Professor: Holt Merchant
Department: History
College: Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
Rating # 1
Overview:
- Course: HIST195A
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Professor Merchant is extremely knowledgeable, loves listening to students' contributions to discussions, and loves questions. The reading load was intense. He allows students to turn in rough drafts to be edited before turning in the final draft for the grade - essential, and doing this can yield an A-A if you work for it. Would take again.
Rating # 2
Overview:
- Course: HISTORY
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Participation is a must with Merchant, seems like papers are often graded with participation in mind, he loves outside sources, if you read and give him a rough draft of work you can easily get a B but you have to go above and beyond to get higher than that--which isn't too hard to do with him
Rating # 3
Overview:
- Course: HIST262
- 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:
His class was too hard for what it was. I am a history major who makes B+ or higher in my history classes, but I could not get higher than a C from him. If he doesn't like the way that you write, you're screwed. I went to his office hours and never felt like he was particularly helpful. I don't recommend him.
Rating # 4
Overview:
- Course: HIST364
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I have taken several classes with Merchant now, and he is my advisor. In my opinion one of the best teachers in the school. He expects a lot out of every student and you can't slack off, but he keeps the lectures and discussions interesting, the readings relevant, and is very helpful during office hours. Don't slack though, he'll call you out.
Rating # 5
Overview:
- Course: HIST344
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Major amount of reading. Grading is fairly ambiguous, but rewrites are allowed. The class was one of the more difficult B's that I ever received, but it was full of useful information. If possible, take it pass fail because its incredibly informative and interesting
Rating # 6
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:
Absorbs a tremendous amount of reading about the subject and incorporates it into lectures. Incisive, humorous and quick.
Rating # 7
Overview:
- Course: HIST320
- 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:
You should take at least one of his classes. He is a tough grader, especially on the papers. Work hard in this class. You will learn how to write well. Your papers will come back in covered in red, but he lets you write a first draft, an actual paper, and a rewrite, so you have as many chances as you need. I failed my first paper but still got a B.
Rating # 8
Overview:
- Course: HIST150
- 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:
Spring Term. Holt Merchant. 9 AM. Money. Do it. Don't be afraid to ask for a rewrite. Don't expect an A, either. Do it anyway.
Rating # 9
Overview:
- Course: AMHISTPT1
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 2.5
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He's a nice guy, but I will summarize and say that his class made picking a major between history and politics and easy call - I'd rather take a Rush or Velazquez class any day of the week.
Rating # 10
Overview:
- Course: CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Very tough, but fair, grader. His lectures are amazing, and he's a cool person.
Rating # 11
Overview:
- Course: 345CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Holt Merchant is the worst professor at W&L. His lectures have little to do with the reading, and he does not grade well at all. If Herodotus handed in a paper, Merchant would give him a D and write "unclear thesis" on it.
Rating # 12
Overview:
- Course: 345346ANDMO
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Had him for five classes now. he's awesome if you take the time to go and see him. always ask for rewrite if you think you did badly on a paper - he'll let you do it. greatest teacher here - bit a really hard grader on papers.
Rating # 13
Overview:
- Course: CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
History Department has lots of great profs, but I think Merchant stands above all. Great lecturer, assigns neat books. Only take ANY of his classes if your writing skills are on point, and don't dare quibble for space on papers. One of the smartest guys I've ever met.
Rating # 14
Overview:
- Course: HISTORY
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Along with Professor DeLaney, Merchant is the King of All History. The man loves history, and if you don't love it when you're finished with one of his classes, you must be a math major.
Rating # 15
Overview:
- Course: HIST
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
This guy ROCKS. Work your butt off and don't leave W&L without taking his classes.
Rating # 16
Overview:
- Course: LOTS
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Excellent lectures. Pushed you to do better.
Rating # 17
Overview:
- Course: OLDSOUTH
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
No Comments
Rating # 18
Overview:
- Course: CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Merchant is tough, but taught me how to write. One of the most valuable classes I took at W+L.
Rating # 19
Overview:
- Course: CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
clearly loves the South. Easy to get a B as your semester grade, very hard to get an A- or A. Very picky about writing and grammar. Cares very much about teaching and keeping W&L a true teaching institution.
Rating # 20
Overview:
- Course: CIVILWAR
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.5
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He likes Bobby Lee and the Braves.
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