Alan Kirshner - Ohlone College, Fremont, CA

Professor: Alan Kirshner

Department: History

College: Ohlone College, Fremont, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Kirshner was the worst history teacher that I had while attending there at Ohlone. Too many stories. Also, he talked too fast. So fast that I could only write down half a page of notes during his lecture. Finally, he was not friendly especially after I revealed to him that I had been diagnosed as having a learning disability. Very rude.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures consisted of him rambling on about his many "great life accomplishments". His self authored textbook was much the same as his lectures, and never seemed to focus on a central topic. Most the time we had no clue if he was just telling stories or trying to actually teach us something. Always felt unprepared for tests. Take online if you must

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST104A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tests are in class essays which aren't too bad if you pay attention. He gives you the choice of questions from lecture, book or combination of both.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• 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:

Dr. Kirshner is an awesome teacher. I had the privelage to take both his Poli Sci class and his Western Civilization class. I knew almost nothing when I started and now I know my stuff! I worked really hard in both classes and got A's. He's tough and provides you an open door to to come and talk to him if you need any help.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS04
• 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:

Charlie!! (; One of my favorite teachers at Ohlone. Although his lectures are long, it amazes me how he doesn't have to use a study plan. Extremely knowledgeable. I'd say you have to be a good note taker for his class. Flashcards saved my life for his mid term and final. Extremely helpful, has a TA. I got the grade I deserved and was very content.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

All I have to say is you better know your sh*t, when you're messing with Kirshner. You either swim or drown. This New Yorker aint no joke! My advice to anyone who takes his class is to take notes during lectures,because this is very important. Do all your on-line essays and read as much as possible.Good Luck!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm sorry but this guy is not a good teacher. I swear I had high school teachers that taught better than him. STAY AWAY!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING! I loved his class and I always looked forward to going to his lectures. If you read the book, and do your vocab....you'll be fine! I read the chapters and studied for a day or two for the midterm/final and did pretty well. If you ACTUALLY do the online homework, you'll be fine since thats like 33% of your grade. Overall, I enjoyed it :)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POSCI102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

HUGE ego!!! It's all about DOCTOR Kirshner. Role up your pant legs: It's deep. Got an A, but would NEVER take his class again. There is no way I could stand hearing his lame stories again. Bottom line: take someone else.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• 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:

Well he has a lot of knowledge of what he is talking and yes he kinds of get out of topic but he is a great professor. If you really like politics you are going to enjoy his class. Another point is that he barely gives you homework.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST104B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Funny and entertaining lecturer. You don't need to read the book to pass, but because I read the book and attended lectures I never had to study and got As. Tests are based completely on his opinions so just reciting them will get you a good grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLI102
• 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:

I took both western civ and american gov't with Kirshner. Really good teacher. would definitely recommend taking his classes. for his tests the essays can be kinda hard because you need to provide good information and not just completely generalize. good speaker and ive always thought he kinda sounded like Kevin Spacey. weird

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• 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:

I took his online class and it was a really good class! however, it's no cake walk. Kirshner makes you work for your A, so be prepared for a lot of critical thinking. but don't let the workload discourage you. the class is completely worth the effort, it really prepares you!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST104A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The book is all about art and religion. I gave my own opinion in a assignment based on what I read and got a 0 for the assignment. He is very self involved. He writes his own books and you have to buy them for his class. I am not afraid of hard work but you shouldn't have to memorize a 800 page textbook for a 3 unit class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST104B
• 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:

After taking self-paced History 104B with Prof Kirshner, my only complaint (other than my last rating for 104A) is the boring material. The textbook on humanities gives no history while emphasizing the arts, architecture, literature, etc. I signed up for a history class, not an arts class. Other than that, do 2400 words for each exam for an A.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is more of a question than a rating. I need to take this class and don't understand how it works. It is self-paced and lists a classroom but not any meeting times. Do you do all your work there in the classroom? I need to take this class at night. When does it meet? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Kirshner tends to only go on about his family. Gives you a syllabus but doesn't stick to it. You're expected to give his answers for your opinions, if you give your opinions, you are docked points. He makes fun of everyone and everything, sometimes not so nicely. Class is nap-inducing. Not fun.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible. He babbles about his life during class. You'll learn more from his TA at the study sessions. GO TO THOSE.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST104
• 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:

Professor Kirshner got me interested in school like few other teachers have. Following his classes I was prepared for my transfer to UC Berkeley. So, if you're biggest goal is an AA you've probably got the wrong teacher but if you'd like to join me at CAL pay attention and sign up. Even after CAL he would be my second favorite lecturer ever.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS102
• 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... all he has online are his lecture transcripts, lecture VOICE recordings, and a few lecture video recordings. No slides, no organization, no handouts. He writes his own book and wants us to regurgitate his own ideas. Terrible.