4.3
Quality3.1
Difficulty59%
Would Retake184
Reviews59%
Would Retake
184
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
128
4
25
3
12
2
10
1
9
What Students Say
“I'm not too happy with this instructor”
PYSCH1 - 2.0 rating“Quiz every class, read the book and you will pass, going to class is horrible”
PSYCH1 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
46%
Textbook Required
33%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.80 avg changeRatings by Course
PSY113
5.0
(3)PSYCH113
5.0
(2)PSYCHOLOGY1
5.0
(3)PSYCHSOCIAL
5.0
(1)PSYCH1PSYCH13
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
3208
5.0
PYSCH1
5.0
PSYCH0001
4.0
PSYCHINTR
4.0
PSYCH4428
4.0
Reviews (184)
Great teacher, great classes. Highly Recommended.
You will become more intelligent merely being in her presence.
a cross between a hippie and a valley girl. like, a vippie hurl. great prof. :)
a brilliant professor. one of the few that will educate and prepare you not only for your final exam, but for your life. she knows her field, and she knows how to impart that knowledge to the class brilliantly.
i just love this teacher!
A great teacher! Very energetic and determined to make you look at all sides before making decisions. Has greatly influenced me to keep pursuing a career in Pyschlogy!
Good professor. Interesting lectures. Actually learn in her class. Highly Recommend.
The most eye-opening experience I have ever had the privelage to experience!--IF ALL EDUCATORS WOULD APPROACH EDUCATION THIS WAY--I'D BE AT SCHOOL ALL DAY LONG!---
she is amazing and if you read the book and take notes, you will atleast get a B. she gives lectures in a way that you dont have to study them before the test. you just gotta read the book, which is a very easy to udnerstand book.
Excellent teacher. Passionate, socially concerned, funny, and emphasizes the honing of one's critical thinking abilities. Clearly communicates what is expected. Reading the book is critical to getting an A. Highly recommended.
She is a good teacher but you have to study hard and do a lot of reading. Her tests are hard.Her lectures are not boring.
Very enlightening and informative. She is very good at what she does, I would recommend her class to non-majors as well.
Intelligent instructor, 47 but still hot
Her teaching is very clear and her lectures are very interesting! i would recommend her to anyone! If you read the book you will do fine in her class. TEsts aren't easy, about average though.
Dr. Farwell is the most intelligent professor that one could ever take. You feel as if you are in a University level Psych class. Tests are challenging, gotta read the book. Love her!!!!
I am not a psych major but after psych 1, I took psych 13 with her because I missed hearing her lectures, she's just that good. Take her class NOW!
Dr. Farwell is, in my opinion, one of the best teachers at SMC, warning, do not this class if your not willing to work, or read the book for that matter, you wont pass. If you do the reading, you'll do well, if you don't, well, you may very well get a fai
Excellent Professor. Her lectures are very clear. I actually enjoyed sitting in her class. Very interesting. Must read book.
Awesome teacher. She changed the way I think about the way the world works. This should be a compulsory class.
You will not fall asleep during her lectures and she tells you which information to note. If you read the chapters twice, you'll definitely get an A.
If there is one professor to change your life and inspire you, she is the one. She teaches you how to think and it's not the hardest class to get an A in either. She also teaches you how to study. "Don't believe me; get the evidence," and tak
I have to say, the class was hard, ended up with a B. However it was one of my favorite classes, fun, entertaining, good videos. SHE DOESNT take roll.
Great teacher, you must be open minded. Works hard and knows material very well. Take this course! She teaches you about much more than psychology... Great lessons in life :) HIGHLY recommend
a great teacher, very interesting teacher, got f's on every test and still got a b!!
GREAT TEACHER! VERY INTERESTING!Draws your interest in topics that usually wouldn't seem too appealing.. TAKE HER CLASSES!
will need to study to pass but after hearing her lectures you wont really mind reading a bit more into whats he teaches. makes everything interesting, and will NEVER bore you. if more teachers were like her i would love coming to school. a must take class
Amazing professor. It's a challenging subject to learn, the tests are hard but there are PLENTY of chances at extra credit...which are basically "free" points. Would recommend for ALL majors and excellent for new students entering SMC!!
She is the best teacher I have ever had Her lectures is not giving the material but make you think about you and even whole wold Exams 80% from book and you need to study Extra credits cover all misses on exams HIGHLY RECOMEND TAKE HER CLASS Inf-n she will not teach at SMC from winter2005 for 1 year
She opened my eyes. I cam out of that classroom a different thinker. I like her teaching style very much. She was very professional. The class enjoyed her disscusions. Most of us were involved in the discussions.
Amazing teacher! Does a fantastic job of captivating her students and is always approachable. SHe does expect a lot out of her students, and uses what she knows about learning and education and applies it to her teaching.
What you always hoped for in a learning enviroment.Farwell is by far the most intelligent, interesting and warm person. I highly recommend her.
Best teacher and class I have ever had at smc
Thought provoking, intelligence, and armed with an arsenal of engaging facts and theories. Lectures and discussions not only pertain to our mental life, but also shed light on socioeconomic conditions, bringing another perspective to highly debated social issues. Farwell is a true gift to SMC.
THE BEST TEACHER EVER!!!SHE CHANGES LIVES OF PEOPLE, OPENS YOUR EYES TO REALITY!
She ain't easy but she's fair, changed my life!!! You go in to take an introductory class and you get stuff that will serve you for the rest of your life!Amazing! A must take!
very different style of teaching. If your not interested she will make you!
Amazing professor. You will learn so much about life and the importance of critical thinking. She changes lives forever. Multiple choice exams, extra credit. Will have to work and attend class if you want an A.
Most amazing teacher! She made it fun to learn again!
I was originally put off by her teaching style, but ended up being my favorite professor. I will agree that the way she encourages critical thinking is life-changing.
This is by far the best Professor that I have ever had. She makes her class interesting and captivating to be there. I have her for both Psychology1 &Social Psy. and i could not have had a better professional teaching me in either classroom. I highly recommend anyone who is serious about Psychology t take Lisa.
Great experience! You learn a lot, is doable, and she wants you to succeed. She doesn't just teach you about psych or social psych, but shows you how to apply material, too. You also leave the class with critical thinking skills. Great professor---Took Sat. class. Highly recommend because was small class with lots of discussion and relaxed vibe.
Not much to add on the previous comments, but Farwell is a fantastic learning experience if you're willing to put forth effort. Gives two multiple choice tests and a cumulative final, with many extra credit opportunities. Fair grader and very receptive to students. Overall, a good experience whether you have an interest in Psych or not.
This is a great class and Prof Farwell is an incredible teacher. Thought provoking, intelligent discussion. Compelling lectures. Every single thing she says is interesting. I left at night inspired and wanting to discuss the material with someone. I took a night class and even after working all day I left wanting more.
its definitely a unique experience. closest thing to an absent minded professor ive had yet. covers controversial material which is awesome! tests are crucial! if your having problems in class, talk to her talk to her talk to her. she's very down to earth behind her critical views on society. great experience!!!
Amazing Amazing Amazing! She teaches the what the school expects her to, but has a spin on the class that leaves you looking at the world we live in with a whole new pair of eyes. This is what "college" is all about...finding your voice!
I caught her contradicting herself and was highly disappointed..and yes she does go on and on about politics and doesn't explain how it relates to politics. I think she would have been better off teaching anthropology or philosophy, or it combined. She's passionate about whatever she talks about but her opinions tend to take over.
I love her class. I can never miss it because it's so interesting and entertaining!
Dr.Farwell wants you to succeed in her class & understand psych. She uses contemporary examples that make psych interesting, entertaining & REAL. You will internalize the lessons & learn a lot about yourself, others & the world we live in. You will pull the tape worms out of your eyes. She's an awesome teacher & inspiration to be a better person
She is by far the best teacher I have had at SMC. After taking her class I switched my major to psych. Anyone who is open minded and willing to listen will walk away a changed person. Never boring, always interesting! she is the best!!
You will love, and not regret, taking this class! 100%! I cant emphasize that enough. You will leave a smart thinker. EVERY lecture very engaging very interesting and fun! Really funny awesome teacher. You will love her. She will spill truths and facts, so leave your emotions at the door. (youll see what i mean) TAKE HER!!!
really good, seriously considering majoring in social psychology as result of this course. The teacher is good, very good, but it is the material she directs you towards which is the real star of the course.
I loved Dr. Farwell's class. She's intense, inspiring, and honest. She is not afraid to speak the truth about the world, which is so refreshing. A lot of the test material is from lecture, but I found it important to read the book as well. I got an A and enjoyed myself in the process. What more can you ask for?
Couldn't have taken a better class. She's the best teacher I've had so far. Didn't get bored at anytime. If you're looking for a professor who has dynamic and vivid lectures, who helps you develop your critical skills while offering interesting facts about psychology, this class is for you.
AMAZING. Hands down best professor I've had at SMC. Full of life. Very personable and friendly. Makes you want to come to class. Funny. Constant interesting lectures. Easy writing assingments, opinion based. Tests tend to be a little difficult, but can be aced by keeping up on chapter reading. Interesting videos and material. Well organized text bo
She is unbelievable! Listening to her compelling lectures literally stirred some emotions. Rather than simply feeding a list of facts she really teaches you how to think. By giving you the evidence she lets you discern for yourself between right and wrong. I also loved how she articulated herself: sophisticated yet simple enough to understand.
The funnest and funniest teacher I have ever had! Her lectures are very interesting, with a great amount of energy. Don't--> ask dumb questions-you will only look like an idiot infront of your class, especially when Farwell's answer to your dumb question is an immediate "I dono x2" Do-->Extra credit assignments, they are interesting.
Excellent professor. Her classes are always interesting with a lot of "food for thought". Her regular quizzes are on the reading, and are pretty straight forward if you understood the material. Her lectures combine both the material from the book as well as "real world" examples and critical discussion related to the topic. highly recommended!!
Dear ESL students,Please Do not Take her class. very difficult to understand and you need to sumarize each chapter.
Excellent professor. Very intelligent. Teaches students how to think, and open's eyes to topics we need to think about. Class is very interesting, fun, and she's funny. Do your reaction papers, extra-credit, attend class, read the very few chapters she assigns, and do well on the test and you should earn an A in the class. Definetly take the class!
she is simply the best. opened my eyes to new way of thinking about world. changed my major after this class. YAY. take her, even on weekends, it's worth it
Who are you people??? OMG!! she talks more about politics than soc. psy. Half of the class is already gone. Tests are tricky. I agree..she is a nice person but not "the best professor"
I think this class was only as effective as the amount of work I put into it. Most classes don't work out that way...this one does.
It's like getting off a roller coster! amazing, mind blowing, eye opening class. this is what educations shoUld be all about.everyone will learn and you will be sitting at the edge of your seat.Farwell cares and will show you how to think critically. I will miss this class.TAKE HER, IT WILL HELP YOU A LOT IN LIFE, TRUST ME AND EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE
Her lectures are very entertaining. She infuses them with many contemporary topics to make them relevant. The problem is that she greatly oversimplifies things. I felt bad for some of the freshman who were just eating up her opinions when the topics she talks about in class are rally much more complex than she makes them seem.
Complicated issues do have more and less correct solutions through critical/scientific analysis. Openness to evidence is also essential. Please email me on why you found specific positions unwarranted. I change my lectures every semester and I am pleased to consider your input. P.S. I rated myself to avoid altering students' stats. Best, Farwell
Lisa Farwell by far is one of the best teachers at SMC. I took her class last Fall. Warning : Do not take her class if your not open minded or if you want an easy A. This class touches many issues that most classes will never cover. Amazing,honest and very intelligent teacher!
Changed my perspective and approach towards life. The best teacher I've ever had. TAKE HER TAKE HER TAKE HER. you need to study the text for the 3 or 4 tests but there's also lots of opportunity for ec. lectures are so interesting even the laziest of students will be thankful they took her class.
Farwell's class was inspiring and extremely interesting! She is as entertaining as she is intelligent. Never a dull moment. the tests are fair and she prepares you well for them. Taker her! She'll change your life!!!
TAKE HER, YOU'LL BE MORE CLUED IN THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED. Her lectures weren't a spoken version of the book but in fact everything tied together in a genius way plus they were verrry interesting. She gives extra credit, is avaialable during office hours, and more than anything she'll begin to teach you how to think critically. Take her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im just starting college, and she has made my experience the best! she is funny energetic and uses very easy to understand examples in her notes. Study her notes, read the book and do extra credit (its worth it). She just drew me into her class, my perspective of the world has changed every since I started this class. I taking her again next sem!
She is by far one of the best professors I have ever had. Be sure to keep up with the reading, go over your notes, and do any/all extra credit she gives you. You never know. Not difficult but you must keep up. Perfect for a night class, she keeps you awake! Would definitely take her again!
Crazy smart teacher, has a lot of useful information to impart to her students. She will shatter your misconceptions of the world and it can be very disconcerting, but ever so valuable. Take this class.
Ignore the extremely ignorant comment below mine. Course was taken during Winter 09. Prof Farwell is intellectually engaging, very well-versed and educated. She has weird ranting moments, but theres a purpose behind everything she teaches; lectures are very eye-opening. Lots of extra credit assignments, has simple tests and is Veteran-friendly.
took her winter ´09 and she just talks and talks for 3 hrs... i stoped listing after 10 min and was fast asleep after 15..boring as hell...
If you're opposed to studying current events, you're probably not going to like her. I loved her so much, I took her twice. The content of her lectures will come in handy if you take any other classes in the HSS building later. Her exterior is somewhat hard initially, but by the end of both semesters, she was undoubtedly my favorite face on campus.
The class was thought provoking and a pleasure. She is a wonderful professor and I strongly recommend taking this class if you are interested in learning.
she is a great teacher listen to what she has to say its usually important and make sure u actually go to class.. she gets offended if u dont.. this was a great class i learned... take her if u can
Professor Farwell is inane. Farwell lectures are inutile or of no use, that being said you will have to depend solely on the text. There are "3" tests(very arduous/difficult). There will be two texts,Stanovich text is complex ..so study!!!!!!The social animal is not so difficult.There is Extra Credit..do it!Overall the Content is very interesting.
Simply fabulous. Prof Farwell is such a great teacher! You will need to read directly from the text, as her lectures are a bit abstract but are fascinating to listen to. Totally different experience than previous psych classes, but well worth it. Do the extra credit, you'll likely need it! Again, she is wonderful!
I love her class... Prof Farwell is a blast to learn from, and has made psych 1 a fun class so far this semester. I actually look forward to attending her class each week.
Loved her, very smart, engaging. Appropriately hard tests, but not unreasonable.
Farwell can be a little nutty sometimes, but she will definitely make you think. It's not so much about rote memorization so much as it is about re-examining the WAY you think and *why*. Sometimes she can get carried away during lecture, but she always has a point. I'd totally recommend her.
Farwell manages a difficult feat - creating an engaging class for the diversity of students one finds at a comm. college. Her focus on evidence-based examination and critical thinking is eye opening, and should be a foundation for most classes. Must attend lecture and read, don't mistake not writing a lot down for an easy A. Highly recommended!
Prof Farwell is awesome, but make sure you READ every page the exams are on, COMPLETE all of the extra credit and ATTEND regularly. Seriously, her exams are tough! I'm an A student who ended up with a B in her class even with all of the extra credit completed. The class was totally worth it though. I recommend taking her!
lectures the entire class. she tries to keep them interesting by changing her voice, using examples, and walking around the room. some videos. assumes that you will just read the textbook without being told to. lectures AND textbook on the tests. multiple choice tests. must attend lectures for a good grade. she doesnt take roll, doesn know names
she is very professional and expects the students to do their reading.the class is challenging but it is worth it.
Best teacher I've ever had. Hands down. Skip this class if you have no real interest in learning anything and are just trolling for easy credits.
Her class changed my life. Take her. Yes shes hard, but well worth it. and you don't have to take notes! I got an A! You can too.
Had Psych 1 in Spring 2010 and got an A. Prof. Farwell is an AMAZING teacher: clear, prepares you well for exams, interested in your success, and an expert in her field. The key to your success in the class is trusting in her teaching technique. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not reminded of all that I learned in her class, life changing!
Her method of teaching is not mere rote memorization of concepts, but teaching students how to learn and in the process become critical thinkers. I feel her course best prepared me for the rigorous coursework at the small liberal arts college I transfered to. If you are serious about learning take her class, otherwise allow another to benefit.
Mrs. Farewell is an exceptional teacher! She is passionate and her examples are impeccable. You should attend class more than not and keep up with the text. Her syllabus lets you know all the important dates (like when all the tests are) and where you should be in the text. I totally recommend her!
I'm not a huge fan of this Prof. her lectures are somehow related to the book in some way... unfortunately i never got to find this connection. her lectures are nice to hear most of the time but i feel like it's no help. her exams are based on lectures, book, and videos/audio stuff from class. so you Must attend to all of the classes.
I LOVE prof. Farwell. She is an amazing teacher, everyday in her class you will learn something new. However, her tests are VERY HARD. This class is not an easy A, but will totally change perspectives! I loved it!
I really enjoyed her lectures. She provides great examples that make the material more engaging than the text does on its own. I highly recommend taking courses with Prof. Farwell; you'll actually get what you pay for.
She has a very emphatic and aware point of view with regard to Social Psychology. She has a keen sense where critical thinking is concerned and expects her student to turn theirs on as well. If you only read the text you will only succeed half way ... likewise if you only listen to her lectures or watch the required videos.
Well, a lot of people like her, but I think that's just because she reinforces their own opinions. She tests on the book, and discussion relates to it, but not directly. Most of the time she talks about climate change, vegetarianism, other liberal interests. She also uses social psych concepts to get you to like and agree with her.
Not your run of the mill "let's just be detached from all this and roll out the Power Point show" kind of class. Main purpose of the class seems to be teaching students how not to get duped psychologically in their everyday lives. A lot of it can be hard to swallow, but it's ultimately beneficial. The truth hurts sometimes...
Best teacher ever! She's there to give you an education and gives you every opportunity to succeed! Pay attention in class and read the book- you'll do well. I'll take any class she offers.
The Best teacher I have ever had and could ever imagine to have. This class is a "must have" class. I learn so much from this class. You need to study and attend all the classes to succeed, and the lectures were SUPER interesting and useful.
Attendance is mandatory and the readings can be difficult at times. She will offer assistance if needed and has a very aggressive personality. Critical thinking is stressed in her class.
I have taken classes with some amazing professors at SMC but she is by far the best of them all. Her exams are multiple choice, some questions are from the lecture while some are from the book, you cannot get an A without both attending & reading. She is very helpful, replies to emails quickly & gives extra credit. Very fun! Pushes your boundaries!
Farwell is amazing. She is inspirational and helpful. She weaves real world relevance into the lectures, so you know how this affects your life. The non-powepoint style for lectures were effective as it made for less drone-like copying and more engagement. Read the books, they help with lecture. Lecture was also like a discussion forum.
Yes, Professor Farwell is hard, but she prepares you well for a four year university. Her exams are very tough and she says she gives them because those are the types of exams you would get at USC or UCLA (maybe 10 times harder). The good thing is that she gives writing assignments and extra credit. Must read book and attend lecture for an A.
BEST PROFESSOR EVER. She will make you think about the world differently. Many think she isn't easy but the class is fairly easy and simple if you just read the book and listen to her lectures and especially GO TO CLASS. I actually looked forward to going to class every day because of the atmosphere she created for us.
Take a class with Dr.Farwell regardless of your interest in psychology. I had a wonderful learning experience with her. The goal of her Psy 01 class is to teach you critical thinking in a tangible manner. I definitely recommended her
This is a college class. Don't take it if you want to be spoon feeded. Really loved Professor LISA PHD haha! Really enjoyed her class. Exams might make you go like what the... but you'll learn alot from her class. Not an easy A. But highly recommended.
OMG I love her! Just fabulous. You don't have to buy the book!!!! Just take notes and you'll be good to go. Remember one thing, reason dialectally when making a decision ;)
Farwell has really good taste choosing videos to watch during class and extra credit books. She had a hard time staying on topic and relating her class discussions to the book. Would have liked to have more notes on the board to help learn the key terms before taking application exams. Do not take this class if you do not have strong study skills
Its an extremely difficult class. You must start reading the book early, and take a lot of notes to understand the material, but you will learn a lot. She's a very intelligent person and a delight to listen to because her thoughts are very profound. Don't take her if your looking for an easy A.. Its all hard work for results in the end.
She talks too much about tangents that don't matter. Quiz every class, read the book and you will pass, going to class is horrible.
Out of all the teachers I have ever had, Professor Farwell is the best. Hands down. I HIGHLY recommend her if you are serious about receiving a legitimate education. She is what every professor should be like. Graduating from high school I never understood the significance of critical thinking and now I do thanks to her :)
If you want to change the entirety of your school experience, TAKE HER!!!! She is the best professor I have had the opportunity to take a class with! Her lectures are mostly stories that help you understand the info in the textbook in a real life scenario. Read the book and attend all classes and you will get an A.
Great teacher. Isn't at all about power points or the book. I liked the videos shes shown. The discussions sometimes feel lost to me, or whenever she answers a question. She has her own language for test questions, which I found hard to interpret at times, but I actually learned from this class, and she delivered the key points clearly. Shes a joy.
I absolutely adore her. She's not easy and will make that clear. But honestly, the class isn't easy and requires a lot of studying, but take it. She changed my perspective on life so much. She's one of my favorite profs at SMC. I cannot recommend her more.
Her class was one important reason that I later went into grad school, and then recently to publish in PNAS and Psychological Science. She is phenomenal at teaching about critical thinking in psychology-in a way that brings many/all of her students with her. One of the best hidden gems in the California educ system. Glad she became chair.
She is a wonderful teacher that takes her job seriously. A very dedicated professor, to both her students and her field of expertise. Her tests are a bit difficult and, I did feel at times, unfair, and I worked hard for the class. She will change your perspective on life. She is filled with wisdom and concern. Allow her to teach you.
Lisa Farwell is the best professor that I've ever had. Her classes are very inspirational, and I can't imagine my life without psychology now.
Professor Farwell is by far one of the best instructors I had. She allowed me to view the world from an absolutely different perspective and help you grasp a greater understanding of the scientific method and the importance of empirical evidence in making judgments. As long as you attend class with frequency and read the text, you will be golden.
This was the hardest class I have ever taken. However, I learned more than I ever have in any other class. She was really funny and that made class fun and more interesting. Go to class even though it's not mandatory because you don't want to miss information. She's also really helpful if you visit her office hours! Read the text to pass tests.
Honestly, the people who are saying she talks too much are just shallow. This is a class for intellectuals and thinkers, not one dimensional people. I looked forward to her class EVERY TIME. The best professor I've ever had in my life thus far. Pay attention in lecture and read textbook. Not an easy or hard A. I got an A. She's fabulous.
Professor Farwell is an amazing person. She is very intelligent, and makes you think outside the box. In order to pass the class, you do have to read the textbook. Her lectures are eyeopeners, this class is for those critical thinkers. This class is very tough but rewarding. Farwell, is one of the best professors in Southern California.
very intelligent, passionate about her field, and eloquent in teaching it. also a very provocative class - does everything to stir you and cause you to generate your own thoughts about not just the subject matter but issues of substance on a global scale. she teaches not just psychology, but how to think. i recommend her highly.
Dr. Farewell is one of the best professors I've had at SMC. She's tough with the exams but if you study, read the textbook ,and attend class, exams are pretty straightforward. I'd take her class again !! Recommend for Psych !!
The tests can be difficult; you need to read the chapters because she doesn't lecture on them. She offers a lot of extra credit! The final is fairly easy; most of the questions are from the previous exams in class. What's even better is you can go to her during office hours and get every correct answer for those exams before the final.
I was scared every time I attended this class. I was raised in a very narrow minded religion that shuns ex-believers, discourages college, etc. I knew I'd see new evidence that could be used to disprove my beliefs every lecture, but class was amazing. After years of denial I let myself look at the facts about my beliefs and my world has opened up!
Farwell is one of the best professors I've had at SMC so far. Doesn't mean this was my easiest class. She does give good techniques to pass her class and prepares you for work that universities probably expect from students. Do the reading and listen to what she says. You will learn a lot!
Best class I have ever taken. She is the reason I am majoring in Psychology. I looked forward to class every week and now that the class is over I miss it. If you have the chance take this class, it will make you excited to learn and feel lucky to be in school because you get to experience classes like hers.
My first semester at SMC, I took her class on Tuesdays in Malibu (amazing campus set-upI wish I had every class there). Two years later, I still reflect on so much of what she taught us, about the material and about life in general. I ran into her once at the main campus and she remembered meit's nice when you get such a genuine professor!!
I took this class online and really liked the range of material she posts. The textbook was expensive but really readable too. She mixes in lots of TED talks and Youtube videos. She also gives extra credit and as long as you are not a procrastinator, I think this is a very doable class to get an A.
I'm not too happy with this instructor. Here online teaching style gives no ground at all for work life balance - a 24 hour window to completed each assignment? That is ridiculous. She seems more focused on manipulating her students to "proper study habits" than actually teaching them the material.
I took her summer online class. Overall fair teacher, she does give extra credit which helps. However, be prepared there is A LOT of work. There's multiple videos a day ranging from 6-42 minutes long, with a 2 hour video about every week and a half, plus reading a whole chapter in two days. If you like to work for your A, this is the class for you.
I took her summer online class and LOVED it. My only regret was that I wish I could have taken this class in person and for a full semester. The best part? The class was FUN and interesting. I'd recommend Professor Farwell to anybody. Follow the syllabus and do what she asks and you're basically guaranteed to do well. It's a lot like real life.
Professor Farwell is great. She provides very lecture heavy courses. In order to excel, you have to be attentive in class and do the homework assignments. She often references readings in class as well. She isn't concerned with her student's skill level, so it's really up to you how well you preform. She's always available for outside help.
Professor Farwell's Phych 1 class was amazing! Her lectures are very thought provoking and interesting. DO take notes though. They will benefit you for the exams. 3 exams, 1 final, plus a decent amount of extra credit! TAKE HER!
Professor Farewell's class is informative and the lectures do capture interest. However,the exams are extremely confusing and difficult,you tend to be pressed for time while taking them. Quizzes are ok only because you can retake. Extra credit is not worth the headaches. Make sure to study as much as possible for her exams.
Course material is interesting. Professor Farwell gives amazing feed back. Many of the comments are thought provoking. If you love psychology and you are willing to spend time to contemplate the material, you will learn a lot from this class. The exams are difficult, but there are many extra credits to make up lost points.
I really enjoyed taking her course online. She was very nice and always gave comments on assignments. She does give extra credit and extra points at the end. She is always helpful when you need her. Just follow the modules, read the textbook and you should do fine! Her quizzes are for your help and to study for tests.
Even if you didn't want to major in Psychology, I would highly suggest this class and professor. She is extremely entertaining to listen to, very intelligent, and genuine. You can tell she is very passionate about what she does. Not a ton of note taking in class just pay attention and do the reading. Easy to talk to if you have questions.
Can't express my appreciation for Farwell. Whether you are first year student or not you have to take her class. What I learned on psy1 I will not only use for my college career but will remember for a long long time.
Life changing lectures. Just amazing!
Took her class my first semester and now two years in ... this is the best class that I've ever taken. She is PHENOMENAL. If you love Psych & want to learn from a professor that will challenge you and teach you things that you'll never forget then she's the one! The class is hard but work hard, and make a study group. +++ Thought provoking material
Took the class online, but I honestly wish I took it in class. She gives very interesting videos every week for discussions that can range from 2 min to 40 min. Although it does take a while for her to grade, she gives great feedback and really engages her students. Tests were hard but you can make it up through the hw, brief reports, quizzes, & ec
Professor Farwell is amazing! Her lectures are very interesting, she is quite entertaining. Exams can be challenging, but if you study hard should be no problem. She offers extra credit. Would definitely take her again for other Psych classes. You might not agree with everything she talks about but you will learn a lot. Take her!
Her lectures are engaging and informative. However, beware of her exams. She puts a lot of answers that say both a & b/ all above. Listen closely to her class lectures and write down what she says when she says heres a nugget. Make sure to read for the first half of the weekly quizzes. Oh and her attitude can be snobby sometimes.
Did not like her. She might be okay in Psych1 but she uses a lot of her own views and personal stories on the exam. Dont take her for psych13.
I took her online. Not an easy class for sure, it's because she wants you to learn something. Weekly discussions, weekly tests (you can take those multiple times in an hour), brief reports, and exams. There are extra credit opportunities provided which is amazing! Make an effort on Brief Reports then you should be fine!
Professor Farwell is AMAZING. Yes, the class is challenging, you'll need to study the material and be prepared for the tests. She gives great feedback and her class inspired me to want to pursue a career in psychology.
This professor will make you never want to take another psychology class. She hides behind her titles and experience, as she is "all-knowing." She does not prepare you for the exams and doesn't believe in study guides. All of her lecture material is either her sending long rants on a subject or posting videos from other psychology professors.
Fun and insightful. Not much work needed to be done.
I took his Social Psych class and this professor is such an inspirational and respectful person! Her lectures are very powerful and informative. I am now taking her Psych 1 online class and it is very well-organized. She is also more than willing to follow up on your grades and give you the critical and constructive feedback you'll need to succeed.
Good professor, especially with feedback on brief reports. Have to do the reading or take notes on the bolded terms and actually watch videos bc that is on exam. Exam after every 2 chapters. Discussion post weekly. Quizzes can be retaken to get best score. Applies extra credit which helps if you bomb one exam like I did in the beginning.
Horrible teacher! I took her fully online class and every lecture consisted of up to 3 hours of Youtube videos. That's it. How is that teaching? Her tests were extremely hard, focusing on the most specific details of the readings and videos that had nothing to do with the overall purpose. When my class had a 60% average test score, she blamed us!
I will disagree with the previous rating. She hands out free points, all quizzes are unlimited attempts, put some effort into the discussion posts she gives you 100%, and there's a lot of Extra Credit. The 3 exams are application questions. She doesn't test on tiny details; they are concept application questions. I really enjoyed her class.
She asks for a bit more work than other profs. If you just want 3 credits, this isn't your class. IMHO it's easy to get an A in this class as long as you do the required work as she hands out free points; I missed a discussion post and still have 103%. Test questions are sometimes weird, but if you understand the material you'll get at least a B.
I really enjoyed taking Professor Farwell's Psychology class! No long essays or papers required; class comprised of weekly discussion posts or brief reports, chapter quizzes (which you can take multiple times to receive full points) and four exams. PLENTY of extra credit opportunities given so you have every chance to get an A in this class.
Prof. Farewell is super helpful when it comes to doing the work. Each week you have assignments to do but is very easy to follow. Just doing the work will definitely help you pass but she gives lots of extra credit opportunities to put your grade up.
Great teacher! A lot of reading and tests are NOT easy but as long as you read and study you will get a good grade in this class. Highly recommend taking her class!
This is the 5th psych class I've taken at SMC and this is by far the worst experience I've ever had with a professor. Her lectures consist of 3-hour youtube videos and videos from other professors. The test questions seem to be from random bits of these videos, sometimes not even relating to psych, and she ignores messages, 0/10 do not recommend
One of the best at SMC. Farwell treats people like they're in college. She's a fantastic lecturer and brings really interesting content into the classroom, but doing well means studying and thinking critically about the material rather than expecting to just regurgitate information in a test. Not sure why so many people are surprised about that.
Great teacher, but I wish she was more active with lectures. She gives great feedback and cares a lot about her students. I did not find the class to be difficult but you still have to do the work. Learned a lot from her reading assignments and she really just wants you to succeed in her class.
Dr. Farwell is so well-versed in the field of social psychology! She uses very up-to-date examples from news and pop culture in her lectures to help students apply concepts to more familiar situations. It helps a lot. Very easy to get hold of, loads of extra credit opportunities, and gives a ton of great feedback on assignments. Recommend her 100%.
Dr. Farwell is an outstanding teacher. She teaches students how to study (via best practices validated by science) and how to think critically. This teaching method prepares you if you want to go on to a UC where you are going to need these skills. This class was asynchronous online and she uses best practices for this method in her teaching.
Great professor. Do your work READ THE TEXTBOOK. Do both you'll get a decent grade. Videos are related to discussion posts (no big word count). Brief reports aren't difficult. Can retake quizzes multiple times. Tests aren't super hard as long as you READ and pay attention to videos. Very detailed responses to our assignments. Effort = good grades
There was a lot of reading and tests which were not easy at all, you have to read and make sure to study a lot to get a good grade. She attached the pdf for the weekly readings so we didn't have to buy any books.
The reviews for Prof. Farwell are SO misleading. The weekly assignments aren't bad, but her exams are extremely difficult. Most people in the class got a c or below so far on our exams. They're super detailed and almost impossible to study for. She sent an email after the second basically telling us to pay more attention and study better
Rather than teaching, her lectures consist of multiple 1hour youtube videos from another professor or psychologist. She keeps reminding students about other professors' self-study methods but obviously, it doesn't help students. If you looking for a psychology credit or some elective course for transfer, I do not recommend taking her class at all.
This professor is a nice lady but is completely all over the place. Gives out loads of work to do within a very short time span and with very specific guidelines. Terribly worded questions/ statements making things very confusing and misleading when trying to complete assignments.
There is no way to be able to study for the exams, they have nothing to do with the material that we are supposed to read. A lazy teacher that grades work very late so you can't prepare for your exams or improve your work according to her standards. Expects too much but isn't accountable for her own work(teaching and grading). Do not enroll!
The course work itself was difficult for me to comprehend. Honestly, if you take Professor Farwell's class and do all the discussions and extra credit you should take home a B. The exams are incredibly hard and her lectures are just a bunch of posted videos. I did minimal work and still got a B. Put in the work and you'll walk away with an A!
Lisais very caring and wants you to succeed, there is a lot of reading but is mostly interesting. discussions are easy and you'll get full point, a few reports but nothing hard, the hard part is the exams, you NEED to study. I did bad at first but she helped me. there is extra credit and she gives extra points at the end. if you study your do good
Professor Farwell is very straightforward with her grading and expectations, she also equips you with everything you need to succeed in the course, including the textbook, videos, and extra credit. She works weekly so if you need a consist and flexible schedule I recommend the online course. You are expected to teach yourself with the textbook.
Too much reading.
Fairly easy teacher. There is a bit of reading but very manageable. Just do the readings every week and you are set to go. She gives good feedback on discussion and really encourages us to think. I recommend her.
Take this professor at your own discretion. Her tests are based on YouTube videos that take a long time to watch (approx 3 hour long lecture) and a mix of chapters from two different textbooks. She doesn't teach herself either. Her exams are virtually you memorizing isolated facts. Please do not take this teacher unless absolutely necessary.
To be honest, I don't know how to feel. She could give an assigment that would be based on one question, but we would have to watch tons of youtube videos first. I think that her class would be much more enjoyable if she accually puts in effort as a teacher instead of just telliing us what youtube videos to watch.
To be honest, it was an easy a, but she gives a lot of youtube videos which you must watch in order to answer discussions. This is espesially annoying considering her class is almost all discussions and quizzes, but the quizzes are easy! But I really do wish she would calm down with all the youtube videos, it really gets tiring.
Professor Farwell's PSYCH13 class is challenging but rewarding. Exams require critical thinking, not just memorization. Unstuck AI can be a helpful study tool alongside the textbook and lecture videos. Attend class, do the work, and you'll likely walk away with a good grade.
Great professor, you can tell she cares about her students, gives good study tips, and gives detailed responses to your discussion posts! Although I took the class online I found the information to be interesting and fun. There are a lot of videos to watch and quizzes almost every week, but you can retake them. She also gives out extra credit!
Lisa Farwell is a fair professor and she means well for her students. Make sure to read and study the materials thoroughly! She gives extra credit and works well with students. I definitely recommend taking her class! She is very knowledgable.
Don't be scared, but be cautious. I learned a lot by taking her general psych class. LOTS of reading and videos to watch each module (I took her Spring 2023). Not too difficult, but does require a lot of effort and time. If you do not have effort and time on your hands, DO NOT take!! I suggest you take notes on the videos. Textbook is free/scanned
Professor Farwell definitely knows what she's talking about and I found her assigned readings and lessons to be helpful. But I really missed the component of a recorded lecture. She linked to different YouTube videos and TedTalks in lieu of a lecture and--it could totally be a personal preference--but I definitely would have preferred lecturing.
easy class if you have the time to read for hours along with watching a dozen videos every week. mostly a self taught class with weekly open note quizzes. don't take if you have other classes that take up a lot of your time bc this class will take up a lot of your time as well. easy to get a good grade just get ready to read a LOT
sooo much reading every week along w dozens of video that go w the reading. textbook is scanned/free. such a time consuming class, she does not lecture u so prepare to teach yourself everything. quizzes every week (open note) and exams (not open note) every 2-3 weeks. gives extra credit at least. easy to pass just not a great prof
Super professor: one of the best I have ever had.
Class Info
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100%
Attendance Mandatory
46%
Textbook Required
33%
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