about teaching.

3.0
3.0
YKC200
Mar 28, 2011

she's ok. she really wants to help the students out and keeps telling them to "see her after class" but she really is zoned out in her own world when lecturing. easy marker and tough to understand her. and if she doesnt like you, ou cant do anything about it. she'll give you a's if you are doing well in other classes.

1.0
5.0
YKC200
Jul 25, 2011

The single worst professor I've ever had. She is disorganized in her lectures, and has no sympathy for her students that struggle. Office hours are practically mandatory because she can't communicate ideas in class. An psychotically rigid marker that thinks C is an average grade. I'm convinced she was promoted just to get her out of the classroom.

5.0
3.0
HUMYKC
May 3, 2012

she is a great professor, I really like her a lot because she is very, very helpful. And, there is a trend of students who likes her and doesn't like her, usually the slackers (in most case not all ways) doesn't like her but student who are hard working, likes her because she is hard but fair. Advice, don't argue with her and be on her good side.

5.0
2.0
HUM
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Dec 11, 2013

Denise is fantastic. In my experience she has been extremely helpful. She has office hours almost every day and is very willing to meet with students or reply to emails. Without Denise I would not have survived third semester!! She has a gentle nature and is very soft-spoken. Some lectures can feel slow, while others are quite interesting.

4.0
2.0
HUM
Grade: A
Apr 12, 2014

She seems to garner a lot of hate on here and with the students in my program. I believe its about adapting to her critical teaching style. She is very critical and I felt that is the most valuable trait of a professor . Contrary to the posts above, she really cares about your academic success as long as you arent a slacker. Fav prof so far...

2.0
4.0
HUM200
Sep 19, 2014

Denise is NOT a helpful prof at all. She's not there for the students and really gets mad when you question her work. I thought raising questions was key to college success, though if you have Denise, that is NOT the answer. If you want to pass, just go to class, do your research and hand things in. Her PPT and Textbook are your only hope

2.0
4.0
HUM
Sep 23, 2014

I really have nothing against Denise, I've heard she can be nice, but from experience she is just MEAN. I hope that she'll eventually change her ways and learn to deal with students better. Many of us walk fearfully into her office, we shouldn't have to. Her lectures and presentations aren't too bad. Her marking is kind of tough. Disappointed

1.0
5.0
YKC200
Grade: F
Oct 2, 2014

I'm a PhD now, but I distinctly remember a course with DW 10 years ago and how mean and self-absorbed she was. Our class was in the morning during winter and if we got caught in the weather she penalized us and called us lazy. Readings were lengthy, irrelevant, and delivered dryly. Instead of booking exams during exam time, she held in class exams.

1.0
5.0
HUM
Nov 23, 2014

It's sad that such an amazing program has such a horrible coordinator. She is far from inspirational, her phoney niceness is one thing, but the fact that she doesn't treat her students with the kind of respect she expects is another. Her criticism can be constructive, but more often than not unreasonable. Get in her classes and get out. Sigh.

1.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Feb 8, 2016

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. GO TO A DIFFERENT CAMPUS IF YOU NEED TO. PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE, FAKE, DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE STUDENTS FUTURE. HOW IS SHE A PROGRAM ADVISOR??????????

5.0
3.0
YKC200
Grade: A
Oct 26, 2016
Would take again

Her philosophy course ykc 200 and her history lectures were excellent. Really approachable during office hours

Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
5.0
4.0
YKC200
Grade: A
Oct 26, 2016
Would take again

I can't believe the negativity on this page! Denise is a fantastic professor. She really cares about student progress and is always accessible when needed. She requires an effort on the side of her students, but anyone in her position should. The material in her courses is very interesting, and she really knows her stuff when it comes to philosophy

Respected
Participation matters
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
1.0
4.0
HUM301
Grade: C
Nov 18, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Got stuck with Denise as my coordinator as well as my prof and she's AWFUL at both! Condescending, fake, clearly despises students and is just putting on an act. Don't ask her for help, she will just sneer at you and turn you away.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GROUP PROJECTS
1.0
4.0
WALES101
Dec 7, 2016
Wouldn't take again

THE. WORST. PROF. EVER.

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
YKC200
Jun 11, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Aweful conversation skill. Terrible relationship skill. She's too critical. Can't breathe when talking to her. She is a coordinator, but not helpful.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
HUM100
Grade: A+
Feb 17, 2018
Would take again

Denise is an amazing professor and co-ordinator. She really cares about her students and has a lot of knowledge to share. Those with bad experiences probably didn't show up to class and/or do the work! She is always available to talk to/assist her students, her demeanor is welcoming and gentle and she is VERY patient. You'd be lucky to have her.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
1.0
3.0
HUM200
Apr 19, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Not only is she fake in regards to her personality, she flip flops with her decisions last minute. She failed some midterms for using the textbook, which she said we could use a week before. Wanted to fall asleep most of the time. Very condescending, and uncomfortable to speak to. They need to tell people it's cumulative GPA Uni's look for.

5.0
1.0
HUM100
Grade: Rather not say
Apr 21, 2018
Would take again

Denis what a great teacher she is ;). If you love teachers like Dolores Umbridge you will do amazing.

5.0
3.0
HUM100HUM200
Grade: A+
Sep 26, 2018
Would take again

Dr Wales reminds me of the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland. I understand why people think she's fake, but I don't understand how people think she's not a good coordinator or professor. She's approachable, patient, VERY helpful and sometimes goes above and beyond to help her students. As for exams, you need to understand the material to get an A.

Tough Grader
TEST HEAVY
Amazing lectures
4.0
2.0
HUM200
Grade: A+
Dec 31, 2018
Would take again

I think as a teacher she is fine. She is an easy marker and her criteria is very clear. My problem is her office hours. She is never or rarely available and her time slot is always an hour or so during lunch. I wish she was more accessible out of the classroom

5.0
1.0
YKC200
Grade: B+
Apr 10, 2019
Would take again

Whatever I am today is because of Denise Wales. She recommended me to UofT and I couldnt be more grateful to her. She doesnt even know me that well but was always very kind towards me. If the world has more people like Professor Wales, gender inequalities will diminish. She changed my life for the better. I am extremely thankful to her.

Inspirational
Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
1.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: B
Nov 20, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Takes over 30 minutes to explain one concept, and she doesn't even put it on the test. Assigns 50 page readings and then doesn't go over them in class.

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
YKC200
May 7, 2020
Wouldn't take again

She is accessible but not helpful. Shes a good teacher but not a good coordinator at all! She told me university wasnt for me and I should think of other options but 2 years later and I just graduated with great grades.

Accessible outside class
Get ready to read
Tough grader
4.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: A+
Feb 23, 2021
Would take again

Solid professor. Requires you to think deeply about the subjects being taught, while subtly nodding you in the right direction. If you don't like working hard, I would avoid this class. Otherwise, you'll find that your hard work will likely pay off immensely. As an aside, I now care about the governmental workings of the Roman Republic somehow.

Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
1.0
4.0
HUM301
Grade: D-
Apr 16, 2021
Wouldn't take again

She was not helpful at all if you new to college never take a class with her. I give her zero

5.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: A
Apr 13, 2023
Would take again

Lectures are very important to her, show up, take notes, be prepared

Tough grader
Respected
Lecture heavy
4.0
2.0
HUM100
Grade: B+
May 11, 2023

Denise is a good person, she is very understanding and is kind but she is not quite good at explaining. She have alot of knowledge, much more than other profs but the way she delivers lectures are so confusing and you end up understanding half of it. Also alot of reading and attendance is worth 10% of grade.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Test heavy
3.0
5.0
HUM100
Grade: B+
Jun 8, 2023

Denise gives very interesting instructions and very passive-aggressive feedback, so that's fun. the lectures and readings are very heavy but the test is only slightly hard; the written "great things" assignments are VERY hard because she is kinda picky. good luck! DO THE READINGS AND TAKE LOTS OF NOTES.

Get ready to read
So many papers
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
HUM100
Grade: B+
Aug 16, 2023

if you want the most difficult to reach, unhelpful, unprofessional, dramatic, fake, and rude professor- take her class! She'd be great for you! Denise will run you around in circles for basic info and help and provide the most useless information and her lectures are just repeats of the same sentences over and over again. :)

Tough grader
Get ready to read
So many papers
1.0
5.0
HUM100
Oct 31, 2023

gets historical facts wrong, speaks disrespectfully about the past, never gives enough time for tests, doesnt answer questions, will dock marks because she personally doesnt like your writing style, run bro do not take this lady class

1.0
5.0
HUM100
Nov 9, 2023

This professor struggles to get to the point. A simple question tends to get a complex and drawn out answer lasting roughly 60-150 seconds, mostly consisting of irrelevant rambling masked with an informative tone, which leaves the inquiring student with no legitimate take-away or conclusion. Denise performs similarly when giving feedback on work.

Tough grader
2.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 14, 2023

Blank slides, group discussions that go nowhere and serve no purpose, question dodging with the skill of a seasoned politician, unhelpful feedback, etc... She often seems lost and unprepared. If it weren't for the mandatory attendance you might as well just stay home and read the textbook because the "lectures" are empty and pointless. Disappointed

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Group projects
2.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: A-
Nov 30, 2023

Not a fan of the way this class was structured. There is certainly a learning curve in order to do well in this course. Once you discover what Denise expects from you (which she makes you figure out on your own) the class is pretty easy. Read the textbook, come to the Thursday lectures awake and take good notes and you'll do very well.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
2.0
5.0
HUM100
Grade: A
Jan 6, 2024

If you have Denise, well, sorry. She is such a bad teacher. She talks so much and nothing makes sense. READING, so much reading. You are doomed if you don't read. Mid's and finals questions are given week before, and cover only online material, so take notes of online class. Otherwise, you are going got fail.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Test heavy
3.0
3.0
HUM100
Grade: A
Apr 30, 2024
Would take again

There may be an issue with the way she conducts her teaching. She seems to rely solely on reading from her PowerPoint slides and often fails to provide clear guidance when approached for help with a problem. However, she is still a competent teacher. It is highly recommended that you maintain good attendance in her class.

Get ready to read
Accessible outside class
1.0
5.0
HUM100
Grade: C
Oct 4, 2024

She gave a lot of textbook reading for quizes, midterm and final exam.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
HUM100
Grade: Rather not say
Mar 25, 2025

She is incredibly picky. Her instructions are very wordy but say nothing at the same time. Talks in circles a lot

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
3.0
5.0
HUM100
Apr 28, 2025
Would take again

Denise will explain everything and often repeat it to make sure but I don't mind as not everyone will understand the first time around. I like her positive attitude and you can tell she likes to teach. The course was structured weirdly but there is so much information on the blackboard that if you pay attention and show up, you will do well.

Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
HUM100
Grade: A-
May 12, 2025

Denise is a very disinterested, condescending, and disingenuous professor. She very clearly does not care for or respect any of the paying students in her class, and treats us as nothing but simple minded bottom feeders. She is the absolute worst of the worst when it comes to feeling respected as a student.

Tough grader
Participation matters
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

87%

Textbook Required

67%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 22 grades
Most common grades:
A (7)
A+ (4)
B+ (4)
Grade Distribution
A(11)B(1)C(2)D(2)F(1)A-/B+(6)
Based on 27 reported grades
A: 7
A+: 4
B+: 4
C: 2
Common Tags
Get ready to read (11)
Tough grader (9)
Lecture heavy (6)
Respected (4)
Tough Grader (4)
Skip class? You won't pass. (4)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (3)
Participation matters (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.32 avg change
Jan
Apr
Oct
Mar
Apr
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

HUM301Y

5.0

(2)

PHIL

5.0

(1)

YCK100

5.0

(1)

HUMYKC

5.0

(1)

HUM100HUM200

5.0

(1)
+15 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GAS

5.0

YKC

5.0

FSMSECT

5.0

LSP500

5.0

NAT108

5.0

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