Professor: John Smolenski
Department: History
College: University of California Davis, Davis, CA
Rating # 1
Overview:
- Course: HIS170B
- Grade Received: B
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Class definitely caters to History majors, and Smolenski can go on tangents that feel pointless. I was often confused in lec. That said this class gave me a better understanding of American politics and an appreciation for our country's roots. Also, Smolenski is pretty funny in his subtle jokes. He also told us he reads all his reviews so hello
Rating # 2
Overview:
- Course: HIS017A
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Smolenski taught very clear about the US history till 1860 Civil War. You don't necessarily need to read the textbook, but read through them can give you better understandings. The papers based on the two books and graded by TAs. And the exams included IDs given in class and essay questions; he would give you the essay questions beforehand. The discussion sections are crucial for the understandings of the history development, so please attend and participate.
Rating # 3
Overview:
- Course: HIS017A
- Grade Received: B+
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Smolenski was a great professor. His lectures are clear and helpful for the exams. He does provide his students with readings however, they're not necessarily mandatory except for the discussion readings. He informs his students about what kind of information will be on exams which helped a lot, and I do urge you to attend his lectures for terms!
Rating # 4
Overview:
- Course: HIST17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Great teacher who knows a lot about American history. There were 3 papers (I believe, or maybe two?), two midterms, and a final. This class is enjoyable when you desire to learn more about American history. There is an extensive amount of reading, so do not sign up for an "easy A". This professor is great, even though he might seem dry at times.
Rating # 5
Overview:
- Course: HIS170A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
The more of a history buff you are, the better Smolenski is, and vice versa. His lecture style definitely caters to history majors, as do the assignments. Tough on the essays, little less on the exams (need a 3.5 here lol). Helpful in office hours if you don't go in with the expectation that he'll give you all the answers. Overall solid professor.
Rating # 6
Overview:
- Course: 170A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating # 7
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
If you actually care about the material: he's a great teacher and the class if pretty enjoyable. If you're looking for an easy A: anyone can get an A in this class as long as you put time into it.
Rating # 8
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: C+
- Overall Rating: 2.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I took HIS 17A because I had AP Hist. in High School, I thought the class would be interesting. Lectures were 1hr & 20mins. They were the most dreadful, dull, and boring lectures of my life! I would see people falling asleep in the lecture hall, and fell asleep a few times myself. Midterm and Final are easy, papers are graded a little harsh though.
Rating # 9
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Pretty clear on how he lectures. Just make sure that you are ready to write down notes as many as possible because he likes to give tests with one or two essay questions and IDs that you have to identify and show the significance. He wants you to correlate many things, even some that may seem minuscule at first but important later. A lot of readin
Rating # 10
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: B
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Hardest GE class I've taken. Two papers, both about 5 pages. One midterm and one final. His grading is ridiculous and grades more on structure than content. Refused to release grading rubrics, which is not helpful to the student. Chooses to grade on specific things. avoid.
Rating # 11
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He knows what he is talking about and is very knowledgeable about the subject but this is NOT AN EASY CLASS. Section is mandatory and is a big chunk of your grade and you must participate to get a decent grade. Grading is harsh and ridiculously specific.
Rating # 12
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.5
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
i don't know why people think this is an easy class, maybe take a look at dates and you'll get what i mean when i think of increasing difficulty because of "easy ratings". all honestly, one of the harder classes i have taken in davis. grading is TERRIBLE + make sure you try to get back points. avoid if you don't have time to put in
Rating # 13
Overview:
- Course: HIS017A
- Grade Received: B
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Section is absolutely mandatory and you have to participate to get a good grade in the class. The midterm, final, and essays are graded very difficulty. He goes through notes quickly. He does give out his midterm/final essay prompts early, although the grading on those is very specific and tough. I recommend going to your TA's office hours.
Rating # 14
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- 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: Mandatory
Comment:
This is not an easy A class. you have to keep up with the class by reviewing your notes, attending lectures and Sections, and doing the reading. In my opinion, this is way more work than what a 4 unit class should have. Also, he is a really hard tester and he is very rude. i took this class because people said he was chill, they were wrong.
Rating # 15
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.5
- Course Difficulty: 1.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
For a GE class, this class is very easy. Although lectures tend to be dull and boring, his midterms and finals are pretty easy. He gives out the prompts ahead of time and a list of the vocabulary words he will use on the tests. There's no excuse to not get a good grade.
Rating # 16
Overview:
- Course: HIS017
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
horrible teaching skills. Taking this class as GE, found out history is boring. Maybe this guy is boring. After this class, I have no more interest in history class any more.
Rating # 17
Overview:
- Course: HIS17A
- 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:
Professor Smolenski is a great teacher. He knows his stuff! Although, every now and then his lecture can be a bit dry. His is very clear on his expectations. Like all history classes, this does require quite a bit of reading, but it's interesting. There is a midterm, 2 papers, and a final. Read and attend lecture and you should be fine!
Rating # 18
Overview:
- Course: HIS102K
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Senior seminar on "Race and Religion in America." 8 books, about 1 per week (reading is required), weekly summaries, two papers, and discussion. Smolenski is a great prof--he leads the discussion in the right direction, gives helpful feedback in papers, and knows a lot about the subject. I would highly recommend this class to any history major.
Rating # 19
Overview:
- Course: HIST170
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.5
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Class is easy. He is unclear and unhelpful.
Rating # 20
Overview:
- Course: HIST17A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He gave good insight into the frequently unheard stories in History.
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