2.6

J. Henry Owusu

Geography - University of Northern Iowa

2.6
Quality
2.8
Difficulty
50%
Would Retake
92
Reviews
2.6
Quality
2.8
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.5
Clarity

50%

Would Retake

92

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

9

4

19

3

28

2

18

1

18

What Students Say

Took Human Geography with him last semester--worst mistake of my college , career

GEOG1120 - 1.0 rating

His lectures skip around quite a bit

GEOG1110 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

64%

Textbook Required

61%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
B (2)
C (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(3)C(2)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 13 reported grades
A: 5
B: 2
C: 2
B-: 1
Common Tags
LECTURE HEAVY (5)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Caring (3)
Clear grading criteria (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Get ready to read (2)
Graded by few things (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.62 avg change
Dec
Nov
Dec
Mar
Apr
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

WG

5.0

(1)

HONORSAFRICA

5.0

(1)

REGIONALGEO4150

5.0

(1)

GEOECONOMICS

4.0

(1)

CULTURALGEOGRA

4.0

(1)
+37 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ARFI202

5.0

GEO

4.0

WGEOGRAP

4.0

GEOECONOMICS

4.0

HISTORY

4.0

Reviews (92)
1.0
5.0
GEO
Mar 25, 2003

ridiculous tests, hard to understand, good hour to take a nap or bring your own snack

2.0
3.0
AFRICA
Apr 8, 2003

No Comments

3.0
3.0
GEOGRAPHY
Apr 8, 2003

Dr. Owusu is an intelligent guy. However, He is hard to understand becaus ehe has an accent (He's from Gana Africa). If you attend his class, make sure you can write very quickly, because he flies through his power point presentations.

2.0
3.0
GEO
Apr 10, 2003

very boring, and hard to understand. he's from africa, and he relates all countries back to africa. boring movies, so a good time to take a nap.

4.0
3.0
WORLDGEO
Apr 23, 2003

Very interesting and infomational. If you are mature enough to pay attention you should not have a problem getting an A in this class.

5.0
2.0
WORLDGEOG
Aug 14, 2003

he does have an accent,the first day might be rough to understand,but if you're not napping you will learn his dialogue. Not everyone is from the midwest.He does his lecture on power point so the topics are Crystal clear! Intersting material GREAT Profes

4.0
1.0
WORLDGEO
Sep 17, 2003

easy prof, too much powerpoint, but he's still an easy A

2.0
2.0
GEOGRAPHY
Oct 24, 2003

Very boring, somewhat hard to understand, but those tests are easy. I slept through 1/2 of this class, still got an A-.

2.0
4.0
GEO
Oct 31, 2003

Hard to understand, tests are completely random and sort of hard. I usually just print off the powerpoint notes and read them, but there's a lot of material. You don't need to read the book, he never tests on it.

3.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Nov 18, 2003

Went very fast in class then spent half the class talking about how we need to learn to write faster it was easy but boring

3.0
3.0
WORLDGEO
Nov 25, 2003

A lot of powerpoint but not too tough, pretty boring but I've had worse

1.0
3.0
GEOGRAPHY
Dec 3, 2003

No Comments

4.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Dec 4, 2003

Pretty boring class. He tends to repeat himself often. little too much powerpoint.

3.0
1.0
WORLDGEOG
Dec 4, 2003

Class is really not that difficult. He has an accent, but he pretty much teaches his notes, which are on powerpoint. Just make sure you get the notes, and you'll be fine. Up to 8% extra credit on each test, so there's room to play with.

1.0
4.0
WORLDGEO
Dec 8, 2003

No Comments

2.0
3.0
WORLDGEO
Dec 11, 2003

Hard to understand, boring as hell, half the class doesn't show up or sleeps. His powerpoints are completely disorganized, and his tests are totally random. Stay away from this prof.

4.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Dec 13, 2003

He is hard to understand at first then as the semester goes by he gets easier. He tests over powerpoint only. As long as you go to class and look over the notes it is an easy class!

2.0
4.0
WGEOGRAP
Dec 14, 2003

Keyword "if" you go to class. I fall asleep whenever I go and it's hard to get the notes b/c so many people are always printing. So basically I am flippin out b/c its finals and I m really confuzed!!!

1.0
3.0
GEOGRAPHY
Dec 17, 2003

He used powerpoint for notes but most of the stuff on the test came from no where. You can't really understand what he is saying because of his accent. If you want to catch up on sleep, this is the class to take!

3.0
1.0
AFRICA
Mar 31, 2004

class was a cake, i didnt go and still got a B+. tests were just over power point stuff. hard to understand if you go. all T/F tests

3.0
1.0
WGEO
Apr 9, 2004

Class is boring, but if you listen to what he says, it's easy. I never studied, and got an a-. takes attendence on some fridays. it bumped me from a b+ to the a- for showing up.

1.0
4.0
WORLDGEO
Apr 14, 2004

Boring class, can't understand because of accent and talks extremely soft. Got totally lost in class because I always fell asleep, or got frustrated and didn't go.

2.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Apr 17, 2004

Too much powerpoint and he is way too hard to understand.

3.0
4.0
WGEO
Apr 18, 2004

LOTS OF POWERPOINT! Very hard to understand and tests aren't much better. They sometimes don't make scene. He's very very nice though! About an average class but there're better professors out there!

3.0
2.0
WRLDGEOGRY
Apr 20, 2004

He was very hard to understand. But the class was pretty simple and it was an easy A.

5.0
1.0
WG
Apr 22, 2004

Excellent Instructor. It's Great to take classes from people from other nationalities.

1.0
1.0
WGAFRICA
Jun 23, 2004

get the power points or the notes from someone else and never go to class, they will be the easiest courses in the world. even without notes and attendence the tests are common since

1.0
5.0
GEOGRAPHY
Aug 23, 2004

Don't take him, hard to understand and his tests aren't very easy.

1.0
5.0
HUMANGEO
Sep 23, 2004

Very hard to understand - everything is done over power point - Test are multipule choice and true false - Teaches class as a lecture and expects you to know everything for the test - Good Luck!

4.0
2.0
HUMANGEO
Nov 1, 2004

He is very knowledgeable and nice. He gives you an extra 5 points possible on his tests.(55 questions/points possible on a 50 point test) The powerpoints are rather verbose.

3.0
1.0
HUMGEO
Grade: B-
Nov 22, 2004

all powerpoint lecture. little hard to understand but you get used to it. pretty easy tests if take notes. 5 e.c. on tests. attendance is 10% of grade.

4.0
1.0
WORLDGEOG
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Dec 2, 2004

Easy as pie. He put all his power points on his website so you could print them off in your own time.

2.0
2.0
WORLDGEOGRAPHY
Dec 9, 2004

You can't understand a word this guy says!

2.0
3.0
HUMANGEOGRAPHY
Dec 10, 2004

He is a good teacher, unfortunately all classes are powerpoint, and his accent disallows people to catch every word he says. Other than that he is a pretty good guy.

1.0
4.0
AFRICA
Dec 21, 2004

Hard to understand, and the powerpoints keep absolutely NO interest in Africa. I couldn't tell you anything I heard in class. He had two tests a midterm and final both Multiple choice fifty questions. Sucky questions.

4.0
4.0
GEOECONOMICS
Apr 18, 2005

Good guy and good teacher. Can be hard to understand and so many do not pay attention, but has very good visual aids to explain international economics.

4.0
3.0
CULTURALGEOGRA
May 13, 2005

Good professor. Class is easy if you come to class daily.

2.0
5.0
WORLDGEOGRAPHY
Grade: B
Oct 4, 2005

Can't understand anything he says, and his powerpoints really make no sense!

4.0
2.0
AFRICAHONORS
Oct 25, 2005

Dr. Owusu is a solid professor. His powerpoints are well-organized (bland at times, but he tries to keep it interesting) and thorough. He is committed to student success and is very approachable. His notes are on the internet if you miss something. Tests are 55 question T/F, scored out of 50. Study and you'll do well.

4.0
2.0
AFRICAHONORS
Nov 7, 2005

Class lectures are all powerpoint presentations & videos. Slides are also available online. He is friendly and wants everyone to do well. His accent takes a bit to get used to, but he always tries to speak clearly and clearify anything that doesn't make sense.

3.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Nov 15, 2005

Hard to understand, and class is very boring, but easy. No assignment except for tests. If you don't mind being bored for 50 minutes, go ahead with this one.

5.0
1.0
HONORSAFRICA
Nov 18, 2005

Very approachable. Wants his students to do well. He lectures straight from the powerpoint which is posted on the web. Can be repetitive, but he tries to keep things interesting. Accent is not bad at all. Very easy class if you come to class.

3.0
3.0
WORLDGEO
Nov 29, 2005

He has a very strong accent but once you get use to it it's not that bad. He gives 4 tests throughout the semester and that determines your grade. So if you are a good test taker he's the guy for you. Also, one thing i liked about him was that he gave 5 points extra credit on each test, which turned out to be very very helpful.

3.0
3.0
WORLDGEOGRAPHY
Grade: C
Nov 29, 2005

No Comments

3.0
3.0
WORLDGEOG
Nov 29, 2005

The class isn't so bad. You don't ever really need to show up very often since he puts almost all of his powerpoints on the internet. You do need to study for the tests, they are pretty detailed. He seems like a nice guy, just don't mock him, he'll get kinda mad.

2.0
2.0
WORLDGEO
Dec 1, 2005

well i failed this class just because i never went or read anything. would be really easy because he puts all outlines on the internet. dont bother going to class cant understand a word he says and is hard to get help because there are so many people in a class.

1.0
4.0
HISTORY
Dec 11, 2005

Has an awful accent and seems to rambles on about nothing for 50 minutes. Would advise not take his class. He should probably be fired he is so bad.

1.0
4.0
AFRICA
May 2, 2006

He is hard to understand, annoying, and repeats himself over and over only using different words. He has 2 tests that are 55 true/false questions and he had us take our final that had info from 50 powerpoint slides he NEVER went over in class...don't do it!

4.0
3.0
GEOGR970
Nov 27, 2006

Good Teacher, Nice guy.

4.0
3.0
GEOGR010
Nov 30, 2006

He's the nicest guy, but at first he's really hard to understand. After you get used to it it's not that bad. Study hard for the tests because they are detailed! It didn't matter how much I studied and payed attention, I just couldn't get higher than a B on his tests

2.0
4.0
HGEOSECT
Jan 12, 2007

Teacher is very nice, but hard to understand. Everyday we take notes off powerpoints. He rewords and says the same thing in different ways. Tests are all multiple choice/ true false- but hard. I wouldn't take it again

1.0
5.0
ARFI202
Apr 6, 2007

Horrible teacher. You can't understand a word he says, and his lectures make you fall asleep. His tests are 60 questions, true/false...and they're over stuff that were not in the power point. Do NOT take this class, he is horible!

3.0
3.0
HUMANGEO
Nov 11, 2008

tests are pretty hard. poorly worded and quite detailed. my whole class just bombed a test, but he is curving it, so he works with you. does repeat himself on powerpoints and in lectures, and he can be hard to understand, but only because his voice tapers off and gets quiet. nice guy, interesting perspective.

3.0
4.0
HUMANGEOG
Dec 8, 2008

This guy really knows and is passionate about his subject. He's a little difficult to understand and mumbles sometimes. The class is entirely comprised of taking lecture notes off a powerpoint which is also available online. There are four tests which are rather hard, but if everyone does bad he curves them. I would take his class again.

1.0
3.0
WORLDGEO
Mar 26, 2009

Less than a third of the class ever shows up. His lectures jump around in an incomprehensive order. He finished our semester 2 months behind the syllabus. This class is a joke. Not one person out of at least 100 got an A on the first exam

3.0
2.0
WG001
Apr 29, 2009

the class is very boring but he will help you out if you need to reschedule an exam tests can be tricky but a lot of easy questions and there are also some joke answers on tests, you can take him but there are probably better teachers out there

1.0
3.0
WGEOGEO
May 14, 2009

This professor was terrible and put in everyones grades wrong when turning the grades in at the end of the semester. We will see if he fixes it.

2.0
2.0
WGEO01
May 20, 2009

i didnt mind owusu until i got my grade back from his class at the end of the semester... he seriously messed up everyone's grade, but i dont know if he will ever realize it but probably not because he didnt know what to do when he accidently right-clicked on the power point.... kind of a joke really

3.0
4.0
HMGEO1
Dec 15, 2009

Owusu is passionate about his knowledge of geography. He is somewhat hard to understand. Takes random attendance but definitely not required to be there, notes are all given to you online. Tests are confusing and lectures are extremely boring. I would definitely try a different professor.

4.0
4.0
HG010
Jan 4, 2010

Owusu has a bit of an accent but isn't too difficult to understand. He has an interesting background and I enjoyed hearing the tidbits he shared about growing up in Ghana. I think the tests are harder than they should be; definitely spend time studying notes and the pages in the book he tells you to read. Overall, he is a decent professor.

3.0
4.0
HGEO234
Apr 21, 2010

He is a nice guy, I like hearing his stories. Sometimes I feel bad for him, no one pays attention in his class and he knows it! Every day you take notes off of his powerpoint and the test are hard if you dont study!

3.0
3.0
HGEO234
May 26, 2010

Dr. Owusu is a nice guy and runs a laid back classroom environment which I can appreciate. Day to day is easy, take notes off powerpoint. The tests are harder than they should be. I found myself reading questions more than once on tests due to the wording of his questions. Set a good chunk of time aside to study for tests if you want a good grade!

4.0
4.0
HMGEO01
Dec 2, 2010

I think he is a really good teacher. He makes sure you understand the material. His test are hard due to the wording but if you take good notes, which you can print out online, you will do just fine

3.0
3.0
HUMGE101
Dec 10, 2010

Professor Owusu is a very nice guy, you can tell he cares about his class. He makes sure you know what is gonna be on the test. The bad thing is that the only points are 3 tests, and some attendance points so you have to do good on the tests. Tests are kind of hard.

4.0
3.0
ARFIC101
Feb 14, 2011

Thick accent, sit towards the front. Take comprehensive notes of your own instead of off the powerpoints, youll learn better that way. Asks many questions from the videos so pay attention. Takes attendance randomly. All his tests are T/F.... Tough! The book just reinforces his lecture, so reading is not really necessary. I ended up with a B

3.0
3.0
HGEO01
Mar 26, 2011

I seemed to be one of the few students who didn't grumble on the day of this class. At first his accent was hard to understand, but you get used to it. I ended the class with a 97%, however I was always in class, took detailed notes, and DIDN"T text during class. Professor Owusu is one of my favorite professors, great guy! I Learned a lot from him!

4.0
2.0
GEOG1120
Nov 15, 2011

Class is overall ok. Take lots of notes, which he repeats stuff a lot. I took only 3 exams which were 30% of final grade each and 10% was attendance on certain days. Puts his presentations on his website and you will have to look at them because if you take notes off presentation, he moves rather quickly and don't always get all the notes down.

2.0
1.0
AFRIC1
Dec 2, 2011

Thick accent so sit in front. Don't buy the book, no reading required. 4 easy tests (all T/F) if you listen whatsoever during lecture you'll do fine. Really nice guy but repeats himself a lot. Usually has majority of ppt slides online to print. Takes attendance randomly.

2.0
3.0
GEOG1120
Jan 2, 2012

Hard to understand. Puts a lot of notes on slides and repeats himself a lot. Class was boring. 3 tests, each 30% of final grade. 10% of final grade is attendance.

3.0
2.0
GEOG1120
Apr 5, 2013

Overall, he was okay. He is almost impossible to understand, but everything you need to know is up on the screen, and you can get printouts. Buying the book is useless, and he takes attendance at random every once in a while.

3.0
2.0
AFRICA1
May 23, 2013

Not a super hard class, but attendance is required to do well. He is very repetitive and your grades will come from 3 tests and random attendance.

3.0
1.0
GEOG1120
Nov 11, 2013

Very hard to understand until you are used to him

3.0
3.0
HUM1120
Dec 9, 2013

Repeats everything atleast twice. Class is boring. Midterm is 40% Final 50% random attendance 10%. Only Classes for sure go to are when he gives you what will be on the tests. As long as you study those you'll do fine. I didnt get the book and got a B

5.0
2.0
HUM3128
Dec 17, 2013

Amazing class if you show up everyday. You learn a lot and the class is very interesting. At first its hard to get past his accent but it gets easier.

5.0
2.0
REGIONALGEO4150
May 19, 2014

I took African Development with Owusu and loved it. He takes forever to go over the introductory information and a majority of your grade depends on one presentation. However, I still enjoyed the course and thought it was really insightful.

5.0
1.0
HUMANGEO
Nov 18, 2014

Easiest class I have ever taken. Most of the material is common sense and you can skip as long as you have a friend in the class that can put you down for random attendance. You DO NOT need the book. He is a very nice guy and you can be on your phone all of class and he does not care. Take this class for an EASY A!!!

4.0
1.0
HUMANGEO1120
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2014

This class was just what i needed when I had a full load. No homework other than reading and if you come to class you won't need to read. Attendance is taken randomly and is 10% of grade. Midterm and final are 40% and 50% of your grade. So if you are looking for less work and more lecture then this is the class for you.

1.0
4.0
GEOG1120
Grade: A-
Jan 1, 2015

Took Human Geography with him last semester--worst mistake of my college , career. There are only two assignments in the class, a mid-term exam and a final. The tests are nearly impossible to study for because his lectures are long and confusing. The only review he provides is a quick 40 min. run-down a few days before the test. I learned nothing.

3.0
3.0
HUM3128
Nov 11, 2015

He's not a mean guy, just repeats a lot of the same stuff. Also, his lectures can be kinda boring.

1.0
5.0
GEOG1120
Grade: F
Dec 2, 2015

Had first semester of college and was a disaster we never talked about anything we were suppose to unless it deals with Africa he gets made easy if you don't write fast enough for notes He is hard to understand and wont accept you doctor note if you have one Attendance is random and the only grades you have are mid term and final GOOD LUCK

2.0
4.0
GEOG1110
Mar 21, 2016

He is hard to understand when he is talking and very repetitive. He takes a whole month to go through in introduction chapter. His lectures skip around quite a bit. The only two grades you get are the midterm and the final, then attendance is 10%. I won't be taking a class from him again, it was one of my worse experiences.

3.0
4.0
AFRICA1
May 2, 2016

Dr. Owusu is a nice guy but his lectures are very long and boring. His lectures are also repetitive and sometimes he is hard to understand. There are only 2 tests the entire semester, midterm is 40% of your grade and the final is 50%. The other 10% is attendance. The workload is obviously minimal but that makes the tests really important to pass.

3.0
4.0
HUM3128
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2016
Wouldn't take again

He is very nice and is very helpful if you ask for help but I wouldn't recommend this class if you aren't the best test taker, he only has two tests all semester. His lectures can be very boring but his study guides are true to the tests.

Clear grading criteria
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEOG1120
Dec 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Attendance taken at random. All classes are VERY wordy slideshows. Tests (2) are all multiple choice/True False but there are 80 questions that are expected to be answered in 50 minutes. Grade consists of 50% Final, 40% midterm, 10% attendance.

5.0
1.0
GEOG1120
Nov 17, 2017
Would take again

Very easy class. There are only two tests (midterm and final) both of which are multiple choice and he gives out his lecture notes to prepare for the tests. No homework, papers, nothing.... Also, he gives 5-10 points back on the tests.

Respected
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
3.0
GEOG1120
Dec 8, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Lonnnngggg boring lectures that you can never understand because he has a strong accent and doesn't talk above a whisper. He cares about his students but it was a difficult class. Slide shows are unorganized and impossible to follow. Only two tests and he goes over what is on it but the notes are too unorganized to study.

Get ready to read
Tests? Not many
LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
2.0
GEOG1120
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2017
Would take again

People who leave bad review of John either don't come to class or just don't pay attention. The tests have info from the lectures and notes and he always gives extra credit options on the tests. He is more soft spoken but not hard to understand. John is passionate about what he teaches and cares. If you come to class and study somewhat you're set.

TEST HEAVY
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
2.0
HUM3128
Grade: A
Mar 6, 2018
Would take again

I really loved this class! Owusu was very nice and helped me think of Africa in a completely different way then before. Although he only has a midterm and final for your grade, he holds review classes the class period before the exams. Everything that is on the exam is in the review, so if you show up to that it is an easy A.

TEST HEAVY
Caring
5.0
2.0
GEOG1120
Grade: A
Mar 6, 2018
Would take again

Very caring for his students. Talks about everything that will be on test the class before, so tests are easy.

TEST HEAVY
Caring
2.0
1.0
AFRIC1
Grade: A
Mar 21, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Overall probably the most boring class I have ever taken. He lecturers the entire class ever class and with not discussion or assignment. There is two test all true or false questions. Really easy test would not recommend this class.

Clear grading criteria
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
GEOG1120
Grade: C
Apr 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Only lectures. Makes power points and sends them to you to print out. But in lecture he just reads straight off the powerpoint. Extremely boring and hard to hear at times. He only grades on 3 things, Attendance is 10% (he takes surprise attendance), 40% for midterm exam and 50% for final exam. He also will not tell you your grade until end of term

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
4.0
2.0
HUM1120
Dec 13, 2019
Would take again

Pretty easy class, he talks the whole time from a powerpoint so it's the class itself is boring. The only thing I would complain about is how many questions are on the tests - I felt rushed to try to at least get the test done in the amount of time for the midterm.

Participation matters
Graded by few things
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

64%

Textbook Required

61%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
B (2)
C (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(3)C(2)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 13 reported grades
A: 5
B: 2
C: 2
B-: 1
Common Tags
LECTURE HEAVY (5)
TEST HEAVY (3)
Caring (3)
Clear grading criteria (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (2)
Get ready to read (2)
Graded by few things (2)
Lecture heavy (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.62 avg change
Dec
Nov
Dec
Mar
Apr
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

WG

5.0

(1)

HONORSAFRICA

5.0

(1)

REGIONALGEO4150

5.0

(1)

GEOECONOMICS

4.0

(1)

CULTURALGEOGRA

4.0

(1)
+37 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ARFI202

5.0

GEO

4.0

WGEOGRAP

4.0

GEOECONOMICS

4.0

HISTORY

4.0

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