Douglas Bisson - Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Professor: Douglas Bisson

Department: History

College: Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Homework after every class (at least an hours worth). For the final essay we had 2500 word research paper- all other FYS classes had 1500 and got to pick their topic and we also had a pretty difficult short answer final and essay on the final day while most FYS didn't even have a final. WAY too difficult for a FYS should be an easy class like rest.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Just finished first semester of freshmen year with his Holocaust denial FYS. I really enjoy learning about WWII and the Holocaust, but the way he taught and the amount that we had to read and respond was just insane. This wasn't a freshmen level entry course, it was a junior level history class. Don't take this class if huge papers give you anxiety

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is a terrible teacher. Save yourself and don't take his class. He's very rude, interrupts you while you're talking, and it's almost impossible to get an A. The most stressful class so far.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

For a first year seminar class this was definitely not what I was expecting. There was a ridiculous amount of work and reading compared to other FYS classes and the research paper required near the end of the course is also in addition to the essay on the final, journal entries on the readings, and all short answer quizzes. Don't take this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST1400
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Overly strict & even rude at times

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GND1015
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Oh man I had no idea how hard this class would be! Dr. Bisson is a really great and knowledgeable professor... for a history course. But for a freshman seminar, he was way too demanding with reading, writing, and level of knowledge. Great guy who cares a lot, but the Holocaust is already a harsh subject. I recommend this become a history course.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Only take this class if you are up for a challenge. If you work hard Bisson will reward you. Participation isn't detrimental to your grade like Bisson stresses in the beginning of the semester. Reading is not optional. Bisson is very educated in this area and he will expect you to keep up. He can be quite intimidating and condescending at times.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bisson is one of the smartest people I know. He is extremely knowledgable of the Roman World and it shows in his lectures. His passion about the topic makes class more enjoyable, even though it's a lot of information. Very lecture heavy with no powerpoints, so take REALLY good notes. If you participate, he will love you! Study lots for tests!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is extremely smart. Write down almost everything he says. He does give you study guides but it basically is just words and names. It's not that this class is hard, it's that the tests are hard. He's a great teacher. Kind of old school, but if you ever have questions just ask him. He's a great guy and funny too. You get out what you put in.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I have never taken a class as difficult as this and I love school. I absolutely love studying and reading but it seems nearly impossible to be right in his class. He has an overwhelming amount of knowledge about the Medieval World that he expects all students to also have. Impossible, very blunt and lecture based teaching style.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GND1015
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

IMPOSSIBLY TOUGH. Took this as a freshman seminar class and it was the hardest of all my courses. Bisson knows it all and expects that his students do as well, so if you aren't keeping up with the readings good luck! He assigns a research paper and no matter how hard you work on it and A is nearly unachievable. way too difficult for a seminar.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bisson is the type of professor who gives back exactly what you put in. If you are willing to put forth effort, he will see that and reward you. I thought he was very kind and understanding. Participation is the key to success in his class!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I had Prof. Bisson for the Denying the Holocaust seminar this past semester. I was shocked at how much work this introductory freshman class entailed. While I like a challenge in the classroom, this class was not what I signed up for, as this could have easily been a history class, not a First Year Seminar.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough class. Seems like it is almost impossible to get things right sometimes. Need to read EVERYTHING assigned in DETAIL and take notes in order to understand the entire concept. Definitely not a class to blow off. Start studying at least a week before tests. On the bright side, there is always a study guide.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GND1015
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took him for First Year Sem. "Denying the Holocaust". Dr. Bisson is easily the toughest professor I've ever had. He is a very knowledgable man, which makes him quite condescending. Prepare to do daily journal entries over multiple chapters in a book. Class participation is MANDATORY!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took the Medieval World class. If you are just taking his class for a credit and aren't genuinely interested in the material, really consider taking another course. The lectures are long and difficult to pay attention to. He knows his material, but I would not recommend taking his class unless you are willing to dedicate a lot of time and energy.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FYS1015
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bisson has been one of my favorite professors at Belmont! He is so nice, and will help you out if you just put forth the effort. If you try in his class it is not hard at all, but he knows who does and doesn't try. I would take him again for sure!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GND1015
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bisson is an interesting professor. He is one of the most knowledgable professors I've ever come across. However, he is one of the toughest. If you want to get schooled (literally) in the subject that you sign up for, take his class. It's a higher level class by far. Overall, I would choose Bisson over most.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GND1015
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a little bit odd, but he really knows what he is talking about. Take good notes, and do all the reading. You need it to pass the tests. There is a LOT of reading but seriously, do it. Being a class on the Holocaust, it can get to be kind of overwhelming. There's a lot to take in. But he explains it really well. Also: 10 page paper at the end.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIS1400
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Bisson is one of my all time favorite professors here at Belmont. I've learned so much in his classes and he has taught me to always strive to be the best! Always participate in class and go out of your way to meet with him out of class. He recognizes students who put forth a lot of effort, and will reward you for it in the long run.