Reviews of professor Herve Tchumkam

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Professor Tchumkam is a rare gem at SMU. His class expands your horizons and make you learn about what the real world looks like. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, passionate, and insightful in his subjects. He cares about his students and his lectures will make your learning at SMU worthwhile. Good teachers like him are hard to find at SMU.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
"The Harkis" was one of the best classes I have taken at SMU. The learning was solely based on lectures and in-class videos. The grading is based on two short papers, one final paper, and an oral presentation. However, as long as you are trying you will succeed in the class. The lowest grade on anything turned in by anyone was a 91%

Rating: 3.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
I really enjoyed his class, but I caution you. You must read a lot, the course for the Harkis requires 5-6 books. Also he says he rounds grades but he does not.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Dr. Tchumkam is by far my favorite professor I have taken at SMU. He is insanely knowledgable and passionate about what he teaches. Lectures are engaging, but he does look for students to participate in them.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
HIGHLY recommend taking this class Jan Term. He lets you out early most days and class discussion is interesting. Heavy subject and material but he makes it really relevant and helps you understand what you need to know. Grades very easy, lowest anyone got was a 90. Put in some effort and you're almost guaranteed an A. Great guy.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
He has strong views. But opened my eyes to some post colonial issues in France. I learned a lot about why racism happens and what elements/set ups encourage or discourage it. Very loose structure, you have freedom to be creative in your essay and presentations. Safe, non-judgmental environment for discussions. Overall a fine class.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
If you read the books, annotate, and voice your thoughts in class as much as possible then you can easily get an A. Papers seem tough at first, but his rubric revolves around how well you connect your ideas to the learning targets in his syllabus which is easy. His lectures are meant to supplement the readings; it's more of a discourse really.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
This class consists of a lot of reading, 2 response papers, an oral presentation, and a research paper. He does not tell you what he expects from the assignments, he just expects you to know. Also, the lowest grade being a 92 is not the case for my class. If anything it was the highest grade in the class.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 3.0/5
Dr. Tchumkam really loves his teaching topics. He lets you watch movies in most class periods and really just wants to have you think critically about race in modern France. If you ask questions and turn in papers in time you will do fine.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
Uhhh took him in the Fall. and he was a great teacher, tried him for another class in May-term and it was a nightmare. He's very smart and knows what he is teaching but express classes with him are not worth it.