Jon Cowans - Rutgers - State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ

Professor: Jon Cowans

Department: History

College: Rutgers - State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His lectures for Capitalism and Socialism are great. But the way he has structured the course is really inconvenient for us students. He gives out pop-quizes on readings that are due for class, but drops the lowest quiz grade. Theres a midterm and final all open ended questions with no study guide. He expects you to memorize all readings from class

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST201
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor is knowledgeable about subject matter but seems rigid and stuck in his ways. There were multiple readings per class; some not easy to understand, yet open ended questions on quizzes required detail & deep understanding. When students asked for insight for midterm and what to focus on, he said to review on all of it, which wasn't helpful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: WESTCIV102
• 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:

Hes a tough grader. If you dont do the readings, def dont take the class. If you do the readings, still dont take the class. I did my best in his class and still got a lame grade. Its really hard to get an A in his class. I dont know how the person in the pervious comment did it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST379
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cowans is definitely a tough professor, but if you put in good work you'll learn a lot. He's more than willing to answer questions and give help if you need it. You definitely need to regularly commit to reading before class in order to even understand what's going on in the lecture. By and large the best professor I've taken so far.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CAPSOC362
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Cowans' is an awesome professor! Going into this class you will definitely learn a lot. However, you HAVE TO MEMORIZE THE READINGS (those of u working + college will find it difficult, I did) If i had enough time to dedicate my time to his class I'd definitely take him again, but I didn't so I found him very difficult.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST313
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It is like he is never satisfied, if you do the readings and he gives a quiz if you answer questions his way you pass if not it can be correct but wrong in his eyes. He seemed always angry sometimes rude. Definitely would never take him again, didn't give him a nice evaluation and he emailed me about it, upset about my opinions.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cowans is a good lecturer and he makes the material interesting but his grading is unfair. There's pop quizzes almost every class, which are difficult even if you read, participation and attendance are easy but it is only a small portion of your grade, and his tests are ridiculous. They're all open ended yet there's a specific answer he looks for.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cowans is an excellent professor! Every single one of his lectures, as long as you do the reading, are engaging and interesting. I learned so much in his Western Civilization class. You HAVE to read because he gives out random pop quizzes and its difficult to skip class because of this. However, his class was worth the effort.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HISTFILM101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Came into this class expecting a tough grader and he was, but he is very forgiving if you put in the effort. Standard attendance policy. Readings were very short (8 pgs avg), but must be memorized for quizzes. Only two tests and no HW. The tests were essays that required in-depth explanation from readings and films. Got a B but expt. a C or D

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 510313
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I had at Rutgers. He is extremely knowledgeable in a wide variety of areas and is excellent at getting his students to understand the subject matter. He is very tough, however, and demands a lot from those who take his classes. If you are looking to learn a lot, take him. If you want an easy A, look elsewhere.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST313
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor was ok, pretty difficult. I felt that he had to be in a good mood in order to have a good class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY
• 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:

Confusing Professor. He has contempt for his students.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CAPSOC362
• 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:

Prof. Cowans is brilliant and challenging, I recommend his classes to anyone who is interested in social sciences and humanities. Attendance and participation are a must, and he won't be too shy about reprimanding you in class if you are not paying attention. There were no essays, but for his exams you have to know the readings extremely well.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: WESTE400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

RU 1999. Cowans, hands down, is a brilliant professor! The guy can teach and makes the topics intellectually stimulating. Fear him not if you are up for a challenge.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HISTFILM
• 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:

Strict, insightful, nice but not easy. Writing proficiency is necessary and a huge part of your grade.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CIVI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very strict, hates it when people distract him. MUST do all reading assignments. Randomly gives pop quizzes. Midterm and final are all based on readings, grades very hard.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SPAINHIST
• 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:

Not an easy class. Must read the readings assigned. Does not like people interrupting his class such as going to the bathroom or using cellphones. Got a B, and I actually learned a lot. Quizzes count 20%, I did poorly on the quizzes but midterm and final are based on what you read. If you must ask questions, even if u know the answer.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

class is very difficult. you MUST read for every class, as he likes to give pop quizes and they factor in on 20% of your grade. ultimately the reading helps you heavily with the midterm and final. however, i learned a lot about spain and did enjoy the class. but if you're looking for an easy course to just get through, this isn't it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST305
• 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:

GREAT PROFESSOR!! If you are willing to take time out to actually do your reading you will enjoy his class and you will learn a great deal! very insightful and helpful. but he is by the book with everything. he's very strict.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had and I've had a number of good ones at RU-NWK, especially in the history dept. He runs a tight ship, so you know exactly what you have to do to succeed. If you do the work, and you go to every class, you will learn a lot and enjoy every minute of it. His classes are an absolute joy! This is what it's all about folks.