Ben Eklof - Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

Professor: Ben Eklof

Department: History

College: Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Overall, a very knowledgable and interesting person. He cares about students preferences and is willing to work with you. He is awesome!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HISTJ400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This course really helped in prepping me for graduate school. The class room setting was very similar to that of graduate classes. Dr. Eklof was willing to look over papers before turning them in, and gave useful feedback on drafts and graded papers. Do the reading, pay attention, and his classes will be easy to follow.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Coming into this class I thought I was going to hate it, but Dr. Eklof is so knowledgeable on Russian history he made the class somewhat enjoyable. Get on his good side early on and this should be a somewhat enjoyable class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HISTD308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He really knows a lot about Russian history and is happy to share it. Sometimes goes on tangents. Tests are short answer/essay and will be a lot easier if you attend classes and listen to the lectures/take notes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lectures are boring but mandatory; go to them or you will do poorly on exams. You must do the readings and pay attention, but the material itself is not difficult. He is overall an understanding guy who realizes that you have other things to do. If you like history definitely take a course with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 640
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Disorganized, rude, unhelpful.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HISTD303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Eklof's knowledge of russia and russian history is unparalleled -his interest in the topic is likewise contagious. He is understanding and caring, helpful and a joy to listen to. Work hard and be patient - he is a gift.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HISTH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Essay Exam on the entire 20th century with no study guide or guidelines to help you prepare. The entire class is doing poorly and is still reluctant to have any curve even though it is blatantly his fault. Also terrible at teaching and lecturing. Thinking about taking it up with the board cause this is ridiculous.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The class wasn't that interesting, but Eklof was a good professor. He really cares about his students and wanted to get to know them. He is easy to work with and understands that you have other class so he sets the pace to the class. The lectures are super interesting, but he has a dry sense of humor that is great if you get it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HISTD103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This man doesn't know how to teach a class. He says he's being doing it for years, but still doesn't know how long he wants essays to be. Incompetent. Never take this class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HISTD308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Eklof is an awesome prof. He is very understanding and helpful. Just chatting with him let's you know that most of the comments on here are from those who can't make it in a real college course. Pay attention and do the reading, you'll enjoy the class and do well

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HISTD308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great class and great prof. Appropriate level of difficulty for a 300 level class. Lectures are a little dry, but it's better if you have background knowledge. Tests are pretty easy and papers as well. Loved it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HISTD303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Eklof has been by far one of the most interesting and enthusiastic professors in my time at IU. He is passionate about Russian History and makes the class very interesting. Don't be afraid to talk to him after class. He is a very interesting and intelligent person to know.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HISTD303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is very scattered and it's true he gives out a list of >20 topics that may be on the test, but if you pay attention in class you'll be fine. I was able to do all the complimentary readings on online without purchasing the book and come out with a B+. He is also understanding of issues you may have you just have to make the effort to talk to him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Came to class with his belly button showing! could be suffering with ADHD. readings were interesting but extremely boring lectures.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lectures are very dry and boring and impossible to take notes on. He does give u an outline of the lecture but even that is unclear and unorganized. tests are impossible to study for because he gives you 25 different essay topics and picks a couple. my HIST-A379 class was easier than this, and more enjoyable. STAY AWAY!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HISTH102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

dry, boring, unorganized, and limited.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HISTD308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

You may be overwhelmed at first, but you can do the min. amount of readings and you will be fine. He sometimes rambles but he reiterates a lot. He is a little disorganized, show up to class and you'll be fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

he mumbles and rambles on and on and is hard to follow and impossible to take notes on. doesn't provide any visual aids (power point) and is extremely dry.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HISTD308
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Readings for D308 were interesting, and while Prof. Eklof might at times seem a bit "scatterbrained," he is extremely knowledgeable and gives great lectures. If you do the relatively little work he asks of you (though there is quite a bit of reading), you'll see Russian history from a very different perspective after this course. I miss this class.