3.7
Quality2.8
Difficulty53%
Would Retake109
Reviews53%
Would Retake
109
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
57
4
20
3
7
2
6
1
19
What Students Say
“I LOVE THIS MAN SO MUCH”
2652 - 5.0 rating“Such a nice and funny guy”
2652 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
64%
Textbook Required
60%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.02 avg changeRatings by Course
3381SOSC
5.0
(1)SOCI
5.0
(1)SOCI3381
5.0
(1)CRIM4260
5.0
(1)ANY
5.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
2651
5.0
CRIM3656
4.1
CRIM2651
4.0
CRIMINOLOGY
4.0
CRIM
4.0
Reviews (109)
this man is the worst prof ever.he goes wayyyy 2 fast and then says we can get all the notes on web ct.u go there only 2 find out that those notes suck.they r very unclear and he expects you 2 read like a million pages which u have to print off the web.the worst thing is half the readings r just foot notes and bibliographies and hyperlinks
His lectures are unclear, illogical, and full of inconsistency. He lacks the ability to efficiently teach an informative class in both his lecturing style and the way in which he organizes the notes and expected readings. His notes are incoherent, and the length of the articles he posts to be read are unreasonable. Very last minute,hard to learn...
This man has no clue what he is doing!! Goes off on tangents...repeats himself, and goes on and on about NOTHING!! His notes make sense to only one person -- himself! Good luck if you have to take this course!...though his lectures do make for a good naptime. (so boring!!)
No Comments
I think he is sooo funny. He rambles on his lectures but its about interesting stuff so it makes it okay. Overall, i enjoy this class alot. I just skim through the long articles he posts up and they are pretty much useless as long as u get the jist of it.
Oh man, this guy is hilarious. All he does is tell stories. Makes you wonder what his test will be like. I'm not looking forward to it!
I think that he's a great prof. TO ME his notes are fairly clear, and concise. The stories he tells always illustrate the point he is trying to get accross, and they are funny. I admit the articles were a bit lengthy at first, but he HAS revised them, and is very reasonable in regards to any student complaints.
I think he is a much better prof than you guys are giving him credit for...clearly he knows the industry inside and out and his stories are great. Obviously the readings he gave us were too long and he revised them. I think he's funny and his lectures are decent....overall not a bad prof at all.
How many ppl realize this is a 3rd yr course? of course it will be taught fast thats why we have readings! yes, they were long but they've been cut back & how many other profs in ur 3 yrs gave such an in depth exam review? How exciting do u think learning about the CJS is? The stories are good b/c they provide life experiences & keep u interested
wow...all those nasty remarks are probably from ppl who clearly cant handle 3rd year level workload. The prof is a nice funny guy, and very accomodating to students when a problem arises. He posts the lectures on Web Ct which some profs dont.
Professor Baxter is a great prof, accomodating, funny, easy to talk to, and approachable! That is not something i can say about the T.A's in this course! If you have Blayne as a T.A stay away! But, the Prof is happy to explain anything you need, and posts notes on the web, not all profs will do that!
Prof Baxter, is a really really good prof, definitely better than some of the other one's i've got. I really love his lectures, and i think his stories are very great, as they refer to real life experiences and fascinate me a lot. It's so much better than reading from the txtbook. He's clear and concise a really good Prof.
I am very happy with Paul. I don't understand why he recieved a lot rating. Most people I have spoken to in the course have never taken a 3rd yr crim course before so no wonder they are complaining. His lectures are clear and I love how he posts it on webct.I look forward to his class.Paul, most people like the course. Keep up the excellent work.
Prof Baxter, is a really nice guy. He posts lectures notes and readings, and even RE-SCANS then if students complain about their legibility. He's easy-going and very approachable. He wants students to learn and enjoy the course -- so do the work, and you won't have a problem.
If you can't hack being in a 3rd year course at YORK honestly you should re-consider the whole education thing. No one has a reason to complain because the way I see it I saved $150 worth of notes becasue of webct and the material is NOT THAT HARD IF YOU STUDY, REMEMBER your in University not Highschool, don't blame others for your own stupidity.
Great Professor! Interesting stories and very accomodating. Anyone who states otherwise clearly doesn't come to class. Seems to have a good relationship with the TA's too. Hopefully that will come in handy before the exams.
I like this prof. He's SOOO helpful. I feel bad that he had such a bad start and everyone judged him so horribly. He's considerate of everyone and takes a lot of time out to help us understand better. Keep it up sir!
I took a sosc course before, hated it because the prof. was speaking in monotone & he was just concerned about just teaching. Prof. Baxter in contrast makes things more understandable and always uses examples that most of us can relate to. logistical problems we encounter is horrendous. Keep up the great work sir, I look forward to coming to class
Its unfair and ridiculous for ppl to judge him I don't see why they would think that this course sucks or its too hard cus evidently, it IS a 3rd year course. Prof Baxter's class is one of the classes I look forward to (honestly, I cant say the same for my other lectures) I think he has a good sense of humour and is knowledgeable about alot of thin
I think the guys who have any complaining to do, is probably because they are failing and angry at the school system, and take any opportunity to justify their failure. This professor CUT DOWN OUR READING, in response to student complaints. How many professor are responsive to their students needs? Get a life, or actually, go to college.
this prof is great -- very accomodating, approachable and helpful, relates material to stories everyone can understand. if i've had any problem @ all w/ this class, it was my DRILL SERGEANT TA!! 2 any kids that can't keep up w/ the readings, why u in uni?? CRY ME A RIVERR!!
Prof. Baxter is a good prof, and has done well to listen and accomodate to the suggestions from students.WEB CT notes are huge bonus.
Very helpful and very clear with lecture material.
He's a good prof, VERY approachable and actually listens to students comments and alters the workload. Crim programs at York are still unsettled to say the least but I would not blame him for that.
Anyone who gave this prof a bad rating is extremely ungrateful to have a prof with both charisma and concern. I, and obviously several others, are much more appreciative of traits so rare at university level
Professor Baxter is the best! It really upset me that people have siad bad things about him, all he does it try to help and i am sure he is the nicest and most helpful professor at York. I would like to say he is the type of prof that is in it for the students and to help us succeed. Thank you for all your dedication professor!
i can't believe anyone could be unappreciative of a prof that's so helpful and accomodating towards his students. unfortunately, there's a lot of people out there that mistake kindness for weakness and take advantage & to all of you, i wish you miserable profs b/c i'm sure you'd enjoy them more.
What more can be said that hasn’t already been said? - Lectures are clear and on topic, he provides a ton of extra case law to illustrate legal concepts clearly and his webct notes can't be beat. easy to talk to and accommodating. You can tell his passion is teaching!
I think it is evident that the posted views of this prof have changed since it became public knowledge that he was unhappy with the comments on this site. If the prof was that good, people would say so.. obviously, most have problems with his style, so do not try to butter the prof up with empty flatery, our marks influence our opinions, justifably
Prof Baxter gives enjoyable lectures. The material can be read on your own in the textbook - his interesting cases and stories supplement it and make an otherwise boring law class rather entertaining. Takes time to make sure class is interested and is friendly, helpful, and concerned about student opinion. I wouldn't hestitate to have him again.
The class was a waste of money. I have learned absolutely nothing. Although he gives away the exams the TA's are ridiculous markers.
do not take this class with baxter. the lecture hall has been empty since christmas and you will really take nothing away from the class. the tutorial presentations are a joke and make tutorials incredibly boring. be forewarned! however, baxter is very approachable and always willing to help. nice guy, just horrible lectures
Very nice and approachable Prof. The course material is a little dry and boring at times but that's to be expected with a course about law and legal procedure. TA was a hardass though.
prof. baxter is great! really respectful of students & always eager to help & accomodate. sacrificed much time throughout the yr 2 remark stuff the t.a. marked poorly & 2 meet w/ students. readings a bit dry @ times but what really discouraged ppl about this class was the t.a... he was arrogant & condescending & really made the whole class suckk!!
Best Prof I've ever had- never seen a teacher care so much about what the students take away and understand. If only every prof was this fantastic.
The best professor ever. Blanye was a jerk but Baxter more than made up for it. Always ready to help and ALWAYS ready to clarify. I LOVE THIS GUY...i'm gonna marry him one day!
Great Prof. Very helpful, and understands his student's needs
I remember Paul from his time at Laurentian. He was an exemplary prof then, and York is lucky to have him there. When he left, we were all saddened by his departure. It is nice to see so many other people that have the same opinion of him. If I get to York someday, I hope Paul will still be there!
Professor Baxter is an extremely intellegent and caring professor. He is difficult to understand sometimes but does clarify when asked. He is very caring and must add actually good looking. The class was okay but I hated the T.A. she complained that she cared but she actually didnt. I HATE HER - LADNI
ehh, he is okay i guess
Very good prof. Helpful and energetic. Lot's of knowledge on Aboriginal issues and is passionate about the topic. Overall very good class so far.
Paul Baxter is one of the most intelligent profs in Crim. He is understanding of student needs and is concerned for our well-being. Also, he is very approachable - if you need clarification or assistance, he is always willing to guide students through the material. (lecture material, assignments, tests etc).
great prof!
He is not one bit responsible. I'm still waiting on my mark from last semester, as is the rest of my class members. He does not stay on topic during lecture, nor does he ever accomplish finishing a lecture on time, or continuing from the week before. His class is always in a state of needing to catch up
Professor Baxter was a great prof. He's always willing to help you out and even guides you on some really great resources to use. One of the best profs I've had at York!
ANAZING TEACHER. VERY HELPFUL. HE CARES ABOUT HIS STUDENTS. HE WANTS YOU TO SUCEED AND HE WILL MAKE SURE YOU WILL. THE BEST PROF AT YORK IN MY BOOKS
I got an A, and stopped attending lecture halfway through the year. He always went on tangents and bored me. Luckily, he based the final exam on the textbook only, and not on his pointless lectures. Tutorials were useless as well.
Baxter is a nice person but a horrible lecturer. He rambles on about irrelevant things and you end up tuning out for the entire lecture. It is a waste of your time to go to class. The readings are way way too long and there are way too many. He doesn't go over them in lecture. If you look around in his class nobody is paying attention.
Professor Baxter is an awesome prof, he cares about his students and is willing to help them out with anything they need. Readings are a little boring and dense but he makes the class interesting when discussing them. Great professor!
This is my third course with Baxter since 2nd year. He is a wonderful Professor. They need to make him a permanent Prof! He does go off on tangents in class, I don't always do the readings, BUT he really does care about his students and helps them in everyway he can! Ive gotten an A in every class, he deserves more respect than students give him
This is the first year they're running this course. It's unorganized and lectures are random. Assignments random. Hard course. Average a 55%.
Difficult course and prof.
First run of course. Though, the assignments and course material so far has been highly disorganized and it takes far too long to get grades/assignments back. The current state of this course is unacceptable.
Incredibly difficult and unorganized. Class average was a 61. Avoid this prof and course.
Paul is an AMAZING teacher!! He genuinely cares about his students and tries to help them succeed in every way he can. He's the most understanding, cooperative, and easy going professor I know. He gives enough work for the students to learn the course material appropriately, without overwhelming them with lots of readings and assignments. Best prof
Paul is one of the best instructors at York University. The second year students are so disappointed with the Methods course this year (CRIM programs fault), but are not focusing on what a caring and dedicated professor Paul is. He goes out of his way to help students and will discuss options to ensure your success. TAKE HIS CLASS!
Incredibly hard course. Monotone, boring prof. Brutal exams. AVOID.
He is honestly a really nice professor and wants his students to do well. However, his class was a disaster. He can not lecture at all and goes on about randomness in lecture. Furthermore his assignments were not related to methods at all and were more of a reflection about his obession with grammer. I would not take a class with him again.
HARD AND BORING.
Paul Baxter is an awesome professor! He explains material very well and although doesn't always cover all the lecture notes in class, he is always clear on what to expect on exams. Nothing is a surprise. He is extremely caring and is very approachable. I would definitely take a course with him again!
Hard class
Paul Baxter is an awesome professor who cares about his students' success. Those who review him negatively have never got to know him, and rate him in terms of their lack of effort or the TA they had. Take his classes!! Get to know him, he'll look out for you
Paul Baxter is a great professor! He is a very caring, genuine person and does his best to help students be successful. My TA, Andrea, was awesome too! Both are very approachable.
Although Baxter can be disorganized and go off topic multiple times during a lecture, I enjoyed his class and I recommend people take his class, the exams are not a surprise & as long as you pay attention in lecture (along with good notes), you should do extremely well. The only major problem I had with this course were the readings, which sucked.
Baxter is a good professor and person. Although lectures are sometimes off topic and unorganized he will be very clear on what you need to know and what you don't for the exam. He is very approachable and clears any questions whether it be via email or during office hours.
Paul is definitely a prof that cares about his students. He is approachable and understanding. He mildly gets off topic sometimes but nothing too overbearing. Class itself is interesting and he is very reasonable. If this class is on your extendedcore list you should definitely take it.
He is VERY clear with what he is going to test students on. As long as you do the readings you don't even really need to go to class. He lays everything out for you the lecture before his tests. His lectures are hilarious but he usually doesn't stay on topic, and rarely gets through all the material that he wants to. LOVED this course.
Professor Baxter is a really nice person, and truly cares for his students. However, his lectures more often then not turn into off topic rambling about random philosophers such as Bentham and Locke. If you want an easy A and boast your GPA take his class. He is really easy however his class is not worth the money you spent and doesnotcompelu2think
Man is so nice. Too bad he's not good at lecturing because it's so unorganized. But if you ask for help, 100% he'll help you.
One of the kindest professors I've ever met. Lectures are a bit dry, but his tests are very clear and straight forward. He'll try his best to help everyone. Such an awesome person!!
Such a nice and funny guy. His lectures did tend to go off topic but it was never boring. He had a few funny stories to share. Really fair when it comes to tests. He provides a review and the breakdown ahead of time. Would recommend!
Great person, not the best at lecturing because he can go off in tangents. But he makes himself available to support you.
I LOVE THIS MAN SO MUCH. HES AN AMAZING PROFESSOR. SWEETEST.. HE IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST MEN I KNOW. HES ALSO THERE WHENEVER YOU NEED HIM AND WHENEVER SOMEONE NEEDS HELP HE WILL GIVE YOU 100%. TOO BAD THEY TOOK HIM OUT THIS YEAR. I ALMOST CRIED. THIS MAN DESERVES SO MUCH. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL TALENTED FUNNY PEOPLE IVE EVER MET!!!!!!!!
This professor is hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. He is kind, understanding, brilliant, and passionate about the subject matter he teaches. If you need help, he's there and he understands. Definitely take a class with this professor if you have the chance!
When I think back to all my classes and professors at York U, P.J. Baxter comes to mind right away. He's extremely informative, fair, and transparent. I remember how compassionate and understanding he was when I was dealing with a family crisis when other professors didn't even care. Prof Baxter is hands down a true scholar and a gentleman.
My favourite prof, ever.
The course material itself was very interesting. Professor Baxter is very well respected and liked by students. However, I found his lectures very unorganized. He did not stick to the syllabus and always went off topic during lecture never finishing it. Bev Orser is the best T.A. on his teaching team, she will teach you the majority of the class.
Even though Baxter was always all over the place during lectures and units kept getting removed because we were so behind on lectures LOL... he was such a funny guy and so passionate about what he was teaching. Just do the readings and pay attention to the clear things he wants you to know and it's an easy A!! & Nick was a great TA for exam prep!!
I would love to take this class again. Best Prof ever!!!! Very passionate about what he teaches. Very informational and inspiration. Caring Professor. Clear grading criteria. I had 3 classes with this prof and I just loved all his classes/lectures!
Professor Baxter is absolutely an amazing professor he is very inspirational and committed to his work. If you work hard and attend his classes you will most likely receive an A. He is a extremely fair marker and wants his students to succeed. Definitely one of the best professors in the criminology department.
Paul Baxter has been one of my favourite profs thus far. I had him for Criminal Justice Systems & Research Methods in Crim. He can sometimes be all over the place in his lectures but everything he talks about is interesting. He gives great reviews and is very clear on the grading. I loved going to his classes and both TAS I had were very good : )
He will tell you exactly what he expects on the exam. His assignments weren't so hard either. Great choice.
I can honestly say that Professor Baxter was the best prof I have ever had in my 4 years at York. Cares about his students and he is a very reasonable and knowledgeable professor. If you have the privilege of taking a course with Professor Baxter you will not regret it.
Absolutely amazing professor! He knows what he is saying and is super passionate! Also, very understanding and reasonable. He is definitely my favourite social science teacher within the 4 years I have been at York.
HE DOES NOT HAND BACK ANY MARKS...... I handed my paper in October its now basically February and I still dont have my mark back. This is ridiculous and I am disappointed. He marks 70% of your mark on two presentations..... Would not take course again.
Won't forget when this man accused me of plagiarism with no proof. You know when TurnItIn will flag you for putting the letter "I" there just because someone handing in their work before you? Just watch out. Hand in your stuff before everyone else, cause he doesn't know how TurnItIn works and will use that as his proof you plagiarized. Never again
THIS GUY IS A HEADACHE.... HE NEVER MARKS ANYONES MARKS..... 5 DAYS LEFT TILL HE HAS TO SUBMIT OUR FINAL MARKS AND HE STILLLLLLLL HAS NOT MARKED MY OCTOBER PAPER AND I HAVE NO MARKS BACK. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. AND HE WANTS A PROMOTION LOOOOOOL NO.
This course was not it and neither was the prof. So disorganized, tough marker and does not return your marks until he submits his final grades. I would have preferred to take any other professor and course for my fourth year crim seminar !!!
This guy was so messy, he does not even have dates in the syllabus for due dates ..... how does anyone plan their workload with their other courses. Hes so last minute, messy and I was very disappointed with this course, hes also a hard marker and my entire class said the same.
Paul was more concerned about fixing the grammar/syntax on my papers than critiquing my content. I barely used any of the textbooks 'required' for the course. As an A-A+ student, the work itself was easy and I understood the material but I found him giving me B+'s frequently and A's sparingly. He also changes the syllabus weekly.
Paul Baxter is definitely one of the best professors York has to offer. He is so warm and welcoming and makes you feel totally relaxed and non-stressed out. Hes just a normal guy with a hectic job! Very accommodating & understanding. You wont go wrong taking a course with professor Baxter. A true gem!
The best professor I have ever had in my 4 years of undergrad. I had him in the middle of this whole pandemic none-sense and he was by far the most understanding, caring, and thoughtful professor I have ever had. He went above and beyond to make sure all his students would not only be comfortable, but to finish well! Definitely recommend him !!!!
prof baxter was probably the nicest prof i've ever had at york. super considerate and flexible, especially during the pandemic. he shows how he genuinely cares about his students, and is a good professor who taught the course content very well. i thoroughly enjoyed the course and that's because of professor baxter.
He is a very understanding and kind person who actually cares about the students.
DO NOT HAVE THIS PROF! His slides make absolutley NO sense at all, they are not informational at all. He rambles in lecture, and doesn't explain the course concepts at all. When i tell you i have no idea what this prof is trying to teach us, i promise you everyone is 100% lost in this course. Not a good prof at all.
Professor Baxter is a great professor and I learned a lot throughout his course called 'Punishment.' However, be prepared because the exam was one of the hardest exams I've ever taken! If you're up for the challenge, this class is worth it, but make sure you stay on top of the material and review thoroughly.
The exam was very difficult. Paul was a great prof tho.
Nice prof, but tends to ramble during lectures which can be a bit boring. Exam was fair game if you studied, he told us the exact readings/lectures that would be on the exam so if you prepared it was good. Did not have good communication with TA's so TA's gave little feedback or did not know what was going on half the time.
Amazing professor but the exam was definitely one of the hardest I've taken throughout my academic career. However, course material is very interesting
I learned a lot in this course but the exam was way too difficult. If you're not a good test taker, this course might ruin your GPA and chances to apply to grad school.
This professor was wonderful. As I was learning about how the world is, he provided great theoretical perspectives that helped me understand the shaping of our society. His lectures are not so much about the PowerPoints but about listening to how he connects different perspectives and theories to the real world. TA Jennifer Weerasinghe was the best
He is very clear about his instructions and gives amazing feedback. You can tell he is very passionate about teaching. I would recommend any of his courses.
The best! Easy A+. Love his classes
Amazing prof actually cares about what he's teaching and also cares about the students
He creates a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. His kindness and patience make a big difference, and it's clear that he genuinely wants his students to succeed.
Not engaging at all. Slides + lectures are wordy. Overuses academic language when giving lectures. Textbook is very dense - a law school textbook (weird for an undergrad 3rd year class) It's very easy to fall behind. Exam structure is wild - worse one I've seen yet. He should be a law school prof instead. Save your GPA and do not take his classes.
very smart man but one of the worst criminology profs i've had
Every lecture and reading is so dense one class has like three weeks worth of information
Punishment is heavy loaded. A lot of information you gotta take in and understand in my opinion. But, test is changed to short essay questions and long essay question. The professor is nice, but his work is heavy. Wouldn't recommend it, it requires mandatory lecture attendance since his exam is based on lectures.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
64%
Textbook Required
60%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.02 avg changeRatings by Course
3381SOSC
5.0
(1)SOCI
5.0
(1)SOCI3381
5.0
(1)CRIM4260
5.0
(1)ANY
5.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
2651
5.0
CRIM3656
4.1
CRIM2651
4.0
CRIMINOLOGY
4.0
CRIM
4.0