2.8
Quality3.6
Difficulty30%
Would Retake186
Reviews30%
Would Retake
186
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
42
4
32
3
32
2
34
1
46
What Students Say
“He spends every class reading off powerpoint”
GPY235 - 1.0 rating“VERY religiously offensive too”
GPY235 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
87%
Textbook Required
74%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.52 avg changeRatings by Course
300
5.0
(1)GPY4
5.0
(1)PSY300
5.0
(1)GPY365
5.0
(1)GPYSS
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
LIB100
5.0
GEO380
5.0
GPYGPY
5.0
GPY300
4.5
GPY351
4.2
Reviews (186)
"Hey Folks"grades assigments unclearly,dry humor,weird people skills
Very friendly guy, interesting to talk to,3 hour classes are hard to get through
He's tough but a good proffesor- easy to talk to and does care about students
"Hey Folks!" is right. Be ready for a tough semester!
I'm sure he is an excellent researcher but a horrible prof.
Good Guy, weird
Funny, interesting guy. Not the easiet class, a lot of work, but he is helpful!
my prof 6 years ago, and i still remember him. loved the guy. unique
VERY FAIR GRADER!! He cared a lot and the 3 hour lecture flew by:) Underrated!!
If you ask him questions the class is really easy. He also makes good beer.
No Comments
He took us to europe for study abroad...he is hilarious! Wierd, but so friendl!!
One of the most memorable profs I ever had. I am a researcher because of him.
This man has NO people skills. He drifts off, mumbleing to himself and staring
this guy is the worst prof i've ever had..avoid if at all possible!!!!!!
GREAT guy, GREAT prof - come prepared to learn. Very entertaining.
Very entertaining, you want to go to his class each day.
He's very odd, and class isn't too hard, just do the work right the first time.
Very sexy. Fun, incredibly knowledgable and helpful.You will have to work though
very hard class, too much writing & assignments, avoid if SWS
funny, enthusiastic, keeps it interesting, assignments are a lot of work
this guys was the worst prof ever! avoid at all cost! should be fired!
Incredibly accomplished and intelligent - likeable guy - HW is VERY demanding!
Very willing to help you out. Incredibly funny!
I've been at GVSU for four years, and never have I had a worse prof
very funny, enthusiastic teacher. Keeps it interesting while actually learning
nice & caring, visit his office, ask for ex help, you'll do fine
great prof and great friend, be prepared to work though
inundates you with information but doesn't give any guidance on what to do with it. Might as well have taken a telecourse. Very enthusiastic instructor but gave little or no guidance what so ever.
No Comments
Best class I had at GVSU.
I enjoyed Dr. Cole's research methods class. He was very nice and helpful. It was a lot of work, but it paid off at the end. If you have to take SS 300, try and get Roy Cole.
Easy going class, with a lot of slides. Watch out for the projects theyll getcha
Dr. Cole will bend over backwards to help students, if you ask. He expects ALOT of out of class reading, ALOT... A bit eccentric, but a really good guy. Classes arent easy, but interesting.
He's funny as all hell
No quizzes, 2 or 3 projects, a final and that's it. Gives you tons of info but since there are no regular exams you don't know what to write down from lecture. Projects are tedious and intricate with little guidance. BAD puns and jokes. Avoid this class.
If you can handle macho cocky humor, than this is the prof for you. Just go to him when you need help and he will spend as much time as you need to finally understand. Before this class, I didn't know a lick about mi geography and now it's totally clear.
Roy is definitly a cool waky guy, very funny, but this class was a bit difficult. I ended up with a way better grade than expected, just do as best as you can on the assignments because quizzes and final are hard. Also ask for extra credit if possible!
Overall he is ok. The projects were not that difficult but time consuming. No tests or quizzes. He makes really bad jokes and lectures are hard to follow. No need to take notes. final is long but he grades fair Not a bad class.
I don't know what i was supposed to learn in this class. Cole is a cool guy with a sense of humor, but i didn't learn a whole lot that i think will be useful. We had 0 quizzes, just the final and some assignments, but again, what did i learn??
He's somewhat disorganized and I never quite understood how he was grading us. Nevertheless, he was funny and it wasn't a big workload.
Not a class where you exactly learn anything . . .he's very interested in letting you know his politics. That's about all he seems to do.
A long-winded political lecture (Hello? geography anyone?)He's obsessed with Palestinians (loves them) and Jews (BAD!!), but other than that you'll learn nothing
He is the worst teacher I have ever had. He was so preoccupied with the book that he is/was writing that it showed in his very boring lectures. His assignments are very unclear, but expects you to do well anyway. Do NOT take his class. Trust me!
No Comments
If you want to hear a bunch of totally biased crap, by all means take his course.
Very challenging course but prof was so helpful!
He seems to be more concerned with beer and his research than anything else.
More interested in making stupid and inappropriate jokes than teaching. Did not learn anything all semester. Waste of time!
RIDICULOUS final exam
Cole is a prof that IS willing to help you but is often unclear and his lectures often get sidetracked from what he is really supposed to be teaching. I got an A but I can't say I really learned anything...
He is HORRIBLE!!! He does not explain ANYTHING. Going to class is piontless you don't learn anything. This class is just another way to get money from students! Roy SUCKS!!!! DO NOT take him!
will not do much all semester long but his final is a tough take home that will test you to the fullest
Come on, he's not that bad. If you follow his instructions and come to class, you'll be fine. You'll actually have to learn a little on your own, and he makes sure you do so, but hey, that what class is for....to learn!
Prof Cole is hilarious! If you actually read the material and study, its not that bad. These ratings he got are ridiculous. He is hard, but I learned a lot and once again, he's hilarious!
Roy is cool. He really cares that his students do well. Pay attention, do your work, you'll be fine. He does have a different sense of humor, but it breaks up the monotony.
He's easy, but you'll learn nothing and resent every second you have tmo listen to his "humor."
One of the best prof's at GV. Can be tough, but you actually learn. Had him for various GPY and SS300, learned a lot in all the classes. If you don't want to be challenged, or if you don't want to learn, maybe you shouldn't be in college. Roy was always willing to help after class too, great guy
Roy is one of the very best. He's a GREAT guy and would do whatever it takes for you to learn. It's not just about your grade, but you actually do come out of his classes a better person. He really makes you think outside of the box. He's funny too. I absolutely recommend him!!!
Challending but always had time to meet me to discuss assignments
I loved this class! The exercises are fun and Prof Cole makes going to class fun. He's a silly guy and his zipper doesn't know how to stay up...he really cares about his students and I hated the fact that my class complained so much, TAKE HIM! :)
Do NOT take him. His final exam has NOTHING whatsoever to do with any of his lectures. Do NOT buy the book. It is useless because you are not tested on ANY of it. His lectures are DULL and the entire class sleeps. Lame jokes. He is a jerk.
The projects aren't too bad throughout the semester. The final is a joke you basicially are learning everything right at the end of the semester. Don't bother going to to talk to him because you end up feeling like an idiot and he doesn't help!
Worst professor I had in my four years at GVSU. I don't know why he is aloud to teach. It was a waste of my money, when I could have taught myself more by reading a book. Only one good thing, there was no book. Study for exam ahead of time and don't until the end.
He doesn't give a lot of assignments, so it is hard to keep your grade up. Our class had to do two GPS projects which were really hard until you figured out the program and got going on it. He didn't show us though, only gave instructions. He gives a midterm and a final, which were both essay exams. You need to study and keep up in this class.
Class was alot of work...especially for a Spring Term. Professor Cole is a nice guy with a good sense of humor, but is a very challenging professer. He also has very high expectations which are sometimes unrealistic for most students with a life outside of class.
Run!!! He is terrible, his is really mean. He has no idea what he is doing and gives you very unreasonible homework. He follows nothing what the other professors do. He expects you to do way to much homework, on top of reading every night, we had to read a 700 pg. novel and write a paper on it, he gave us no time to read it.
he is a smart guy but a really bad teacher, you coudn't pay me to take him again !
Prof. Cole is an intense teacher. His requirements are tough, and his assignments are unclear and impossible to ace. Take him only if you have to, and if you do, be prepared for a mental marathon. Not fun.
If you are someone who hates to hear an ideologue preach at your from his lecture, stay away!!! Apparently, this GEOGRAPHY professor knows enough to teach students that the Virgin Birth of Christ is a myth! Wow. I've heard profs say shocking things, but this guy takes the cake. Agree or not, he should be fired for being so overtly biased.
....STAY AWAY...He doesn't help you at all on assignments and his lectures are based on nothing that has to DO with your assignments. But don't worry, even if you figure out what you are doing, You will not Ace any assignment anyway. He will not let you. and you will basically have to teach yourself everything.
This guy is the most ignorant, self riteous person i have ever met. I honestly can say that i learned absolutely nothing from the babbling that he called a lecture. He was rude and should be fired for the outrageous things he said, including disrespecting other professors teachings. STAY AWAY!
This prof is a joke. His assignments take a ridiculously long time (avg 4 hrs per project). He gives 6 projects. cumulative essay final which is a b****!! you will learn nothing from his lectures. He just rambles. He tries to be funny but fails miserably.. This prof is so outrageously bad, he answered a call on his cell during our final exam!
OMG what a waste of time. Very difficult class topic, and no help from him at all. 80 minutes movies with subtitles, no lecture, purchase 7 books for the class but didn't use them. He's awful. Avoid. Avoid.
I enjoy class so much more when I have intelligent professors and Dr. Cole is definitely one. I'd probably add him to my "call list" if I were on "Who Want's to be a Millionaire?". The class was pretty easy with moderate effort but the 50 mult choice final had the most random questions. It took my A to a B+. Nice guy and interesting class.
I basically wanted to kill myself. Do not take this professor, he is literally the worst teacher I have ever had in my life.
Roy is awesome, I don't understand all the complaining.
roy has a good sense of humor and can be a little dull with lecture, but he enjoys what he teaches and that is rare come to class participate and ask questions good overall
Cole is an arrogant professor who is at GVSU only to collect a paycheck. The worst professor I've ever had!!
If you want help, he will give it to you. If you dont then he will not go and look for you. He is very fair, and a great guy. But best of all he wants you to do well.
Alright, yes this guy may seem a little arrogant, but he is one of the most experienced teachers at GVSU. He did research in Africa for like ten years. His stories are pretty amazing if he shares them with you. The first two assignments are fairly easy but the final assignment is pretty hard. Take this class in the spring or summer.
I wasted money on the book, he assigns chapters, then puts everything you need to know on Power Point. Great instructor, willing to help if you need it.
Dr. Cole is one the most intelligent people I have ever met. He has lots of experience in the field and likes to talk about it...especially Africa. Overall he is a really great teacher, but the lectures can be boring at times and he says "Since this class is double dipping" it should be a little harder than a 1st year class, and it is.
I don't understand how people say he's only in it for an ego and money. He's got impressive stories, a library in his head and clear expectations of his class. He's pretty funny if you're not a tense person. Class sometimes got boring, but kept it moving. The class can be tough because of the GenEd "double dipping," but it's to be expected.
He's a good prof, but the material can definately get boring at times. The final is ridiculously hard so make sure you do well the rest of the work in the class. He gives a TON of easy extra credit, so I did all of it, failed the final and STILL got an A in the class.
He treats everyone like they are a geography major. If you are taking this class for a gen ed dont take Cole. You will learn a lot if you actually study but his class is so overly difficult that its not worth it if you dont care. He thinks you dont have anything else to do but study for his ridiculous exams and projects. His class is boring.
AVOID! He talks about stuff that you will never use again in your life. This class is so boring and you get nothing out of it!
All he does everyday is show powerpoints and talk...really boring. However if you go for the first 15minutes and just sign in on the attendance sheet then you can leave...he doesnt notice. Really nice guy...but wouldnt recommend this class.
HORRIBLE! RUN FAR-FAR AWAY! The worst professor ever! Very strict, dumb attendance policy. Useful professor, Hard grader. Just HORRIBLE! NEVER, EVER take him!
His geography class on the Middle East was horrible. He was offensive to those who are Arabs and Muslims. He makes jokes that no one understands and within those jokes are underlying discriminatory tones. He gives long boring lectures about information that is not on the exams. Loves hearing himself talk and doesn't care for your opinions.
Practically reads off powerpoints, which are already difficult to follow. Terrible jokes, completely unhelpful, tests over stuff not covered in class, hard grader on paper but gives you notes you can't read. won't tell you what your grade is so you never really know. Overall a VERY frustrating experience. Avoid him if you can.
What a joke. Isn't available for office hours. Doesnt answer emails promptly. Teaches poorly. Tells bad jokes. Worst professor at GVSU hands down. Avoid at all costs. Should be fired!
WORST CLASS EVER! All he does in the lectures is talks about the ppt. It is extremely boring and NOT helpful when taking the exam. The midterm was manageable but the final was ridiculous! It was the hardest, most impossible thing I've ever taken. I would've had to memorize the text to do ace it. Do yourself a favor and take a different prof.
READ THIS. Prof Cole is NOT that bad. If you pay attention in class, and study for exams, you will be FINE. Offers TONS of extra credit, so easy to get a good grade. Yes, his jokes are corney, but just laugh. He's very knowledgable and has a TON of experience. He shows lots of cool pictures.
This professor is a serious waste of time and money. I have learned NOTHING in this class. He is impossible to pay attention to and is not helpful with explaining anything. Do NOT take this professor!!! He should be fired immediately!
He is useless. I did not learn anything while i was in his class. i advise anyone who thinks Professor Cole is a good teacher to rethink your status because he is terrible
class is boring, tests are hard, attendance is mandatory yes. but he gives out so much damn extra credit and he must curve the final like crazy, so honestly its not that bad. if your willing to go to class everyday and do the extra credit you should get at least a B. just study for the midterm and you will be fine.
This guy is ridiculous. I've learned absolutely nothing in this class. He doesn't even give you straight answers just makes up BS. Classes are boring, midterm is stupid and hard to find the answers too. Don't take him unless u want to here about his trips to Africa and all the diseases he's had.
Professor Cole's class is pretty boring at times, but if you just try to enjoy listening about the subjects its not to bad. Most of the final is based off of the book. Try to keep up with the reading and it will make studying for the final much easier. I slacked on the reading and was able to pull off an A, but it was a lot of studying at the en
He is the worst ever. Has no clue what he's talkin about and rambles on about who knows what. His tests have no review. 2 tests and nothing else. They'r 55% of your grade and his "extra credit" are GPY meetings that are always during other classes. He should be fired cuz he's a wasting everyone's time. I learned absolutly nothing
Impossible to get an A. no one has ever gotten above a 93 on the final and he's given it for like 10 years. he doesnt want you to succeed. the assignments take forever and are inteneded for a geography major... this is NOT an easy class. Worst and most boring teacher i've ever had. GVSU would be smart to fire him. I had a 3.8 GPA and got a D.
Worst professor I have ever had... The class I took was a Gen Ed and he expected us to know things way beyond the level of the class. Notes are all over place covering random topics with no order or structure. Exams are graded really difficult and the final project is a huge wast of time and extremely difficult and time consuming!
This professor is a joke, he really is. You have no clue what you are going to get in the class 'till the end because he does not upload grades. The midterm is okay, but the project is useless and pointless. He is absolutely useless. I would recommend Kin Ma, this gpy 235 class is not a gen ed, it is for geography majors, or at least it seems. :-)!
The class was extremely tough, not because of the content but the way Cole taught. He would walk in, turn out all the lights, and lecture and joke to himself in till the class was over. He was open to office visits but they would turn into aggravating experience as he would ask the question you asked back to you and then laugh; like a annoying Yoda
This class is ridiculously hard. I took it as a gen-ed and it was the toughest class I've ever had. He lectures using hundred-slide long powerpoints. Mid-term (8 essays) wasn't too bad but he is extremely unclear on expectations for projects and the final. If you don't read the entire book cover to cover, you won't know anything on the final.
This about sums up the class...In order to receive a MAXIMUM of a 93 on the final, you must read the textbook, at least 3 times through, (once being 27 chps), read 10 + random articles, OH and best of ALL, YOU HAVE TO BE HIS SON..... Just saying that is a MORE than a LITTLE MESSED UP.
Very unorganized and unclear. The lectures were interesting but gives you no basis for what he actually wants you to know for the final. He said know the entire 700 page text book and the final was ridiculous. I honestly was shocked I ended up passing the class after I took the final. Nothing on his lectures are really tested at all.
He may not be the easiest professor, but he is well worth the hassle.
Prof. Cole teaches a very hard class. The tests are very challenging and there is alot of reading and studying necessary to get a good grade. Gives alot of extra credit to make up for the tests. Overall its a good challenging class where you learn alot.
Never ever Take this class it's very hard and boring, plus he insulted my intelligence! Maybe I just don't care about anything he talked about!!!
ROYYYY COLE!!! crazy with his awkward humor...funny at times..but most of the time you just sit there wondering what the heck he is talking about. He is very well traveled and knows a lot about the world but doesn't really know how to teach without rambling
Sometimes unclear and needs to lighten up a little bit.
This professor lays the course out very clearly. The material is fairly hard, and his lectures have little to do with what is on the test. th only issue I have is that he is so BORING.
Prof Cole was a cool guy. Had many interesting stories and really knew his stuff. Map extra credit made this class a lot easier along with good curve. Ended up getting a B+ without ever opening the book!
Great prof and nice guy. Very intelligent and has a lot of first hand experience. Be prepared to put in the work though.
Did NOT like this prof. He was very unclear for the homework assignments but grades them pretty tough. He is very nice and knowledgeable about his field but does not know how to explain the material. He is really enthused with the subject though and is pretty funny. Still a stressful and boring class though.
Prof. Cole is tough, but a great teacher. He demands a higher level of achievement and I came out smarter on the other end. Funny?? Yes, but in a "spazzy/intellectual" way. One of the more helpful and easily one of the brighter professors at GVSU. This class is not for the lightweights.
I would not recomment him as a techer if you have a hard time focusing in class. He lectures everyday, and they are not all that exciting. what he lectures on is not what is on the exams and you pretty much have to teach yourself the information. but he is a very nice guy and is very funny.
He doesnt get the class involve to learn about the subject even though he is knowledgable. He lecture are boring and the information isn't on the exam which makes it difficult.
He doesnt really know how to present his material to the class. Also the tests are rediculously hard if you dont get yourself to read and reread each chapter a few times.
he is horrible at engaging the students and his voice sound like the counselor from South Park... you think it would be awesome but it gets annoying after a while, mmhhmm kay? I just didn't enjoy the class at all the subjects in the book were completely different from what he taught us.
This class wasn't very interesting, it was difficult to pay attention in class. Lecture didn't help towards the exams, but you have to go to class for attendance points. When you send him an email (it has to be proper, Dear Professor/Dr. Cole) he sends back a lot of information, not alway answering your question. Hes not too bad, okay professor.
absolutely horrible professor. Exams are impossibly hard, lectures are soo boring and the end of the year project is pointless. DO NOT TAKE HIM AS A PROFESSOR!!!!!
SO HARD! he is a great guy but an absolutely boring professor. The lectures are impossible to pay attention to. He think his jokes are funny but no one else gets them. The exams are impossible no point in even studying you'll never get an A. 10 points off every time you skip. Map and Chapter quiz usually once a week. dont take if you dont have to!
He is the worst professor I've ever had. He made us take our final exam during terrible weather, despite power going out and the fire alarm blaring for 22 minutes. He makes unprofessional comments on the poor, Jews and Muslims. The average grade in our class was a C-. NEVER TAKE ROY COLE. DO NOT.
I did not like this professor at all, he wasnt interesting at all and he gave you tests that were literally IMPOSSIBLE!! He took points off if you didnt come to class no matter what the reasoning was. He dosnt even get to know his students I use to get emails calling me MR when I was clearly a Miss and the class size wasnt even big
This class was not what i expected...it focused on the GPY students and has nothing to do with the ED students. He is not clear on what he wants as far as assingments go, and marks you down for no reasoning. Prof. Cole is a great guy and everything...just not a class i would take again
I was interested in the topic, but I found it IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with his course goals. They changed at least three times through the semester, and the methods for grading were unclear also. Exam was unrelated to the textbook & in-class discussions. I am a senior in college, a 4.0 student who received a D in his class. . . that says a lot!
just awful. the class is mandatory although barely anything he says in class is on the tests. his exam reviews are literally more confusing than helpful. was considering geography as a minor but this guy.... AVOID AT ALL COST honestly.
His lectures are little dry but if you honestly fill out the stduy guides and go oevr them you will ACE the tests and exams. The map quizes were easy too. He allowed me to make up an exam because I was sick so he will work with you.
Extremely-EXTREMELY boring lectures. He's really weird which can be entertaining at times, but terribly boring class.
Professor Cole was my favorite teacher. Some may think that the lectures are boring, but if you are at all interested in geography you will love this class. He has a passion for what he does, a lot of knowledge on it and is genuinely interested in your success. Not to mention he is very crazy and hilarious which made class even that more exciting.
He is such a good teacher. He knows his stuff well. If you just do the study guides you will get an A. The map quizzes each week are SO easy. Attendance is mandatory.
I thought it was a fairly easy class. Lectures can be a bit boring but if you do the study guides, easy a. He is also very intelligent, knows his stuff and has a clear passion for geography. Map quizzes and attendance help your grade a lot so make sure to do them. He is also helpful and wants you to do well.
Great man
I swear he's the worst teacher ever. People fell asleep during his class, his voice is annoying and monotone, the study guides don't make sense and don't have anything to do with his PP presentations. I HATED this class. Don't take it with him, you will regret it. Instead of Geography, he taught HISTORY -_- Dumbest class ever.
He is corny as hell, but that's what makes him likable. Classes are EXTREMELY boring, but an attendance sheet goes around each time so you must attend to get a decent grade. Class is pretty easy if you take notes. Final project is no joke, maps are easy to make , but the paper he wants you to write will literally take 6 hours.
I appreciate Professor Cole's passion for the subject; however, I disliked his teaching style. Take the map quizzes seriously because they will boost your grade, and start the GIS project early because it is a lot of work. Also, answer every question on the study guides because the exams are the study guides word for word.
Good guy, really enjoyed the class.
He is very passionate about his subject, and he is very entertaining. I enjoyed his class and it is a very easy. If you show up, do the map quizzes and take notes, you will do fine. His lectures are about everything that will be on the exam. He also offers a lot of extra credit throughout the semester. Easy A.
The topics he discusses are very interesting topics, and he is very smart and clearly very passionate about his subject. HOWEVER, his lectures are so long and painfully boring, he often rambles off to himself about who knows what? Also, tried to go to his office hours many times and he didn't show up?- email beforehand! Offers lots of extra credit
Professor Cole is an awesome guy. He genuinely loves geography and teaching it. His lectures are pretty long and not exciting. As long as you print the notes and follow along, DO THE ONLINE QUIZZES, and study for exams, you're good. Easy class. Only hard thing is the GIS project. Start EARLY and ask A LOT of questions. It's a hard paper to write.
Professor Cole is extremely passionate about geography and the history that goes along with it. However, his lectures are very long and if you arent interested in the subject, it will get boring. Do the exam reviews, they help a lot. Overall, I enjoyed this class.
Make sure you do the online map quizzes. He won't give you a heads up as to when they are open or not so check Blackboard regularly. He's a weird guy. The GIS project sounds easy but it is very difficult, so start it early. If I somehow failed this class and took it again I would get a different professor.
Graduated GVSU Geography program in 2013. Roy Cole is intelligent, passionate, and full of character. This is not the professor for you if your goal is an easy class with no self application involved. Roy challenges his students because he is trying to unlock what he knows you are capable of with a little bit of effort. Do recommend.
His class is boring but he tries to make it make jokes and he's hilarious. He sends an attendance sheet around every class and gives really helpful study guides for tests. Only two tests including final.
Professor Cole is a smart man, but his lectures are BORING! He tries to make jokes, but it doesn't go over very well. His powerpoint slides are like 143 slides long and he does not post them right away. We only had 2 exams, but they were all written essay questions. Sometimes we didn't get information for the exam until the day before!
We had 2 tests all year which included the final. Map quizzes every week or so which were online, so he encouraged you to use your book/internet. Lectures are BORING, hates when you use your phone and will call you out. Study guides are given, but very, very confusing. Exam is also confusing. Doesn't remind you to read book, but its on the exam.
Extremely boring.
He spends every class reading off powerpoint. Lectures are LONG and BORING. 2 tests for the year on random stuff.. Attendance is worth 25% of grade. Big project. Constantly calls out students who use cell phones in class. I would rather go through the Hunger Games and Twizard Tournament while listening to Bieber on repeat than take this class
Most people found him boring, but I LOVED Cole's lectures. When you got into it, they (and he) were fascinating. He told really quirky jokes that I always found hilarious. Map quizzes were easy (unlimited time and he told us to use Google), tests/final were hard. Pretty alright if you studied. Practically everything was covered in his study guides.
Professor Cole is a very nice guy. However, his lectures are very boring. He talks more about history and his own experiences than actually teaching what is for example in the book. You get lots of points for showing up for class and if you do the study guides you should get at least a B. Start early on the GIS project and ask him for pointers.
His lectures are long and boring. 3 exams including the final but he drops your worst one (first time he's done this) gives you no study guide so it's hard to know what to expect. Attendance is a HUGE part of your grade and there is a big GIS project due at the end of the semester. 60 point map quizzes every week open book online super easy.
I LOVED prof. Cole. He was amazing. He is so knowledgable and has the best (driest) sense of humor. He was incredible and I found that the students who didn't get anything out of the class or who thought it was boring were the ones who were pretty boring and dry themselves. Would recommend if you like to learn.
It can take a while to adjust to Professor Cole's quirky style, but he really grew on me as the semester went on. He is really passionate about what he teaches and has a lot of amazing stories and experiences to back up his lectures. Definitely do all of the readings otherwise you will not pass the tests.
WARNING: AVOID TAKING THIS CLASS. He does not give study guides for ANY of the exams. Attendance is 15%, but a waste of time when you learn virtually nothing from his lectures. He is condescending and when you ask a question, he talks around it instead of giving you a direct explanation. It almost seems like he wants you to fail.
Cole is a teacher who loves to lecture. He shares his stories like it is his job. If you didn't know what class it was to start you'd never find out. But it is certainly an easy class with attendance being 40 percent of the grade. Take this for your world perspective course!!!
Beware these lectures are long and boring. Attendance is a huge part of your grade but it sucks because you learn nothing. You have no idea what will be on the exams. One huge project that he answers questions with "check the instructions" when they are 17 pages long and very confusing. He isn't there for you to succeed.
Stay away from this prof. Attendance is 20% of your grade. If you miss one class it brings your grade down. Not helpful with the final project. LONG & confusing lectures. Inappropriate speaking about God's non existence and religions. This didn't relate to the lecture, he really offended some students. Save yourself & take someone else.
I couldn't even finish his course. I'm not even a religious person, but I felt offended by many of the things he said, and I know a lot of other students felt the same way. He seems very condescending and doesn't act like he wants you to pass.
Prof. Cole wasn't the best I've had but not the worst. He is very lecture heavy and attendance is HUGE. One big GIS project, kinda hard to understand with 17 pages of instructions. He offers extra credit, the exams are HARD. I failed the first one but somehow pulled out an A in the course...? So I suggest go, and do the extra credit.
I'm still taking his class & so far so good. I just saw the bad reviews & had to comment. If you're a sheltered kid up to this point in your life & haven't been anywhere else in the world, this class is for you. He opens your eyes with new perspectives. He's been to a lot of places so he uses those experiences as examples. Very fascinating course!
Professor Coles lectures are very long and boring. Make sure you do the map quizzes on time, they are easy points. Tests are very difficult, and the review sheets are very vague. To succeed, you must find your information from the book. GIS Project is tough, but doable if you try hard. I suggest going to his office hours.
I would NOT recommend taking this professor! He is extremely rude and disrespectful. He makes VERY offensive comments and would tell students their opinions and beliefs were wrong. I did well in the class but it was only because of the text book, which is where most of the test questions come from. He tells his opinion as fact. SWITCH PROFS
If you are a half decent student you will do great in this class. The reviews on here scared me for this class, but if you show up to class and pay attention (lectures are a bit boring) you will do fine. The study guide he gives you for exams IS the exam. If you do the study guide you'll get an A. Also I never read accept to answer the study guide!
I would not recommend taking him. His lectures are super long and boring. Very hard for me to stay awake. Plus the organization of is presentation is hard to follow and he goes off on a lot of random tangents that you don't know if you need to know or not. Study guide is vague and it's hard to know what to expect on the exams.
Professor Cole is not the easiest professor but definitely one of my favorites I've had at GV so far. He is sooo educated on geography as a whole there's literally nothing he isn't informed on. Yes his class is lecture heavy and it can get boring at times. Take Prof. Cole if you truly want to learn a lot and challenge yourself!
Dr. Cole is a great guy, but not really that great of a professor. He's easily side-tracked and it's sometimes hard to follow along. He also likes to say weird stuff that doesn't pertain to the class at all, but it gives you a laugh. He would not be my first choice to take this class.
Dr. Cole knows what he's talking about. He really knows his stuff, and if you're a geography major, take his class. For the rest of you, avoid him. Lecture heavy and at the end of the year you receive (no joke) a 25 page instruction book for a single page paper. Good luck
I have not learned one thing in his class because he was all over the place and very unorganized. Class consists of boring confusing lectures that don't make any sense. There are only two exams, and a group project worth 400 points. VERY religiously offensive too..I've never met someone with such little respect for other people's beliefs
Big fan of his until the Group Project Essay. He's different. And by that I mean he is not a typical professor. Has a unique sense of humor (which can be great) and has no problem dropping a swear word in here and there. Aside from the ridiculous group project, the class wasn't terribly difficult and he isn't a bad professor. But that project DUDE!
Cole is someone you either love or hate. I found him hilarious and wacky in a good way. A lot of Dad jokes. I seriously learned so much just because hes so passionate about what he teaches. Super lecture heavy, weekly online quizzes (although he said he wont do them ever again) and a group project at the end - Go to his office hours for it.
Took this professor. Awful. Puts things on exam that we don't even cover in the class. Spends 3 class periods talking about one topic, then puts 10 questions on the exam about a footnote from another lecture. Teaches un-verified, personal opinions as facts and dodges around criticisms. Data he presents is always from questionable organizations.
Professor Cole is easily the worst prof I have taken. He is extremely rude and whenever you try to ask a question he makes you feel stupid and never gives a straight answer. Exams are impossible and relate to very little that was related to the class lecture. DO NOT TAKE!
I really didn't like this professor. The lectures are very detailed and the exams often have questions that weren't covered in class. The final project is pretty hard. I would not recommend taking this prof. He's probably the worst prof I've ever had. TAKE SOMEONE ELSE.
Love him as an advisor, dislike him as a professor. Gives you scholarly articles/books to present 2 group presentations. Students are basically responsible for teaching each class period. Your grade is based on written exams, group projects, student evaluations, & participation. He's very knowledgable about the topics so he has high expectations.
I am not a geography person so this class was difficult. He teaches it as if everyone is a geography major, and this is how he grades. He knows a lot about the subject so it makes it hard if you don't. The group project at the end is tough, and he makes you meet with him to discuss the paper (which is very helpful).
I am a Geography major, so I love Geography. This was the most boring class I have ever been in. He gives 1:15 long PP of just pictures where he tells personal stories. It's a relatively easy class, but it's so boring half the class doesn't show up (even though it's mandatory). Haven't learned anything, try to avoid if possible.
I don't think Dr. Cole knows what he is teaching half of the time. I have gone to so many lectures where I leave asking myself what was important and what was just filler. To be honest, it is really hard to separate the two with him as he throws so much at you during class periods. Most of it does not relate to exams or anything that will help you.
Prof. Cole knows what he is talking about. However, the course is extremely lecture heavy. But if you like this subject I definitely think hes worth it. He is very accessible and wants you to ask questions.
Dr. Cole is a pretty good professor. He is very academic and knows a lot about the material. He is not exactly easygoing, but he is fair and he can be funny at times. It is very very important to pay attention to his lectures. He talks a lot but the exams (not ez) are based entirely upon his talks. Other assignments are fairly few and pretty easy.
Very disrespectful to anyone that has questions and is at times insulting. One side of the political is constantly insulted and ridiculed. Very lecture heavy and not relating to his exams at all. He is knowledgeable, however, doesn't have clear goals for the students to do well. Do not take this professor
Lecture heavy and most of what he lectures on does not correlate to the 2 exams you take throughout the semester. exams are hard but you can make up points through the 3 other assignments you do. He gives his opinion and if you disagree he will belittle you in front of the class. If you ask a question about anything he will also belittle you. awful
Lectures are very boring. Dont bother printing out the powerpoints because he changes them and you get lost with the disorganization of them. Hes not very nice & gets off subject too much. Easy chapter quizzes/map quizzes. Dont buy the book, do the other assignments, and do the video project to pass. The project is ridiculous. Tests are hard.
Prof. Cole is a very nice guy! Power points he posts are hours long , fast forward them , and class is lecture heavy. Exams are over his lectures and power points NOT the book. He gives many extra credit opportunities to boost your grade and even gave extra credit to students who showed up to class. Would definitely recommend him.
Awesome professor and academic advisor, taught me so much.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
87%
Textbook Required
74%
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