2.3
Quality3.6
Difficulty44%
Would Retake87
Reviews44%
Would Retake
87
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
6
4
17
3
21
2
20
1
23
What Students Say
“Lectures are terrible, his english isn't the best and the test are damn near impossible”
GEO211 - 1.0 rating“He loves sharing stories about his wild, adventurous life”
GEO135 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
40%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.13 avg changeRatings by Course
GEO209
5.0
(1)GEO250
5.0
(1)GEO135
3.2
(12)GEO211
2.6
(60)WEATHER
2.2
(6)Difficulty by Course
211
5.0
PHYSICALGEO1
5.0
GEO200PHYGEO
5.0
GEO100
5.0
WEATHER
4.0
Reviews (87)
Very slow teacher but gets to the point, no trick questions on the tests, very straight forward. but the fact that the class is based on 4 tests and nothin else is tuff, plus when he talks i feel like im watching Rafiki from the lion king
I totally agree, he IS Rafiki! He was a little boring, but he always let us out at least ten minutes early. His accent was entertaining.
it's a tough class because there is a lot of detailed information that is only packed onto 4 tests. we were supposed to get an extra credit assignment but he backed out on that. also, he talks very slow, he gets to the point but it takes forever.
This was a really hard class, unless you are planning on being a meteorologist! There are only 4 tests and he likes to trick you on the questions. You really have to apply the information. However, if you do take this class...take it pass/fail. It's the best way.
Very bad teacher. He was pretty fair all year until the final came. I had all of the notes down really good and it didn't help at all for the final. The final was really unfair. He didn't teach most of the stuff that was on it. He never gave us the extra credit assignment that the syllabus had.
Zintambila has a very interesting accent as mentioned. It makes it rather hard to understand his lectures. And yes, he is slow delivering his lectures. His tests were based almost entirely on the notes you take down in class (you just copy from the overhead)! He cancelled class many times too... 5+
Easy class, the tests are exactly what the notes are, so don't miss class.
Easy class if you take down the notes and study them the night before the test
Nice guy. Horrible professor. I would recommend NOT taking his weather class, it was brutal and the exams were awful. If you have to take a make-up exam, it'll be fill in the blank and short answer. His exams are from the devil.
not the most exciting teacher. class is very easy. u just show up and take notes with no attendance policy. tests are easy, they are directly from the notes. no out of class work. u just show up and take his easy tests. this class is for someone who does not want to do much work.
Horrible teacher. Extremely boring and not easy either. If you go to class and take the notes you can get a C or B but an A is not easy to get. Hardest final I've ever taken and it wasn't comprehensive. I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone if you don't have to take it. VERY BORING TEACHER!
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! Pick something else. I'm pretty sure he is the only one teaching it and he is the most boring man I have ever met. If you have to take it, take it at a time of day when you're energized because you're going to need that energy to keep your eyes open. He didn't give my class the E.C. either. The tests were impossible.
No Comments
An easy class if you go and take notes. His lectures are pretty boring, but he curves all the tests by a lot...I got an A
this class seriously sucks! not only do u have to memorize so much stuff that u probably never even heard of in ur life but also apply those terms. Going to his office hours is pointless because he doesnt even know how to answer a question. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!
curve is ASTRONOMICAL!!! 81% is an A! class is challenging, but not impossible. I got an A and never opened the textbook! just pay attention, take notes, and u'll be fine.
WORST TEACHER EVER~ Do not take this class. The teacher is boring and does not clearify anything! Take another outer core class.
His notes were easy and short, talk very slow, but exams were bloody hard. No quizes, HW, project, video, or alt. methods of teaching. Very boring/ be prepared to sleep and he does attendence for no reason. He barely taught thru a few Chapter in one semester. NOT a good teacher! BAD, RISKY!
Not Good. Very boring, lots of copying from overheads and not really understanding any of it. For me it seemed the more I studied the worse I did on test. Test are extremely hard! Barely got a B in there. He is funny at times, but if you ask a question he answers a question totally different than what you asked. Nice guy, but dont take this class
The class SUCKS, I'll be honest.. but it's not impossible. If you go to class, take notes, and try (as hard as it is) to listen to the slow-talking man, you can do it. It sucks and I hated it, but I got an A.. so it's not impossible.
IF YOU ARE ENROLLING IN THIS COURSE BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S AN EASY A ... THINK AGAIN. This course was a joke! Every test but the first is nearly impossible (which explains the ridiculously high curve). The content isn't impossible, but the manner in which he teaches (if you can even call it that) it is hardly acceptable. DROP THIS COURSE!!!!!
I should have listened to the wise ones before me. I foolishly neglected the advice of my peers and risked my GPA with this man and his tomfoolery he claims to call teaching. Boo this man, boo him I say. DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS!!!!!!
He is awsome. The test are easy. I got an A on everything, besides he taught me about Africa. He is a kind man who has alot to teach us. Alot of kids in my class were just lazy and unintrested.
He is a nice man, but his lectures are extremely boring, and he is hard to understand and talks very slowly. Tests are difficult, but if you study you can probably pass. If you have the option to take the class, i wouldn't suggest it!
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! I like many other students neglected to listen to the previous advise. The lectures were so dull I stopped going. Its the only class I have ever stopped going to, and surprisingly that was my highest grade. Basically you must teach yourself. I did get an A in the class, it was the hardest and worst class I have taken.
Dr. Z is pretty darn boring.. I would not suggest taking this class because it is boring.. the only positive is that it is only 4 tests, an 81% is an A, but i missed an A by 3 points.... its pretty pointless and i didn't really learn anything.
Geography of Africa was a wonderful class, and Dr. Z is an amazing teacher. He brought enthusiasm to the subject, and since he was born in Africa, he brought fascinating insight to the topics discussed in class. Attendance is not taken, but be sure to go, as around 25% of grade is group discussion, which may or may not be announced beforehand.
He's a nice guy. But he shouldn't be teaching a lecture class. Its not his fault that he has an accent, or that he talks so slow, but he does. Therefore, he is very difficult to listen/pay attention to. The class is not mandatory but the notes are helpful (and the only reason to go to class). Its boring and you'll learn most of the stuff by reading
He is a nice guy, but he talks very slow and sometimes is hard to understand, but that's not his fault. His tests are a bit tough, but a 81% is an A, so it is fairly easy to get an A if you go to class and take the notes. He gives out a study guide that is very helpful day before the test, not too bad of class to take.
Due to the fact that an 80% is an A the class is pretty easy. All you have to do is go to lecture and take notes. Thats the hard part though. It is extremely difficult to stay awake during class. Very nice guy, but not much of a lecturer.
You seriously can barely understand this man when he speaks. An 81% is an A in his class which sounds easy but really the whole class is 4 tests and they are hard as hell especially if you don't go to class.
It is just 4 tests, so the grade really weighs heavy on those 4 tests. The grading scale is 81-100 is an A, 71-80 is a B. That gives another cushion for your grade. Just go to class and get the through his lectures. Which are slow and easy to fall asleep. Then just do the study guide, and skim the textbook. A B is fairly easy to get.
Dr. Z is a real nice guy. I have him for two of my classes this semester and I've got A's in both of them. Even though his lectures are slow and sometimes hard to comprehend, his power point slides are all you really need to know and study for.
Don't listen to the people giving Dr. Z a bad review. They are pissed because they got bad grades in an easy class. Dr. Z is from a country in Africa called Malawi. True, he is difficult to understand(if you're sleeping), but his tests are straight from from overheads. His Geo of Africa is great and he shows his personality and has great stories
Nice guy, first test is easy, the rest are pretty hard, but if you study for the tests hard you can pull a B no problem
the lectures are really slow and there's no incentive to go if someone takes notes for u bc there's no participation or homework. i didnt buy a book bc they're on reserve in the library even though i never used it and still got a B
wow i dont know how anyone got a b in this class... first of all you cant understand a WORD that comes out of this mans mouth... i studied and tried to understand what was going on in class but i never got better than a c on a test. STAY AWAY AT ALLL COSTS
Hard Class. Tests are based directly on what is on the overheads as well as what comes out of his mouth. Test #2 is extremely hard. Overall, he seems better suited as a Lab Professor than as a lecture hall professor.
People saying avoid this class must be ignorant freshman. All you need is an 80% for an A. It is an extremely easy and enjoyable class. Henry is the man, I love him, he is the nicest teacher I've ever had. Easy tests STRAIGHT from the powerpoints and handouts. This is a NO BRAINER. I am a senior and this was my easiest A. Take this class. Go Henry!
I read all the chapters and made a study guide and started studying a month in advance. I dont know how any of these people got Bs. It was impossible
Dr. Zintambila is kinda boring. His tests are pretty difficult even when you study a lot. He is always willing to talk outside of class though if you dont understand. if your not a good test taker this might not be the class for you just cause his tests are pretty hard. if you can guess well on tests though then go for it.
he's nice but a little boring. tests are difficult even when u study. he expects u to know material that was never covered. there are always some extra credit ?'s at the end of each test though which is helpful. he is always available outside of class to help with info u dont understand. his grading scale is also easier so its easier to get an A.
I don't know why people are complaining about this class! The material was straight forward and like stuff you would learn in a junior high science class. The second test IS really hard though. The rest aren't too bad. An A is 81% though so its really not that hard to get a good grade. AND he lets you out early all the time, made my M/W/F a breeze!
If you're one of those people who will read the book and never go to class, you'll be fine. He's an awful teacher, very unclear and poorly regurgitates the chapter. Study guide is worthless. 80% is an A, though, which is one redeeming quality. Reading the book is really your only chance in doing well.
This class is exceptionally boring. The study guides are useless and the second test is killer. Attendance is not mandatory, so that's a plus. Everything from lectures comes from the book.
This course would seem to be interesting, however the teacher rambles about the topics and you don't end up learning the last chapters for the tests. The class is extremely boring and hard.
This class is awful. The teacher rambles on and on, and never ends up teaching all the material that is on the test. He is also difficult to understand. The second test is really hard. In general there is way too much information to be on each test, and the study guides are no where near specific enough.
Zintambila is a REALLY nice guy. He cares a lot about his students and is always willing to help. He tries really hard to clarify every topic to make sure students understand. The class is pretty hard, but if you dedicate just a little bit of your time to it you can pull a 70% easily (which is actually a B on his grading scale).
Dr. Z is a really nice guy. He's a little hard to understand but he really wants to make sure his students understand the material. He takes the time to print out handouts for a 300 person lecture hall. Read the textbook and copy the powerpoints and you'll be fine.
Dr. Z is a cool guy, but his class is absolutely horrible. He gives a study guide that you would think would help you on the test, but yet he expects you to know everything out of the book. The class is definitely difficult and if it wasn't for his awesome grading scale I would have failed, and yes I did study for every exam..alot.
Dr Z. is super nice and really cares about his students and his material, but tests are hard. You have to not only know the concepts, but really be able to apply them. Lecture is boring, but he really cares about what he is teaching and knows a lot about what he is teaching. His grading scale is awesome though!
Not a bad teacher, very helpful if you talk to him, he knows a lot but talks very very slowly so it takes him twice as long to say anything. Study guide helps a lot as long as you know EVERYTHING on it and apply it to the book not just notes. Lectures weren't especially helpful but then again I fell asleep in most of them.
He covers everything in class and usually has handouts to go over in class. Only concern is he has a pretty thick accent and talks slow, a little hard to understand but he's pretty good at getting his point across.
Terrible educator with poor language, grammar and overall communications skills. Consistantly failed to lecture upon all the aspects on the exam, constantly uses the response, "refer to your text for that answer," and is, therefore, an ineffective and unhelpful professor.
Terrible communication skills, my lack of interest in this class was surprising because I love this study.
Awful experience so far.
I went to class and took notes, still got C's on the tests so I decided to just read the book and did an even worse job on the next test. Very unclear, test questions are about little tiny details in the book you're likely not to catch and even though there are extra credit questions and a huge curve getting an A or even a B seems near impossible.
He talks very slow and has boring power points. Everything on the test he talks about. Sit near the front and you can understand him, show up and its easy, loads of extra credit on every test along with a huge curve.
The absolute worst class I have ever had in my life. New a gen ed? Take any other class. You can't understand him, he doesn't know how to work a power point, and skips over slides. He hangs out random papers and you can't even understand him when he tries to explain them. I would NOT recommend this class
The ONLY 5 grades are exams, if you are a bad exam taker can't understand a thick accent, do NOT take this class! Pick a new Gen Ed. He is a genuinely nice guy but just understanding him and the material is way more difficult than it should be.
AWFUL. I was so excited for this class. I knew much of the material...I thought. His lectures are him repeating himself several times. We barely made it halfway through the syllabus. Good luck with the lab assignments. I asked for help. Said to read instructions. I would reread it dozens of times and take notes, then show him. STILL WOULD NOT HELP.
This class was very hard for me. Lectures were really boring. He has a thick accent so I could barely understand him but mostly everything he said was on the power points. He gives study guides but they're very general. Tests were really tough. It helps to have the book.
Henry only gives 5 exams so make sure you go to class and have a good idea of what is going on. His grading scale is amazing with a 51 being a D. He has an accent which makes it hard to understand him at times. He is very passionate about his subject and is willing to help if you are confused.
if you're willing to take notes and study them you should be fine; he can be boring sometimes so I would usually tune him out and take notes when necessary but his grading scale is curved so that a 51% is still a D. I deserved a B in this class but he gave me an A, again hes not the best teacher ever but very generous in his grading scale
This class/professor is absolutely terrible!! I would not recommend this class to the smartest person I know. Lectures are terrible, his english isn't the best and the test are damn near impossible. When you ask for help in class, he tells you there is no time for questions. First test, someone got up and walked out. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!
Honestly, he's pretty tough to understand at times and he makes a one-hour lecture seem to go on for a week and a half. The exams are tough, you're essentially just given a map of the region and expected to know all the countries and landforms. His grading scale is his saving grace, though, as you can get a standard C and somehow end up with an A.
Henry has a very strong accent that can be hard to understand at times especially when you know nothing about the subject of class.
Extremely difficult. I had him for 2 classes in the same day, I dropped his other geo135 class because it was so bad. Study guides are terrible, don't help at all. Labs are assumed that you already have good knowledge but when he doesn't teach at all that's pretty hard. Poor communication, doesn't even know how to use powerpoint. Avoid at all costs
his accent is very thick and sometimes hard to understand. he doesn't put his powerpoints online nor does he share them with you if you skip class.
Henry is an interesting man. He is super kind and loves to help his students. He talks very slow and has a very thick accent but honestly if you take notes and study a moderate amount, you can get an A. He has a really good grading scale where anything above an 80% is an A, so why not. He also has pretty funny stories and has lived quite the life.
Professor Zintambila is a kind, old man who respects his students. He does not put his PowerPoints online, so if you miss class make sure you have a friend get the notes for you. He loves sharing stories about his wild, adventurous life. He has a thick accent but it doesn't get in the way of his teaching. Some lectures were dry, but he's a wise man
This was by far the hardest class I have ever taken at ISU. I would not recommend this class to anyone I know. The professor goes through the lecture very quickly and the tests are nearly impossible. He told me I could not see him outside his office hours because he is too busy to work around his schedule. Long story short pick another gen ed!!
He is a nice person, but does not help enough during class or after class. He gives out a study guide that is extremely vague and does not help whatsoever. I read through the book as well and took notes and it was still hard. I am not sure why we only get 5 exams to be graded on, but that's his way of doing it. Choose another gen. ed!!!
He is a nice person but not a good teacher. There is no other way to get points in this class other than the exams which are very very difficult. He gives you a study guide the class before the exam and it is so broad that it does not help what so ever. The lectures are not interesting and he talks very slow.
The material taught in lecture was not what the exams are on. Very challenging course and the professor talks very slow during lecture so it can get boring.
Overall, I really do like and respect Professor Z. His stories about his life are very interesting and he's genuinely a good guy. He does have an accent but he speaks very slow and I've never had a problem understanding him. This does make his lectures pretty boring though. He does not put powerpoints online so you kind of have to show up.
Extremely nice person and is passionate about what he teaches. Personally not the best professor for me (and a lot of others I know). He talks slowly which helps a lot when it comes to his accent. You do need to go to class, memorize the maps, and read the textbook in order to do well. This is most definitely not a blow off class.
He is a terrible teacher. Powerpoints are all over the place and you will be completely clueless. Book doesn't even go along with his lectures. Study guides seems straight forward but his tests will ruin you. The questions are extremely specific and over things barely discussed. Powerpoints arent posted online either. WHATEVER YOU DO, DONT TAKE
I have his class at 9 am and he makes it extremely difficult to stay awake in. His lectures seem straight forward and I always leave the class feeling good about what I learned, then when the test comes, it's extremely difficult. Don't take his class, I should have listened to the person who told me the same.
He's very old and hard to understand. He talks very quiet and slow into the microphone. His notes do not correlate to the tests much, he basically goes over pointless information. There's 4 tests and a final exam. They only way I passed was because of the student teacher-she helped us out a lot with study sessions.
This dude is a horrible teacher
A lot of people are giving negative feedback. Yes, he talks very slowly, but it really helps you understand things. The only grades are 5 exams. Lectures are not posted online so make sure you go. If you put the time in to studying, youll do fine. No, its not the most interesting class, but hes sweet and you just have to read and study!
Professor Zintambila is such a nice guy. His lectures are very boring, but honestly this class is an EASY A if you write down his note & review them. The tests are just like the the notes and you entire grade depends on them. He is super helpful and willing to use office hours to talk to students. No homework or essays, just 5 exams.
Professor Z is a great professor. I get the sense he is a very nice man. Go to class because the lectures are not posted. PowerPoints and clear and easy to take notes on. Tests arent crazy difficult you just need to study and make sure you understand the notes you took in class and the maps he gives out. He gives you everything you need to know!
This man is a very nice person. He is old so he does talk slower. People who say this class is bad obviously don't go. It is content heavy, just take notes. Go to class. Classes are very boring but he gets the material to you. Love this professor.
The only grades in the class were the exams and he refused to post the powerpoints online. Unless you are a good test/note taker then this class isn't for you.
Henry is a sweet old man, but he gives VERY boring lectures. He was much better in GEO135, 211 class was much tougher. The tests are just like the notes but sometimes he'd skip over a few slides as if they weren't important but then those questions would be on the test. The final was almost impossible, the hardest of them all. Only grade is tests.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
40%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.13 avg changeRatings by Course
GEO209
5.0
(1)GEO250
5.0
(1)GEO135
3.2
(12)GEO211
2.6
(60)WEATHER
2.2
(6)Difficulty by Course
211
5.0
PHYSICALGEO1
5.0
GEO200PHYGEO
5.0
GEO100
5.0
WEATHER
4.0