James L. Brown

James L. Brown

FRESH,HIST,THEA,UC

Add your Evaluation

Averages:

Overall Rating

Good

Grade Received

Course Difficulty

Moderate

Quantity of Notes

Moderate

Tag Summary:

True/False: 19

Multiple Choice: 41

Matching: 18

Fill in the Blank: 43

Essays: 10

Problem Solving: 2

Mandatory Final: 38

Cumulative Final: 12

Textbook Required: 3

Extra Credit: 4

Attendance Required: 37

46 Total Evaluations

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 6/9/2011

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Overkill

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Mr Brown is a very nice man that knows the majority of the people in his class are there for the gen ed requirement and don't care about theatre. He gives you all you need to know during class, so make sure you take GOOD notes. You do have to see three productions, and take a quiz on them. The quiz is usually only 2-3 questions and is only to make sure you saw the play. He even says in class if you go to the production, and are MOSTLY sober, you'll get full points on the quiz for going. His tests are OK. They are front and back, front page being ALL fill in the blank, back being some matching/multiple choice, and then some require you do draw something simple. Just make sure you GO TO CLASS (if you miss more than 3, he starts taking points off your final grade) and take good notes and you'll be fine! I actually missed more than 3, took OK notes, made Bs on all the tests, and made a B in the class. I'd recommend him as he's easy to follow and is very nice and willing to work with anyone if you miss something. ALSO, he will hold a review session the night before tests. GO. Especially if you missed any days, and any notes.

THEA-120 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 11/10/2010

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

I love James Brown! Even though he put us in a seating chart, his class is awesome. All you have to do is take notes, go to a few plays, and take tests. His tests are EXACTLY like the notes so as long as you listen you will do great. There isnt a final or a text book, and he is very INTO his opinions. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone!

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 5/9/2010

Overall Rating:

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

This class is a fairly easy A, but you will have to suffer through boring lectures where he talks about lots of personal stories that have nothing to do with class at all. However, the material is really easy and nothing is difficult. You have to see three plays and take quizzes on them, and there is a short, one page paper due toward the end of the semester. Overall, I would suggest that if you take this class bring something else to keep you occupied.

THEA- : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 11/6/2009

Overall Rating:

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Overkill

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

Dr. Brown's not a bad teacher...but his lectures are full of useless information (i.e. inappropriate sexual references, life stories).

If you take him, be prepared to entertain yourself during every class or you'll fall asleep.

However, not having a textbook saves you quite a bit of money...so the class is worth it just for that.

THEA-1023 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 10/31/2008

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 10/20/2008

Overall Rating:

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Wow this class is BORING. Maybe it's the course material itself, or maybe it's because Dr. Brown stretches out 15 minutes of information into an hour and a half of him droning on about useless information. The class itself isn't very strenuous, except for some reason he makes his tests oddly over-difficult. Be prepared for him to ask questions that are very specific, so you do need to jot down good notes. He counts for attendance and has assigned seating, so if you're taking this class with the thought of skipping it often/sitting beside your friend, then this one probably isn't the best one for you.

The good thing is that Dr. Brown is funny, and very clumsy, which always generates a few chuckles. He does seem passionate about his subject, and I do admire him for that. Beware though--this class might make you want to gouge your eyes out on some days, so be sure you have enough energy before you walk into his class.

THEA-100 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 1/16/2008

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Mr. Brown was a good teacher. He does not require you to buy a book for his class, he just has your pay $1 at the beginning of the year and he hands you a packet of info..this is your book for the semester. You need to go to class in order to get all of the notes. He talks about some random stuff at times which makes it interesting and fun, but it is stuff that you wouldnt think that would be on the test and it is.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 1/3/2008

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

This was my favorite class! James Brown is passionate about what he does and it shows... If you show up to class and just listen= you'll pass. I would suggest this class to anyone.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 11/27/2007

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

This is a very boring class, but since it is mandatory I would recommend him. It is hard to stay awake, so don't take it too early in the morning, but his test are farily easy, and they come straight from his notes. From what I have heard about other teachers, I believe he would be your best choice

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 1/25/2007

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Dr. Brown is probably the best professor I have had at WKU. He has a very different style of teaching than all of the other professors I have had. The class is fairly easy if come to class and take good notes. There is no book for the class just a packet he sells for $1. Pay attention to his quotes he says in class, b/c you will have to know them for the exams. Ecspecially the back of the syllabus.

His exams are kind of weird at first, but you will get used to them. They are all fill in the blank and multiple choice. He is a really funny teacher. The one thing I hated about his class was he always would go off on tangents that had nothing to do with anything and you didn't really know if you needed to know it (you'll understand if you take his class). Also, a lot of the stuff he talks about he has already said like five times earlier, so it the class kind of gets manotomous after a while.

If you need a humanities credit take this class.

THEA-151 : - Posted 1/18/2007

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Not Specified

Difficulty:

Easy

I learned a lot on this class and enjoyed it very much. Prof. Brown was funny. I guess he was pretty cocky, but in a funny way. If you pay attention you will learn a lot.

I like plays, so I didnt mind seeing the plays on campus- I thought they were pretty good.

I would definitely recommend this class.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 12/17/2004

Overall Rating:

Poor

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Overkill

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

On the first day of class I thought James Brown was going to be cool. The skinny white guy came on stage (class is in the actual theatre with 150 people in the class!) and hit the play button on his jukebox. Suddenly, he put on sunglasses and started lip-siyncing to James Brown's "I Feel Good." "Wow!" i thought, this will be great!Then, the boredom of everyday class hit us all like a brick. Every day you dread going to class...every class, half of the people arround you are sleeping. When he asks a question, he quickly answers himself....so, there is no class participation to keep the class interesting. Every class he talks forever about theatre and when you come in the next time, the first half of his lecture is a review of what he talked about last time! If you do take this class, bring a cell phone with a lot of games or a game boy to keep you company. The class is borring and so is Brown. Enjoy, and don't say i didin't warn you!

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 12/17/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

I really liked this class. Professor Brown has friends in New York City and told us stories about it. It was a HUGE class. Sit in the front if you can, he likes that.

A lecture class, but good. I thought it was fascinating learning about theater. Make sure to be there every time, it really helps. You don't have to buy a book either! Make sure and take notes though. He will tell you exactly what to study.

I recommend this class. I think you'll really like it too.

THEA- : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 12/1/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

He talks a lot and tells stories about his own life...he also tends to repeat the same information like three classes in a row. But it's a very easy class and the tests are not hard. You have to see boring plays and pay to get in, but it's no big deal.

THEA-151 : Theatre App - Posted 10/20/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

This class is easy, but very boring. You don't have to buy the book, you buy a packet that cost $1.00. You must go to 2 theatre performances at WKU, and take a quiz, the quiz is very easy and if it even looks like you went you get an A. You might take 1 pg max of notes each class. There a 3 tests, which are straight from the notes. Attendance is required, but overall the class is worth it. It's cake. You watch a movie the first week.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 7/29/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Professor Brown was a very easy guy to get along with and follow during class. My only complaint is that he is just a little cocky. He is humorous and his class is cake (esp. during summer school). I always had a certain respect for theatre before this class but now I really want to go see a show on Broadway! BTW if you take the summer class, you don't have to see any plays... it's a lot less work. I definetly recommend Prof. Brown.

THEA- : Theater Ap. - Posted 7/1/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

James Brown is a great professor. He's been around so he has lots of stories to tell, most of the time they do have something to do with the class. If anything he lightens the mood and gets you into a comfortable setting to learn. I took his summer class, keep that in mind b/c we didnt have to go to any plays and our text books cost $1. Yes, a buck. He provides them and they are full of info most of which he reads to you in class. we watched a couple of plays and movies and the quizes on them were simple. You better take good notes though b/c his test require you to know them word for word, nearly. he offers study sessions at 8 @ night to help you out and he'll stay as long as you still aren't certain abt. something. Very knowledgable man.

THEA-100 : Theater Appreciation` - Posted 1/12/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Mr. Brown is a very nice and wonderful teacher. He works with you and explains stuff if you are unable to attend. If you go to class you will do fine. I got a low grade because of attendance. But if you go to class his tests are just like his notes.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 1/5/2004

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

This class was easy b/c of the amount of points that you earn just from attending plays. Also, quizzes are all or nothing. Meaning that if you can prove you went to the play in any way...you get all the points. The tests are fill in the blank, but most of the questions are things that he talked about lots of times. The only negative is that it is so boring. The whole hour and fifteen minutes you write down half a page of notes. You talk about the same thing over and over and over.....

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 12/17/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

First of all, you don't have to waste $ on a book, because he gives you all the handouts you need in a packet for $2 or so. You have to see 2 plays during the semester, and you take about 4 small quizzes. Otherwise, there are 3 tests and a small, cumulative final worth 25 points. Much easier than anyone else that teaches this course, from what I hear. He even mentioned this website in class, which was funny.

THEA-151 : - Posted 12/1/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Good teacher if you have to take an appreciation class. He knows what he is talking about since he has been here like 30+ years?! Just be sure to read what little he assigns and take notes of what he says and writes on the board, some days its a lot and boring, so MAKE SURE you make a friend to keep you awake or let you get notes that you miss while napping!

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 11/6/2003

Overall Rating:

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

This is a class of 150 people. It is in the theatre and it is very hard to pay attention to him. His lectures are very boring, but if you can pay attention then you will do fine. All of the test questions come directly from the lectures/notes.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 5/13/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

An awesome professor! You can actually stay awake during his lectures. He really tries to help you appreciate this art form. Plus, he's funny, very smart, and interesting. However, even though you don't have to go to class, go. His tests come straight from his lectures and often he wants you to know direct quotes. Since you have to take an appreciation class, please take this one. He's great!

THEA- : - Posted 5/10/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Overkill

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

This class is ONLY lecture, there is no textbook. You do, however, have to see 3 plays throughout the semester. The tests are straight from the lecture. Attendance isn't mandatory, but since there isnt a book for the class, you need to be there for the notes. He is funny and tries to keep you awake during class. Take him!

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 4/18/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Mr. Brown is a very strange, but interesting man! He does not use a textbook, so you have to take good notes in his class. If you memorize your notes you will do great on his tests. You have to see 3 plays in his class, which were not that bad. There is one small paper that is to be written at the end of the year over a film watched in class. He is very intelligent and funny.

UC-101 : Freshman Seminar - Posted 1/11/2003

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

I don't even know if you get to choose your freshman seminar instructor, but if you do pick Doc Brown. He makes it so much fun, and he isn't fake about stuff like drinking. He tells it how it is and it's hilarious. The main thing you have to do is read Tuesday's With Morrie. That's it. It's a really easy way to get two A credits.

FRESH- : Freshman Seminar - Posted 12/17/2002

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Dr. Brown really really cares about his students. He gives 2 or 3 tests the whole semester, including the final. The tests are about things you have discussed in class.

Just be sure to come to class and you'll make an A. Most freshman don't think much about the prof they get for freshman seminar- but beware because some profs make it extremely hard. Dr. Brown is NOT one of those profs. He's an excellent person and teacher.

UC-101 : Freshman Seminar - Posted 11/28/2002

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Mr. Brown is a good guy. He's very accessible and obviously wants to teach this class. He isn't the type of professor who looks to flash his intelligence and make students feel inferior. He's a pretty interesting guy to just talk to. That being said, this course is ridiculously boring and a waste of time... the fact that I gave Mr. Brown a good rating should speak volumes considering how much I hate this class. He can ramble... but I'd rather him ramble than give pointless tests like other Freshman Seminar teachers do. All-in-all, if you are forced to take this joke of a course, Mr. Brown is the best way to go.

UC-101 : Seminar - Posted 11/21/2002

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Um, well, an interesting class. Pretty easy but if you live off campus the university events can be somewhat difficult. He also cusses in class: I didn't like that.

THEA-151 : Theatre App - Posted 11/6/2002

Overall Rating:

Grade:

Not Specified

Quantity of Notes:

Overkill

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Brown has many insights to different subjects. It is great that you do not have to have a book for this class. His tests are over a lot of notes and some handouts. He talks a lot though. I've fallen asleep a few times but maybe its b/c I took the 9:30. The tests are pretty easy though if you study enough. He's a little bit of a perv, too, sometimes.

UC-101 : Freshman Seminar - Posted 10/30/2002

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Few/None

Difficulty:

Easy

Instead of using a text book, you spend money on going to worthwhile plays.

Not a boring class.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 4/16/2000

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Moderate

Comments

Dr. Brown is THE teacher to take. If you take DETAILED notes, you will do well. And the best part, there is no textbook which is good $$ wise and when it comes to studying.

THEA-151 : Theatre Appreciation - Posted 4/13/2000

Overall Rating:

Good

Grade:

Quantity of Notes:

Moderate

Difficulty:

Easy

Comments

Excellent Professor! Excellent course!

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