Chris Friday - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Chris Friday

Department: History

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took several of his Northwest History classes years ago and really enjoyed them. Great lecturer and very funny! Glad to see that he's still at WWU.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is quite knowledgeable and passionate about Indian history, but seems to put very little effort into actually teaching his classes. We where graded by a total of 6 things, excluding attendance, and the class was very poorly planned out, with maybe 6 hours of reading over the first month, and well over 10 hours a week during the last 3 weeks.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY391
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! He is certainly tough, but he's fair and challenges you to do better. He's especially great to talk to one-on-one outside of class. We had good talks about our studies and more general topics as well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HNRS353
• 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:

If I was a history major I probably would have appreciated the heavy workload much more. I learned a lot but the class was super hard especially for only 3 credits! Don't overload your schedule if you have a class with him. You will definitely learn though and he is a cool dude to talk to with interesting perspectives and he is very knowledgeable.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST268
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was wonderful. I was really working my butt off, he's a tough grader. But talking to him came naturally and he gave me tools to help my papers. Get ready for reading assignments BUT you can get away with skimming them. You need to discuss though with your group. Share your thoughts. 4 papers, and they're clear but you have free reign.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST268
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The lectures are super boring, unnecessary to take notes because you wont be using them at all. You get assigned about 40-60 pages of reading per week and you have to write 4 essays which he grades super tough on and doesn't explicitly tell you what he wants. Really difficult overall. Pros: no tests, quizzes or exams & textbook

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST268
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is great

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't post the power points so you must write or type really fast in order to get all the information for studying purposes. A lot of lecture. Also, he does treat it as if it weren't a GUR class, so be prepared for a lot of analyzing. He doesn't use a textbook, but a lot of different readings. And they are LONG. Test? It's more like 4 essays.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most arrogant and unprofessional teacher I've ever had. Extremely rude in class, has gone as far as making fun of students physical appearances to make a point. Lectures are borderline rambles, and he even admits that he has not fact checked some of his info. Readings are long, and the workload is unfocused. Avoid this class at all costs.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 391
• 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:

This is a really tough class- lot of reading, and lots of research has to be done to be successful. Friday is intimidating, but knowledgable; give him time. You will learn plenty.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unprofessional, unclear, the discussions belong only to him and has zero respect for time. Do not take this instructor, would drop but to late in quarter to remain full-time.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST499
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor! At times can be blunt, but that is good because he is trying to make you a better person. He is always willing to work with you and help you through any problems that you might have. You would be a fool not to take his class!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST364
• 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:

Native Americans in film was an awesome class! All my roommates were jealous of my homework. If you bring something thoughtful to every discussion it's a piece of cake, very fun and informative class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is different from a lot of other classes in that he doesn't teach you a list of facts instead Friday tries to get you to think in a different way. This class not only taught me about American Indians but also how to think analytically. It was not an easy class but so far it has been my favorite at Western.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• 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:

This prof cares more about teaching his own opinion than showing all sides to an argument. He is extremely rude and unapproachable. This is a very hard class because it is purely lecture, that is gone over fast and briefly. Not recommended to take him as a professor at all!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is extremely rude and not willing to answer any questions. He said he has some sort of illness that causes him pain but to me that is no excuse to be an bluntly rude to all students. Random tangents. Only two papers and a final are the grades and are graded harshly. Don't take him. Expects students to come in to the class knowing the subject.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor cares far more about his subject than students. Lectures are a barrage of thinly veiled opinion with no opportunity to refute. Grading is unnecessarily hard as the prof. expects you to know things he doesn't teach. He is offensive, overbearing and has delusions of grandeur. Don't take him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST391
• 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:

Very hard for me not to say that he is unclear and comes off as unprofessional. Super hard grader. Do your best and cross your fingers. You will probably get less then you hoped for. Usually you do not expect an A without lots of work, but do not expect an A from Friday without a miracle. Wait for Dr. Leonard to teach 391 and take it from him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST391
• 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:

I would absolutely recommend this class and this professor to anyone and everyone. It's not easy and it's not super fun, but it has probably been the most beneficial class that I've ever taken. Friday expects a lot out of his students & can be intimidating but he really just wants you to get the bigger picture and make new connections. Loved it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

While I'm fairly sure I will end up passing this class, I would not recommend this class for anyone but majors. If your a minor (like me) or different major don't bother. His grading is sporadic, assignments are unclear, and he expects students to be experts in analysis. When the class didn't come to the conclusions he wanted, he was not happy.