Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

All of the professors within my own department know my name, but my other classes are either too large or too short for them to remember my name. My favorite class at the moment is "Women and the Bible" which I am taking for my minor. It meets once a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Though this is a long time, it's only once a week and it's interesting enough to keep my attention. I'm also used to long classes, since all of my art classes are at least two hours in length and occur twice a week. This class has about 25 students in it, so it doesn't feel too big. My least favorite class is "Video 2". This is a class I have to take for my major, Kinetic Imaging. I'm in KI, because I wanted to learn how to animate and do 3D modeling, which is only one third of the department. The other two thirds are video and sound. I have no interest in video or sound, but I am required to take these classes, because VCU does not offer a separate department for animation within its art school. Not only am I forced to take these classes, but they require that we take one more semester of video than animation, which makes no sense to me. I like the teacher of this class, but the subject just interesting enough for me to keep my attention. Since I am an art student, I don't really take a lot of academic classes, so I can't really say how often students study. Class participation is fundamental to art students, but I don't think it's that important in a lot of academic classes. I think some students have intellectual conversations outside of class. I know I have, but I can't really say for others. I think there are competitive students, but I also think there are students who aren't. The most unique class I think I've taken was probably Intro to Sound Communications. We learned about sound editing and how to create abstract sound for art. My major is a part of the school of the arts called Kinetic Imaging. It has three parts: video, animation, and sound. Most students come into the department because they either want to do 3D animation, work on video games, or work on movies. However, this department is very focused on non-commercial and gallery art. They teach us about abstract ways to use these mediums. Unfortunately for me, and most of my peers, we came here to learn how to obtain commercial art jobs. I've been told that a non-commercial focus is a plus to people in the industry, because it allows people to think more creatively. I'm praying that this is true, because I have absolutely no interest in doing gallery art. The only reason I'm at VCU is because it is the only public school in Virginia that teaches 3D animation. I cannot afford to attend out of state. I have seen my teachers around, but I haven't really spent time with them outside of class. I think VCU's academic requirements are fair. I think the education at VCU (at least in my department) is geared towards learning for its own sake. I feel like most of the teachers in my department want to see us become gallery artists.

I think academics, much like any other school is what you make of it. I had a great time learning at VCU. My gen ed classes were what you expect to see at any big school- giant lecture classes. But when you're talking about major or minor classes I believe there was plenty of individualized attention to go around. My professors worked hard to help me in my "next step" after graduation with applying to grad school and finding a job. There will ALWAYS be a few bum teachers but if you put effort into seeking out professors that can help you, you'll coast through your four years. It's truly not that rigorous unless you're majoring in something art, medical or engineering. Most unique class- Performance Interpretation- try performing something for two minutes that has no words or music. Totally weird. I think some kids ate flowers. I pretended to jump off a cliff.

Though I enjoy the atmosphere of VCU immensely, the classes could be harder. And freshmen should have to take English 101, not this "focused inquiry" bull. The class is an insult to my intelligence and a waste of everyone's time. All that's read throughout the whole year is two short novels, which are discussed through open book, fill-in-the-blank quizzes. Writing and reading abilities are not enhanced by taking this class - all I learned was a bit about Haiti. Why, I ask.

Most of the professors in the smaller classes know names. My least favorite classes are anything to do with math. My favorite are art history. Many students study all the time, while otehrs don't. Class participation is usually part of your grade, I think this is for the professors to get to know you. Yes, I know that my friends and I talk about religion and politics outside of classes. I don't think students are competitive, I think a lot of people are born that way. The most unique class, none. My major..ahh my favorite. I am a Mass Communications/ Public Relations major. The mass communications department is taken VERY seriously at VCU..trust me haha. The teachers taht teach the classes, have the backgrounds of being editors/writers/reporters. VCU has a lot of opportunities and a lof of the business offer internships. A lot of the teachers have worked at TIME magazine and Richmond Times Dispatch. No i never see professors outside of class. VCU's academic requirements I believe are not as hard as other schools. But I believe that you learn more about what you're going to need to know for your field rather than wasting your time on gen. eds. VCU is definietly geared to helping you succeed in the work force. There are so many opportuinites that students don't take advantage of.

Yes, some professors know my name. If you want them to know your name, you make yourself known and they probably will remember you. My favorite class so far has been International Social Justice with Dr. Mark Wood. He changed my life and will be the one teacher that stands out in my mind over anyone else who has ever taught me. Anything Mark Wood teaches will open up your eyes to a world you never even considered. He's extremely smart, has great sources, and is extremely passionate about studying and our thirst for knowledge. Over the summer I asked him if he had any recommendations on books about vegetarianism. He emailed me back with a list of websites, books and local places I could go to try some good food. He goes above and beyond, he's amazing. How much you study depends on what department you're in. Bio, you study a whole lot. Class participation is more common in smaller classes that are further along. You won't see much participation in a Anthro 101 class, but if you're taking something as a junior and you have smaller, more speciailized classes, you'll get more interest in the subject matter and thus more discussion. I speak with my friends about stuff in my major very often. We're interested in political, environmental, and social justice issues. I think I will get a job I love because of the field I am in. I'm an International Social Justice major and am passionate about human rights, so I feel that in almost whatever comes my way, my passion will be the most valuable thing I've gotten from my education.

In smaller classes professors get to know you very well, but in lecture classes that rarely happens unless you stay after class or visit the teacher in their office hours. My favorite class would have to be English 215: Readings in Literature with Nick Sharp. The class is very enjoyable for a lecture class, and Dr. Sharp never runs out of crafty witticisms to mutter under his breath about having to come teach on a sunny Friday afternoon. My least favorite class would be freshman English. I have heard many complaints about the class, and overall it was just a pain to show up to class most days. Students don't study too much unless they have an exam in the upcoming week. The library is always full of people though, and it is usually open until 2 in the morning. Class participation is usually pretty solid, unless the teacher is droning on about something completely negligible and the students are having a hard time paying attention. VCU students have an easy time connecting outside of class, and when there is a project due in a class, students usually have an easy time getting together and discussing the assignment together in person or over an instant-messaging service. Students are generally competitive in smaller classes where there is more incentive to be noticed for your works or when there is an opportunity for your work to be displayed to the class. The most unique class I've taken has been PHYS 103: Astronomy. The class is very interesting and the professor cares a great deal about the subject matter. I've learned a great deal about astronomy from this class, and I'm usually excited to go to it. I'm in the Humanities and Sciences department, and I enjoy the opportunities that the school has to offer me. There are usually poetry readings/discussions, and famous authors that come to speak at the school. I don't often spend time with my professors outside of class, but if I ever need to they are easily accessible. In the past I've usually just emailed the professor if I need to ask them a question outside of class or if I need help/clarification with an assignment. The VCU academic requirements aren't very rigid or unforgiving, and if you're doing badly in a class, you're usually notified about it by the teacher or your academic adviser. Different departments have different views on education and what it is geared towards. For instance, the theatre program is very centered on professionalism and getting the job, but in more liberal arts- based degrees, there is more of a focus on learning for its own sake and pondering upon the deeper meaning of things.

Academics are a mixed bag depending on your department and educational leanings, but my experiences were largely positive. I majored in Biology and found most professors to be very nice and gave an excellent lecture. Basically as long as you're not an idiot about attendance or notetaking you'll be fine in most cases. I don't want to name names here, but the obvious exception was a rather condescending professor I had for cell bio (which you WILL take if you major in biology). The chem department, conversely, seemed to offer the opposite experience. I did well in the labs but my lecturers ranged from a half deaf guy, to a mousy little guy with no stage presence and little clarity on how his curve worked, to a psychotic englishman. While I'm sure they do excellent research it seems no one in that department can lecture to save their lives. Exceptions were the lab instructors who were quite good at making it clear what you should be doing and what was happening chemically. In the interest of disclosure, chemistry is one of the areas where I'm naturally weak anyway so take all this with as much salt as is necessary. My classes in the other departments (cheifly english and politics) were also very good and the professors were as entertaining as they were informative (especially english 101 and Poli 105).

Once you get into your major professors start to learn your name. The only way a professor can really know you in your pre-major and general ed classes is if you make yourself known or if your professor is just really set on learning everyone's name...I had one of those!. Students are for the most part serious about academics here. I go to the library at least 3 times a week and it is ususally always packed. The classes can be very demanding but it really depends on the person's major. My major is Mass Communications concentrating in Creative Advertising. I spend time with my professors out of class to get their opinions on my work and to get a better understanding of concepts. My teachers are extremely helpful and willing to meet. The only downside to Mass Comm is the lenghty pre-reqs sheet! But once your in the major..you have two years and they move fastly!

VCU classes can be rather difficult despite what people think. Just because it is easier to get into VCU that most other VA universities does not mean that the classes are easy!!!!VCU education is geared towards getting a job which I think is awesome because you are not wasting time or money!

If its a lecture class, you can forget about the teacher remembering you unless, 1. your always late and they notice, 2. you ask a lot of questions, or 3. you actually talk to the teacher during office hours or out of the actual class time. There are a lot of classes that you don't even have to show up for and can pass them easily, but they insist on class participation with clickers in some classes. The clickers are definitely ineffective because a friend can go in with two clickers and still get the credit for the person who skipped. Students are definitely competitive in the medical and science fields. Maybe the arts too. Outside of that its pretty relaxed. Most just want to get that degree and move on.