Although it may be hard to believe, the time to register for winter quarter is almost here. With Priority Registration beginning on Oct. 23, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer number of classes and professors for those classes.
Many know first-hand that professors can make or break a class, so it is important to find one that is right for you. It can be a nerve-wracking process to choose a professor, especially for classes where there are many different sections offered. In order to help you decide which professor is the best fit for you, the Clarion has compiled a (by no means complete) list of some of the highest ranked professors at DU, according to RateMyProfessors.com, a popular website comprised of ratings and reviews from college students far and wide. All quotes taken from these many teacher reviews found at RateMyProfessors.com
Disclaimer: This guide won’t help you decide your entire winter schedule, but we hope it will get you off to a good start. All reviews are unaltered and taken from RateMyProfessors, the Clarion assumes no responsibility over the accuracy of the reviews.
Class: INFO 1010
Featured Professor: Paige Baltzan
Anyone interested in a business degree knows about INFO 1010, a required class that offers certification in Microsoft Excel and focuses on data in business.
Professor Paige Baltzan is notable for two reasons: first, she has the distinction of being one of the only professors at DU with a perfect 5.0 rating, and second, she achieved this distinction while also being the most rated teacher at the school, with 66 ratings.
Not just any teacher could accomplish this, and from a quick scan of her reviews you can see how many students have enjoyed her class.
Excerpts from reviews of Professor Baltzan on RateMyProfessors:
“Take Baltzan—Prof Paige is the best online professor I have ever had. She was always available and understood the demands of adult learners. This is the ticket – take Baltzan”
“Ms Paige is one of the most interesting and funny faculty I have ever had – she does all she can to keep you engaged and learning.”
“Of all the faculty, take Baltzan – you will love her teaching style and she actually cares about her students. I only wish all faculty were as good as her.”
Class: WRIT 1122
Featured Professor: Geoffrey Stacks
WRIT 1122 is a mandatory undergraduate writing course that focuses on improving and developing the writing skills of those enrolled, with a focus on rhetoric and analytical writing. Geoffrey Stacks is one of the most popular teachers of the class, with a score of 4.7 out of 12 ratings.
Excerpts from reviews of Professor Stacks on RateMyProfessors:
“Stacks was great. He’s very funny and you won’t want to miss class. You have to take the class, so take it with Doc Stacks.”
“Stacks is by far the best teacher I have ever had at DU. He is an incredible teacher who doesn’t just teach you how to write, but about life.”
“He is the best. Really funny, understanding, and doesn’t give a lot of homework. So glad I had the opportunity to have him as a teacher.”
Class: HIST 2200 and HIST 2030
Featured Professor: Nicholas Rockwell
Nicholas Rockwell works in the History department teaches two History classes this quarter: France: The Revolution (2200) and Ancient Near East (2030). These classes are 2000 level, meaning that they are not beginner classes, but, if you keep up with the coursework, they are completely manageable.
Excerpts from reviews of Professor Rockwell on RateMyProfessors:
“Rockwell is probably one of the best professors I have had. His classes are difficult, but if you work at them, they are really fun.”
“Rockwell is a great professor. His lectures are interesting and you can tell he loves teaching. As long as you show up to class, pay attention and do the readings, you will get a good grade.”
“I took this class as a graduating senior spring quarter and I have to say he was one of the best professors I had as a college student. His lectures were engaging and I found the class very easy. However, you must read all the books assigned, as they are your research for the final paper.”
Class: SOCI 1810
Featured Professor: Dr. Michael
Rosenbaum
Michael Rosenbaum works in the Sociology department and is teaching Understanding Social Life, a perfect introductory class if you are interested in studying sociology. The class covers over basic concepts of sociology that open student’s eyes to the unnoticed details behind everyday situations. Professor Rosenbaum has a 4.2 rating out of 15 ratings, one of the highest in the school.
Excerpts from reviews of Professor Rosenbaum on RateMyProfessors:
“Awesome guy, awesome class. Now considering a sociology minor. As long as you are capable of reading, you are capable of succeeding in this class.”
“Rosenbaum is a great professor. His lectures are done with power points you can print out and fill in the blanks, so they’re not that bad. He’s laid back and explains everything very well. He also creates helpful study guides. You do need to read quite a bit as he does in class pop quizzes. Overall, he is a good professor.”
“Read the articles assigned and you’ll be fine. His tests are pretty easy as long as you study the articles and takes notes and pay attention. His lectures are rather interesting and now I’m majoring in Sociology. I would recommend this class even if you have no prior interest in SOCI because it’s that good.”
While RateMyProfessors and other online tools can be incredibly useful when deciding on what teacher to take for a specific class, there is no substitute for actually speaking with a teacher and deciding the old -fashioned way.
If you are on the fence about taking a class with a certain teacher, find out their office hours and go in to speak with them, even if it is just for a moment. Sometimes a quick face-to-face interaction may be all it takes to help you decide.
