Gabriel Finkelstein - University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

Professor: Gabriel Finkelstein

Department: History

College: University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As others have said, Gabriel has a certain way he likes things (like papers), but if you listen to him and do the work, you'll do well in this class. Taking a class with him was pretty much what I wish all college classes were like, challenging, interesting, fun, and very informative. If you get a chance to take a class with him, you really should!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST4071
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Finkelstein can be intimidating, he is one of the most intelligent people you will know, and he knows it. It doesn't matter what he teaches, his insights are impressive, and powerful. Hands down my favorite professor at UCD. His views are so different from mainstream academia. Found myself taking him multiple times, and hes not even in my field.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Finkelstein is a real gem. It is my assumption, that the whole class became better at reading and understanding the historical material. He is one of the smartest people I've ever met. He is capable to converse in every possible subject out there: this is my assumption but I've experienced it. You will learn a lot with him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I spent more time counting how many times he said the word "right?" (Averaged 110 per lecture) than taking notes. Lectures are pointless, and mostly revolves around himself. Once you figure out how to write the papers, it's not too bad. Be ready to read. The lectures are painful, but as long as you play the game, you'll get an A

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST4071
• 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:

Dr. Finkelstein will challenge you, and help you grow intellectually. His goal for class goes beyond teaching you the basic chronology of historical events. He teaches critical thinking, and encourages arguments fortified by empirical evidence. If that is not the reason you are in college, I would recommend another professor in the department.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: WORLDATWAR
• 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:

One of the most intelligent professors I have ever had at any institution. He will challenge you and require students to write and look at history in a way they never have. I would recommend Dr. Finkelstein to anyone who wishes to be entertained and challenged by history. I have taken multiple classes from him. Don't be scared!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This prof can be so intimidating at first. I was so stressed writing his papers and trying to understand the material as in depth as he was teaching it. By the end of the semester however I had learned a lot and was in awe of his talent as a teacher.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 4029
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Finkelstein is one of the brightest teachers I have ever had in front of me. He challenges students to dig deep into history and come up with their own perspectives and parallels to contemporary times. He may seem difficult at first, but don't concern yourself with grades as his classes could change your perspective.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST4029
• 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:

He definitely takes a little while to get used to, but his unique style is worth the initial confusion. This most intellectually challenging but rewarding teacher I have had at UCD. Definitely be ready for your ideas to be challenged and don't worry as long you attend class and participate you will get the grade you want.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST4029
• 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:

It takes a while to get used to him, but once you do he is great. He is one of my favorite history professors at UCD. He's not just good with helping you learn the topic, but he teaches good life lessons.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST3121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's obviously incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable. HIs class had very little to do with the actual material, but he gives interesting insights into the world. He's very picky about what he wants in essays, which were unlike any other I have been asked to write for a history class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST6013
• 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:

The dude is insanely knowledgeable, is ruthless in the beginning of the class, but a puppy dog in the end.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• 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:

He is very frustrating because he never tells you what a paper needs or what he wants in it. You have to guess, which in a upper level class is not good. DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS WITH HIM!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HISTHIST
• 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:

He never actually talked about the subject. Very boring and useless. I didn't learn anything

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST3121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I went back and forth between hating this teacher and thinking he's a decent teacher. 90% of the class was reading at home and during class, he would rarely discuss what the current topic of our reading was. In the end, I learned some valuable life skills but not much history. If you grit your teeth and bear it, you'll make it through the class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST4839
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really hard to comprehend what he wants. BUT if you just hang in there you will get an A. Dont over think, just go with it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST4030
• 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:

Great professor, very helpful. Reading is a must for his course, but the books he assigns are relevant to the subject and interesting as well. He tells you the very first day what he expects from you as a student, and does not stray from this. If you are unclear about anything, he is more than willing to help you comprehend the material.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST4621
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

bright but unusual

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST3032
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Teacher hinders free thought and appears to have a serious inferiority complex when faced with no history students taking his class. Thinking about taking him? Check out how many students are enrolled at the beginning of a semester with how many are

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST4370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I have had at UCD. If you can half way use your brain his class will be a great experience.