Just take the class!! Prof Olds is an awesome guy and he is genuinely so kind and accomodating. The class is super interesting and you'll learn tons about the world around you which will be helpful if you want to travel someday. Do the

The professor is very kind, but the class is primarily graded by TAs. The TA's are very tough while grading and will dock tenths of points off for unclear reasons. When it comes to the movie reviews, the grading from TA's is also very subjective. You may have nearly-perfect essay and they will find ways to dock you.

A little tough to get "perfect" scores in, and expects a lot of busy reading but overall very kind and respectful. Assignments were easy just took a while.

Honestly one of the kindest and most understanding professors I've ever had. He was very generous with deadlines my semester and always in communication with us. The class was flexible. The grading might be a bit unclear, but there's many ways to improve your grade. Enjoyed the class, learned lots

The professor was nice and the class was okay. But the grading criteria is unclear and the feedback is not helpful.

Dr. Olds is awesome and I never even saw the guy in person. 10 assignments the whole semester, and everything I learned was new. Super cool class. Olds reminds you of every deadline at least 3 times, and seems like the most caring guy. One of the good ones.

Prof Olds really cares about his students and that shows through in his course organization. The material was engaging and the expectations were clear for assignments. Overall I was pleased with the course and still felt recognized as a student despite it being an online course. Graded by weekly disc posts and 3 movie reviews.

Wonderful, understanding man who clearly knows a lot about his field. Thoughtfully grades work and gives helpful feedback.

Most of the discussion posts were graded by TAs who took off points for no reason. Didn't receive feedback until a few weeks after the posts, meaning that you couldn't apply that feedback to the discussions between that time. Kris seemed very caring by asking students throughout the semester how they were doing. Do not take this class for an easy A

Professor Olds is easily the most caring professor I've had this term. For an online class, he is sure to check-in with students and actually takes their feedback into account. The class is laid out neatly and expectations are clear. The readings and lectures do take time to do, but they are necessary for the discussion posts so don't skip them!

Kris Olds is probably the most accommodating professor I have had in my time at UW. He seems to genuinely care about his students. This class was a pretty good online class with the course organization being exceptional. This class is time consuming, so don't wait to start until the last minute. If you need an area studies course, take this one.

Really cares about his students' well-being. One of those professors who includes his phone number as a contact if you need to reach him in a pinch. Very accessible outside of class and flexible when I had issues at the end of the semester. Understanding of students' real lives and pandemic issues. Lot of discussion posts, 2-3 essays, no exams.

Took this class in summer and it was asynchronous. Prof Olds is so nice and checked in with everyone. Discussion post for each world region with a few questions. The class was very flexible and made to tailor to your interests. Two short film reviews (2 pages?) but he is not a tough grader. Not hard, but time consuming. Really enjoyed it.

Professor Olds teaches numerous courses of which I have taken, as he provides lectures which keep people engaged with new information or discussions. Geo 505 was a heavier reading class, however the readings provided unique insights to the information of class and helped with discussions on important topics. I would absolutely take this class!

Kris is one of the kindest professors I've come across. The class was fairly straight forward, very organized, and the expectations were clear. If you're struggling, talk to him and he'll work with you. Easy A if you put the effort in.

Nice course for a first Geography course. Olds is really accessible online and during office hours, as was the TA. Could definitely do each unit (one week of content) during a single night, so just get 'er done and you'll be fine. Grading can be picky on little things, but still an easy course. Would recommend.

Students beware!!! It a writing intensive class I really think that I would rather be burned at the stake than take this class again. You have no idea how many times I was thinking about dropping the class. There are 5 papers plus 2 pages discussion every week. Tons and tons of reading. If you like to write then this class maybe for you.

Prof. Olds is the best teacher Ive ever met, and Im trying to be a similar teacher to my students now. I cant be who I am without his guidances. This comment is very subjective because it is written by probably the TA who couldn't speak much less read english well... and... find my thesis statement IN THE FIRST SENTENCE(see below). ��

This class is only interesting some of the time. You have four discussion posts and one final five page paper. There are NO exams. This course does not require a lot of effort throughout the semester for those who would like an extra three credits. Kris is a great guy and talk very casually to students. Not stuffy or stuck up at all.

Olds is a nice guy and made his expectations very clear from the start. Very good at keeping in touch via email, which is necessary for an online class and not having in-person communication. Pretty easy class overall if you watch the online lectures and did some of the readings. That being said, this class was pretty dull and pointless for me.

Okay professor, pretty nice. The class is kind of dry, but definitely need to do at least some of the readings/lectures to get good grades. The paper grading is a little strict, being an online class. Definitely easy, but more strict and time consuming than I expected.

Took it online. Writing assignments are easy. Tests are moderate, you gotta read the textbook very thoroughly. Interesting materials.

Online course, guest lectures are interesting, exams are easy as long as you've read the chapter. One 8-10 page paper on basically the topic of your choice. Really cool guy if you get to know him during office hours! Incredibly intelligent.

Don't take this class if you're a real estate major looking for relevant non-bus or econ credits. Terrible lecturer, extremely dry. The only time lecture is bearable is when guest lecturers come or lecture via skype. Extremely easy to get an A. Lot of reading but there is no point to it as you get the essay questions for the midterm beforehand.

He is a cool person. Distinguished and knows his stuff. Course expectations were unclear. A lot of power lies in the hands of his TA. I would NOT recommend his class after this semester, but I hear he is going to make great changes in the upcoming semester.

Pretty easy class. It's comm B so expect a lot of writing. But I'll echo that it's like elementary school. The classroom activities are awfully boring. My TA couldn't speak much less read english well, and downgraded me heavily because he couldn't find my thesis statement IN THE FIRST SENTENCE. But midterms were easy, and everything is online.

Makes it well known that you don't have to come to lectures: "Don't write many notes, these are all online." Drawback is the activities in discussion, they make you feel like you're in elementary school, forced to do worksheets and worthless presentations.

it's true...this class is boring!!! but, its incredibly easy as well. he... puts slides online, gives you a sheet for what you need to know for the final...etc. he's a really nice guy --he read my term paper for me and gave me well-thought out feedback...let's just face it, that is unheard of for a prof. to do when the class has 7 TA's... :)

This class is very boring. He asks stupid questions to lecture and then there are long pauses while no one answers. Don't take this class if you can avoid it.

Best Parts: Extremely knowlegedable, teaches from a global perspective, clear expectations, real world applications with all materials, including relevant research projects, cares about students Worst parts: dry lectures, workload

Absolutely great! If you pay attention, you will gain so much from this class. He makes you think beyond the text material. A great lecturer, really knows what he is talking about. My favorite professor at UW, by far. He gives you a sheet that contains all you need to know for the exams. easy class.

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Zzzzzz... repetitive lectures. Lack enthusiasm for class, very didactic. Boring boring. vERY general. the exams -don't study, or read, just skim the material. no point, you'd porbably get the same grade w/ or w/o/ studying.