2.5

Kenneth Rusiniak

Psychology - Eastern Michigan University

2.5
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
50%
Would Retake
94
Reviews
2.5
Quality
3.7
Difficulty
2.6
Helpful
2.6
Clarity

50%

Would Retake

94

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

24

4

18

3

4

2

4

1

44

What Students Say

I thought he was great and plan on taking him again next semester for another class

PSY457 - 5.0 rating

The class was always lecture

PSY101 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

22%

Textbook Required

86%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (3)
A (2)
B (1)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 7 reported grades
Not sure yet: 3
A: 2
B: 1
A+: 1
Common Tags
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Respected (1)
Participation matters (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.75 avg change
Jan
Mar
Mar
Apr
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

PSY629

5.0

(1)

PSYCHOLOGY

5.0

(1)

PSY

5.0

(1)

PSYCHPHYS

5.0

(1)

PSYCHOLOGY101

4.0

(1)
+14 more courses
Difficulty by Course

301

5.0

457

5.0

PSY301

5.0

PSYCH

5.0

PSYCH101

5.0

Reviews (94)
1.0
5.0
PSY301
Jan 12, 2002

Late for class 80%+. Brimming cup of coffee always in hand.

1.0
5.0
PSY301
Jan 13, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
PSY301
Feb 20, 2002

A bad professor, a bad department head, a bad psychology program.

5.0
4.0
PSY457
Dec 16, 2002

He's a wonderful prof as well as dept head

5.0
3.0
PSY457
Feb 28, 2003

While the subject is a little tough, he is an EXCELLENT professor. Keeps it interesting, and knows when we've had enough for the evening. Pretty funny too.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Mar 8, 2003

Professor Rusiniak cancels class several times and ends class early frequently. He is not interested in teaching and it shows in his lecture style, especially the content - which is outdated and boring.

1.0
5.0
301
Jul 18, 2003

As a Department Head, Rusiniak is difficult. He makes decisions that many feel are personal and unfair.

2.0
2.0
PSY101
Nov 5, 2003

Gives many opportunities for grades (ex. 2 quizzes but he takes the best one) Jumps around a lot and doesnt explain things clearly, doesn't give enough time for note taking.

5.0
3.0
PSY629
Nov 20, 2003

Best course I ever had. Material is complex but fascinating. His style of instruction is clear and engaging. As an instructor and dept. head, I found him professional, sincere, fair, caring, and helpful. Outstanding.

4.0
3.0
PSY101
Dec 3, 2003

Relates lectures well. If you attend class and are awake, there is no excuse for not doing well. Tests are fairly straight forward and the week's outline is provided to you. All you have to do is fill it in as the week progresses.

5.0
3.0
PSY101
Dec 4, 2003

I think he is a good teacher and is well organized. I would like to take him for a future psy class. the only thing I can say thatis bad he tries to rush at the end of class and I don't like that.

5.0
2.0
PSYCHOLOGY
Dec 5, 2003

He was a great teacher and very helpful. He explained everything he taught very thoroughly and never turned down a chance to help his students. He is a funny man. Quick with notes, but you should be fine. I recommend him to all my friends. Hes great!

1.0
5.0
457
Dec 16, 2003

A horrible instructor who treats students unkindly. His department head strategies are personally motivated behavior that hurts students emotionally and academically.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Dec 17, 2003

Professor Rusiniak cancels class several times and ends class early frequently. He is not interested in teaching and it shows in his lecture style, especially the content - which is outdated and boring.

1.0
5.0
301
Dec 18, 2003

As a Department Head, Rusiniak is difficult. He makes decisions that many feel are personal and unfair.

5.0
4.0
PSY457
Dec 23, 2003

Very engaging professor. Committed to the material and does an excellent job relating it to the student. Grading for the course was very fair. This is the type of class that will have a lasting effect. I am impressed.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Dec 24, 2003

Gives many opportunities for grades (ex. 2 quizzes but he takes the best one) Jumps around a lot and doesnt explain things clearly, doesn't give enough time for note taking.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH
Dec 26, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Jan 4, 2004

Horrible teacher. Does lectures by slideshow which is bad, but is even worse when he will leave three slides up for a combined two minutes and one slide for five to ten. Rambles on so fast, you can only understand bits and pieces.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
Jan 5, 2004

I agree with the previous commment. Confusing lectures make note taking difficult. Asking for clarification garners a rebuff - "It's in the reading!" As if that's an excuse for being an unmotivated and confusing lecturer.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH101
Mar 12, 2004

I was thinking about having a frontal lobotomy. Instead, I took this class. Same thing.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
Jul 7, 2004

seems to have teacher burn-out....class often out early.....no enthusiasm.....interpersonal skills lacking...lectures dull and confusing.......

4.0
4.0
PSY457
Jul 9, 2004

Serious Prof. Very objective and fair. Lectures were well-developed. Those who want an easy class should not take Doc R. He demands a lot of himself, thus demands a lot of his students. You will learn the biological basis of behavior from this man.

4.0
4.0
PSY101
Aug 5, 2004

I really felt like he was a good professor. His class was challenging, but fair. He was very helpful, and always willing to explain things if you were confused. He used real-life experiences to help relate the material. I enjoyed his class a great deal.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
Dec 4, 2004

Unfair, impersonal, and strange, he has no accountability as a department head and cannot give good lectures. Classes are not hard, just bad.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Jan 30, 2005

Has ego the size of jupiter. It makes up for his lack of other talents.

4.0
3.0
PSY457
Jun 15, 2005

When I read this site before I took the class I was terrified. But I soon clamed down. I thought Dr. R was very nice, easy going and made it easy to get an A. The material was but through no fault of his own. I thought he did a good job explaining the material and he even tried (*key word) to be funny with comments so dorky they end up funny.

4.0
1.0
PSYCHOLOGY101
Jul 13, 2005

EASY!! You get a pre test, which you go over in class, before you have to take the test... Then, the test is just like the pre test so you already know all the answers. It can't get any easier. He's a good professor, but if your looking for an easy A, i'd definatley go with this guy.

1.0
5.0
PSYCHOLOGY457
Jul 21, 2005

Can you spell misery? It is spelled "R-U-S-I-N-I--A-K." He doesn't do his job; he wanders off to socialize and drink coffee. I was lucky to have some psychology in high school and feel sorry for all the other people who didnt because he simply DOES NOT significantly teach what you need to know, or prepare you for the final.

1.0
5.0
PSYH101
Sep 2, 2005

No Comments

5.0
1.0
PSY
Nov 2, 2005

Hes a good guy... easy class as long as you attend... somedays more exciting then other but good teacher to take

5.0
2.0
PSY101
Nov 10, 2005

he gives pretests that are almost all gonna be questions on the test. The tests go mostly off the lecture. He makes some dumb jokes...overall not a bad class

5.0
1.0
PSY101
Nov 29, 2005

He is a good Professor

3.0
3.0
PSY101
Dec 1, 2005

Mostly boring lectures. Tests are fair and somewhat easy. The text was actually interesting, for a textbook. Don't take in the morning if you are prone to sleeping

1.0
5.0
457
Dec 8, 2005

This class is a groaner. Kenneth Rusiniak is an unclear lecturer. Each class is a maddenly difficult to understand presentation. His lecture style has students scrunching up their faces and looking at each other out of the corners of their eyes.

4.0
4.0
PSY101
Dec 14, 2005

Interesting class, but its all lecture. If you have him, don't bother buying the book.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH101
Jan 12, 2006

Horrible professor. Worse one I ever had, even including high school. Was rude and downright bad lecturer. Don't take ever!

4.0
3.0
PSY457
Aug 10, 2006

Bottom line: This is a 400-level class for Psy. majors...so it shouldn't be an "easy" A. It's not bad if you read, study the handouts, and take notes on his lectures; they deal with studies that you need to know for exams. If you need help, ask him. He may not seem like it, but he really does care about his students and wants them to do well.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Jan 18, 2007

Hard-to-understand lectures. I love the quote. He's hard to understand and retorts "it's in the reading" to questions that get asked. Shut up and listen, seems to be the message. Class participation is not encouraged.

1.0
3.0
PSY457
Mar 6, 2007

The main reason to avoid this class is Kenneth Rusiniak. Students exchange painful glances and shake their heads.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
Apr 20, 2007

Bottom line: This class is bad if you can avoid please do. If you need help, ask him, and watch how he doesn't like it, he would rather be somewhere else, which is why he always lets class out early.

4.0
5.0
PSY457
Nov 15, 2007

This class is not easy. If you attend class and take good notes, the quizzes are not difficult to pass. Tests are a mixture of lecture and textbook related questions. He does not test on things that were not covered in class. Do not expect an A without alot of studying. I think the lectures are interesting, but I like this type of material.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
Jan 8, 2008

The professor stumbles through this stinker of a class with zero chemistry. Nothing fresh or original. It's purely conventional and never rises above the level of high school quality.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Feb 10, 2008

Fascinating, impressive, and humorous - but for all the wrong reasons. I dropped quickly, but the bad teaching had me laughing so hard I was almost in tears.

5.0
2.0
PSY457
Oct 13, 2008

I really liked this professor, his lectures are interesting and he's always willing to answers our questions, no matter how irrelevant they may be- he even said, "I care more that you guys learn what you want versus keeping up with the syllabus." He tells you what is going to be on the quiz and 90% of exam questions come from the workbooks online.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Nov 11, 2008

Afterwards, you cannot help but wonder where to find good classes at EMU.

4.0
2.0
PSY101
Jan 7, 2009

I took his psychology class during the summer after taking 5 years off and it was great! I was nervous, but class was interesting. He went by slides that were available online if we needed to go back. Tests were very easy as he gave a pratice test before each one. Tests based on lecture notes. I would recommend his psy 101 class.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Jan 15, 2009

Trudges endlessly through painfully under-developed subject matter. Constantly looking to his notes, the pacing allows students to linger endlessly on every confusing statement before another is unleashed with cringe-inducing certainty.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH457
May 29, 2009

A confused, poorly executed mess, it stumbles in opposite directions, like a bad pantomime with two guys in a horse suit.

5.0
1.0
PSY356
Jun 22, 2009

Web enhanced class, practically gave you the answers to tests by providing study questions to answer. All test questions came from study questions. Tied all material together nicely. Very helpful and approachable.

5.0
4.0
PSYCHPHYS
Jul 6, 2009

Physiology of psych was a hard class but if you attend lecture and read the material you will do fine. Dr. Rusiniak is an awesome professor and is always available after class to help or direct you in what you need to do. He is probably the best professor I had at Eastern and should be recognized for his dedication to the class and students.

1.0
5.0
PSYCH356
Aug 5, 2009

Will make the hairs on the back of your neck crawl. Every week it's three hours of butt-numbing tedium. A painful, dismaying headache of a class.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Aug 17, 2009

Stupefyingly awful! As you sit through this, you feel your IQ drop minute by minute.

1.0
5.0
PSY356
Sep 22, 2009

This is a shabby bag of goods. Evidently, "It's in the reading" is the be-all, end-all excuse for bad lectures.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Sep 30, 2009

It's lifeless, robotic delivery adds nothing to the less than formulaic course proceedings.

1.0
5.0
PSY356
Oct 22, 2009

a dull class that feels like it's on autopilot. it's about as interesting as sitting through your neighbor's holiday slide shows

4.0
2.0
PSY457
Jul 20, 2010

Very hard, lots and lots and lots of material. Took it online, not sure if that was the smartest choice.

2.0
3.0
PSYCH205
Sep 6, 2010

Just read the comments out of curiosity; I had him for Experimental Psych 27 years ago...he's apparently as bad as ever. I can't remember learning anything from his class; the only saving grace was playing with the rats!

5.0
4.0
PSY457
Oct 20, 2010

Professor Rusiniak is my favorite! He is funny, helpful and makes this somewhat difficult material easier to learn. If you get the workbook it helps a ton as he takes exam quesetions from there. He is more than fair also - just study the packets he hands out. I recommend him for everyone. :)

3.0
5.0
PSY479
Nov 30, 2010

Dr. Rusiniak is a difficult teacher, he gets so off topic all the time. Sometimes sitting in class is just painful, but if you work REALLY REALLY hard, it is possible to get a good grade.

5.0
4.0
PSY457
Feb 12, 2011

His class is hard but if you go to class, pay attention and study then it's pretty easy to get an A. He pretty much only tests on what he talks about in class.

4.0
3.0
PSY457
Apr 20, 2011

I dreaded this class before the semester started, but it turned out to be an awesome experience. This prof is funny and cares about his students. He gives handouts of all the materia. There are quizzes over the material (which he warns you about) and they are easy. Great class. Learned a lot!

4.0
3.0
PSY356
Jun 3, 2011

I took this class in the spring semester, completely online. It was a lot of work but since it was my only class at the time, it was managable. A few simple discussion board assignments, a 30 question per chapter study guide, quizzes and papers due each week. He grades pretty liberally if you do the work. I expect an A.

3.0
4.0
PSY101
Nov 10, 2011

He gets side tracked so easily and my class was WAY behind the other psychology classes due to his inability to get through the required material.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Nov 22, 2011

The prof seems to have given up trying or caring.

5.0
2.0
PSY457
Nov 26, 2011

You have to put the work in to do well in this class, but it's not hard to do well if you do. He provides notes for every lecture which are extremely useful study tools and the quizzes every week are easy and keep you accountable for the reading. I thought he was great and plan on taking him again next semester for another class.

4.0
3.0
PSY101
Mar 27, 2012

The class was always lecture. Sometimes he would go off topic. However, the quizzes were okay if you studied. He gave 3 exams and an optional final. He eliminate the lowest test grade out of the four. Overall, this class was an alright class to take.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Apr 17, 2012

The material seems to be of his choosing and at his discretion without any thought about what students need or what could be useful.

5.0
1.0
PSYCH457
May 1, 2012

Kenneth was a really GOOD professor. You could tell that he really enjoys teaching this subject. He didn't give study guides but he did hand out notes for every topic to help guide your studying. Just go to class, do the readings and you will get a good grade. I had no interest in this class but after taking it I love the subject and professor.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Jun 1, 2012

Utter lack of fervour and originality. There are some laughs along the way, but they are all unintentional.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Jun 20, 2012

Boring class that unravels in such a flat and predictable way that students find themselves crawling the walls.

1.0
5.0
PSY101
Jul 5, 2012

A horrible experience with a huge disconnect between pupil and teacher.

1.0
5.0
PSY457
Jul 19, 2012

Outdated material with an overall lack of freshness and charm.

5.0
2.0
PSY479
Sep 11, 2012

He is extremely nice!!! Such a helpful professor. I was scared when I read all of his reviews prior to starting the class but was surprised to see how much I liked him and his class. I would take more classes with him if I could :)

5.0
1.0
PSY457
Dec 6, 2012

Great class. He's funny and fun, and really makes it obvious what you need to study for the exams. The quizzes are easy and bring your grade up if you actually take the 5 mins to study for them. Easy, fun class.

4.0
2.0
PSY457
Dec 28, 2012

His class is challenging, but if you attend class and pay attention then the tests are easy to study for. The quizzes are really good tool to use when studying for the test. Also if you can get the study guide book that goes along with the textbook, a lot of his questions come directly from that book.

1.0
3.0
PSY356
Jan 6, 2013

I took the online version of this class. I didn't learn anything even though I did well. He's not an easy professor to get in contact with and more often than not I had no idea what was going on or when anything was really due. Due to the lack of interaction, the class seemed like an afterthought for him and he was almost too lax about everything.

5.0
3.0
PSY457
Feb 8, 2013

The material is difficult but he is very helpful if you do not understand. He will explain it over and over until you get it. His quizzes are very easy (he tells you what to study to do well). The material is very interesting for the course and you will learn a lot.

2.0
5.0
PSY457
Mar 8, 2013

Unendurable. Each class I wanted to make a break for it.

5.0
3.0
PSY457
Mar 28, 2013

He is such a great professor! Very funny, helpful and clear on his expectations. The material isn't easy but he gives you helpful handouts. You must attend class in order to understand the material. If you attend lecture and study the handouts his exams will seem easy. There are no surprises with him. His main goal is to help students. He is also a great advisor; easy to talk to, nonjudgmental and caring.

2.0
4.0
PSY457
Jun 10, 2013

Oof. He is rough. His lectures borderline on ridiculous. He loves to go off on tangents and tell stories that really serve no purpose. His due dates were all over the place and not updated for the summer semester, which made it difficult to know what is due when. Avoid, if possible.

1.0
4.0
PSY457
Dec 11, 2013

No. No. NO. Please don't take his class. 1. Told us to buy a $200 textbook with the internet code, it is the end of the semester and we have not used the code or the book for that matter; although the book does help to prepare for exams. 2. He does not do what he says when it comes to quizzes and assignments for points. 3. He glazes over lectures!!

3.0
2.0
PSY457
Dec 16, 2013

While we did not use the textbook that he swore we would be, he still presented information that is interesting in the field of psychology. Quizzes are based off of lectures and exams are pulled from those quizzes. Show up, take notes, pass the quizzes and you will do just fine.

4.0
3.0
PSYCH457
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2014

The textbook wasn't really necessary for the class, if you take good notes and read over the outlines he gives you, the quizzes will be very easy! He's a very fair teacher, entertaining and makes this class enjoyable. Just attend, listen, and review your quizzes. Not very quick at giving grades back, but I would recommend to take him! Very cool guy

4.0
1.0
PSY356
Jan 7, 2015

He takes forever to grade. I didn't feel the need to attend class as almost nothing from the lecture was on the exams. However, they were posted online, which was nice. The book is necessary to pass them, along with the study guides. Easy class to pass, but dryboring to attend.

5.0
1.0
PSY457
Grade: A
Apr 21, 2015

Weekly quizzes that are based off of lecture. I did fine without buying the book. He has outlines posted on EMU Online. His lectures are really fun to attend, and the material was interesting. He cares about his students success, and bases exam frequency on that. I would definitely recommend this class and professor.

5.0
2.0
PSY457
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2015

This class was easier than anticipated. If you have any sort of biology or science background then this class will be very easy. Some students found it challenging but I assume they hadn't had this type of coursework before. He lets you know exactly what to expect so pay attention and you'll do well.

4.0
2.0
PSYCH457
Grade: A+
Jan 2, 2016

He is pretty helpful if you ask him questions. I found this class pretty easy, but I studied quite a bit, too. He has quizzes basically every week over the material from the week prior... he gives you all the information you need to know on them, just study. Doesn't give out study guides for the exams, but he lets you know what's on there.

1.0
1.0
PSY356
Mar 16, 2016

This class and teacher are a joke. He is computer illiterate and hasn't replied to a single email all semester. The first day of class he didn't have the break down of what we are doing done. His lectures are a joke. goes off on tangents. Copies tests from online quizzes. The class is easy but grueling. It's boring, unorganized. Do not recommend.

5.0
3.0
PSY457
Mar 20, 2016

LOVE HIM! As long as you go to class you'll pass. He tells you EXACTLY what's going to be on tests and quizzes. No homework or projects. Very nice and funny. We also start every class with meditation time. Take this professor! You won't regret it! Don't buy textbook.

1.0
1.0
PSY101
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 23, 2017
Wouldn't take again

He tends to go off topic a lot, and I mean a lot and it is very hard to follow lectures, so that makes tests difficult more so than it should be. Some of the topics he doesn't make clear and I would not recommend this professor.

1.0
3.0
PSY101
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 4, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Dr.R was an alright guy. He went off topic a lot during the semester and the lectures were hard to follow because of that. He never responds to emails and dont bother getting the book because I never even opened mine.

LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
PSY356
Nov 4, 2018
Would take again

I love attending this class. I am taking it once a week at night. He makes it interesting and brings us dinner! As much as I enjoy the lectures, the exam is over the book, not what we cover in class. So youre kind of stuck teaching yourself

Respected
Participation matters
5.0
3.0
PSY457
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 6, 2018
Would take again

Typical quizzes and exams, he drops the lowest quiz and if you have an A you won't have to take the final.

Clear grading criteria
TEST HEAVY
EXTRA CREDIT
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

22%

Textbook Required

86%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (3)
A (2)
B (1)
Grade Distribution
A(3)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(0)
Based on 7 reported grades
Not sure yet: 3
A: 2
B: 1
A+: 1
Common Tags
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Respected (1)
Participation matters (1)
Clear grading criteria (1)
TEST HEAVY (1)
EXTRA CREDIT (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.75 avg change
Jan
Mar
Mar
Apr
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

PSY629

5.0

(1)

PSYCHOLOGY

5.0

(1)

PSY

5.0

(1)

PSYCHPHYS

5.0

(1)

PSYCHOLOGY101

4.0

(1)
+14 more courses
Difficulty by Course

301

5.0

457

5.0

PSY301

5.0

PSYCH

5.0

PSYCH101

5.0

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