Gary Ferngren - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Professor: Gary Ferngren

Department: History

College: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ferngren is definitely among my top three favorite professors. Extremely knowledgeable, a great lecturer, and just an all around friendly guy. He reminds me a bit of Professor Brody from Indiana Jones, albeit much more competent. A good memory will help with this class, but the material and the way it's delivered makes up for difficulty.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HST499
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You're graded based on 2 long papers, and 2 essay tests. He tests you on what you know, not on what you don't -- you have the chance to show your knowledge. Lectures are him telling stories, and you take notes (no powerpts). The readings are "mandatory", but interesting. More importantly, he cares & wants to get to know you. Highly recommend.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HSTS423
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By far the best teacher I have ever had! He is so knowledgeable and passionate about the information, he makes history super fun. Also, he is world renown, has written a few books (one of which you will use as a textbook) and he goes to Moscow to teach every year. Oregon State is lucky to have him! 0 homework too! (Note: Take class IN PERSON!)

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HSTS423
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spends the entire class lecturing and it's great. Very engaging, thought provoking class. Very available outside of class. Only graded on 5 things the entire term and the final is 45% of the grade so tread carefully. Take a class with him before you graduate, you won't regret it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST320
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ferngren is amazing! He knows the material so well, and his lectures are always packed with information. He assigns a lot of reading. If you like history you can't go to OSU and not take a class with Ferngren. I was totally inspired by his class and changed my major to history.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HST399
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable and gives thorough lectures. Pay attention, take notes, study and you'll do well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HST320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gary is a great guy, but a very strict grader. There are 3 books that you read, plus sections of the bible. In addition, there is a 10 page paper that is due at the end of the term. He was always really friendly and helpful, I would take another class with him. I learned a lot!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

STAY AWAY if online. Grading: Discussions 5% Term Paper 10% Midterm 40% & Final 45%. Proctored tests: inconvenient & unnecessary. Books are ok & outlines for each week are provided but aren't incredibly useful. I am typically an A student & the discussions were unhelpful & amount of info to memorize was unrealistic. Condescending responses too.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HST324
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily one of my favorite professors. Extremely kind and friendly. He also has the habit of extending due dates and accepting late work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am surprised at the good reviews Gary has. He didn't grade hw assignments on time. He does nothing but criticize grammar even though he isn't an English teacher and does not grade you on quality of posts. Because of this, you will wonder if you're understanding the material. Stay far away. Terrible 'teaching' style. Major attitude.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great teacher, took his Roman Republic class, had a great time, and I'm looking forward to taking Roman Empire this winter.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HSTS423
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Provides outline for all of his lectures-- makes it easy to follow. Really nice guy that's always willing to go out of his way to help you understand the material. If you go to class and read the material, you should do fine in class-- it's no cake walk though. I recommend taking his classes though

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HST320
• 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:

Great class, great professor! If you come to class and take notes on his lectures and do the readings, it's an easy class to pass. I thoroughly enjoyed this class despite the fact it was not in my major. I found it interesting. I really learned a lot!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a good man and inspired me to go deeper into the field. Twenty two years after my graduation he is one of the few professors who's name I can even remember.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST321322
• 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:

My favorite Prof at OSU. Expectations are clear, lectures are highly informative, he is always willing to help. highly knowledgeable in his field, and about history in general. texts are excellent. Lots of reading but no assignments except the term paper.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HST321
• 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 found his lecture style stilted and boring. The books he assigns are truly excellent. I register for his class, buy the books, drop the class then read them later.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HST320HST321
• 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:

Excellent professor with thorough knowledge of the subject. Interesting lectures and mostly interesting course reading as well. Expects a lot from students but this pushed me to work harder than usual. Will go out of his way to help students do well in the class. Highly recommend.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST321
• 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:

Ferngren is an amazing professor. He knows his material and has a passion for greek history. He can go off on a tangent sometimes, but it makes the class interesting. Do the readings, and go to class and the exams will be easy. Choose a topic for the term paper that you enjoy and would like to learn about.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HST32X
• 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:

He's really great. Classes require a substantial amount of reading, and you should go to class every day even though there's no attendance. An essay midterm and final and a 10 pg paper is all you'll have to turn in. Doing really well on the paper can bump your grade up a lot. If you're honest with him, he's very helpful and forgiving.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST350
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Took his course online. He never tought ua a single thing. Just read a book and take massive essay exams. This course goes down as one of the most miserable experiences of my life. I came back after graduation to write this. He assigned the book on day on and we never heard from him again. We taught ourselves. He did absolutely nothing. AVOID HIM!