Clayton Laurie - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Professor: Clayton Laurie

Department: History

College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: 305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very good professor, sad he will not teach the WWII class next semester.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST355
• 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:

Very passionate and knowledgable about the subject (the history of U.S. intelligence, ie- CIA, etc.) Lays out what he wants out of papers and tests very clearly, not difficult, just particular. I would take his classes again but I hear he's retiring.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST306
• 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:

Two essay exams, two papers, and one research project. Not a ton of reading, but a lot of writing. Lectures tend to not make sense, but that's just his style. TA this semester taught the last few weeks, and if you can get her again, do. Good teacher, and hot! TA's are not usually like that. Thanks Dominique.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST306
• 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:

The Ta is very hot and Dr. LAurie is really fair...win win

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST306
• 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:

A lot of work so far, but I am liking it. He knows his topic well, and lectures are fun. I don't like all the movies, but some of them are OK. The textbook isn't bad, but expensive! This is my first time taking his class, so I can't say much. But I can say the TA is excellent, and she and Dr. Laurie make a good team.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So far, it's an interesting class. Clearly he is passionate about his work. Lots of writing, and exams are semi-hard, but his TA this semester is hot! Hopefully not a hardass, though. Lots of movies scheduled which sucks, but he is a nice guy. Take the class if you need it, but if you hate writing or studying, please stay away. You won't do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST300S
• 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:

Dr. Laurie was one of the best teachers I ever had. I took his WWI, WWII and Vietnam War classes and they were WONDERFUL. He made the subject matter not only interesting but relatable. A lot of times classes about war can be overly technical and dry but none of his classes were.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST355
• 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:

One of the best teachers I've ever had. Definitely responsible for making me so interested in history. If you like military history, Dr. Laurie is the man to speak to. Requires substantial work (and asks you to follow specific guidelines), but if you do what he asks you will get an A.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST303
• 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:

Best professor at UMBC. If you show up to class and pay attention and put in at some effort outside of class, it is hard to not earn an A or B.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is a lot of work but ridiculously easy. You just have to review the practice exams he posts on BB, do the film notes and make sure your ID's are decent and you're on your way to an easy A. There are also two papers which are pretty easy as well. Overall, take HIST 111 with Laurie!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great class for anyone interested in History. Dr. Laurie is a great professor and makes it a fun class. If you study hard in this class you will do really well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's very interested in the subject...I stopped taking notes towards the end though. His tests are exactly the same as the practice test, so if you memorize that, you don't actually have to know the class material.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

boring, unorganized, terrible. grading is arbitrary and he uses TA's, who are ridiculous- your grade will depend on which one grades your paper. just avoid him if at all possible. you will not learn anything, and it isnt worth the time or effort.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3XX
• 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 have had WWI, WWII, and Vietnam with Dr. Laurie. WWI is definitely the weakest class. A gigantic research project about the Dead Men's Penny is required. Depending on who you get to research it can be a breeze or a nightmare. Doesn't grade too hard. Looks mostly for buzzwords/concepts in exams. For the papers just pay close attention to grammar!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST300S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took both World War II and War in the Modern World with Laurie. His lectures are straightforward (you don't need the textbook), his exams cover precisely what he talks about, and, most importantly, he works for the freaking CIA. Expect lots of stories- if you love military history, take at least one of his classes

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lots of work for a 100 level course, but definitely worth taking for a culture credit. It's easy. You can get a good grade on the exams if you go over the practice exams multiple times. Notes during lectures are kind of scrambled, but the only reason to go to class is because he takes attendance and not showing up will affect your grade in the end.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

DON'T BUY THE BOOKS. His tests are based on the online blackboard practice exams. 2 papers, notes on films, and attendance. Easy to earn a B, but you have to study a bit for an A. Good guy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HISTWW1
• 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:

An incredible teacher. Captivating lecturer. The assignments assigned are not just about facts but call for a nice amount of creativity. Does have some trouble with technology however.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took this class over the summer, very easy, lost of extra credit by watching videos and writing summaries. Tests are easy, he gives 300 practice questions, 10 0 of those 300 will be on the test. Easy class over the summer. He explains things well, learnt a little bit of History! :)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST304
• 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:

Great professor. Knows his stuff and loves to share it with students. What he doesn't know isn't worth knowing.