Gerhard Ens - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Gerhard Ens

Department: History & Classics

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• 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:

I love this man's lectures. He literally just gets up in front of the class and talks until the lecture ends. No online notes. He makes everything super interesting. The midterm was a super rush so make sure you're quick. The final was 5 short answer and 3 essays, which was a lot. There are only 4 reading assignments. I want to take 261 with him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST365
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ens is a fantastic lecturer, very passionate, and can answer any question you have. On the down side, power points aren't posted so you have to go to class no matter what, there's a lot of reading, and I find the instruction and grading rubric for assignments wasn't very detailed. Still, it's a great class if you like Canadian history!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST261
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had Ens for HIST 260 and 261. He gives a lot of hints about what questions will be asked on the final so always listen. If you write down everything he says and put the time into remembering his arguments, you're golden. Went to his office hours for essay help; he gave me a full list of books, and even lent me the ones he had in his office. Amazing

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• 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:

Gerhard's focus was on historical content, not skill development. If you want to learn how to write a history paper, you will not find the help and support you need from this prof. For an introductory class, he presupposed that students already had significant historical knowledge, or perhaps, he just wasn't interested in teaching writing skills.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST369
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Feedback on papers is not helpful. Did well in the class, but felt he was very rude. He does not post powerpoint notes, and rambles off topic so it is difficult to write notes as he speaks. Refers to indigenous people as "indians" daily. He does not prepare you for exams, and should provide notes for students instead of reading off a piece of paper

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was a very good lecturer, but he didn't post his notes or have a powerpoint, they were only based on him speaking.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gerhard made an extremely boring topic quite interesting due to his lectures. Cannot miss lectures, zero notes posted online. 1 midterm, 1 term paper and a final. Paper and Final crucial for final grade, not a tough marker but you will have to put in the work. Would take again, manageable work load. Start your term paper early!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ens was enjoyable. He really knew his material and has vested interested into what he teaches. Be sure to attend class as he does not post notes online. As for mid-terms and final, he will discuss which terms will be on these exams and goes into detail on what topics the essay portion will be. Be prepared to read!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST359
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Love love love love him. He was my favourite professor by far. He is intriguing and cares for his students. Show up to the lectures and you'll pass! If you don't go to lectures you will struggle, but you should want to go because he is AMAZING. I'm going to miss him and I would recommend any of his classes if you get a chance because he is the best

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ens is an entertaining lecturer and makes the course material quite interesting despite how dry Canadian history usually is. The assignments and tests were graded fairly and he is helpful when you have questions. Slides are not posted online so make sure you attend class. Keep up with the readings because they will be on the tests.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

12 page paper, two midterms and a final. he refers to indigenous people as 'indians' constantly. Must attend class for the discussions. lectures are mostly whats in the textbook, but he provides personal interpretations of the events. kinda trails off when speaking. he did allow me to record classes though, and seems like a chill guy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST369
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Take lots of notes during lectures. Quite a bit of reading. Summaries aren't difficult, but he wants to ensure all students complete readings. Attending class discussions is imperative for a good grade. Emphasizes critical thinking. Don't just "do" readings - form an opinion and participate.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gerhard was an amazing prof. Really cared about the subject matter, and presented it in easily understandable ways. There was a very long paper, but the tests were very straightforward and fairly graded. There were participation assignments, but they were easy to ace. Overall, great class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST365
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super nice and intelligent Prof! He is a REAL historian - he writes books and always talks about his "good friend Ted Binnema" or mentor John Foster. Seriously loved him. Gives fair grades /feedback on all papers and willing to help you with research. He gave me a list of sources to read and a few of his personal books. With effort you'll do great!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

1 midterm, 12-15 page essay (easy marker, gives a lot of options), 10% participation (easy summaries) & a final. He basically tells you exactly what will be on the exams. Highly recommend going to class and take notes as he doesn't post notes online, really helps when studying for the exams. found the textbook to be extremely helpful as well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr Ens was awesome! His lectures were engaging, and his assignments were reasonable- the summaries are easy marks and the essay is long but straightforward. The midterm and final were both a little brutal (rushed and a lot of writing) but he takes that into account and marks fairly. He doesn't post notes, so you must go to class every day!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This prof made History interesting to someone who absolutely hates history classes. His lectures are interesting but he talks fast so sometimes points are missed in notes taken. He doesn't post notes either. He gives an outline of what is on his exams and they are clear, as long as you put in the work and pay attention this is an easy class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Gerhard is the best prof I have ever had. He is kind, funny, fair, and extremely knowledgable. History before confederation should be an incredibly boring class, but with Gerhard it is easy to listen and stay attentive. Would recommend him as a prof to anyone

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I thoroughly enjoyed HIST 260 with professor Ens! History tends to be a bit dry but his lectures are very interesting and he talks at a great pace. He is very fair with his exams and if you put the work into this class, you will do well! Marking is broken up between 4 discussion summaries, 1 midterm, a 12-15pg paper, and final.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

not a fan of history but I found myself wanting to attend his lectures. They were interesting and I honestly enjoyed learning from him. Lets you choose what is on a portion of the midterm and final. Would recomend to any student first-fourth year.