He's an engaging and excellent teacher. His course material is heavy but as long as you keep up with the readings, you'll do fine. His tests consist of IDs from the readings and essay questions, outlining the year. If you can, take his class - Anth 2! :)

An unbelievably awesome teacher. Lots of reading, but always very interesting. Take anything he teaches, I'm sure it will be worthwhile!

Amazing professor with a wealth of knowledge, I really enjoyed his class. It doesn't hurt that he was one of Washington's 50 most beautiful people in the Washingtonian either.

I loved him and the TAs Thomas and Alexis. The class was interesting and fascinating. If you do not like reading though, think again about taking any anthro class. Many of my classmates, including myself found him very attractive also. =)

He is so informed and has really dedicated his life to this subject. He has such great stories to tell during his lectures and he's a total cutey, this is a great intro. to Anthro.

Amazing. Take this class if you can. If you just study your notes you will do well. He's not bad on the eyes either.

Great lecturer, very enthusiastic. Easy class -- he gives you a list of IDs before the exam. I'm planning on taking him again.

Check him out as one of Washingtonian Magazine's 25 most intriguing people. Difficult to catch cause he's way busy. He jogs alot.

Very charismatic speaker, constantly keeps students interested in the subject. Knows a lot. Extremely liberal, but its anthro so its expected.

At first he seems like a really easy going guy, but don't be fooled, he's really intense and can be kind of scary. He's a fair grader (details on the exams are important)and is helpful if you catch him in office hours. Still, kinda scary

Psychological Anthropology is a great class. He's an interesting teacher who isn't that hard. One of my favorite classes I've ever taken.

A very charismatic speaker, has some interesting/weird anecdotes to tell class. Good at applying the concepts we are learning to everyday life as examples. If you take detailed enough notes you can get away without doing most of the reading. Very fair grader, in the exams be sure to include those details showing u listened in class!

Very warm, funny guy, cares so much about teaching. Incredible enthusiasm. You just learn so much because he's so knowledgeable and does a lot of research. His stories about Africa and Asia are amazing. The class is easy in the sense that you know what you need to study and because you won't fall asleep. This was the most fun class I've had.

AWESOME prof! Take this class if you can.

Just took 002 as a new transfer student and I was wowed. Hard time convincing my parents anthro. was worth taking. This prof. changed how I think about the world. In office hours, he helped me see how anthropology was useful to careers outside of academics. Teaches from books but also from his own life, family, etc. Hard not to have a crush on him.

He's a swell guy, and I'll miss his class next year.

Great professor and lectures are fun. Problem is, do not take this course if you have a heavy workload. All the readings are interesting, but beware that they can be hard to keep up with. Grading is highly subjective. The material is clear and easy to understand, but the midterm/final are hit or miss even if you know the material.

Interesting class. Sometimes Grinker seems a little full of himself (like he'll call on you if you have something to say and then ignore you). Overall though, good class, and pretty easy. I suggest going to class bc he tests based off of lecture (and you won't have to do the reading).

SO GOOD LOOKING! and the class was extremely interesting, as well. Tons of anecdotes about his daughter with autism. It helps you remember he's human, not a god or just a professor. Absolutely brilliant, but not that concerned about individuals. Follow his instructions and pay attention in class and you'll learn alot.

I loved his class. I had no idea what to expect but now I want to be a sociocultural anthropology minor. He knows his stuff and his test aren't that bad.

Really awesome professor. He has great stories and is so much fun to listen to.

Overall solid class. The readings are the most interesting part, the ones after the midterm much more so than the ones before. Lecture was kind of a hit or miss - sometimes interesting, sometimes just redundant. The class was easy, but at least skim all the readings. Exams are straightforward, he gives out a list of terms beforehand.

Amazing prof. cannot understand why people think he has an ego just because he's published so much. If you want unsuccessful profs go to another school. I found him humble and kind.

Excellent professor. Always enjoyed coming to class. Incredibly knowledgeable and clear. Makes sure you know what is expected on exams and papers, so there are no surprises.

Prof. Grinker is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Definitely take a course from him if you can because he is so much better than most. His teaching is great because he has done so many different things in so many countries. He is a really great storyteller and clearly loves anthropology -- which makes you love it too.

This was a Dean's Seminar on Autism and it was by far the best class I've had at GW. Grinker is flat out awesome. So helpful, engaging, freakishly intelligent/adventurous without being conceited. He told great stories, literally wrote the book on autism, and it was easy to learn AND get an A - amazing! He even took our whole class out to dinner.

No reading really necessary + amazing lectures/discussions + easy grader = GW's best professor. He's so passionate about autism and anthropology, he made are entire class excited about the subjects. You MUST take Grinker's class!

great prof.

Great professor. He is interesting, funny, and engaging. I loved this class! The exams are not hard if you study a little bit and there is one small (5-7 page) paper which is very easy. Take this class! It's fantastic!

He's is truly amazing. Take his Cultures of Africa class (took it over summer). He is smart, engaging, and awesome. Learned so much. Def an expert in his field. If you want to learn something and get a strong recommendation from a prof at GW, take a class of his. Glad I met him and wish I could take more anthro courses before graduating. No regrets

Very charismatic lecturer... for the lectures I went to. Attended probably 40-50% of lectures and almost all discussion sections (they were more useful) and got an easy A by BSing abstract anthropological ideas and integrating his terms. Tells you what's on the tests, and you really just have to skim the reading if you have a good TA.

Loved the class. Will be majoring in anthropology. Fantastic lectures. He is available. First to class. Last to leave the room so you have time to talk to him. Plays music videos before class, uses movies but not powerpoint. A great lecturer. One of the best professors I have had in three semesters here. I had a great TA too.

Grinker is absolutely incredible and as long as you put in minimal effort his class is very easy. He's always available before and after class. Even if you don't think you're interested, definitely take a class with him

Probably the best course I have had at GW. Awesome prof and course. Definitely take this course if you can get in.

Professor Grinker was great! The class is fairly easy, as long as you attend discussion section and study for the finals. His lectures are interesting and engaging - he makes you want to be an anthropologist.

Pretty easy class. A lot of the class skips but most of the important information is given in lecture and the rest is in discussion so don't skip and it'll be pretty easy. He's very knowledgeable about Anthropology and makes most subjects really interesting.

Great dude. Show up for class, even though it's super tempting not to. Easy class, GPA booster and you actually learn a lot, which I was not expecting. Generally pleasant surprise.

A very approachable professor who is always willing to sit and talk with students even when it's not his office hours. He's really brilliant and always knows exactly what he's talking about when he teaches. Tests are easy and he tells you what terms will be on them beforehand. The only way to not get an A in this class is to not do the work.

I have a godly admiration for Dr. Grinker. He is so knowledgable about everything that he teaches and his passion for the subject is evident. You don't have to go to his lectures, but they are extremely interesting and engaging and will definitely help you on exams and papers.

Took 1002 with Dr. Grinker for a GPAC and was so inspired that I took several ANTH courses (including his Africa course) and developed a strong zeal for the subject despite it not being my major. His passion when lecturing is truly contagious. Easily one of the most thought provoking instructors I have taken at GW who soundly impacted my thinking.

Grinker is very passionate about Anthropology and gives great lectures. Lectures are not mandatory but discussion sections are, and participation is part of your grade. Grade is based on only a few assignments but if you put thought into your writing you will do well. Overall, Professor Grinker isn't an easy A but the class is interesting.

Grinker is amazing!! Would highly recommend. Go to all his lectures, you'd be crazy not to. Take good notes because they matter a lot for the midterm and final. Grading depends on TAs but all are generally thought to be good. Grinker is very passionate, inspiring and intelligent. I loooved his class.

Although people blow off ANTH 1002 as introductory and easy (yes the tests aren't that hard and not many assignments), Grinker makes it extremely interesting. He speaks from his incredible personal experiences and seeks to explain in depth all the subjects. It is clear that he is passionate. Your grades will mostly come from the TA's, though.

Absolutely the best lecturer I've had at GW! He's super helpful, passionate and a fascinating person! Always willing to talk before and after class and genuinely wants you to succeed in his class. Gives terms ahead of time for exams, which makes studying for the exams much easier. If you're taking Sociocultural Anthropology, take it with Grinker!

Grinker is a great professor. Sociocultural anthropology is a pretty big class, but if you participate and go to his office hours, he is sure to remember. He's firm but fair, and a really funny guy. I loved the class.

Grinker is an amazing professor! He's funny and an engaging lecturer. The class is a very easy A. One 3-page paper, midterm, final, and discussion grade. He gives the terms before the test, and their grading standards are super low. Just skim the readings and show up to lecture. 10/10 would recommend.

I loved this class, and my TA Karleen. It totally changed how I think about my existence. If you do the readings, you will do well. Highly recommend! Also love hearing about Grinker's fieldwork experience in Africa. He make lecture interesting and works hard to communicate well.

Overall an easy class. The lectures were interesting, but you definitely didnt need to be there to get a good grade in the class. Getting a good TA is literally everything, since they grade everything and go over the readings. I had Marine and liked her a lot.

I went to the lectures until the midterm when I learned he doesn't put anything from the lec. on the exams. Discussion was really important because we went over the readings which where the entirety of the midterm and final (so take notes). Drinker is a really smart and funny guy, knows a lot about his field, but you learn most outside of class.

Grinker is an amazing lecturer, but make no mistake, he grades nothing. The graduate TAs do all of the grading and help you understand the material in the discussion. This year he started putting lecture material on the midterm and final, but you could still get away with not coming to a single lecture as long as you read the (IMO boring) readings.

Whenever I was in Professor Grinker's class I never wanted to leave. Time moves so fast in that class because of how interesting Grinker is as a man not only a professor. He mentions his African study a lot, which I thought was very interesting. I thought that showing up for lecture was very important, even though there is discussion.

An overall great lecturer, I loved his study of Autism. But that being said, this class is all about what TA you have and how good they are at both teaching/grading style. My TA (Robert) was awesome but he was a tough grader. The subject material for this course was very very interesting though and I felt like I learned a lot.

As everyone else says: having a great TA matters. I had Kaitlyn and she was absolutely lovely, accessible, and helpful. Grinker's lectures are more or less optional. They're very interesting and engaging, but not necessarily helpful for the exam. Didn't go for the second half of the term. Lots of reading, but the exam is not too difficult.

Grinker is a good and engaging lecturer, he has very interesting opinions on certain subjects in Anthropology and some info goes way over my head, its very technical info. Grinker expects a lot from you and there are many readings. But there are a few grades which is nice because TAs are nice about them. READ THE READINGS-you will need it!

Prof. Grinker is an OK Professor. For an introductory course into sociocultural anthropology, I feel that it was too in depth. I didn't really learn about anthro as a field or the history behind its development, just a lot of terms from 50 page readings you have to do every night. You can choose to either read or go to his lectures, it's the same.

Lecture's kind of related to the exams but main content of the test was based on the readings he assigned, most of which were on Blackboard. Lectures are anecdotal but not really helpful. Midterm and final were a list of ID terms to memorize and he chose 3 to put on test. Your grade depends on the TA you get cause they grade everything.

take this class! you won't regret it! the lectures are very engaging. your TA does all of the grading. easy A

Dr. Grinker gives interesting lectures that can at times stray off topic into lots of side discussions. He isn't the most organized in his style and doesn't give lots of feedback, but a quirky guy worth taking a class with

Dr. Grinker is an amazing professor. If he ever teaches a medical anthro class (or similar class) again, take it! His lectures are fascinating (although occasionally disorganized) and his passion about medical/psychological anthropology is inspiring. He is also a fair grader and checks in with students periodically about assignments.

Easily one of the best lecturers at GW and always made the content interesting. He can be a bit pompous but he is pretty funny. I wouldnt recommend this class if you dont like long reading assignments. Your TA does all the grading so it is a very easy class

I absolutely loved this class. It gave me a new lens on why society does what it does, and the medical/psychological topics, such as mental illness, were also very interesting and relevant to me. Readings can be dense but are interesting, as are the documentaries. Grinker is engaging and intelligent. Highly enjoyed discussion sections as well.

My TA was great so I didn't really do the readings, graded by midterm, final, and a handful of papers. The books you need are available at the library or online, and the articles are scanned in Blackboard, so you shouldn't have to buy anything

I wish this class was in person. The professor is a very interesting guy with interesting lectures, but since it was online, it was really difficult to get the full experience. The class is reading heavy, and if you don't read, then you will have no idea what's going on.

Dr. Grinker is a knowledgeable professor. His lectures are interesting and while he assigns lots of readings, they are manageable bc they're so interesting. Attendance of the lecture was asynchronous, but the discussion was synchronous and mandatory. There are multiple writing assignments but they were fun and interesting.

(Taken during COVID) Professor Grinker is clearly incredibly knowledgeable about anthropology and radiates a good vibe in his pre-recorded lectures. However, there's only so much you can do through the internet. You honestly could get by with just doing the readings and attending the discussion sections. Be prepared to do quite a bit of reading.

Really liked this class, lectures are insightful and he straight up gives you everything you need to know for the midterm. He's hard to get a hold of and seems almost annoyed (?) at the amount of students who reach out to him and redirects them to the TAs. . overall easy class. Textbooks can be found online for free

Took Anth of Psych with Grinker virtually and still one of the best classes I've taken. Interesting topics, great textbook, and supplemental readings. Always willing to work with you. Graded nicely if it was clear you did the readings and cared (honestly could get away with half the readings if you wanted). Amazing amazing class.

Grinker is one of the most knowledgeable people within the field of anthropology today. The asynchronous class structure is fantastic for those who can manage the freedom it entails. All discussions and assignments are completed with the TAs, but Grinker is accessible readily through office hours and electronic communication.

A few small papers and a lot of readings, but if you do the main ones from class you'll do great. It was a bit frustrating that ALL his assignment instructions were so broad so always ask your TA what they are looking for. You can pass through memorization rather than conceptualization (the MidT was spewing facts). He loves questions so just ask.

Such a kind professor! I got Veronika as a TA and she cares so much about the class, and she gives a summary of the lectures which is so helpful. Attendance in discussion is mandatory and there are not many papers that are easy to get an A. Midterm is really easy- he gives the terms before the exam that will be on the midterm.

He's a very good lecturer but the reading is so heavy. Prioritize them based on the concepts and you will do well on the midterm as the possible topics are stated beforehand. There are 3 assignments, two of which involve the readings, and depending on ur TA (i got Erin, she sucks so bad pls avoid) you will be disscussing them during sections. 8/10

He is kind but only thing that really matters is your TA. I had a great one and it really helped. The TA's grade everything which can be used to your advantage. Make sure to attend recitations and participate. The lecture is not really necessary just make sure to keep up with the assignments in recitation and readings for discussions.

Prof Grinker was wonderful. Eye-opening and inspirational class. Not a difficult course besides the readings (manageable). 2 short papers, field note project, interview project, midterm, and creative final project. Lectures are interesting and discussion sections help to dissect readings. Definitely recommend!

Super passionate about the subject and very accessible outside of class for general conversations or questions about the course. There are a few required books you have to read, but those can be found online.

Grinker's class was overall enjoyable and fairly engaging. Sometimes lectures were hard to follow and the readings were pretty dense but TAs are very helpful and if you pay some attention you should do well. Seems very nice and genuinely wants people to enjoy the subject.

Gives great lectures that help dissect the readings that are typically very dense. Very nice and cares more about inspiring students to care about anthropology than he does churning out memorization. Readings can be rough but if you skim them you'll be fine.

If you want an easy A with little to no work, take this class. If you want to learn a ton about ANTH, take this class too. This class has soo much good information and professor is extremely knowledgeable and passionate. Class is what you make of it. TA's are 100% responsible for your grade though, so get a good one.

Professor Grinker's lectures are exremely engaging. As long as you attend lectures and study lightly for the writing quizzes and midterm, you will easily get an A. Midterm questions were provided weeks before the exam, and there was not a final exam, but a final project of your choosing (within reason). Not a difficult class, but very interesting.

You will be extremely successful in both the discussions and the graded work if you dedicate enough time specifically on the readings. I originally struggled with this class but focused on that. TAs are great too. Grinker is a very kind hearted, well knowledged man. Sometimes the content can be confusing but his office hours are extremely useful.

Professor Grinker is amazing! His lectures are engaging, but he often tends to ramble. The readings are critical to the in-class essays and midterm. Overall the class is not very difficult and is a great introduction to anthropology. I had Karen Lopez as my TA and she was amazing. This class has made me want to minor in anthro!

Grinker is a great lecturer and will introduce you to the basics of Anthropology. His class is not hard if you just go to ever lecture and discussion section, which is honestly the bare minimum. Two 20 min inclass essays, a midterm where you define terms he provides before hand, and a freebee final project. Class is interesting and an easy A.

Prof Grinker is super well-knowledgable and loves when his students contribute in lectures. Main advice I have for first-years taking ANTH1002: do not worry about becoming experts about the books he assigns. Skim the books at your convenience and be even slightly interested, and you'll be okay. The mid-term is a lot easier than it looks on syllabus

I did not expect to like this class at all, but Grinker was genuinely funny and lively every day. There are only a couple of assignments that are so much easier than they look on the syllabus. Grading is mostly done by the TA's, but each TA I talked to was really generous and understanding.

I took sociocultural anthropology as a summer class so the homework was more compact. Overall, I found the readings kind of boring and long but the amazing lectures made up for it. Over the summer, there were 3 "response papers" that were pass/fail, a midterm easy to study for, and a 6 page final paper. I recommend if you're interested at all!

Professor Grinker makes this intro anthropology class engaging and manageable. The workload is reasonable - just attend lectures and study for the midterm. I found Unstuck AI and the provided reading notes really helpful for preparing. Overall, an interesting and easy A class.

I've taken ANTH 1002 with Grinker before and he is a phenomenal professor. Very energetic about the class, creates numerous opportunities for participation. However, I would not mistake this class as "easy" - if you aren't applying the concepts on a foundational level, you will get confused. Otherwise, very interesting class.

meh do the readings

He rly cares abt participation. He is a great guy + his lectures are interesting + makes you rethink how you view medical terms and human culture. People who say his exams are hard probably didn't pay attention in class. He literally tells you what terms will be on the exam and what authors to mention. He wants to hear YOUR voice and thoughts.