Joseph Elder
- School: University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Location: Madison, WI
- Department: Sociology
- 4.0Overall Quality
- 4.0Helpfulness
- 4.0Clarity
- 4.0Easiness
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Prof. Elder is a very kind man and a knowledgeable professor. His "LGBTQIA" vocabulary is a bit outdated... but he's also 86 years old. Regardless, I've learned a lot from this class. It inspired me to continue to take classes to get a certificate in LGBT Studies. Lots of writing, no exams. Fun if you have an interest in this area of study.
GWS200
Joe is very knowledgeable, really knows his stuff but is extremely outdated... He is 86 by the way. The class was so easy though. If you did well on the first 4 writing assignments, don't have to do the last two. No exams. Watched a lot of movies you could just watch on Netflix. Super easy class. Have Elena for a TA!
SOC200
I would not recommend this class to anyone. There aren't any exams, only written assignments and quizzes. The written assignments are basically the same assignment every time, with a different outside source. The quizzes are really hard.. some questions ask for specific words from a quote in a 40 page article. I haven't learned anything new.
ILS209
He was an interesting guy and gave interesting lectures. He is clearly an expert in his field and actually cares about what he teaches. I would recommend him.
HIST252
Lectures are boring only if you don't like learning about India. He is very knowledgeable. I liked coming to class to hear his amazing stories. Watched cool documentaries every week. Take home exams were a little difficult because they were confusing and it wasn't clear what we should put for the answers. But overall, good class.
HIST252
Terrible class. The only reason I took it was because I thought it would count for 2 requirement, only to find out halfway through the semester that it didn't. The lectures are painfully boring and the course packet was really expensive. Joe Elder is a nice enough guy but I would not take another class with him
Soc252
I respect this teacher so much. All he wants is to spread his knowledge about India through the beautiful movies he shows and he really does appreciate his students. Can choose to write three 15page papers or three take homes and is a very flexible grader so long as you put genuine work into your essays.
LCA252
NOT a good professor. Take home tests were long, boring, and didn't teach you anything, you just spit out facts. Grading was difficult. Lectures aren't necessary at all, just movies and books.
ILS401
One of the most fascinating professors I've ever had. In the global cultures capstone seminar, he just drops these nonchalant stories about world travels that are mind blowing. Also genuinely nterested in his material, as well as his students. By far the most relatable, fair, understanding and interesting prof I've ever had at UW
ILS209
Very interesting professor and lectures. He can come off as a little boring in lecture, but the material he teaches is rich and interesting. The experiences he shares amazing. The course is based largely on writing and grading is generous. It is not hard to get an A in this class. I loved lecture, but readings are enough for assignments.
ILS209
Elder was a very nice guy, but the lectures were extremely boring! Technically, it didn't even matter if you went to class because the tests were take-home. The class was super easy.
ILS209
I took this class without really knowing what it was about and walked away happy that I had taken it. It's sort of like a history class, but it teaches the parts of history most don't talk about. Professor has had a really interesting life and is very nice, but lectures could be a bit boring/ straight out of the notes.
ILS209
Elder has soooo much wisdom. I would pay money to sit down with him and just talk for hours if he didn't have such an insane schedule. He's been involved in so much it's incredible. In lecture, he'll just casually bring up how he mediated a war between two countries like it's no big deal. If you don't mind a lot of reading, take this class!
LCA402
Prof. Elder or Joe, is amazing! he really knows what he is talking about and you can feel how passionate he is about what he teaches. He is so helpful, and can explain anything in more detail. Great class!
LCA402
Very interesting class, Prof. Elder seemed to know about everything on Gandhi. There was no attendance, but he talked specifically to the take-home exams during class and therefore attending class was vital in my success.
ILS209
AWESOME, kind, funny man. He has traveled the world and has an abundance of wisdom to share with his students. Your grade depends on the strictness of your TA; I had Victoria and she was the best TA I have ever had, but definitely a stricter grader than the others. Also, the title of this class is misleading. It's more a philosophy/history class.
ILS209
One of the best professor's I had this semester!! I really learned a lot for little to none work!!
ILS401
Professor Elder is amazing. He genuinely cares about the students and just wants everyone to come away from the class with an understanding of the topic. He is not a difficult grader, but you will still find yourself putting effort into the class because of how interesting and thoughtful he makes it.
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