2.2
Quality3.0
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake97
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
97
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
10
4
16
3
12
2
20
1
39
What Students Say
“His lectures are dry and he rambles a lot about useless stuff”
FMST312 - 3.0 rating“If you attend class, participate and read the text prior to the multiple choice quizzes you will do great”
FMST312 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.37 avg changeRatings by Course
PSYC312
5.0
(1)FMST346
4.0
(1)FMST436
3.3
(9)FMST312
3.3
(16)FMST2003
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
436
5.0
FMST
5.0
FMSTANY
5.0
316320
4.0
FMST2003
4.0
Reviews (97)
No Comments
horrible professor
he tries to make an easy course accadmeic and fails miserably
I do not recommand this prof
No Comments
extremely picky..... not accomadating or understanding.......makes class hard
jerkand he couldn't be more anal when it comes to marking
he's alright, fairly easy- middle of the road
tough prof but he really teaches a good lecture
No Comments
HORRIBLE professor. You will wonder how he ever made it through school himself. He is uneducated, unethical and unfair. He will personally insult you in his office and blatantly lie to your face. Avoid him at all costs.
made class very interesting by bringing in guest speakers as well as videos. He required a lot of reading for his exams but the reading wasn't too hard.
a big bloody waste of time! anal marker with really stupid policies, like to get an A, all your work should be A-level, so if you get one B, you don't get an A in the course. WAY too much work for a 3 credit course. doesn't give criteria; not helpful!
My senile grandmother has more intellectual knowledge. Takes marks off if your printer puts a trace dot on your paper. He is unethical, uncooperative, and cannot answer Q's because he doesn't know what he's talking about.
A decent human being, but awful teacher. He gives highly ambigous instructions and is neither empathetic nor diplomatic when interacting with students. This man may very well ruin your academic career. Stay away!
No Comments
The worst prof I've ever had.
I had doubts about him going into this course, but it seems like he has improved a lot since students launched a complaint about him. Worth giving a try.
WORST prof and TA (Alice Bal) ever, Alice was like is little puppet I had major issues with these twoand took it to the dean, he was forced to change his teaching and evaluation, don't be affraid to go over his head. it turns out 19 complaints were filed
I had my doubts going into his class, but overall I would say that I enjoyed the class. I would recommend others to take his class. It seems that he has improved this year!
Awesome prof! He was funny and the course itself is the best I've taken in all of uni. I highly recommend this! Very interesting course!
WOW! The class is fantastic and Dr. Ponzetti is one of the best profs a student could ask for. The lectures are informative and provocative... GREAT class. Dr. Ponzetti is respectful of students and goes out of his way to make classes interesting.
This guy doesn't have a clue and he's the FMST advisor, pretty scary. He gave marks out for the 436 assignment but won't give them back, hmmm, did he actually read them?. He's lazy, uncooperative and does not provide grades in the way he suggests in the outline. Stay away from his classes.
The class itself is great, who wouldn't want to learn about sex. But he really kills the mood. He means well, but one slide for the 1st 45mins is just absurd. His pace is so slow, assigns unecessary homework, and doesn't directly test lecture material. Inviting speakers are his only strong suit!
he teaches slow and expects u to read the entire textbook, where there will be straightforward questions on it for midterms + final- both were multiple choice. hes not bad, but i didn't like the meaningless assignments nor the attendance taking on rainy days.
What a snore! This course could be taight so much better. He really needs to refresh his information on sexual activites of the 2000 generation. Easy exams. Alice sucks (TA)
I don't think that I have EVER had a worse prof in 3 years of college. Whoever thought that there could be a guy that can make sex boring! He has no idea what he is talking about, and I am not kidding about that. So slow that all you want to do is bang your head against the wall to make it stop
I just took the course spring 2005 and it blows. He gives out participation marks for telling him your turn ons & offs and attending classes where he shows****ographic images in power point (to teach sex positions is his excuse). Watch out for his favourite **** pix. Oh and Alice (TA) is an airbrain too.
Worst prof I've had in a long time. He was so disorganised, and would randomly move the dates of the quizzes up by two weeks, giving two days notice.Gives you a lecture on material only after the test has been completed.Has the ability of making an interesting topic extremelly boring.Doesn't seem to understand that students have other obligations
he's not that bad. yes he's quite a snooze fest when it comes to lectures, and somewhat unfair by trying to punish ppl that do not come to class by moving the quizzes around, but the textbook is great. my favourite so far at UBC, so worth taking the course if you are interested in the subject.
He is quite boring and a stickler for policy, but that just makes it easy for students who are truly interested in the subject. I admit at times I felt as though attending class was a waste of my time, but I have learned more in this class than I have throughout my entire university career! Quizzes are useful to motivate studying if you need it!
He's not a bad prof - he does try hard to make his lectures interesting with lots of guest speakers and videos during the last week. The quizzes do make you keep up to date on the reading and are extremely easy. Some lectures are incredibly boring and you can definitely skip them. I would totally recommend taking this course as an elective.
this should be more like a first or at most a 2nd year course. lectures are boring. he moves quizzes around like crazy, "emailing" us less than one day in advance of a new quiz date. boring, monotonous, disorganized and a waste of classroom time.
Absolutely pointless and boring class, the whole course is taught from the text and the quizzes test minute detail from it. Basically a course on how well you can memorize a text book .. if you want an easy boring pointless elective here it is...he also changes his quiz schedule on a hourly basis it seems so you better show up to all the classes
Bad bad bad!! Horrible lecture, he doesnt know how to teach, cancel/add quiz w/ very late notice. made us to pre-read everything and repeat the materials in the lecture, you can learn everything from the textbook. You have memorize all those "little point" for the quize which doesnt help with your understanding. AND, the final w/ 200 MCS!
read and memorize the textbook and you will do fine. go to class so you can be up to date on changes of quiz dates and get your name on the attendance sheet.
He was a nice guy for the most part. The material itself was pretty interesting. I think that he tries to engage us by having guest speakers and stuff. Final was really tedious though.
No Comments
No Comments
TERRIBLE TEACHER! Doesn't listen to his students. Gives unaccurate information. Rambles on. His tests don't assess knowledge. Cannot communicate efficiently. Honestly... He made sex BORING!
Worst prof i've had at ubc. Rambles on and on and then skips through all the powerpoints in the last 5 minutes of class. Uses unfair pop quizes and in-class assignments to force people to come to class. If it wasn't for those things the class would be empty. HOrrible professor. Also if you're 2 minutes late for class he won't let you take the quiz.
WORST PROF OF ALL TIME! AVOID AT ALL COSTS. MAKES A SIMPLE SUBJECT AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. PATHETIC LECTURES AND CHILDLIKE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR. NO REDEEMING QUALITIES. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!
the most unaccomodating prof i have ever had. condescending and pompous, he took no responsibility for his lack of efficient teaching and made it as hard as possible to get a good mark. when he said he would slow things down he started giving pop quizzes 3 classes in a row. he also intends to give participation marks when attendance was not taken!
one of the worst professors i have had at UBC. Obviously more concerned with doing his own research then taking the time to compose a course that would reward debate and thoughtful discussion. This teachers is disassociated from his students, his marking technique was unreasonable. I hope UBC reviews his tenure
Honestly one of the worst profs at UBC. He's totally unhelpful and completely uncaring. His marking scheme is absolutely ridiculous.
Awful prof. narrowminded and ignorant. does not listen to his students or answer his emails. tests are very detailed and don't test your general understanding. bring something to do to class, or you'll fall asleep. if you don't do assignments correctly, you get 0, even if you did it. terrible marking scheme. he made sex boring...what a tragedy.
Interesting class. If you're willing to do the work and show up not too difficult. Expects students to be responsible and treats them like they are adults who are responsible for themselves. Doesn't baby anyone to help them through the class. Tests and quizzes are from the readings. Speakers are super interesting.
His class wasn't very interesting (yet the subject was). I expected someone more vibrant and passionate. I learned about as much from the new Kinsey movie as I did from his entire class. His tests were text based but the multiple choice was tricky.
wont post assignments or notes incase of illness. people who had classes side of campus were punished as he held all the 15-pt quizses in the first 10 minutes of class. (we were in ANSO). This professor is all about trickly multiple choice questions involving statistics and non-key facts. better memorize your textbook.
pretty bad prof. he's really strange. not very helpful at all. u go to him for advice & even if u do what he says u can still end up w/ a bad mark. changes his mind a lot & i think his marking is completely arbitrary (lucky for me i think he liked me so i did well). 436 is an interesting class but don't need to bother w the readings
HUMAN SEXULAITY - I found this class to be very interesting and easy. Just go to class and skim the readings each week and youll be fine. You'll be interested in this subject because it is applicable. I repeat...I am a slacker and I got an A. Just Go! He invites trannies/street workers to speak to the class. Go to class...youll be fine!
I wasn't sure what to do on an assignment - went to talk to him and he clarified it perfectly. He's hard, but if you talk to him he'll help you through it.
don't take this class. you'll want to kill yourself every morning. seriously, turn back now.
He can come across a bit vague in class but if you are receptive to help he is helpful outside of class. Clear office hours - willing to meet. Straight forward syllabus. Likes creativity with the main project. No final exam!
He can come across a bit vague in class but if you are receptive to help he is helpful outside of class. Clear office hours - willing to meet. Straight forward syllabus. Likes creativity with the main project. No final exam!
Not as bad as people make out.
Did better than I expected to.
All of the negative comments I've read on here are absolutely true. I wish I had read them before getting stuck in this course. I don't know how this guy is still working here. I often wonder if he's even 'all there.' Don't take his courses.
Useless lectures, marks based entirely on research papers. TWO textbooks almost entirely useless as well. Issues a syllabus but expect it to change about 30 times throughout the semester. Expectations extremely vague and different from one class to the next. Contradicts himself from time to time as well. AVOID IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
Very interesting guest speakers. Prof is very respectful of all students and always available meet with during office hours. He really cares about his students.
ok, worst prof ever. the course itself is easy enough to boost an average, but lectures are so bad. he goes on about nothing, and kind of a jerk. told him i had to leave early to go to the dr. and wanted to hand in an assig before the end and he goes do u have a note or else i cant take early? i only had to leave 10 min early.
Lecture is dry. Material is easy and the tests are easy, but mark allocation is extremely unfair. 1/3rd of the grade is based on website and picture finding, where you either get the mark or you don't (you usually don't). I got 80%s on all 4 of my tests and came out with 61% (class average was 57%)!
HORRIBLE lectures.. some interesting guest speakers.. did really well on all of the quizzes with about an 80& average going in... somehow my final grade dropped to 57%!! No idea how.. completely unfair, does not respond to emails..
Dr. James Ponzetti should not be a teacher at UBC! I am extremely interested in the subject of sexuality and yet have never been in a more boring lecture. Suggests a class avg. of 85% and our class avg. was 57%! 50% of your mark is based on participation and attendance; yet he has no means of measuring participation of 75 students! Avoid completely
93.5% on my quizzes, 94% on the final. Final mark = 47%. "oh i made a mistake on the spreadsheet." Final mark adjusted to 54%. WTF. Did you really fail all my assignments and just neglect my attendance?
If you had a problem with the grading in Ponzetti's FMST 316 this term, please email me at [email protected]. I will be starting an appeal process soon and it will be stronger with numbers, so I am going to organize a group of us to appeal his grading procedures. Scaling down grades to a 57% average is ridiculous.
boring lectures and horrible marking. lumped attendance and participation together (15 total), and took off 3 per absence, so if u miss it's a huge deal and it's like times u did attend didn't count. also 1 min he'd say your mark is this then he'd change it. and assign. that r handed in got 0 if it wasn't perfect so doing it doesn't count
HORRIBLE... I read these reviews prior to taking the class and was worried.. but decided I really was interested in the class and would take it anyway. NEVER take this class with him, no clear marking scheme & very UNCLEAR! AVOID AVOID AVOID.
I agree with the comments. I did not end up getting the grade that I deserved. I am not sure what is going on with him mentally. The most frustrating experience ever!!! He needs to retire because he loses his train of thought often, can't remember students, and makes up words that don't make sense!
I was planning to take this class as an elective, but when i heard what happened to my friend...I STAYED AWAY! She was sitting at an A+ and for no reason,,,yes no reason she got a C...i thought we're living in a meritocracy...not with this teacher....ubc should do something about this...that dept definitely lost my tuition money.
a proff that wouldn't comrpomise to something so small (webCT quiz time)and saying " I have my reasons" is just not good enough..if lack of computer knowledge would result in students' disadvantage.. what kind of professor would just leave it to the students'responsbility when he's the one who should be more flexible and "gorwn up"
The worst professor ever. For FMST 312 and 314 on the very first day of class he tells the entire class that they will get a "C". If you check the registration he is the only class that still has seats the second week of class and and his second term classes is empty as well. He is absolutely terrible, do not take his class or you will regret it!
I took fmst 314 fall 08. He is such a bad prof! Made us buy 2 texts that came to $150+ and then assigns 3 RESEARCH papers completely unrelated to the texts. What a waste of money. His lectures are boring and you will fall asleep. As others said, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!
believe NOTHING he says first day of class! Teaching method is nothing like he claims. He is condescending and extremely disrespectful. Pathetic lectures. Lectures do not cover most of the material. He does not reply to emails, he does not show up to his office hours. For his stupidity and lack of knowledge on vista, you WILL pay the consequences!
I took 314 fall of 09, class average was 62% and there was only about 20 people in the class. Even with only 20 people he didn't learn a single persons name. Lectures are boring and all midterms/final are online. Read the textbook and take very good notes on each chapter thats all I did and managed to get 71%
Contrary to the previous posts I enjoyed being in his class. Yes he does tell you that everyone is a C student but that's only true if you put in the minimal effort required. I read the textbook, took the online quizzes, participated in class discussions, and did both of his weekly assignments. I got 78% in the course overall and it was not difficult to do. I found his teaching style to be more of a seminar/discussion of the material rather than him quoting the textbook back at you verbatim.
Amazing proff - his lecture are not just straight from the textbook they are more relevant and you can relate to them. really intersting material delivered - and got me really interested in further courses :) !!!
Students will be able to achieve an excellent grade in this class if they do the following things: Attend class, do the research papers and go to office hours (or email him if you can't make it) he will take the time to streamline your work and correct your citations/ references) and know the text!
Everything I have learned is thanks to the textbook. Although he is generally nice, I don't think his teaching style sparks interest.
Wost prof I've ever had at UBC, or college for that matter. Spent the first 4 lectures rambling on about Vista...never actually lectured any content! Wished I would have read his review before I signed up for class. Lectures are a snooze. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
He made it very clear that we need to be in class every day, participate, hand in our assignments, and read the textbook. If you do this, the course is not difficult at all. Quizzes are based on the textbook and are relatively simple. If you received a low grade, you were probably never in class or put no effort into the assignments.
Great professor! His lectures are more of a seminar style and encourages class participation/discussions. If you attend class, participate and read the text prior to the multiple choice quizzes you will do great! He wants students to do well and if you have any problem go to his office hours and he will gladly help and give feedback!
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Lectures are boring and talk about irrelevant things for a long time before he actually starts to talk about actual course material. Even though he mentions attendance is mandatory, but it is not included as part of course evaluation. make sure you attend class otherwise he'll take off marks with his OWN DISCRETION.
Ive got B+ on all my quizzes. Ive got A on my final. However, he scaled the whole grade in his OWN ways at last. I just dont know what to say.
well.. it's only 3 weeks left until the end of this semester with Dr. Ponzetti. The thing I hate about his course most was the weekly homework! No matter how much time and effort you put in, you will get 1 or 0! so annoying! He just likes a particular style of writing,which I couldn't figure out! Honestly, I don't recommend U to take his lectures.
WARNING: He serious is ridiculous. 1. As per syllabus, he can deduct 5% per missed class. 2. He said if you don't ask questions in class (not sure how he tracks it) he can deduct marks. 3. You either get 100% or 0% on WEEKLY assignments! HE SUCKS
Don't take his class if you want a decent mark...or if you want to pass. Of all the course marks I had 80%+ and he failed me due to some missed classes. Unless you attend and participate in EVERY single one of his classes don't take.
Very informative and engaging class! The students actually get an opportunity to express their ideas. Attendance is a crucial part of this class, as it should be with any other course. Don't expect to not come to class, and get an A. Dr. Ponzetti is very helpful and always has his door open to students even outside his office hours.
This guy is a poor excuse for a teacher. And I'm 99% sure that all of the positive posts below are written by him. Seriously. I don't know how this guy is allowed to teach at a university level. He's terrible. Avoid him if you can!
If you keep up with the required homework, your hard work will be rewarded with good grades. Very helpful and encouraging professor.
GOOD CLASS! I like this class a lot because it is very self-motivated and encourages creativity. Professor is very helpful and always accessible even outside of his office hours.
Dr. Ponzetti is helpful. Assignments are fine once you get the hang of them. You must attend all classes to not lose marks. Takes lots of marks off if you miss a few classes... :(
STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!! Although tests are all online and extremely easy if you plan on missing more then 1 class he will doc you 10%.. I missed 3 and was docked 30% ... Useless prof, worst lecturer and more importantly made me hate learning about something I was so passionate about.
STAY AWAY
Avoid. His lectures are dry and he rambles a lot about useless stuff. There are assignments every week along with readings, and an online quiz every two weeks. The course is easy, so are the assignments, but he is demotivating. I am disappointed because I was much more excited about the material before he attempted to lecture it.
Very kind professor with tons of knowledge and experience. FMST 312 was my favourite class this semester I think everyone should take it! The article critiques are a bit tricky but the rest of the assignments were fairly easy as long as you do the readings.
A lot of reviews had me questioning whether or not to take his class. This is the easiest UBC class I have ever taken. If you are willing to try you will do well. I am 70% student and got a 90% in this class. If you do all the readings and try even a little bit on the assignments you will do very very well. 6 "midterms" online as well as final
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.37 avg changeRatings by Course
PSYC312
5.0
(1)FMST346
4.0
(1)FMST436
3.3
(9)FMST312
3.3
(16)FMST2003
3.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
436
5.0
FMST
5.0
FMSTANY
5.0
316320
4.0
FMST2003
4.0