Western Kentucky University / K / James W. Kanan
Averages:
Overall Rating
Goodv
Grade Received
Bv
Course Difficulty
Moderatev
Quantity of Notes
Overkillv
Tag Summary:
True/False: 17
Multiple Choice: 59
Matching: 10
Fill in the Blank: 2
Essays: 12
Problem Solving: 2
Mandatory Final: 47
Cumulative Final: 5
Textbook Required: 43
Extra Credit: 26
Attendance Required: 16
59 Total Evaluations
CRIM-451 : White-collar Crime - Posted 3/18/2015
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Great teacher! Very personable and helpful! I am definitely going to take more classes with him.
SOCIO-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 12/26/2012
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Love Dr. Kanan. He's hilarious and easy to learn from. Even though you take notes every day in that class, you discuss a lot so it's not overkill. He gives a few opportunities for bonus and if you show up to class, he'll give you bonus points at the end of the semester. He's easy to talk to and really easy to discuss in his class because he makes you feel very comfortable. One of my favorite teachers. Actually made me decide to change my minor to sociology.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 9/27/2012
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He is a great teacher in the class room
He requires attendance and gets pissed if you leave early
He assigns a TON of reading and the online quizzes are horrible
I would advise you to NOT take this class
SOCL-100 : Intro Sociology - Posted 12/20/2011
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
First off, Dr. Kanan is a pretty laid back professor he is always willing to work with his students. Class attendance is not taken but his tests are filled with random facts that you would only know if you were in class. The tests are actually rather difficult and require more than reviewing your notes. The only reason i got an A in this class was because of the extra credit, which is kind of embarrassing since I am a Junior... The point is dont blow off this class thinking youll automatically get an A, actually study and try and then you will get an A.
SOCIO-100 : Sociology - Posted 11/4/2011
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Although Kanan is a very nice guy and he doesn't take attendance, you have to show up every day to get the notes. All the notes that you take will be the answers on the tests. His tests are very difficulut and almost impossible to receive an A on.
SOCIO-330 : Criminology - Posted 5/11/2011
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is great! I got a C because I didn't do all of the readings. If I had done them, I would have done better on the tests, resulting in a better final grade! The class is really fun and Kanan really has a way of making it interesting and relating things to your life in a way that will help you understand. The only think that kinda sucked was learing all the theories, but hey, its sociology. Take his class! You wont regret it! The final is cumulative, but 2/3 of the test is the new material, and only 1/3 is the old material. Study hard and you'll do fine!
SOCIO-100 : Sociology - Posted 4/28/2011
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
You need the book for online quizzes, but for the test he only uses his notes during lecture. Do not study the book for his tests, you will not pass. Very nice teacher, worth coming to class especially for the notes!
SOCIO-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 4/25/2011
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Over all the best teacher on this campus!!!!! I defiantly recommend him for socio. He explains the material very well and makes it very interesting. You don't take very many notes and the tests are fairly simple if you pay attention. You have online quizzes and they are really easy, of course you can use your book. If you want to take sociology, he's you're guy!!
SOCIO-100 : Into Sociology - Posted 12/20/2010
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
He was an amazing teacher! There is no book and the tests are fairly easy.
SOCIO-330 : Criminology - Posted 12/25/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is an excellent professor. He is very knowledgeable in this field and actually knows what he's talking about. Attendance isn't mandatory for this class, but if you miss the notes, make sure that you get them from someone because test material comes from the notes. The readings that he assigns represent about 25% of the test material so make sure to read those as well, those readings are fairly easy and short. He is very helpful and a very entertaining and funny teacher. Overall, this class was my favorite and I would recommend him to anyone.
SOCL-100 : Introduction To Sociology - Posted 12/14/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
This course was interesting and very easy. Dr. Kanan is very nice (and patient) and he wants everyone to understand the material and do well in the class. He doesn't take attendance, but it's to your benefit to attend class considering all of the notes come from the lectures and he also gives several "On-Demands" (brief written assignments that must be completed in class) throughout the semester. Overall, it was a very good class.
SOCIO-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 11/6/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
SOCL-100 : Introductory Sociology - Posted 6/8/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a good teacher. You have 3 test during the semester along with two papers. The papers are over two books that you have to read during the semester, but they are easy and wont take much time, you can just skim the book and make a good grade on the papers. He also gives alot of extra credit oppertunities which helped me alot at the end of the semester. Overall i would recommed him to anyone needing an easy gen ed or sociology teacher!
SOCIO-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 5/13/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is one of the best lecturers ever! He makes the material so interesting. There are two books that you have to read, one of which is pretty interesting and the other which is pretty boring, and he grades fairly on the reviews that you have to write for each. No textbook!
He does not post the notes on Blackboard, so that's your motivation to come to class (he doesn't take attendance). Also, there are some readings that he posts on Blackboard that you have to read for the exams.
The exams are pretty easy if you look through your notes a few times.
On the last two tests, he gave a study guide, and all that you needed to study was on that study guide.
I would highly recommend this class!
SOCIO- : - Posted 4/27/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Kanan is a great teacher. He loves the material he teaches, and you can tell!! His tests are difficult, but he offers extra credit, and sometimes a study guide. You have to read two books for this course, but they aren't difficult. I recommend everyone take him!!
SOCL-100 : Introductory Sociology - Posted 2/27/2009
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
I loved Mr. Kanan! His class is really easy as long as you go to class and take notes from his powerpoints and write down the stuff he embelishes on. There are only three tests and if you study your notes you will get an A. Other than that, the only other grades were two papers that were basically just a summary of the two books we had to read which really helps bump up your grade if you did bad on a test or something. If you are having trouble, Mr. Kanan is definitely available to help. He told me once that for this course its a just a gen. ed. and so he makes it as easy as possible. He's awesome!
SOCL-100 : - Posted 5/8/2008
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is the man. He really makes this class worth going to and also is very intelligent on the subject. You will not regret taking this class. Come to class, and study for an hour for each test and you are set for an A.
SOCL- : Sociology Of Sport - Posted 4/11/2008
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is an amazing person and professor. He's very entertaining and informative. He is about as good as they come. I highly recommend him for criminology or soc of sport. He's great.
SOCL-324 : Sociology Of Sport - Posted 12/14/2007
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Basically, Dr.Kanan is everything that you could want for in a professor. He's knowledgeable and a good instructor, so you will definitely learn something. He's very kind and will do whatever he can to help you, another plus. He realizes that this class is about sports and makes it easy to obtain a good grade while placing sports into a different perspective.
The class consists of four tests (multiple choice with short, as in one paragraph, essay), four reaction papers (based on online readings, very simple), and one eight page paper on observations from a sporting event that you attended.
The majority of test content is covered thoroughly in class with a few questions coming from the assigned reading. Nothing tricky.
If you are looking for a laid back, interesting class with a great professor. This is the one for you.
SOCIO-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 12/20/2006
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan was amazing. He is very down to earth and makes this subject so fun. I loved going to this class! His test are from the notes and the assigned reading. He gave so many extra credit opportunities. The class is amazing, just like the professor. If you do not take Dr. Kanan you are making a big mistake. I am a biology major so this class was a relief for me. The class is so much fun if you just have an open mind about it. You figure out so many interesting facts about the US and world. Take Dr. Kanan...you will not regret it.
SOCIO-100 : - Posted 12/19/2006
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
D
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This class was not all that hard. I just got a low grade because I am not a good test taker. And his test are majority of the grade. Obviously. We had to write 5 papers, which 4 were worth 15 points and the 5th at 40 points. Then the test were 100 and we had 4 of them. I really enjoyed going to this class. He would always be making jokes keeping the class alive.
SOCIO-100 : Introduction To Sociology - Posted 11/13/2006
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 5/30/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a great professor. This class was interesting and easy all at the same time. Attendance isn't mandatory but it helps to show up frequently, although missing class really wouldn't put you that far behind. Some of the tests have a few essay questions on them but you know the questions before hand and he grades them very very liberally. Highly reccomend this class.
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 5/6/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This class was very hard for me. I don't really know why. Kanan is a GREAT teacher and really knows his stuff. He is very caring and compassionate about his job. The test can be tricky because of the wording but I really enjoyed the class. Kanan, Pruitt, Bohlander, and Faine have been my best professors at Western. The SOCL debt. ROCKS!
SOCL-330 : - Posted 4/21/2005
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I found this course to be very difficult. I found it difficult to take or follow his notes. He doesn't give reviews for his test so if you are one of those people who needs a review to study by, good luck. He strikes me as the judgmental type. Sometimes he comes across as a little rude. I think his teaching skills lack in quality and I don't recommend his class.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 4/18/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is by far the best professor that i have ever had. his lectures aren't boring like most professors. He's also a really down to earth guy and likes to hear what other people have to say about the topics. funny, interesting, and laid back. i highly recommend him.
SOCL-324 : Sociology Of Sport - Posted 3/14/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a GREAT professor and really makes the class interesting. Socl of Sport wasn't my favorite class, but if you are into sports and sociology, it's a fun class to take, and the tests come from readings (book and online) and lecture.
SOCL-100 : Sociology - Posted 1/8/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a great teacher who really cares about his students and what he does. It is an easy class and he explains everything very well. All of the test are multiple choice. I highly recommend Dr. Kanan.
SOCL-324 : Sport - Posted 12/21/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Make sure that you go to class, read and do the questions for each exam and you will do fine.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 11/3/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He makes the class very interesting and is actually really funny. He started requiring attendance about half way through the semester, but its only required if you want to do the extra credit paper, otherwise its not. There's two books for the class and his tests come out of both books and his discussions in class. He posts all his slides online so if you do miss a day its not hard to catch up. I would recommend this class to anyone.
SOCL-100 : Sociology - Posted 11/2/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Professor Kanan was a great professor. He found a way to relate to the class to keep us engaged in what he was saying. He's a great guy and an awesome teacher.
SOCL-434 : Organized Crime - Posted 9/9/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a wonderful professor. I've had him 3 times and every class has been awesome! He keeps all of his classes very interesting. I think I enjoyed this class the most. He gives you questions to do from the reading and a few of them are on the test. If you study the notes and read the chapters, you should be fine. Take it in the summer and it is probably easier than any other time. You are missing out if you're a sociology major and you don't take Kanan.
SOCL- : Soc. Of Sport - Posted 6/2/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
As one can see from the previous evaluations, Dr. Kanan is a very popular soc. prof. He is one of the best in the department as well as among the WKU faculty. I had him for Intro., and he inspired me to get into the dept. He is very passionate about his work and makes you want to learn. This course consisted of 4 tests and 2 papers. The papers were cake; more just for extra credit, but still beneficial. It was his first time teaching the course, so it was a bit sketchy but still worked out in the end. If you are in the Soc. dept., you have to take Kanan. He is one of the nicest professors that I know, and he makes learning a fun challenge.
SOCL-101 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 4/19/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is very interesting, which is why I got a C in the class- I never remembered to write down the notes because I just wanted to hear what he had to say. Sociology is fascinating. Oh, also don't be a cheap ass and not buy the text because you need it to study.
SOCL-100 : Introductory Sociology - Posted 3/3/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a wonderful teacher. Sociology is really interesting, and Dr. Kanan makes it a fun class! The tests are difficult, but as long as you read the textbook, study the notes, and read the articles in the reader (if he uses one), you will be fine. You have to take Dr. Kanan for intro socl-it's great!
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 2/4/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a great teacher. He tells stories that are relavent to your life and talks about current events. As long as you are familiar with your notes and the reading questions the test should be a breeze. Attending class helped me a lot b/c it was easier for me to recall things on the test.
SOCL-100 : Sociology 100 - Posted 12/23/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
He is an awesome teacher. The class is so much fun. I never looked at how much time we had left until there was like 5 minutes. My class had a PASS session that helped cuz they told us the answers on the study guides. But if you dont have one, you will need the books to get an A. If you study the study guides and go over your notes a few times, you will be good to go. Also, if you go to class and put forth an effort, if you are border line he will totally bump you up. I would take him again if I needed the class.
SOCL-330 : Intro To Crim. - Posted 12/13/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan really really cares about his students! He is an excellent teacher and makes criminology interesting! He gives you questions to the assigned readings (not many) and you don't have to read the whole assignment, just enough to answer the questions. I would take any class he teaches.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 11/24/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
One of the best professors I have ever had. Every class is interesting and you always learn something new. I highly recommend this class. It is not difficult to get a good grade. The tests come exactly from the book questions and lectures. Attendence is not mandatory, but it really helps on the exams.
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 11/10/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Very nice guy! Very helpful! If I had really tried I could have made an A easy!
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 10/29/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This is by far the best professor I have had at WKU. If you're not a sociology major and you need an upper level class, take this one. Dr. Kanan makes it an awesome choice.
SOCL- : Intro To Soc - Posted 10/21/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is one of the best teachers I have ever had. He is now my advisor. He's more than just a great teacher, he is a good person, and he will make class fun and interesting!
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 7/7/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Kanan is the bomb...he is the best teacher I think I have ever had. For his class you must take good notes therefore you must be in class regularly to benefit. He makes the class awesome. You have to write a paper for this class. The test can be a little tricky and you have to read and do the study questions..which you do not go over in class...to pass because he does put some of those questions on the exams.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 5/13/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr Kana was a great professor and such a nice guy. Even if your in a big class take him and get to know him before and after class. Hes an A+ guy and will help you with any of you problems. If i can get a c you can certainly get a b
SOCL-100 : Intro To Soc - Posted 4/10/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Mr.Kanan is a great teacher. He is very interesting and tells good stories. I am in his criminology class right now and I really enjoy his class.
SOCL- : Criminology - Posted 3/3/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a great guy and is willing to work with any student that asks him for help. His class is not difficult and it will keep you interested. Review your notes thoroughly before the tests and know the answers to the study questions that he gives you and you will be fine.
SOCL-100 : Sociology - Posted 12/16/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Dr. Kanan is such a wonderful professor. He make the class so interesting and wish that I had more professors like him. Even though the class was a bit large ( 200) he still made it as though you were the only one in there. I am a big believer in giving credit where credit is due, and he deserves it all.
SOCL- : Intro - Posted 12/7/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Attendance doesn't count for your grade...it will only help you on the tests. If you study the night before and go over your notes his tests are a breeze. He always kept my attention in class.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Socl. - Posted 10/21/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is excellent!!! If you don't take him you are missing out.
SOCL-100 : Intro To Sociology - Posted 6/18/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Mr Kanan made the class very exciting and made me want to learn. I would highly recommend anyone to take any one of his classes. The tests are easy because the questions come straight from the notes which come from the readings in the book. Plus, the readings are halfway interesting. GREAT TEACHER. He is there to help whenever you need him.
SOCL- : Intro To Soc - Posted 5/15/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
Kanan is awesome...you will look forward to going to class. His stories are interesting and he is just a great guy, everyone should take him!!!! Study the chapters and you are going to get a good grade, no problem.
SOCL-100 : Sociology - Posted 2/6/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Easy
Comments
I loved Dr. Kanan's class. He always lectures, but his lectures are always interesting and he has great stories to tell. He's very enthusiastic and I actually enjoyed going to his class. He's also super nice.
SOCL-100 : Introductory Sociology - Posted 1/17/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Kanan is a really great professor. I learned more in that class than I expected to. His lectures are very interesting, and at times seem more like group discussions. This has drawbacks though, because at times it is easy to forget to write things down. Make sure to get down what he is saying about the topics because it will be on the tests. Also, do the reading assignments from the book. To help with those, he has a website that has questions for each reading. The questions are generally what is on the test. You will have one paper to write that is assigned on the first day of class and due towards the end of the semester. Also, his final isn't comprehensive. I strongly recommend him for a Sociology professor.
SOCL-100 : Sociology 100 - Posted 11/1/2001
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He is a great guy. I learned more in that class than any class. HE is a very intresting and funny professor. It is a great class that I encourage for everybody. HE IS THE MAN
SOCL-100 : Intro to Socl - Posted 10/17/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
One of the best professors you will encounter. Take him for Criminology as well.
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 10/14/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
great guy and interesting class!! one of my favorites!
SOCL-330 : criminology - Posted 4/13/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
great professer. awesome guy. interesting class
SOCL-330 : Criminology - Posted 4/13/2000
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This class was very interesting and fun. The lectures weren't that bad. I did learn a lot.
SOCL-100 : Intro to Sociology - Posted 4/13/2000
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Kanan's tests are hard because of the wording. His lectures are boring but if you take notes and read, you might do okay.