James Holoka - Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Professor: James Holoka

Department: History

College: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CLAS301
• 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:

Mythology was one of my favorite classes at EMU and part of the greatness had to do with Professor Holoka. He always has great lectures and really cares about the material. There is a lot to read and you won't pass exams if you don't know the material, but it's not difficult. THIS IS A GREAT PROFESSOR!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

Clear about what he wants and expects from his students, and is willing to make accommodations. You could pass this class without frequently attending, given that it's a 101 class, but you wouldn't get a very good grade.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST323
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Holoka was hands down the BEST professor I've ever had. He lectures as if he's reading straight from a story book, that said it's easy to forget to take notes because you're so engulfed in what he saying. TAKE DETAILED NOTES!! His exams are difficult but if you pay really good attention, you will do well. oh yeah, DON'T MISS CLASS.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST323
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Holoka is very knowledgeable and gives very interesting lectures. If you miss class, you need to make sure to get the notes or less you don't stand a chance on the exams or quizzes. I missed too many classes for reasons beyond my control and dropped the class rather than fail.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIS323
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is an all around phenomenal professor. I hope to teach college just like him one day. I've had him for two classes now, Hist 323 and CLAS131. He is helpful, smart, funny, and super great. If you do the work, you get an A.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GREK101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best teachers I've ever had, and the best outside the hard sciences. He will work as hard as you will to help you learnif you are really trying he will go to great lengths to help. An extremely fair graderyou will know what you need to do to get good grades. He's what academics should be but too often are not.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIS323
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I couldn't have wished for a better professor to be the head of my program. His lectures are very exciting and also laid back. He gives 4 exams and 4 quizzes. Quizzes vary, but exams are half easy multiple choice, and half essay. He takes a lot of points for missing minor details on the essays, so write as much as you can!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST323
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily my favorite professor at EMU. Very personable, extremely interesting lectures, and he's an excellent story teller. Three tests and three quizzes, and no homework other than reading. Don't skip and actually study for exams and you'll do fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Latin is a tough subject to begin with, but Dr. Holoka makes it easier by sticking to the book. There is a lot of in-class practice, which seems annoying but is ultimately helpful. Vocab is easy and grammar is TOUGH, but the professor is helpful and clear with grading criteria. The exams are easy compared to the quizzes, and there is online help!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was so interested in learning Latin and adding a Classical Studies minor, unfortunately Holoka was incredibly unhelpful. I did not understand something about grammar and asked him if there was any outside resources to help. He said no and that it was just brute memorization (which I was already doing). His lectures are repetitive and by the book.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

Amazing professor! He really knows what he is talking about. Also, really funny always relating the topic in class to something of interest. Even if you're not super interested in what he teaches, would still probably be worth it just to experience a professor like him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST324
• 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:

Dr. Holoka is a very knowledgeable and talented professor. He brings the subject matter alive. My only complaint is that he is a bit prone to short rants on the virtues of "secular humanism" as opposed to religion. I don't necessarily disagree with him, I just felt it was out of place.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST324
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have had several classes with him and enjoyed every single one. If you put in a little effort and take good notes you will pass easily. Fantastic professor, one of the best!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST324
• 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've taken both Greek and Roman History with him. He is by far my favorite professor at EMU. If you go to class (on time), use the outlines he provides for you and study there's no reason you won't receive a good grade. His lectures were interesting and he's a fantastic story teller. The tests are only hard if you didn't study.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CLAS301
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I LOVE this professor. you know what to expect at all times, grading is very fair, his classes are so interesting, that you wont want to miss them...I actually learned a lot while having fun! you do have to be prepared for tests if you want to pass. I plan on taking more of his classes!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

THIS IS REALLY THE BEST PROFESSOR AT EMU! Best narrative skills, you wont be bored and you will lear! guaranteed!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was the best language teacher that i ever had made ever class so enjoyable

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LATIN102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I've ever had, super fun and engaging. We learn about way more than just Latin in our class and he is incredibly knowledgeable about what he teaches. Wish I had taken more classes from him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CLAS301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is amazing and especially so with Holoka. He is great and I want to take all of his classes. He really gets into the stories and characters and knows Greek and Latin so you learn a lot about the meaning behind the myth and the creation of them. This is by far my favorite class I've ever taken. You have to read and remember the stuff.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've always wanted to take Latin, Dr. Holoka is a fantastic professor and very interesting. If I could I afford to take all the Latin courses he teaches I would.