2.4
Quality2.8
Difficulty14%
Would Retake119
Reviews14%
Would Retake
119
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
119 total ratings5
21
4
18
3
8
2
30
1
42
What Students Say
“THE WORST PROFESSOR THAT I'VE EVER HAD”
ANTH1000 - 1.0 rating“Definitely keep an open mind with regards to course content”
ANTH1520 - 4.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
43%
Textbook Required
71%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.80 avg changeRatings by Course
AN366
5.0
(1)AN210
5.0
(1)PHYSICALANTH
5.0
(1)LINGUISTICANTH
5.0
(1)ANTHMAJR
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
ANTH3301
5.0
ANTHR152
5.0
ANTH152ANTH
4.0
ANTHMAJR
4.0
ANTHR1520
4.0
Reviews (117)
No Comments
Great lecturer, interesting, really cares
No Comments
awful
No Comments
Self absorbed, self congragulatory, ego maniac. She taught me nothing. Theclass is LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY and yet there have been NO Liguistics or Anthropology, simply the tales of her talking monkey, excuse me, ORANGUTAN.
This is one of the most interesting classes I have taken at UTC. She is fantastic and a great lecturer. I really love her. We got to see her signing orangutan. I learned a lot and want to take more courses from her.
read the book show up to class some and you'll be fine
Can honestly say I learned NOTHING from her. Plus, class is just embarrassing. She tells these outrageous tales to try to impress students. What senior citizen tries to impress undergraduates?! Just embarrassing!
very interesting even though sometimes she gets off course, very cool wants and tries to be hip and does well at it, appreciate her for her work and you will enjoy the class a lot more, do the online quizes and you will do well on the tests.
No Comments
Class was interesting and not hard at all as long as you keep up. Good Teacher
buy the book teach yourself ;(
Over the years, I've taken classes at three universities. Dr. Miles is hands down the worst teacher I have ever had. She shows up to EVERY class late and unprepared, then proceeds to talk about Paul McCartney/Sting/Ludacris for ten minutes, Chantek for another ten, and herself for the last 20.
Dr. Miles trys TOO hard to let students know she has experience in the field of anthropology. She pats herself on the back so much you would think there was a hole there. She comes to class unprepared. She gets off the subject. Her clothes are not appropriate for the class either.
Lyn Miles is THE MOST AWFUL teacher I have ever had. You'll probably wait 5-10 minutes every class for her to show up. She's always unprepared, and she lost some of my work--very unorganized, and very unprofessional. Avoid this woman if you can.
No Comments
By far the worst teacher I've ever had. Lectures are pointless, just tales of her monkey and how great of an anthropoligist she is. She never talked about anything that was on the test. Your better off skipping the lecture and teaching yourself.
what a nut. anthropology is a fantastic subject with countless facets. it's a shame to have such a self-righteous, dimwitted individual cutting the students short by elaborating on her own accomplishments from....15 YEARS AGO.
I reccomend not to take her if you have other options. I went to every class and learned nothing. She ends up talking mostly about herself and her accomplishments. You are better off buying the book and simply reading the material yourself because she does not prepare you for the tests at all.
Talks mostly about herself rather than teaching. On test dates, she will take nearly half the class time to hand out tests to everyone. Avoid her if you can!
I must disagree with all of these comments. Dr. Miles is a very interesting and accomplished anthropologist. She is very willing to help students out. She really opened my mind and forced me to come out of my box on certain issues. Want a class that challenges your way of thinking? Take her.
For an intro class it was very difficult. She was wholly unprofessional: she was constantly late, very unorganized, and she talked of personal matters all too often. Her politics and beliefs were interjected into EVERY class meeting. Oh don’t ever call her Mrs. Miles or she’ll berate you endlessly.
Your best bet is to read the book a few times and never come to class. She gives no clue as to what is going to be on the test.
avoid if all possible!
She is by far one of the most accomplished teachers at our school. Chantek is an orangutan: that is an ape, not a monkey. BIG difference, and you would know if you had paid attention!
Great teacher! Dr. Miles really knows her stuff and is interested in helping students understand and enjoy anthropology. Her raising of Chantek is amazing! All of those who rated her poorly probably never went to class or were to lazy put forth any effort. Want to learn, then I suggest you take Dr. Miles.
Very good teacher. Helpful and is clear on the subject. I would have to agree most people giving a bad rating probably never attended class or are lazy. The one thing the class could have done without is politcal views, but at least she wasn't condenming.
I went to class, got an A, and all she did was talk about herself. I am in graduate school for anth now and can honestly say that few in the field know who she is. She's a legend in her own mind.
Blah blah is all u will ever hear coming from DR. Miles. She goes on and on about things that rarely ever have to do with anthropology. She made us do debates, which were instresting and would have made sense in DEBATE class. the students did better teaching than she in the debate sessions. *Tip*Drink some mountain Dew before class to stay woke!!!!
Not my fav professor. She is very unorganized, and always talks about evolution. She does a lot of debates. She is nice, but I was glad when that class was over...
talks too much about her monkey
LOVED this class, and loved this teacher.
Worst prof EVER! Her professional incompetance is only matched by her absolute insanity. Given the opportunity I'm sure she would go out of her way to ruin your college career just because she's hateful. Some advice: She's a nobody in her field so if you HAVE to take her, keep your head down, say great things about that monkey and GET OUT!!
No Comments
She rocked!
Dr. Miles is one of the most amazing professors here at UTC. She is very engaged with the students and truly wants to help each student achieve their best in her class. For some students, her teaching methods might not be what they are used to, but do not let some of these evaluations deter you from taking her classes.
This is the most insane professor I've had, yeh it's pretty cool she was the first Woman to teach an orangutan sign language, but the monkey band? At least she wasn't some right wing Christian fanatic instead I suppose.
One of my favorite professors ever. She is top in her field (which happens to be my field), and she is authentic to the bone. Fun Fun Fun!
It's difficult because last semester I loved her, but this semester I have her for two upper level classes and she sucks. She's late, unorganized, rude and defensive. I still like the woman for what she has accomplished, but she has to have tenure. I'm surprised she is not gone. Completely unprofessional and insecure.
I didn't go to class very often, so I failed. Though the times I did go, it was a very interesting class, and Dr. Miles knew her stuff! I loved her monkey stories, etc. She was a nice person!
Not exactly a barrel of sunshine, but knows her stuff. Read the textbooks and do the study guides. Attendance not mandatory but I recommend going, discussions are usually interesting and you watch a lot of videos.
I don't know about the previous people and their experiences but Dr. Miles is an AWESOME teacher. She went out of her way to help when you wanted help. Class discussions are great and it is very interesting how she raised an orangutan. READ THE TEXT!!!!! AND DO THE ONLINE QUIZZES!!!! TO PASS THE COURSE. She only gives 3 tests and no final.
She is the worst teacher I have ever had! Her accomplishments and knowledge are amazing, but she belongs in the field not the classroom. Class is useless, and the tests have 200 study questions with only 6 questions on the test and 1 essay. I was extrememly interested in the subject and she made me dread going to class.
Dr. Miles is a gifted anthropologist. She teaches in a way that is engaging and entertaining. Her expectations are high as they should be so do your part. She is one of a kind and an excellent professor.
I have had her twice now. She is a little off sometimes, but I have learned more from her than any other prof. Test are no brainers, if you study. Focus on doing well on the essay questions and participate and she will assist you in any way possible, in the future
This class could be very confusing without Dr. Miles's way of teaching. Sometimes she moves form topic to topic a little too quickly, but she'll slow down if you let her know you're confused. Dr. Miles herself is very interesting and she makes the class fun.
She is a wonderful teacher, she is so easy all you have to do is to print off the slides and just study the powerpoints and you are good to go. Easy A to raise that GPA.
Overall it was a pretty easy class. However, I found it frustrating that the material she lectured over had nothing to do with her exams. She likes to pull out obscure facts for the exams. So if you want to get an A you have to read the chapters over and over.
Late, unorganized, unprofessional, talks about personal accomplishments too much instead of talking about the material. Made us watch a documentary about herself, and her orangutan named Chantek. Tests contained questions that were not on the study guide and sometimes the reading.
Very easy class. No real point in going to class except for the attendence. Half of the test is take home and are given 100% as long as you turn in something that looks like you put even alittle effort in.
Lynn REALLY knows what's up. She is very accomplished and clearly has a love for Anth. Her class completely changed my way of thinking. She is very difficult, however, indirectly assgning 20+ pages of reading every lesson. You will do badly on her tests, no matter how hard you study, but curves & assignments even grades out.
She's pretty easy.
This lady does not know what she is doing. All she talks about is her monkey that she raised. She does not go thourghly enough into the powerpoints. The notes do not help on the test. Read the chapters every day and you will do good on the tests. Grades homework and assignments haphazardly. DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS!!!!
Dr. Lyn Miles-White is an excellent Anthropology teacher. The world would be a better place if everyone was required to take her courses. Superb knowledge base and teaching skills. I am a senior level student. Listen to me. I have known students who drove from UTK to UTC to take her courses!
Very passionate about her work. She likes to have fun but gets her work done at the same time. taking her class is a MUST.
Nice lady.Easy class, but she is sooooo disorganized its ridiculous!Loves to do the working in groups type of stuff which I hate!We had a group powerpoint due at the end of class and we didnt know when it was due til a week before so I got a B in that class which screwed up my 4.0 gpa b/c I had to rush on it.Take 4ever to grade test.Wont take again
Dr. Miles is passionate and extremely knowledgeable of all things anth. Being a physical anthropologist, she does tend to focus on her discipline...this is to be expected in with any prof. She is one of the best at UTC! Just ask and she will help you with anything. READ the text and do not get behind and you'll do well.
Disorganized, rude, defensive, talks down to you. I'd avoid her. Should probably retire. Pretty easy A though.
Dr. Miles is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Her intro class is surprisingly easy, considering she is an authority in the realm of biological anthropology. I was a bit intimidated by her name at first, but the class revolves around your best 3 of 4 exams, which are all rather straightforward; follow the study guides and you will be fine.
Class isn't hard but she is because she's hard to understand!! And not at all helpful. Brags on herself which is annoying and useless. I'll never take her again.
Made course way more difficult than it really needed to be..no matter how hard you study expect a low c
Very offensive and boastful. Useless class, not too hard though. In my opinion the grade is not worth her crap.
Tends to drag on in lectures.Does not make completely clear what to study(notes or book). Often seems like she pulls some test questions out her ass. Only 3 tests too, so you have to basically get an A all 3 -__-
Extremely helpful, and does seem to care about you as a student. The class is very interesting, but it does require constant work to keep up with the tests every week. If you are hardworking, care about your grade, and come to as many classes as you can, you should get a lot out of this class.
I loved her class. Although she talks about Chantek quite often it is VERY clear that this lady KNOWS HER CRAFT! She knew how to keep lectures interesting using personal encounters and examples in class. She even brought in ape skulls to show the evolutionary changes! Overall, it was a very interesting and engaging class.
If you want to know more about yourself, and the world around you, you must take her class. This is really what college is all about; Not a grade or an assignment.
She was okay. Pretty boring. I wouldn't take another class with her.
Took her for linguistics. All she talked about was herself and Chantak. No linguistics really. Wouldn't recommend although she's pretty easy.
I didn't like this class. Boring, unclear, can't work the technology. Wish I'd take another teacher.
Not very helpful at all, takes points off without explaining why. Very interesting lectures though and very humorous.
Very easy, but I didn't like her class. She's boring and the lectures were dull.
If your goal in this class is to make an A, Miles is not the professor for you. She is very educated and makes the subject interesting and interactive; however, Miles does not work well with her students grade-wise. She does not offer helpful advice to her students regarding making a better grade. She's animated in class but stone faced one on one.
Dr. Miles is an interesting woman. This class has controversial topics that make it entertaining. The lectures are fairly interesting and she breaks up the time with illustrations/videos/discussions so its not just a powerpoint all the time. The other good thing is there are only assignments and quizzes. NO EXAMS
I didn't find her interesting at all. She was no help when I questioned how she graded.
Dr. Miles was a very hard grader. She showed favoritism to other students by giving them higher grades for the same amount of work everyone else did. She was unorganized. She pushes the idea of evolution in your face, constantly talks about all monkeys, and her views on things. I highly recommend NOT taking her class.
Dr. Miles is a warrior in the field of primatology. I learned so much in this class. Not very hard either!
Takes herself very seriously. She rarely smiles and talks about herself a lot. Tests are very easy but if you have a choice I'd take another teacher. The class isn't interesting or fun.
Definitely keep an open mind with regards to course content. If you don't like your viewpoint of the world shaken up now and then, this isn't a class for you. Dr. Miles is very passionate about what she teaches. Put in effort and, as with any class, try to take an interest, and you'll do well. She rewards thorough and creative work.
Every class it's always the same--the orangutan she raised at UTC 40 years ago.
Easy class, she does not show favoritism whatsoever. If you simply show up to class and do the work and take notes every lecture you will pass the class. I studied maybe once or twice a week for her class and ended up with a 99. Just study and do the work and you'll be fine.
Professor Miles is arguably the worst teacher at UTC. She is certainly the worst I have ever had. I have her for a 3000 level course and literally all we do is listen to her talk about herself and her orangutan she played with 40 years ago. Also she grades subjectively so if you dont kiss her ass you will not make an A.
Def have to agree worst teacher at UTC. God help anthropology majors. I'm no longer one.
She's very strange. She talks about herself throughout most of the semester and seems to expect students to defer to her like she's some sort of celebrity. I definitely wouldn't recommend her, although I heard that she was retiring which is a good thing.
She is really cool. She can teach from real field experience which includes raising an orangutan on campus in the 80's. Her lectures are interesting. The interactions are fun. The TAs are cute. The classwork and homework is interesting and easy. There are only 4 tests.
Dr. Miles is a very interesting and helpful teacher when you ask for it! But you HAVE TO ASK. I struggled with her lectures and attitude about religious subjects. I was failing as a result until I went one-on-one study group and learned she was willing to help. She even offers extra credit! Asking for help got me an A!
Very interesting material, but the lectures get boring without class participation. Pretty easy work load. 4 tests, no quizzes, and a set of about five questions based on the readings due once a week. You are graded on in class work, so skipping does hurt your grade. Dr. Miles isn't very helpful. She expects you to figure it out yourself.
I like her as a professor and person, but her tests are really hard. It's necessary for you to read the book and understand the material for the test. She will help you if you need it. Her class is interesting and she makes it easily applicable to every day life. She's friendly and very intelligent. Ask questions in class and show interest!
She speaks in this soft monotone that puts you to sleep. She has a self-published book that costs a lot of money that she requires for the class. I can't recommend her.
If you care about your own dignity and self-respect, I would not suggest this class. She made us go to the chatt zoo and "act" for the visitors, like as European explorers, monkeys, etc. Humiliating & none of the guests understood what we were doing. Other than that, the class was fine. Very discussion-based. Picky grader. LOTS of reading.
THE WORST PROFESSOR THAT I'VE EVER HAD! DO NOT TAKE!!
Would not recommend taking her class. Garden Participation is overall fine, but the class itself is boring and a lot of random class participation. She constantly gets grades confused and gets students mixed up when grading. Take the other professor. She's also very one-sided in her opinions and will try to argue with you if yours is different.
She's the most passionate professor I have had this semester and she loves teaching about Chantek. But you should be prepared for group work and having to study in a group because feeling like you studied so well sometimes doesn't reflect on your exam. She only counts attendance when your group meets to complete the mystery.
Shes not a very interesting lecturer and she talks a lot about research she did decades ago. But overall, the class isnt very difficult. There is a ton of group work, so if you dont like that, Id steer clear. She also canceled class a good amount, so that was nice.
I was weary to take this class but I LOVE Dr. Miles. If you try and are detailed in your answers you are sure to make a good grade. The only thing that is somewhat difficult are the online exams, but if you make friends with your tribe and study together they are pretty easy. Super easy as long as you are social and try. Dr. Miles is amazing!
Anthropology is very interesting, but her lectures get boring pretty quickly. Work load is fairly easy and there are some in class exercises that are graded so it is best not to miss class. My mother took her decades ago and I took Dr. Miles because of that. I would not take another class with her, though.
I have never hated a class so much in my life. She wrote the textbook, the homeworks are based in what we think, and the tests are online and pulled straight from the textbook. However, the amount of hoops you have to jump through to get credit it ridiculous and she will probably change the grading scale on you at least once. Don't do it.
DO NOT take Dr. Miles for Anthropology 1000. She is absolutely terrible with Canvas. She forgets to post stuff and then will accidentally delete grades. She deleted a quiz once but would not admit it and made everyone retake it 3 weeks later. She is the worst at emails and does not answer back quickly. She does not focus on anthro rather equality.
I was excited to take this class since Dr. Miles has an extensive background with apes, but she is an absolutely terrible lecturer. It is all discussion based and the discussion is based on papers that are difficult to understand- coming from a STEM major. Her quizzes change format and you never know what you'll get. Good luck figuring her out!
I took this class thinking it would be fun and interesting. Big mistake. Every single one of the lectures are just confusing and not thought out well. She changes the expectations for assignments frequently. Overall she doesn't make sense when she lectures which is all this class is. Most people take it for a gen ed so please take something else!!
You 100% use the textbook (she wrote it). A lot of groupwork, class is very easy. When you volunteer you get extra credit. (Many extra credit opportunities) Lectures are interesting but can be boring to listen to
Dr. Miles is an interesting person, but not a great professor. She is pretty hard on grading. She would probably be better in person rather than online. If you have no other choice you will survive, but it probably won't be your favorite class. Sh has lots of grades ( quizzes, assignments, midterm, and final). She takes a while to respond, but will
Overall worst professor Ive ever had. All quiz answers come straight from workbook. Her workbook of fantasies is horribly put together and cotains so many face palming grammar errors and typos. Her past experiences have sort of radicalized her in certain way. Her story is great and all but she is sort of obsessed with herself.
this class wasn't awful but it was hard to keep up the grades I usually get. no matter how well I listen and read, quizzes don't really cover what we learn. also the textbook is online for free!!! and you can download all the articles we have to read in alternate formats so that you can search for text with control F. really helps on the quizzes.
Lyn Miles is the worst professor on campus, she gives a quiz a week, and the questions on the test do not reflect what has been gone over in class, and in the slides that she provides and goes over in class. This lady is terrible at her job and is only still here because she has been here since the 80's. DO NOT TAKE HER
She was legit the worst professor Ive ever met. We had daily quizzes, and none of them matched up with her weekly lectures. It became a weekly guessing game for my grade, and you were lucky to pass a quiz. 90% of my class just stopped showing up bc there was no point, she is just straight ridiculous. And if she made a mistake, shed blame you.
Shes terrible with answering emails and makes you fill out a religion survey then basically states her whole theory about her religion. Her texts dont add up to her lectures and shes very VERY rude when she does answer emails. 10/10 would NOT recommend
Was not my favorite class by any means, there is a quiz a week on the material gone over that week. They were relatively easy and short. There are no tests or long papers. A few assignments throughout the semester graded harshly. Seems like she only likes the people who participate but doesn't create an environment where people would want to.
I have never met a professor who cares LESS about her students. She is very opinionated and if you do not share her opinion you will not pass her assignments. She has no respect for her students and does not care about your grade.
Awful professor, refuses to admit when she is wrong, only teaches her opinion, weekly quizzes have nothing to do with lecture/textbook. Once ended class 20 mins late and when we tried to correct her she refused to admit class time was over and continued teaching and counted students who had to leave for next class absent. Horrible person.
Requires you to buy her textbook, which is horribly written and does not align at all with the weekly quizzes. Grades assignments pretty harshly, with little to no feedback. Can sometimes be rude, and seems to be stuck in her glory days of working with Chantek. Just talk in class, make sure she likes you, and you should be fine.
I did not enjoy this course at all! She is a very difficult professor, she was often rude, and hard to follow. She would not give clear instructions on assignments and then grades really hard and differently on the students. Her 5 question quizzes cost my grade damage. She would bring on guests to zoom and always cut them off. Do not recommend her
I would not recommend taking her class. She is an awful grader, not giving constructive feedback. She is very boring and could put you to sleep with her lecture, it honestly felt like she was rambling on about nothing. 5 question Quiz every week that you need the textbook for. The exams are about 30 question with material from each quiz.
She is often rude and borderline racist, grades harshly but doesn't give feedback on assignments, they are not well explained, and she gets mad when you ask her questions about them. The class is only difficult because she does not explain anything and you will not learn anything. If this is a required class, take it with another professor.
I would not recommend it. I dropped halfway through the semester with her unrealistic expectations and lack of response. I have no respect for this professor.
This is not a class you want to take. The idea of it being over zoom was exciting at first, but the professor ended up being horrible. The quizzes are online, 20 questions, 20 minutes. The questions are confusing and difficult and sometimes politically bias. The class is also very political bias, not in a context that makes sense for the class. BAD
I took this course online and she was easy. I would take her online because in person she might be a little stricter.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
43%
Textbook Required
71%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.80 avg changeRatings by Course
AN366
5.0
(1)AN210
5.0
(1)PHYSICALANTH
5.0
(1)LINGUISTICANTH
5.0
(1)ANTHMAJR
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
ANTH3301
5.0
ANTHR152
5.0
ANTH152ANTH
4.0
ANTHMAJR
4.0
ANTHR1520
4.0