Brian Duchin - Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA

Professor: Brian Duchin

Department: History

College: Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was interesting. Very tough grader. I worked so hard and spent so much time out of class and I only got a B. I would not recommend.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Duchin isn't as bad as some people on here make him out to be. He has a very dry, sardonic sense of humor and doesn't appreciate people who just mess around. His coursework expectations are straightforward yet high. The only thing I personally didn't like about the class was that he started off most lectures with a 20-minute political rant.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Duchin is an exceptional professor. I've never found history more fascinating. He speaks his mind. If he talks about politics, oblige him. Pay attention. Don't be scared off by his sarcasm and biting comments. He's a teacher that commands (and deserves) respect, but respects you back by passionately giving his utmost in lectures.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

In general Brian is a nice individual, BUT and I repeat BUT he is the worst professor I have ever had. He gives you no study guide so you go into the test blind unless you reread all the passages (50 pages) and 9/10 things you read arent even on it. Ive asked him before a test if a specific info was on it and he said no: the test was mainly on it

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Grades SO hard. Never seen him give him an A. Does not give me ANY commentary back on my papers (not helpful) BUT! His lectures are absolutely AMAZING! I get completely wrapped up in the story he tells about history and I completely understand and get so interested in what were talking about. I used to hate history, now I love it because of him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• 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:

Don't do it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't believe all the negative reviews, Dr. Duchin is wonderful. He makes history very interesting and updates you on current politics as well. If you're running start don't expect to get away with acting like this is a high school class. He has high expectations but is very clear on what he expects. Pay attention and listen and you'll do okay.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor at TCC by far. The lectures are intriguing and interesting to listen to, he holds you accountable for doing outside readings and on occasion brings his dog to class. He is a tough grader, but if you do the work and get help (if needed) you will be fine. Duchin is an amazing professor and is really funny you wont regret taking him

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a good teacher, but for me, a foreigner, who doesn't know much about US History, it was quite tough class. He doesn't use Canvas at all. In order to know what homework you gotta do, you should be in class everyday. You also don't know your grade for the whole quarter. Nevertheless, he's the best history teacher at TCC.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Every class is a lecture, no student input or discussion. You must go to class everyday or you will miss important material. I took about 3-4 full pages of notes everyday. There were 4 "quizzes" which had essay questions. So you have to literally memorize every piece of information he teaches. There was one research project and a final essay.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This Professor likes to grade your first assignment and then give you the same grade on every assignment that follows.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You definitely have to work hard to get a good grade in this class. He will like your class only if you answer the questions he asks in class and you do the readings. You can also delay the lectures most days by talking to him about politics. He's a great guy and loves history, but he has high expectations so if you're lazy don't take this class!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Would avoid at all costs. In my experience, I felt he had no respect for students and was often rude and condescending. He is also a tough grader with nearly impossible expectations for a good grade. Only gives a few (hard) assignments, expects classroom participation, and will yell at anyone who packs up early.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST231
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Possibly the easiest A I've ever gotten. All I did was show up every class, participate in discussions, read a little, and completed all my assignments by simply answering the questions he asked and taking notes during lecture. The Duch will not hesitate to call out childish behavior or violators of class rules (no cell phones!) Great speaker.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Overall he is a good professor but a really tough grader. If you are normally an A student, don't expect to get that in this class. He doesn't use canvas either so you have to figure out your own grade. He gives good feedback if you go to him during his office hours but not much on assignments handed back during class

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class requires lots of critical thinking abilities and analysis writing. These are important skills and students who focus on acquiring and expanding their skillset will benefit much more than student who just submit assignments for the grade. I was a few student who got the highest grade - an A-. It took lots of time and research and thinking

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST231
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not suggest taking his class for a humanities credit. He gives an essay every week, two large papers, 3 out of class quizzes, a research project, and a take home final. You DO NOT need to read the book only use it to get the quotes for the quizzes. He tries way too hard to make you "think" with the papers and makes you question your sanity

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST146
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard class. He gave passionate and interesting lectures, however, he was a terrible grader and very biased. If you aren't prepared by doing the homework, reading the textbook, or taking notes, you will struggle. I don't think he believes in giving A's.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Since I took the class during the election period, most of his classes were geared toward him having political rants. So, little talks about the actual content. Woohoo. He's very strict about his grading, but has a cute dog to make up for it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST147
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Duchin is an incredibly... passionate... professor. He is passionate about history, but he sometimes gets derailed by his own thoughts and opinions about students. Unless you tick him off, everything is fine, but if your class does something to make him mad, get ready with tissues and therapy. Nonetheless, he is a good professor for the material.