Leon Litwack - University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Professor: Leon Litwack

Department: History

College: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: 005
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

i remember this class from 5 years ago. this man knows a lot about the US history . US civil war. about the US southern states. the lectures were great. However, you do NOT need college to know US history. 1 public library. 2. public internet public web. 3. history channel on cable TV. all the material is free free free for all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY7B
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Professor Litwack's course over 15 years ago. His influence is the reason I pursued a degree in History.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• 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:

I became a history major because of Prof. Litwack. I have never had a class where after EVERY lecture, the instructor was applauded. He is a once-in-a-lifetime teacher and I was honored to have him teach me.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• 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:

This was my favorite professor of all time. I have yet to see somebody even approach his level of awesomeness.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HISTSECT
• 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:

I took Litwack 30 years ago, and still remember his lectures clearly. For those that sling the "L" word at him, realize this: he personally researched every word of his lectures...no secondary sources. So there was never an opportunity to "pick and choose" his version of history...it is what it was. Compare that to the propaganda you get elsewhere.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Everyone loved Professor Litwack, but I did not. Some of his stories were entertaining, but his lectures were just that: story time. He preferred revisionist history to an unbiased approach. His lectures will make you laugh, but its impossible to follow all his points or predict where he's going.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• 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:

The best teacher/professor I have had in my life, and I am sad because I am not so sure I will have as good of one ever again. He made me think, question, laugh, and become AWARE in addition to angering and inspiring me.I am a better person for having taken his class, and I am grateful to have had him his final year. Thank you!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are more like speeches and though they're pretty entertaining the information on the exam will be based on concepts pulled from the readings, which for the most part a pretty good reads. Just make sure u have a good GSI and do ur reading and u should do okay.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• 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:

He is by far the most horrible history teacher I have ever had. Didn't understand a word he said in lectures, and it was extremely hard to understand his argument. Readings, although more or less interesting, were really long (this course took half of my total time) Also, extremely hard to get an A. Extremely overrated. Didn't learn anything.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST7
• 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:

Brilliant professor more interested in teaching all of American history rather than the history of the victors. Since all students are expected to know US History before entering, it was the perfect class to fill in the names, dates, and trends with everything else. This allowed him not to focus on those things we already know. Office hours ruled.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• 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:

The class is more the History of American Society than the dates/treaties/tariffs version of history, which is far more interesting and compelling but a bit unfair when, come exam time, we're expected to know the history of American Society AND all the pertient dates, treaties, tariffs, etc. A bit arrogant but approachable too.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is totally overrated. He offers a one-sided interpretation of American History. The stereotypical liberal/hippie berkeley professor. Everybody says he's the greatest but don't believe the hype.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HISTO7B
• 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:

He's an oldie but a goodie. His lectures are not boring two-sided facts, but interesting personal narratives of history. He cracks jokes about the incompetency of Bush and pieces history and modern times together very well. enlightening professor, too bad he's retiring.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dinosaur. Very stale, predictable lectures. Really easy "A", for your essays just rehash his lectures and books, tell him what he wants to hear, bingo you've got your "A".

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy had a sick collection of rock show posters from the Fillmore. Go to office hours and see for yourself. It's an American treasure.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

An awe-inspiring lecturer and scholar whose devotion to undergraduate teaching is a rarity in a large university.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Most overrated Grand Old Man on campus. Pompous. Just wants students to parrot back whatever he says. Anyway, unless you suck up to him many times at office hours, your grade will be determined entirely by your TA. So, suss out what your TAs are all about and give them exactly what they want (which is basically the Litwack line).

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't believe the hype. Most overrated professor on campus, and one of my least favorite classes taken at Cal. Incredibly predictable speeches/lectures. And my GSI basically flat out told me that I'd better toe the Litwack line on my papers and tests or expect to get a bad grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Leon Litwack is bound to be a polarizing figure. He goes out of his way to focus on women and minorities in American historyâ€"the people ignored in conventional retellings. He will definitely infuriate conservative, Orange County types. But he's a powerful lecturer and one of my fondest Cal memories. And he made my dad cry with his parent's day lec.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 7B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was one of the best classes i have ever taken. Litwack is a walking history book. I loved every min of this class especially his section on berkeley in the 60s, Vietnam war, etc. GREAT CLASS!!!