Len Friesen - Wilfrid Laurier University-Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Professor: Len Friesen

Department: Global Studies

College: Wilfrid Laurier University-Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HI260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Quality individual. Always well prepared. Extremely knowledgeable and passionate. Great story teller. Focuses on need to know vs nice to know. His sense of humour also appreciated. Hated when his lectures ended

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Pretty cool guy, his tests and exams are hard but he's a fair marker.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer who is obviously knowledgeable about history but his marking style has led to confusion and a lack of understanding on how to do better. only a midterm, one paper and a final exam and so each are worth a lot. The paper average was in the low 60's and the class average is in the high 60's. It's not a GPA booster!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very hard marker. Pinpoints little things such as citations as reasons why you got a low mark on an essay. Very funny man, makes class fun, but is not worth the countless hours spent doing papers and notes. Loves his history and can teach it, but really attacks the mark if one point is missing.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lenny is probably the coolest human being to ever grace Laurier's fine campus. He's hilarious and his sarcasm is always on point.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

L E N N Y is amazing, engaging, and hilarious. A solid 1 out of 1 professor

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HI109
• 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:

Lenny is a beast, ok?

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HI349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No single textbook but assigned readings that were all available free online which was great. Hilarious and very informative lectures - this class covers a lot of ground. A tough but fair grader but can be flexible about workload/deadlines when the class needs it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HI206
• 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:

Friesen can be harsh and slightly disrespectful in is comments when grading essay. Beware, your papers cant go against his opinion. You will get minimal marks. He also makes it mandatory that you consult with him for your essays. Or you wont get a decent grade. good personality, but definitely passive aggressive.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HI129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Lecture format is very disorganized. A few times he's finished the entire lecture, but is still on the first few slides. Not having a corresponding slides to go with his level of detail is extremely confusing. Most times he doesn't finish the lecture, leaving it to the next week.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HI349
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A gift to teaching, Dr. Friesen is the most hilarious and amazing professor I have ever seen. I took his Russian history course in the first-semester of 2nd year and then promptly found ever other class he taught. I have zero interest in International Relations or politics and it was the most fun I had in class all year. His anecdotes are gold.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Has that rare ability to break complicated-beyond-belief things down into something everyone can understand. Truly cares about students; I e-mailed him for clarification and HE thanked ME for taking such an interest. Takes a personal interest in students who work hard and want to learn. Very easy on the eyes, with a great voice to boot! 1010.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HI206
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Those who are complaining he's too 'difficult' have just been spoiled by the easy-going profs that make university seem like highschool pt 2. Friesen is everything a professor should be, he's tough, but he'll push you towards improving yourself as an academic and frequently challenge you and your ideasunderstanding of the world.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HI208
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He seems to have a 'love-hate' reputation among students. He has a sarcastic and pessimistic sense of humor which I personally didn't enjoy. He tries to cover too much information in readings and lectures. Prepare to do a lot of reading and studying for marks that will probably be lower than your average. This class will probably not help your GPA.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HI350
• 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:

Intelligent professor, but tends to go into tangents and can lose focus. Incredibly hard marker and expects a bit too much for a third year class. Over all a bit of a buyer beware type of prof.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HI205
• 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:

An incredible professor, and the best one at Laurier. Visit his office hours, and he will help you so much! I took every one of his classes, including his seminars. He is a difficult marker at first, but if you listen to his comments you will steadily improve. Incredibly knowledgeable, and hilarious.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HI206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not for the faint of heart. That said, HI 206 was the most rewarding, engaging, and challenging class that I've ever taken. I came out of it a stronger writer, better critical thinker, and developed a love for the Soviet Union. TIPS for success: Visit him in office hours, GO TO CLASS, read Suny's The Soviet Experiment, STUDY LIKE CRAZY = get an A.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST205
• 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:

Super helpful and absolutely hilarious in lecture. Extremely attractive and a nice voice to listen to boot. I have even signed up for the follow up course because I enjoy his lecture style so much!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HI205
• 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:

Without a doubt the best prof I have ever had perfect amount of difficulty with the amount of knowledge given. very friendly and funny, knows his Sh*t and great to have a conversation with after class in wilfs

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HI205
• 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:

Had him for HI205 and HI206. Was without a doubt the best prof I have ever had! Difficult marker, but very helpful. Ask him questions if you're confused and about his thoughts on essay topics... Just amazing.