Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Boring course material, but you can tell that Professor Mason is passionate about the subjects. Everything you need to know is in his slides or other very short readings. There was a field trip for this class but you can do extra work to make up for missing it. Labs are done individually and almost everything is done online. Pretty easy classRate My Professors ↗
Honestly, Professor Mason really grew on me. His long lectures initially bored me--and class content wasnt quite what I expected--but he has SO MUCH passion for his research, and it really shows. I learned a lot and got an A with minimal effort/stress. Although I'm unsure if I would take a class with him again, I enjoyed this one!Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Mason is a super nice guy, very approachable. However, lectures were a somewhat dry and the stuff he talks the most about will not necessarily be what appears most on the tests so remember the little things. Lab attendance is mandatory, lecture is not, but I recommend going. Shows a lot of pictures that he took himself, which is coolRate My Professors ↗
Super nice guy!! He's super passionate about what he's teaching, and he explains everything in a digestable way. I have no background or experience in geography and took this as a science credit. While this class was difficult for me because I didn't know much previously, I still did well & learned a lot!Rate My Professors ↗
My experience was so different from previous ratings. Joe was impossible. Office hours are a waste. Lectures were horrendously dry; slides weren't helpful. In-class exams were the designed to trip you up and often pulled from info he covered for maybe two minutes total. I took this class because I love the west but I would run the other way now.Rate My Professors ↗
Good professor, you can tell he likes lecturing on the topics. Fair grader and gives good feedback on things you did wrong on assignments. Field trip for class was a bit annoying, but fun if you have someone to hang out with. Half of labs you don't even have to go in, never stayed the 3 hours.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
ENVIRST/GEOG 127 introduces physical environmental systems and their interconnections through case studies and field work.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Joseph Mason is criticized for reading PowerPoint slides and providing dry lectures that some find boring or outdated. Reviewers note he is knowledgeable but struggles to engage students, with exams often covering material not emphasized in class.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleGEOG 681 is a mentored study course for seniors completing honors theses in geography.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
GEOG 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleGEOG 990 is an individual mentored study course for completing theses, arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
GEOG 999 is an independent study course allowing students to arrange specific work with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | ENVIRST/GEOG 127 | Physical Systems of the Environment |
| Fall 2026 | GEOG 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | GEOG 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | GEOG 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | GEOG 999 | Independent Work |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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