Jim Merrell - Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Professor: Jim Merrell

Department: History

College: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I have ever had. Everything from the way the class is structured, to his lectures, to his care for the students has inspired my own way of treating the world. Everyone at Vassar should take this class and take it seriously

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Merrell is that once in a lifetime professor. If you take his class, take a light courseload of easy graders because you will spend 90% of your time on his reading/papers and still get a B. He is quite frankly the best professor at Vassar, and being in his class (especially early on) will help any student immensely with writing and scholarship.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Merrell is definitely a must-take professor. He's certainly one of toughest graders on campus, but every mark he makes is for a reason. You'll come out of his class a better writer for sure. Great lectures, too!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Toughest teacher I've had at Vassar by far, but he definitely instilled college level writing in me. His class is humbling to say the least. You WILL get a B no matter how hard you try, but that B pays for itself in A-level writing throughout the rest of your college career. Easy choice in my opinion. If you don't usually do the reading, DO HIS!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love James Merrell with all my heart and his class was 10/10. He is a tough but attentive grader and if you take his feedback you will improve. He is incredibly accessible and seems to be one of those professors that genuinely enjoys the time he spends with his students.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely amazing! He made a history class at 9am enjoyable and I never dreaded his class. Mr. Merrel is one of my favorite teachers at Vassar but he will make you work harder than you thought imaginable, so be ready!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

YOU WILL NOT GET A GOOD GRADE IN THIS CLASS. It's honestly ok though, I feel it was worth the damper on my GPA. I can't begin to explain how much my writing, reading and... well everything about me as a student improved. Life changing professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Merrell was an amazing professor, super knowledgable about American history. I strongly strongly recommend HIST160. It's a lot of work, but honestly so worth it. Very approachable outside of class for help, and seems to genuinely care about his students' development. Highly recommend!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIIST160
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Merrell is, I believe, the toughest professor on campus, but he is a genius. Don't expect an easy A, but you will be amazed at the end of the semester on your growth as a writer. Always participate and be ready to give 100% in the class. It's worth it!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIIST160
• 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:

Merrell is an amazing professor! I definitely recommend his HIST 160 course--it's not impossible, but you definitely need to work for the grades and there is a good amount of reading. He's VERY approachable and always available if you want him to take a look at something you're working on for his class, or even if you just want to talk.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIIST160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Merrell has undoubtedly earned his status as a legend at Vassar. Funny, helpful, remarkably knowledgable, charismatic--he's the whole package. Take a class with the GOAT. You won't regret it (unless you value sleep more than education, then you might regret it).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• 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:

Merrell is an absolutely phenomenal guy and extremely knowledgeable about history. I had him for the Writing Seminar, and while I learned such incredible knowledge, know that he is a very TOUGH grader. Its practically impossible to get an A in his class. I feel he grades too tough for a intro-level course for freshman. Nobody in my class got an A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Merrell was awesome. He's a super tough grader, but he also gives extensive feedback and is happy to help you both before and after you turn in an assignment. If you want to improve your writing, take a class with him. His lectures are great and he has a very fair reading schedule. You will definitely have to earn a good grade, but it's worth it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST257
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Merrell is an absolutely incredible professor. Definitely a tough grader, but eases up towards the end of semester if he sees you're working for it. A pioneer in research of his field but very humble about it--almost every book I found for my final paper cited him, and he didn't mention any of it once. Do not miss out on taking a class with him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIIST160
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

You HAVE to be in his class to know how amazing he is. Insightful, witty, down-to-earth - yet a tough grader. You can never be tired of his class even if you constantly get a B or below. Everyone in my class loved him. He is my favorite professor so far.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• 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:

Merrell and History 160 were the highlight of this semester. He's a great professor in general and having him for my writing seminar was great. You will be writing a lot but he always gives you a page of very helpful feedback. It helps that he's approachable and an enthusiastic teacher. If you have the chance to take a class with him, do it!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He demands a lot from us so he grades very hard. But his teaching is first rate, the class had great discussions and he's always able to guide us on the right track and inspire us. I love History more because of him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Merrell is bar none the best professor you will ever have. You will have to put in a lot of work, but in return you will become a better writer and you will know the subject matter. Great in office hours, clear about expectations, nicest professor ever. He knows everything. He really cares- that is what matters. TAKE THE CLASS.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is the best professor I've ever had. He's engaging, friendly, helpful during office hours, and likes to share absurd tidbits. He has high standards and gives plenty of feedback, so work hard and don't hate on his grading. Take a class with him!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST275
• 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:

Overall this is a decent class. Professor Merrell is certainly an entertaining and engaging professor, but at times the discussions and readings were not all that interesting. After taking the class I feel like I've gained a general impression regarding the American Revolution, but I don't feel like the class was as fruitful as it could have been.