Joel Gordon - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Professor: Joel Gordon

Department: History

College: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST4413
• 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:

Dr. Gordon talks too much in his lectures. After a while, you zone out. If you take his class, know he is an extremely tough grader. If you can choose someone else, I would. Nice guy though.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST3043
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Gordon is an expert in this field, but Modern Middle East was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. His lectures were 3 hrs long and he rarely gave clear-cut guidelines for how the quizzes/exams would be structured and what info would be included. Quiz questions were often based on obscure points that you only briefly went over in class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST4013
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took Professor Gordon for Modern Terrorism and HATED it. I was so excited for this class, but his lack of organization ruined it. The things we learn don't go in any particular order, he just throws random information about history in different books and films. He talks way too much for a 3 hour class, it's exhausting and hard to pay attention to

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST4433
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wow, where was the professor you guys were talking about? Because THIS GUY certainly didn't match your descriptions. He's horribly late on grading & announcements, didn't bother showing up to his own class the first 2 weeks, and generally doesn't seem to care about ANYTHING. I wanted the professor mentioned in the other reviews, not THIS burn-out!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 4363
• 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:

Helpful, challenging, knowledgeable

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MEST
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took his colloquium class and Intro to MEST. I loved them both. He likes to challenge his students and sometimes it can be a bit difficult to write a great paper about abstract conceptions with concrete historical backing. He made me realize that I am capable of it, though. Take him if you can. He's a really great teacher with good stories.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST4013
• 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:

Dr. Gordon is a wonderful professor. I have taken 4 classes with him, and I will take more if he offers any. The exams and papers are difficult, but if you read the material and go to class you will do fine. Take his classes if you really want to learn about the middle east in a non-biased setting.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST4013
• 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:

Dr. Gordon is a wonderful professor. I have taken 4 classes with him, and I will take more if he offers any. The exams and papers are difficult, but if you read the material and go to class you will do fine. Take his classes if you really want to learn about the middle east in a non-biased setting.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gordon is a smart addition to the U of Arkansas. He is easy but the material is not. so you should be reading and showing interest in the subject. He is a scholar in his field. If you want to learn, go a head

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST3043
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've taken 3 classes w/ Dr. Gordon so far. You have to read books & yes, they're about the Middle East- that is his field. He is not an unfair grader, if you know the material & can articulate it you will do well. In college reading & writing is what you do. literature is part of history, they aren't mutually exclusive. I've enjoyed all his classe

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIS1111
• 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:

He knows about the middle east more than I know about USA

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST1013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst teachers I've ever had... He should be teaching a World Lit class because that's obviously what he is interested in. All we did was read 6 novels from around the world and he goes tries to compare them. Your grade is based almost solely on the final... no midterm or other big tests.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST1013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is absolutely the worst I've ever had at the UofA, not even close. I took him for Western Civ II and all we have done is read books about the Middle East. SO much reading, and the books aren't that great. We had six novels to read this semester, along with other readings he assigns. It's a Lit class. I love history, and I hate this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3000
• 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:

Islamic Civ:5 friends took the class at once. 2 of which were Middle East majors. Everyone failed first test, 3 friends failed second, and 2 failed the third test. 3 friends stopped going except on test days, 2 friends aced every test after the first and went to class daily... everyone made a B' -This is not exactly fair nor is it consistant.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Although his class seemed easy, his grading standards were outrageous as were his exams. The fact the needed at least a 20% curve on all of the tests says a lot. I would definitely not recommend taking a class with him.

Rating # 16

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:

One of the best professors at the U of A. He knows so much about the region and the class is lots of fun. He really cares about his students. Take this class....you will learn a TON!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr.Gordon is extremely knowledgeable on the Middle East- really gave a fair perspective on the current situation in Israel. I wish the historical background had been more detailed, but he did a good job of cutting it down to a manageable amount. Does a great job of picking literature that illustrates class themes. Overall, great teacher.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: WCIV
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

What happened to this guy? He used to be fair and interesting and now he is just unhappy and seems like he doenst care about the students or our learning. If he keeps on like this, I wont take another class from him. He needs help and the students shouldnt have to be his therapists!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: WCIV1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He WAS SO EASY! Well, you DO have to read the books he gives, but hey, that's what sparknotes are for! I got an A+ on everything and I loved the movies we got to watch like every week cause I could do homework during them. He knows what he's talking about though the class didn't give him respect.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Extremely interesting subject matter and approach. Gordon is the kind of teacher who knows very well what he's talking about, and says it in such a way that one must listen-not too loud (so you have to lean in), never stuttering or umming, always thinking well in advance of his sentences. Do take.