James Baker - University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Professor: James Baker

Department: History

College: University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS1483
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I wish I could say I liked this class but I really wish I could re-take history with someone else. He did not put anything on D2L or really make any dates clear whatsoever. If you do not go to class you will miss a lot. Lectures were boring and hard to follow and I had NO idea what to study for exams. He's a sweet guy but I would take someone else!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST1493
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He only teaches through lectures. If you don't enjoy history and are just taking it for credit I would take it with someone else. He doesn't outline or clearly explain when tests or assignments are due and doesn't cover everything before tests, you have to teach yourself a lot. Also never puts anything online or uses email/D2L.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: WWIIHIST
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I personally enjoyed this class. All you have to do is read the chapters, take his Scantron quizzes (which were extremely easy) take notes during class, watch some movies, and show up. It's really simple, I didn't show up half the time and still made a B. Just keep up to date on the chapters and actually read and you can make an easy A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WWII3213
• 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:

A lot of reading!!! No sugar coating. Very straight forward teacher and I admire him for that. Don't stress over the paper too much it's not as hard as he makes it sound just follow instructions. Not a super easy course but I'd definitely recommend him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST3033
• 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 have had Baker numerous times, including Graduate Research classes. Baker is a great teacher, and he does not sugar coat it. He is the best American History Teacher at that school, and its a shame that he retiring..

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HISTWW2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is one of my favorite professors. He is not difficult at all, read your text book show up to class and take notes. The quizzes as long as you read the material are relatively simple. If you have a question and you ask outside of class he is more than willing to help you. Two tests, few quizzes and an interpretive essay that is pretty cool.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST2013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There is a good amount of work-quizzes mostly, but he allows you to use notecards and they are not that difficult. There are four major exams which he takes directly from his lecture notes so you do have to show up to classes and take detailed notes. Good professor overall!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST2103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The class had quizzes and tests. The take home quizzes, or Zinn assignments along with the index card allowed for quizzes were all that got me by. The tests weren't necessarily hard, but if you aren't interested in history whatsoever you may find this class to be a bit difficult. Good luck!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST3213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I liked the way Dr. Baker taught WWII. He focuses on how ludicrous it was, and how unglamorous it is. Go to class, read the book, and learn the key people (there are A LOT). Dr. Baker is now in retirement, which he seemed to be longing for during the time I was in this class. I think this made him more short tempered than usual. Overall, good prof.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST3213
• 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 his WWII class and it was GREAT! He is a great professor because he challenges what you think you know. He has no problem debating, but keeps his responses short and painfully sharp. He does not prescribe to the romantic view of war and highlights the lunacy of wartime policy making. He holds nothing back! He was a fantastic professor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST1483
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Baker really knows his stuff. Attendance not mandatory but tests come straight from lecture notes. Quizzes come from the chapters in the book though. I attended, took notes, studied the notes for tests, and made a B.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST1483
• 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:

Dr. Baker has been, by far, the best professor I have had at UCO. Attendance is crucial but not manditory. There is a significant amount of reading. However, he tells you multiple times exactly what will be on the test. I will admit that this class was somewhat difficult, but I received an A because I stuck to his guidelines of success. LOVE him!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST1483
• 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:

Dr. Baker really knows his stuff. Make sure you go to class because every lecture is important. He seems fairly easy. He drops the two lowest quiz grades and has 3 major exams. Make sure you are there on exam day, otherwise you will have to take the test at 7:30 in the morning. He is kind of dry, but he tries hard. Have to give hime credit for that

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3213
• 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:

Dr Baker is very dry while lecturing, is not open to debate in class. If you take his class, just keep you head down and take TONS of notes. Read the material assigned, tests come equally from this and lectures. Very annoying occasionally, as he believes [Doctorate syndrome] that what he says is gospel.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIS1483
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class is hard! Funny teacher but you have to take incredible notes to get an A on the exam.. All questions on exams are from lecture notes and you have a quiz every wednsday.. some are easy some are hard!! You have to work at this class but hes a pretty good teacher!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST1483
• 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:

I love this guy. His lectures are great - he is very interesting and isn't that hard if you study and take good notes. I will take more classes from him if I can!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST1413
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent Professor, just not for average incoming freshman. He's hilariously dry and wants his students to succeed. If you care and show initiative, he will care too. If you respect him he will respect you. Otherwise he cannot be expected to give you the time of day. Show up, take notes, open your mind. Under the gruffness is a really sweet man.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HISTO1438
• 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:

Getting a decent grade in this class is easy if you actaully go to class. Exams are based on lecture material and the book is more reference than anything. He knows his stuff and asks expects you to learn and not just coast through the class. He is not a hot pepper but he asked our class if he had any so I thought I'd help him out.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If history isn't y our thing, don't take Baker. If intensive note taking isn't your thing, don't take Baker. He's very dry and takes history very seriously. It is a class heavily relient on lectures with the book used as a reference. Not the best professor, but not the worst.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST1483
• 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:

Really enjoyed this professor. Do and turn in all assignments. He can be a little dry but there's some humor in there. He's not great with dates but is never a problem on the tests. He lectures everything you need to know and thinks he can tell when you haven't read the book. Follow his syllabus. That was how i aced his tests. great prof!