Bob Irwin - MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Bob Irwin

Department: History

College: MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of my favourite profs ever! I do not usually enjoy history courses, but I genuinely looked forward to every one of his lectures. He does not post notes on BB, but his lectures are engaging. He provides a study guide which usually consists of most of the exam questions. You can cram for exams and get a decent grade on them.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST100
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He really gets into the topics he teaches, even though sometimes he gets a little off topic. You use the textbooks assigned for this class for a good chunk of the semester. He does not provide study guides for midterms or finals though, so if you do not like that, it can stress you out.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic prof made a class I thought id hate into the best of that semester

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Irwin is probably my favorite professor of all time. He is so passionate about what he teaches and his lectures are always interesting and energetic. Although, he might be a little much if you aren't a history major.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• 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:

I really enjoyed this class and professor Irwin. He was extremely knowledgeable, and passionate about the class topic. His exams are very clear, but you need to study more than just the slides; Use the textbook and be specific when giving details in papers or exams. He talks really fast so I suggest recording his lectures. Would highly recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely one of my fav profs so far. Bob is super knowledgeable and excited about Canadian history. I had a hard time keeping up with his lectures to take notes though. His slides are posted but mostly just contain pictures and stats. Tests are all written, long research paper, lots of work. But he does provide study guides which helped so much.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The first couple weeks were rough, because it took significant adjusting to get used to his intense lecture style. He talks 100 kph, and jumps around a lot, but extremely knowledgeable. He gives study guides for tests, and offers lots of help for essays. By the end it was one of my favourite courses I took in Uni even though I had to work for it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Many students complain that Dr. Irwin is a hard marker. It's true that if you don't put in a good effort and simply spew what you've memorized by route in the exams, you won't do as well as you might expect. If you want to learn about Canadian history and become a better writer and reader, take this course.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST260261
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bob is nice and will help when you ask for it. His lecture slides are useless and the textbook is crazy packed with info. He's a really hard marker "If you are an A student, you'll probably get a C in my class" his exact words. If you could avoid the class/prof, do it!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While Dr. Irwin is a great speaker and incredibly intelligent, he literally teaches at 500km/s. Good luck trying to follow his lectures unless you are a history buff. The course itself didn't help, it was a lot to cover. But there was little class variety other than him simply speaking to us. No discussions or projects. Overall a very "meh" class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tests are really easy if you prepare the practice midterm and final questions, as he picks directly from the list of questions that he gives you. He also isn't the type of prof that doesn't care how you do; he wants you to do really well and will help you get a good mark, if you go to him. He is always in his office during posted hours.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had Bob for 2 different classes and I loved both classes more because of him. He actually cares about what he is teaching making everyone else more excited to learn from him. 1010 one of the best professors I have ever had so far.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a tough grader. I found his 100 level class equally as hard as my four other 400 hundred level courses. He is a bit overqualified for a 100 lvl course but u can tell he is passionate through the lectures he gives. Do the study guides prior to exams, write your essays alongside his help and you'll do great. Textbook for study guides only.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

the content wasn't my favourite but he made it decently clear.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are very difficult and he marks them hard. All written and could be on any of the topics. He is not a hard marker on the papers and he is there to help you if you go to his office. Lectures are boring and he is over-qualified: almost too passionate, goes off topic a lot. No class discussions, straight listening and he talks way too fast.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is such a hard marker, hard to follow his lectures. Overall wish i could drop this class. Some ppl like his teaching, but it is truly painful for me to attend class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very engaging!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST100
• 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:

Very good teacher! Knows his stuff. I went to his office with questions and he was really helpful. i would take more classes with him in the future.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's awesome.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• 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:

If you like History take this class! Irwin is not always completely clear in his lectures but keep in mind this is a survey class! Over 100 years & only 45 hrs to teach=limited explanations (there is a text.) He is very interesting to listen to and he makes it easy to participate in class. Take a class with him and become a stronger student.