3.9
Quality3.6
Difficulty58%
Would Retake185
Reviews58%
Would Retake
185
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
101
4
33
3
18
2
13
1
20
What Students Say
“Majority of the class failed/did very very poorly”
CRIM135 - 3.0 rating“Amazing lectures - you'd be lucky to have Graeme as your prof for this course”
CRIM330 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
83%
Textbook Required
57%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
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-0.77 avg changeRatings by Course
330
5.0
(1)LGST1110
5.0
(1)D100
5.0
(1)CRIM414
5.0
(1)CRIM135
4.3
(108)Difficulty by Course
ALS602
4.7
CRIM230
4.5
CRIM330
4.1
330
4.0
D100
4.0
Reviews (185)
So far, an interesting prof! Makes law really interesting and is organized.
Very clear and concise lecture style. Good at clarifying confusing points by relating to interesting things. In order to do well in his classes you actually have to attend the lectures because he doesnt use the textbook at all. Exams are based entirely on his lectures.
he is a really great prof. with great experience and the lecture is organized. Take his course and u will know him! just great!
Really good for crim135. It's a tough course, and he seems to mark very hard, but he's very clear and makes the topics interesting. You have to take your own notes though, so laptop is a plus. Not an easy course by any stretch, but definitely a good prof for the subject.
Very experienced and has an example to back up everything he's saying. Crim 135 was well taught. Unlike some other profs, he stays on track.
This course is ridiculously easy! With no textbook reading to do and Bowbrick repeating every key point multiple times in the lecture there is no way to go wrong. Attendance is mandatory at tutorials and 15% goes towards tutorial participation. So, if you don't like to talk in class this isn't the section for you. Too easy for a university course.
As the former AG of BC, he knows his stuff. One of the brightest profs I have had. Very challenging exams, but teaches you alot. His class is very political, so poli sci this class is a joke.
He tried to make dry materials as interesting as possible by telling anecdotes which helped. Exams were extremely fair because he would highlight key points we would need to know for the exams. He was just slightly picky for subjective questions. Don't even buy the text book. Exams are purely based on his lectures so show up to class. Good prof!
Course materials and the class ( Crim 135) is somewhat hard. But, the prof really did a good job in providing good examples to explain and make things clear. He is a fair instructor, and he has reasonable markings. If you study, you will be alright!!
Great professor! Don't buy the textbook, lectures are enjoyable, exams are a little tough but based only on lectures. Has less hair than the picture.
An excellent lecturer, Bowbrick tries to bring some life into the very dry and often boring subject of Canadian law. This class has no term paper. Textbook use is very low, which is good considering the material. Taking good lectures notes is key though, as that is what he examines you on. Both the mid-term and final are a handful, so study.
This guy is the former Attorney General for BC, and he includes fun stories in his lectures! He is very genuine and very approachable. His exams are pretty fair, considering they are purely lecture-based! No reading!! If you have any general interest in Poli-Sci or Law, you will like this class & professor!
Excellent prof. not teh type who relies on useless webCt to post notes and then read off it. he makes you copy the notes so that you understand the materials better.
He is amazing!
Great professor! Tells very interesting stories that relate to the topics in class. Do not bother buying textbook! Class only consists of participation, midterm and final. Exams are reasonable. Overall, great class =)
He is picky in his marking of the exams. (he sets the marking standard all right) Some of the questions are unclear in what he expects to you to write: You have to repeat what you write in the previous question and WRITE IT AGAIN IN THE NEXT QUESTION. Very boring material. Funny prof though.
Loved my class with Graeme!He is very funny and helpful. His tests are very fair.test is predictable as the stuff covered extensively in class is on the test. just pay attention in class, write good notes and review them before the exam. tutorials are kind of useless but easy nonetheless
not enough time to write exam- exam was toooo long!!!
don't bother buying text book. just take good notes and study lecture notes. interesting class. exams are extremely fair-- whatever is said in lecture will be on the exam. make sure you can apply your knowledge when given a scenario regarding law. i enjoyed the class alot.
Quality guy, great teacher. Long, tough exam. But really a great guy, dont buy the textbook!
Smart guy. Funny lecture. Lecture material are rather dry, and his exams are not easy. He expects quite a bit from his students in terms of exam writing. Textbook is totally useless so don't buy it. All the exam materials are coming from his lectures so it's best to attend his lectures and take good notes.
I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but don't buy the textbook. Seriously though he is the best professor I've had thus far. To get an A in this class goto every lecture, and take detailed notes. His exams are 100% based on the notes. When writing the exam be sure you write down EVERYTHING you know about the question.
In my third year and still one of the best criminology profs ive had!!! he makes the material really interesting and can provide good insight since hes got hands on experience
Awesome teacher. Little picky in terms of details that he wants on exams but teaches very well. Little use of the textbook, if any, don't buy it. And have to attend lectures as all he says is on there. Interesting and an enjoyable class, listen and study and your good to go! Midterm 40, final 40, attendence/part 20. Kinda hard.
solid prof
He's just fabulous. I emailed him after I was finished the course and he was still responsive and helpful. Great guy, wealth of knowledge, and a wonderful prof.
Bowbrick is one of my favorite profs at SFU. I had him for crim 135 as well. His lectures are interesting, take good notes and study them (more like memorize everything) for exams. The content was very interesting I always learned something new every class. I would take another course with him. Don't miss lecture you need the notes to study!
I loved this course! Graeme is a great prof, very clear and knowledgeable. He makes Canadian politics seem completely enthralling! Exams are challenging and require memorization of lots of details. You are given the option of a term paper instead of the midterm. Don't buy the textbook, mine's still in the bookstore bag. Attendance is a must!
Graeme was a great prof. Did not use the text book AT ALL - don't bother getting it.. but you MUST go to every lecture. His exams are quite tricky, make sure you mention EVERYTHING and give lots of examples. Very clear prof with lots of interest in the course. Well experienced. Good prof to have.
Bowbrick is an awesome professor. he is knowledgable & approachable. he definitely knows what he is talking about and doesn't rely on text books @ all! don't buy the text! its all about his notes. you'll learn alot in his class since he gives u real life stories and talks about his previous experiences in the courts...etc
He is an awesome prof! His lectures are always recorded so that you can listen to it when you missed out something. He keeps his promise about the tests; tests will be only based on what he taught. He is very kind and humorous too. I strongly recommend to students who take criminology
He is a good prof, but the exams are very difficult and you will usually find yourself really pressed for time. He only examines what is in his class lectures and he records them (you really don't have to show up to lectures) but again, know the stuff inside out and backwards. Tough class, but good if u have a sharp memory
very hard exams, make sure to include lots of information and examples in answers, otherwise no marks allotted.
the class was BORING and so was the prof. exams are hard. i would not take another class. prof talks and brags too much about himself. it was seriously annoying.
He is nice and funny prof.I like him. There are only two exams but those are hard and difficult.
Amazing prof! Really enjoyed his class, class attendance not mandatory but following class lectures online mandatory and best way to do really well on exams! Textbook not needed, literally both exams based soley on his class notes trust it! great way to boost gpa plus really interesting as well!
no readings needed, don't bother buying the text book. Focus on what he says b/c it will be on exams. He is smart and knows a lot. Hard exams + not enough time
In the beginning of the course, i was really confused about what i was learning. But later, i really enjoyed being in this class. TIP: If you listen recorded lecture audio clip, it would definitely help you to prepare your exam and understand course materials.
Super hard professor. Everyone I knew that took his class got like a C-. He is a tough marker but his lectures are interesting.
Graeme is by far my favourite professor I've had at sfu. He is extremely clear in what he expects from you, all lectures are recorded, you must listen carefully as his tests are based on lecture notes ONLY. no readings necessary at all, don't buy text, tests aren't too difficult if you take really good notes during lecture, listening online helps!
Favourite professor. Very clear, easy tests, don't use the text at all, he's also pretty hilarious!
This was a hard class! Attending lectures is crucial, as they are packed full of information and he will get down to the nitty gritty details on exams. If you like a challenge, take Crim 135 with Graeme. If not, wait for another prof.
Great teacher. His teacgubg style is clear, concise, and interesting. Lectures are recorded and when taking notes one must note all minor details because they will appear on the midterm and final. Tests are based entirely on lecture material. Moreover, tests are extremely hard for a 100 level course. Great teacher, but a hard marker.
Graeme is a hilarious and captivating teacher. All exams are based on lecture so you don't even need to purchase a textbook. The M/C and T/F components of the exams are quite tricky while the short answer/essay question component was fairly easy. As long as you attend lectures and listen to the recorded lectures again you should be able to do well!
My favorite prof at SFU. He makes the material extremely interesting. His exams are fair if you study you will do fine. No need to get the text book at all. He is an amazing prof and knows what he is talking about.
There's no doubt that Graeme knows his stuff, but I found his personality to be a bit abrasive. He makes a lot of sarcastic comments, which is somewhat annoying for people who would rather be in a happy, positive state of mind. I am sure he's a nice person underneath all that, but he seems to put people down...not students...but somewhat insulting in the way he describes situations and people generally. Smart guy though.
Great instructor. I have never had an instructor so CLEAR on what he expects from you. Don't bother buying the textbook as the exams relate to his lectures. Yes he is sarcastic, yes he can sometimes come off arrogant but if that actually bothers you in terms of your instructor... you have a rough life ahead.
Great Prof; his experience in politics definitely influences his teaching style. Learned a lot from his tutorial tangents. Would gladly take another class with him :)
Best prof I ever had, most interesting stories that relate to the course. Most teachers just tell us the law. He tells us then tells either an example or experience that relates to it. Very fun to listen to every second of him. he is Sarcastic, but its a funny good sarcastic. Attend every single lecture and take notes, single most important factor.
Super excellent prof. Textbook was not needed at all. Focus on his lectures & recordings & take detailed notes. His exams are based on his notes & what he says. He is an extremely hard marker though.
Awesome prof!
Best prof I ever had! Lectures are SUPER interesting to listen to, but you HAVE to show up, he has no ppt, you just have t listen and take notes. Really clear when explaining concepts, makes lectures fun even though its just him talking the whole time. Definitely recommended! He is kinda tough on tests, but fair and you just need to know you stuff!
Had Graeme for Crim 135 and he seemed intimidating at first. However his lectures are really interesting, and if you miss one class, its okay since he records them. When it comes to exams, details are KEY. If a question is worth 1 mark, it's possible to get 0.33 out of 1. Super difficult but if you know your stuff, you'll be fine. Study hard!
Best professor I've ever had. This guy is amazing.
Crystal clear in explaining all his expectations throughout the course and tells lots of intriguing real-life examples. Does not use textbook at all so don't bother buying one(!) He might look arrogant in the beginning of semester but it kinda lessens throughout the course. Highly recommended for solid foundation in Canadian judicial system!
He shows interest in the subject and to stories relevant to the topic but not relevant to the course. Way too critical on exams yet goofs off in class with jokes, I was not happy with my grade and I put in several hours over weeks. Take crim135 with a different prof.
Great prof, he's really knowledgable and interested in the materials he's teaching. Lectures are entertaining and fun. This is one class you won't fall asleep in or go on computer in. Downside is that he's a ridiculously hard marker. His expectations for comprehension and critical analysis on an exam are way too high for a 100-level course.
Amazingly interesting lectures, he will keep you engaged! Full of great stories and humour. I wish I had not purchased the book because his exams are based 100% on lecture material (write everything he says down! Type if you have to)! He records lectures and posts online, which I found VERY helpful. CRITICAL THINKING ON EXAMS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
This guy is smart. I do not recommend him for first years..srsly. He just talks, and you gotta write down everything he says. His exams are based on EVERYTHING. Hes kind of brutal, and not approachable. He is not a prof that wants to listen to you or any other issues. Its almost like you are wasting his time. Interesting content, but stilll LOL
Good lecturer. His midterm and final are based 100% on what he lectured. He didn't require us to use the textbook at all, so there are no weekly readings or assignments. He posts outlines that follow the lessons. Exams are a bit on the harder side but if you study the notes you take in class you should do fine.
Look, this class isn't meant to be easy but Graeme is a wonderful professor. He's very intelligent and clearly knows what he is talking about. He WANTS his students to do well. Open book exams, and minimal textbook use I would recommend him for any serious students. Would definitely take again.
He is a horrible prof. His exams are brutual even though they are opened book. I made great notes in class and everything. Organized my notes. WAs able to find answers but it just isnt good enough for him. He marks extremely hard. And plus u do not get enough time. I would not recommend him. Not a gpa booster at all!!!!
Good Prof. Knows his stuff.. crystal clear and to the point. Looking forward to study a few higher level courses with him as well. Take notes in class and remember the things he asks you to remember. High possibility of them coming in your mid terms or finals.
BEST PROF EVER! I had him first semester of my freshmen year, yea hes not easy on his exams but the experience is worth it. He's extremely smart and organized. No textbook needed. I would take every class he offers.
Might be 'easy' for his lower division but has really high expectations for his 330 class. Like said below, definitely a GPA dropper, highest make on the midterm was a B+. You of course learn a lot and he is engaged in the material but the way he marks is just ridiculous. Avoid if possible.
Very Good
Great prof! His humor was sarcastic but hilarious. He communicates material really well and his tests were fair. You must understand lecture material and know how to apply the concepts to situations. I really enjoyed his class, I definitely recommend if you are willing to put in the effort for it.
great speaker. fairness exams.
He''s a really good professor if you''re there to learn the material. If you''re looking for an easy A though then he''s not the prof you''re looking for. His exams are very fair but he marks very hard on the fact patterns. Everything is lecture based so if you show up and take notes you''ll pass but he makes you REALLY work for an A.
Loved this class. Graeme is a really great lecturer and the class was incredibly interesting. Make sure to read the textbook before classes! You definitely need to study for the tests (which are mostly writing-focused) but if you do then it'll be fine. Participation in tutorials also mandatory but tutorials were also interesting.
Probably my favourite prof to date. He knew the material very well and had great lectures. It's recommended to take detailed notes, but if you do and you pay attention in class, you'll be fine! Definitely participate in class (he welcomes all input) and study for the exams! His exams are heavily lecture based, but read the textbook if you desire!
Took 135 with him, and his class was amazing! It was a tad bit hard no doubt, but if you put the effort in, and you'll do fine. Did not use the textbook at all, the midtermexam was purely on lecture content. Lectures were very interesting (for me) and he gave good examples. Only downside is the marking scheme, which is very detail oriented.
His tests are more a measure of how well you can guess what erroneous information he expects you to include, rather than an actual measure of your understanding. Never states what exactly constitutes your marks, you are simply expected to somehow know that this or that piece of information was expected. More of a guessing game really.
Graeme's lectures are rather interesting because he teaches by first-hand experience and he does not reference the textbook which is not needed. It's just rather difficult to keep up with him, while taking notes, because he doesn't make powerpoints and whatever he says is examinable.
First things first: do not purchase the textbook. Graeme is an amazing prof, with experience working as a lawyer & politician. He uses his experiences in lawpolitics to help explain the concepts, which is super helpful for both understanding & remembering concepts. Very tough marker, but sooo worth it. Amazing class. I highly recommend it.
Graeme is extremely clear on what is expected. He's funny and very smart. He also uses first hand experience to teach the course which makes it far more interesting. He isn't trying to fool you, just teach you. It's great!
Kind of intimidating, but will help with any problems. Needs to be more approachable. His expectations for the course are reasonable.
Amazing & interesting Professor! Great guy!
Lectures were organized, interesting, and extremely clear. Tutorials require participation to earn the full marks, otherwise you'll only get half for showing up. Exams were tough and based on time management! He's very knowledgeable and insightful and has humor. I would take this class again. If you work hard, you'll do fine.
Graeme is an awesome teacher. His lectures are relevant and interesting, he has a sense of humor and in smaller classes he really gets everyone talking. His power points are super detailed, and you always know what he's looking for when grading. Plus, his intelligence and strong views make him hot. Enjoy! I've had at least 4 classes with him.
quiet an interesting professer
First day considered dropping it because he came off as very brutal and intimidating. Stick around for lecture two cause that's when you get a sense of what a charming and knowledgeable guy he is. No textbook was great cause his exams are straight from his lectures. Super detailed oriented so if you pay attention you'll do well. Lowkey crush tbh.
If you have the chance to take a course with Graeme, you definitely should. He has a sense of humor and is a very knowledgeable professor. You will learn a lot of information in his lectures that is actually relevant to your every day life. His exams do require critical thinking but if you take good notes and study hard you will do fine.
Graeme is a great prof! He expects you to pay attention and tests only from material he discusses in lecture. Tutorials are mandatory, since they are 20 % of the grade. But overall Crim 135 was amazing with him! I would recommend him.
The first class with him is extremely intimidating, but after a while he isn't as scary. His lectures are straight from his own experience, so no need to buy a textbook because he teaches better than any textbook could. His exams are extremely difficult, you need to put in as much detail as you can remember to get full marks, but not just anything
Completely unrealistic expectations of students especially first year students, do not recommend this prof if you are in your first couple semesters. Majority of the class failed/did very very poorly.
Although his marking scheme is quite difficult, if you attend lecture and participate in tutorial you'll do fine. His teaching is mainly from his own experience which makes it that more interesting, and the fact that he's insanely sarcastic makes Friday lectures that much more bearable. Highly recommend class with him!
Graeme uses his rich life experience to provide real world examples to course material. His lectures are interesting and often times humorous as he is a blunt and direct speaker. He does expect quite a bit of detail on exams so always define everything and write more than you think is required. Great Prof.
As long as you show up to lecture, take down VERY detailed notes, you'll be fine. Make sure you go to tutorials and participate a lot. He is a tough grader and he requires so so much detail - I can't stress that enough. Make sure you know EVERYTHING from lectures. Textbook not needed. Can't wait to take more courses with him!
Graeme is definitely the best prof I have ever had at SFU. His lectures are really interesting and humorous. He is a tough grader but if you put the effort in it you'll be fine. Exams require you to know a lot of details but he is really clear on what he expects so you should not be surprised. I can't wait to take more classes with him !
Worst prof I have ever taken! Avoid at all costs!
Learned a lot in Graeme's class! He prepares you well for the MT and Final--just read the slides he makes and you're pretty much golden. Didn't need to read the textbook, and the paper was easy marks.
Went in this class thinking it was going to be super hard, but the lectures and tutorial were both interesting and engaging. I barely read the texrtbook, was familiar with it as I ended up using it for the final for a few questions. Lectures are important, best to have lecture slides printed out and you write notes in as you attend lectures. I
the best course i took at SFU, he's hilarious and gets his point across like no other prof!
Graeme is incredibly thorough in his explanation of the material for this course. I highly advise going to class with the lecture slides already printed out, and taking notes as you go. I have no criticisms of this professor, he is truly outstanding.
First of all, I would like to say that taking this course was the best decision in my life. I felt in love in criminology and in the way how this prof is teaching. Lectures are clear and exciting but you have to work really hard to get a good grade. I highly recommend to take a course with this prof!
Amazing lectures - you'd be lucky to have Graeme as your prof for this course. His exams are definitely tough in the sense that half the class didn't even finish their exams and the class average was really low. It's an open-book exam, but you don't have too much time to spend on MC questions. You want to focus on the written part. Trust me.
Graeme is criticized by his difficult marking with respect to his attention to detail. He is a great professor in the sense that this class is one of the few that I truly learned from and also learnt good work ethics. He helps in ensuring that you pay attention. Also he provides audio recordings which I highly recommend listening to after class.
Speaks too quickly and if a student asks for him to slow down, he tells them to listen to the audio recording, only to find out that the audio recording doesn't work but doesn't do anything about it. Expects too much out of his students, looks down on them, and humiliates them with any question they have. Avoid at all cost.
Graeme does not make the best first impression as he is very blunt as comes across as arrogant. However his sense of humour grows on you and its actually been one of the best classes. Great lectures, you really learn a lot and he has done so much in his life it creates awesome lectures! definitely recommend this class even though its not an easy A!
For a 100 level course, the expectations are a bit much. Expects exam questions to be answered in specific manner but doesn't explain how (but claims he does). Knowledgeable however on a personal is arrogant and unapproachable. Doesn't hesitate to call students out in front of the whole room which I feel is inappropriate and unprofessional.
Best prof I've ever had. He's hilarious, has super clear lectures and uses relevant examples. The tests are from his lecture only so you don't need the textbook but take super detailed notes in class because he doesn't post his slides either.
highly recommend
Great teacher with strict rules and amazing teaching style! Really recommend him if you want to learn new things!
Graeme was the 1st class I attended in university. It was intimidating at first but he is a fantastic professor. He teaches with experience and gives clear examples to help you fully understand. His exams are cumulative and are based only on lecture notes. Only 3 note taking assignments so take good ones. This was the best class I ever took.
The absolute BEST. If you have the chance to take him, please do. He literally changed my whole perspectives. He is tough but that's because he pushes his students to be the best they can be. and honestly, if you do as he says, you'll do great. I would love to take another course with him
This prof is a gem and I wish every prof out there was like him. He is so knowledgeable, insightful and knows what he is talking about. He's the only prof I never ever missed a lecture/tutorial with and I felt so inspired after every class. He is a tough grader but if you pay attention and understand/memorize in great detail, you are set. I luv u.
Graeme is a knowledgeable prof and makes you work for your mark. His lectures are interesting and he uses relevant examples. The tests are based on only lectures so make sure you take super detailed notes during his lectures, he records his lectures so you can go back and listen to them. I would definitely recommend taking his class!
Graeme is one of the best profs I've ever had. Lectures are essential and informative but are interesting. You must attend lecture, even if he records them. If students don't show up without a good reason he will tun off his mic. Tests are tricky, but tutorials will help you prepare.
Graeme is a very good lecturer. In addition to this, it is consistent that if you do take his class, you probably won't need the textbook, which is awesome as it is lecture heavy. However, I feel Graeme expects a heck of a lot more than the average prof at SFU. I deem this unfair for lower div classes as students will often take a huge GPA hit.
He's a great lecturer and definitely knows the law in and out; however, he expects a lot for a lower division class. He does not let you bring the pocket criminal code into exams (unlike other Crim 230 classes) and makes you memorize the codes. He also has somewhat of an attitude problem, where he almost seems confrontational in office hours.
Honestly the most inspirational, as well as the hardest professor I've ever had. He really makes you work for your grade but it pays off and you WILL learn, and won't take anything half-assed. I'm glad I have the chance to have him again in 330 because I've honestly changed a lot of how I think about things because of him.
Graeme is not an easy prof, you have to work for a good grade in this course. That being said, I would 100% recommend taking any course you can with him. He is hilarious, and makes the material memorable and easy to understand. He expects a lot from his students but his passion for the material makes you interested in it. One of my favorite profs!
One of the best profs I have had. He is a hard marker and has high expectations however is very thorough with what he expects and gives very helpful lecture notes. I would not recommend having a tutorial with him as he doesn't help very much with the problems but would definitely recommend taking any class with him.
Best Instructor Ever! I really hope that I could take his course again
DO NOT TAKE HIM
the study method is really useful!
Graeme Bowbrick is a tough but fair marker. HOWEVER if there is a situation where you need help due to circumstances out of your control, do NOT expect him to help. He basically says it's your own fault for missing things and even if you take responsibility for whatever you missed, (not giving excuses or asking for pity) he will NOT help you.
Provides clear lecture notes, and is a great lecturer. Does not use a textbook, so class is 100% lecture. He has by far the hardest exams, and don't fall into the trap of not studying despite it being open book. I can't recommend seeing your TA about how to write the exam problems enough. It'll probably jump your grade 20% Incredibly inspirational
well what can I say? This class is a requirement for your degree so you have no choice but to take it. Be aware of his expectation , it is unreal. Definitely kill your GPA if you do not write or think as a lawyer.
Everything is based on his lectures. You need to get lecture recordings and write down everything he says in the lecture. Then you will be fine. The exam is open book and it is not hard if you study what he said. Our class average was okay. Just remember to write down everything he says! You can get easy B then.
Super tough grader! You definitely have to work hard in his class, you'll most likely do terrible on the midterm but then he gives you a lecture after the midterm that scares you to death but makes you do well on the final! Overall, very strict prof and hard class. But you will learn so much from Bowbrick! Incredible prof! Very knowledgeable!
While an amazing lecturer Graeme is probably the most distasteful individual I have encountered. He is rude, and arrogant for reasons I absolutely did not understand. I think if he is strictly in a classroom setting he gets an A+ but outside of the classroom he is the worst person.
Lack of communication with TA's , non-transparent, does not provide final exam grades or tutorial grades and does not reply back to emails.
Very great lecturer. Very specific personality as some might not like him and see him as offensive. Straight to the point type of guy and he has some solid background - a real gem. Came to all lectures minus 1. Took notes as he said and prepared for the final with his "method" and got A+ on that.
Please do not take him. His teaching style is average however he humiliates and insults students in front of the whole class. Extremely unprofessional and rude.
Anyone in Pol & Crim must take a course with him! Bowbrick is a qualified lawyer and an attorney general before so he knows his stuff more than other profs out there. Plus, he gives amazing feedbacks and you will actually take something out of his class (irl advice & course wise). He is tough but it really is worth it for the knowledge you get out!
Graeme is a real beauty, funny guy and makes what seems to be boring content quite interesting and funny. Class was fairly easy, he posts all his slides and just reads off them but adds context to a lot of stuff to make it engaging. Mid term AND final were both open book so you could not show up to 1 lecture and just print all slides for exams. EZ
Graeme is very knowledgeable and knows his stuff, hes very organized and gives good lectures. But hes way too strict and harsh for a first year course. Exams are open book but the time limit is very short compared to the amount of questions, which can be a negative for students. His grading for exams is pretty harsh too. Take him with caution.
Very old school prof. very set in his ways. The material he teaches is straight forward but its a lot to remember. Grading is tough and there is no clear criteria and not much instruction on how to do the few assignments he hands out either. Requires very specific and detailed answers in exam and will get you on technicalities.
He does not use a textbook and his exams are open book but that means lots of detail! Short answer questions are fairly easy if you know the content but long questions are tough, if your final answer is not what he wants its an automatic 0. He thinks a bit much of himself, pretty arrogant and strict. TA will be your best friend
I think Graeme is the first option for CRIM135. He cares about the students spontaneously and teaches you how to use the knowledge instead of only memorizing them!! He is happy to share his past career experiences with students and gives lots of professional academic advice to help you succeed.
Expressly told the class that his course material was not specific to the program we were in and in fact make assignments about topics the degree does not cover. Refused to teach about citation, one of the main topics of the course. And refused to answer questions claiming that he doesn't answer students who haven't tried to find their own answers.
very subjective and tough grader.
Very rigid and inflexible. Tough and subjective grader. Same answer, grade was far different.
Tough grader.
Don't get me wrong, his lectures are amazing and easy to understand, but his exams are the issue. There was a written part in the midterm and I was told by my TA that the average was 69% and this prof told us that we needed to take better notes (like we haven't done it already...). He won't even give us feedback on how we can do better in the final
Insane grader. Expects you to read his mind in what he is looking for on the exam and in papers. Blamed the students for not studying when was questioned about the average on the written part of the exam being so low. Runs his class like a 4th year seminar when this is a 100 level course. beware
Graeme is the best professor that I've met at SFU so far. His teaching is well-organized, easy to follow, with charisma. He loves to share political and sociological issues to make you comprehend the world around you better. The exams are fair - the written part might be challenged but taking good notes and organize the material well would be fine.
He is a good lecturer, but his marking is so hard. He does not prepare you for his exams and looks for things he does not even mention. If you are taking this class just to learn about the subject... go for it but it is extremely difficult to get a decent mark.
The best professor I've ever met at SFU so far. He is caring, knowledgeable, and well-organized. He always wishes you enjoy studying laws and shape your own analysis rather than making you memorize everything. He is strict but always cares about everyone in the class to ensure you understand materials and be able to use it in real-life circumstace
Had him back in 2020 and still think about what an amazing prof he was. Bowbrick is an amazing lecturer and made 151 content so interesting. Open book exams, but you need to take good notes. Average for the short answer part of the midterm was a failing grade. Attend lectures, write down everything he says & you'll be good
Graeme gives pretty good lectures, but the grading criteria is unclear and given that there is so much material to memorize the entire class average was pretty low. There is a very high expectation that you must be extremley detailed in the answers you give... like, very detailed.
Was an alright prof, a hard grader, especially for the written questions on exams. Had 2 hours for the final but honestly was rushing at the end. He has quite the ego but if you look past that, it's alright. Attendance was tracked for tutorial but not for lecture. No textbook.
Great prof. Interesting lectures & very knowledgeable. NO textbook needed, lecture notes are mandatory. Manageable class:2 small assignments& 2 exams. Exams are open book(in-person, only paper notes allowed) & based on lecture notes. Make sure lecture notes are DETAILED. STUDY for exams as you dont want to waste time going through 6 lecture notes.
Bowbrick has a unique teaching style, Lecture slides are bear of any details but lectures are exhilarating! he truly is my favorite prof so far. If you can take a course with him I would suggest it beyond doubt. This man knows what he is talking about and is clearly very passionate about such which reflects in the students work. He is the best prof
Sort of a tough grader, but his lectures are honestly very interesting. The way he lectures is awesome, makes you actually want to pay attention. Some questions on the exam (open book + multiple choice) seem like trick questions sometimes
Graeme made this class harder then needed to be. You have 2 assignments (which he never gave the rubric for) a midterm and final. Tutorials were useless as my TA knew nothing about the course and when these issues were communicated to Graeme he did nothing. The problem solving assignment made no sense and the average was extremely low.
OK heres the thing. Very engaging lecturer and clearly very smart. But very tough grader and very pompous.The TAs were also useless and didn't go to lecture. This course is extremely hard for a first year level course, and i would recommend dropping this course if you have him as a prof. I wish i did.
Graeme is a very intelligent dude, he knows his stuff and he gives interesting and captivating lectures. However, he is a super tough grader, he expects you to think and write like a lawyer...also if you're in his tutorials be ready to participate but he will expect you to.
Engaging lectures, very funny - may be boring for people not interested in law. Explains things very clearly, I understood concepts with no problem. Exams and assignments are tough but if you go to lecture & pay attention you should be fine. All exams open book - good notes are CRUCIAL.
Graeme Bowbrick is excellent at formatting his lectures, making is simple and easy to understand. He does not have slides but rather has outlines that he strictly follows while lecturing, so taking notes are critical because there are no textbooks. Don't ask question during lecture make sure you ask them in tutorial.
he is a difficult professor but very engaging and interesting to listen to. he is a tough marker and does not provide feedback, but isn't super unreasonable. definitely easier to succeed in this course if you have him as tutorial leader though, as I've heard the TAs were very poor.
Not sure why his difficulty rating is so high. As long as you attend lectures and take good notes you're fine. His exams are open book and all the information comes straight from his lectures. There are no surprises. For the problem-solving assignment, you just take information from the notes and apply it. Don't let his difficulty rating scare you!
Just dont take it its insanely hard the guy grades as if we were albert einstein there are so many ways to just substitute this course dont take it unless its mandatory
Professor Bowbrick is intelligent and his lectures go through the criminal code well. However, it is very difficult to succeed in his course. He does not provide feedback and when he does, it is in person so you won't be able to record down any notes he has. His TAs are questionable, and you basically have to read his mind to get a good mark.
Inaccessible and unempathetic. Very disappointed with him as a person as I enjoyed his teaching. He insists to meet in person - at Douglas University! Extremely stubborn. Scored 80-95% on everything but TA gave 60% for tutorial with 15% tutorial participation weight. Refused to fix despite multiple prior convos and him assuring me he would oversee
don't. take. this. guy. first assignment will BREAK you, they don't explain anything nor give u feedback. they don't even give you a RUBRIC. TA's are questionable and have no idea what to do, will teach u things verbally but not physically teach you how to format. midterm (no time, too strict, avg was 50-57% and said he was happy) 5/10. exam? hard.
insanely tough course for a 200 level. has insane expectations without giving the rubric. TA is actually crazy because they do not help, nor do they know what is going on; every mark you get back will BREAK you and your GPA. DO NOT TAKE HIM BECAUSE HE WILL FAIL YOU.
EXTREMELY TOUGH GRADER. good luck to all who take his class. majority of the class failed the first assignment. his rubrics are useless, and just overall way too tough for a 200 level class
Don't even bother with this professor. Just don't. Think you know criminal law? Think you will do fine? Think again. He has very high expectations, will not give you the rubric, and marks super hard. For a 200 level course, he makes it way too difficult. Save your gpa, save your mental it really is not worth it
He was slightly intimidating but delivered amazing and detailed lectures. Students NEED to actively listen and make notes in class to keep up with the content and do good in the course. He is strict on deadlines and a tough grader, but if you put in adequate hours and study consistently throughout the semester, you will like this class.
His classes are recorded and participation is not mandatory but are lecture heavy so students need to actively take notes. His case discussions in this course are essential and it is necessary to follow the way he frames his essay answers. Amazing lectures, slightly intimidating but be sure to communicate your concerns and confusions to him.
I had GB last year and I wouldn't recommend if there was a choice. He is pompous and makes students feel "less than" on so many levels. He takes his role very seriously. If you are a minute late to log on, he will get quite angry and acts so disgusted. Meanwhile- he goes on tangents and there's no rubric to his lectures.
If people don't chime into questions, he is immediately and visibly annoyed. He forgets that some people have no previous learning in these topics and can roll his eyes when questions he obviously considers "dumb" are asked. Or he will ignore them all together. While he isn't racist, some of his remarks made me feel uncomfortable. Washed up
Graeme is passionate about what he teaches and the concepts learned in class were interesting. 3 written assignments were tough but not impossible. Midterm and final were both open book but limited time for exams and he likes to do trick questions. Always recommend taking 135 or 230 with him. Great prof
Just show up to class on time, take good lecture notes he explains practically everything you need to know, his final exam contains tricks so take your time on those. Hes very passionate and explains very clear and concisely. He gives fair extensions as long as you have valid proof of your ailment restricting participation. Also very funny
Lectures are very well done + extremely knowledgeable about course material & breaks down concepts well, making it easy to understand. Since he's a good lecturer, textbooks aren't mandatory, but you need to be paying attention and taking lots of notes throughout class. Attendance isn't mandatory as all his lectures and slides are uploaded
DO NOT TAKE WITH HIM. As a fourth-year student who deals with ridiculous 400-level courses, this 100-level course added to my stress because it was not just a manageable elective, but a course that required too much work for what it offered. This prof is horrible and made a 100-level class into a horrible experience and killed my interest in law.
Greame is extremely knowledgeable. Yes his class is more fast paced but if you show up and take notes this class is SO beneficial. He is really good at relaying information and doesn't overcomplicate anything. Sparked my desire in law and wants to help you succeed for law school.
Graeme is very knowledgeable, if you pay attention in lectures you should have no issue with the coursework, he made this course interesting. He's a fair marker and if you need clarification he's always there to talk to.
I genuinely enjoyed this class! Professor Bowbrick is very knowledgeable and I found his lectures quite interesting (he does speak rather quickly though). In order to do well, its important to go to lectures and tutorials or your grade will be effected badly
Honestly, this class was very informative. Professor was very fair and granted us many chances to improve our grades. Only issue was that at times he spoke too fast and the class was very lecture based. If you missed one lecture or didn't watch the recordings you were sometimes very screwed for the exams. It's a very rigid class!
Prof Bowbrick delivered amazing and enjoyable lectures. I really appreciated how he gave the class opportunities to improve marks by re doing difficult assignments. Attending lectures is a must to do well. Taking detailed notes is also essential as the midterm and final are both open book. Highly recommend him for those intending to take his course
It has been several years since I've had Graeme in the MA ALS program. He is one of the best professors in the program and I've learned a lot in his classes. A tough marker but he gives amazing recorded lectures and slides. You will be fine if you watch all pre-recorded lectures, attend all his classes and make good notes.
If you put in the work, it is easy to get a fairly decent grade. He doesn't provide notes so make sure you have the lecture note template ready and type down the points he says fast.
Professor Bowbrick's class is fast-paced but rewarding. Attending lectures and taking detailed notes are essential to do well. unstuck study and the free textbook were super helpful for exam prep.
Graeme is extremely experienced and very clear during lectures. Makes boring material interesting. Exams are open book but be organized and know where your material and that will make a huge difference. His written part of the exam is not hard they just look for a particular way of answering. Genuinely enjoyed this class.
Do yourself a favour and take a course with him. I went out of my way one of my sem to take a course with him, thats how good he is. I just wish he would also teach upper div at SFU as well. hes accessible, easy exams and cheatsheets allowed, straightforward and funny. WE NEED MORE TEACHERS LIKE HIM AT SFU
The way he teaches his class really depends on his mood. When he is not in a good mood, you can expect his tone to be very passive aggressive. He doesn't follow the textbook, and has no slides. All your notes must come from listening to him talking. Despite his exams being open book, many questions won't even come from your notes. Good luck!
Most of your grade comes from 2 exams. There are no easy marks in this class; you must put the time and effort in it to get a good grade. Overall though, class and prof was fairly decent.
he's really knowledgeable about what he teaches & explains concepts really well with entertaining examples to help you understand. tough grader but gives good resources to help you succeed & gives chances to improve ur grade. exams are open book; take good notes in class & listen to recordings to revise - if smt is important he'll emphasize it.
He was so knowledgeable and tries to explain difficult concepts using amusing examples and stories. His exams are based solely on lecture material so taking good notes is critical. Lectures are audio recorded. Problem-solving assignments are a real learning curve (most fail the first one) but you learn what they are looking for - TONS of detail.
Honestly he's such a fair prof. People wanna rate him low because they don't do well in his class or don't wanna study but truth is you have to put in work to pass a course like this and you can't just rate him low because you didn't get the best grade. His exams were so fair and were quite literally how he explained they would be.
Extremely condescending.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
83%
Textbook Required
57%
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