John Ferris - University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Professor: John Ferris

Department: History

College: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HTST491
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took several history classes from Dr. Ferris in the 1990s. One of my favs. Got a low grade on a paper in a seminar, and he passed by me in the hall and took time to explain that the sources I had used were somewhat out of date, hence the mark. Loved his lectures, and particularly his Hitler impersonation. Highly recommended.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HTST483
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting prof to say the least. He obviously enjoys teaching but is very hard to follow. His lectures are terrible and discusses the most random things that have nothing to do with the class. He is very random and it almost seems like he is reading from a Wikipedia page. Honestly the lectures were a waste of time.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HTST202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Alright well I'm gonna be honest- absolutely loathed this class. HTST is not my major but his lectures were ALL OVER the place, with no sequence of events, and the textbook was written by him (so basically useless.) He was incredibly condescending when I went to him and I basically scrounged Wikipedia for content for tests. Would not recommend.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 202
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Honestly he's a very knowledgeable man but I just found his lectures very hard to follow in terms if sequence of events. The tests ask big questions about the fall of the Byzantine empire and such, and I feel like you don't get a good enough grasp of the concept before you have to write an essay on it. Definitely need to read textbook

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HTST202
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed his lectures. He knows the material well and keeps it interesting.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HTST490
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took both HTST489 & 490 with him. One of my favourite profs at U of C - incredibly knowledgeable on the material; brings enthusiasm and wit to his lectures, which are always engaging; extremely approachable and helpful in the paper writing process (and very understanding about extensions). A privilege to be taught by, cannot recommend him enough.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HTST490
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Knows what he is talking about. If you want to learn about the subject then take this class. Lenient on essay due date, which was amazing! Really good prof, definitely recommend him!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST490
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pretty good prof. Fair marker and knowledgeable on the topic. Any question asked will be thoroughly explained. Fairly lenient with his due date (one giant essay). Only bad thing, he does not use lecture notes/PP, so be ready to write a LOT during the lecture.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST202
• 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:

Excellent prof. Only fault is his choice of T.A.'s. Took 45000 words of notes over a semester - insane.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HTST202
• 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:

Ferris is extremely knowledgeable & passionate about the subject he's teaching, although he tends to talk quite fast & it's sometimes hard to keep up in writing notes, even with a laptop. Attendance is mandatory, as he doesn't post any notes whatsoever (brilliant mind, he lectures everything straight from memory, with an amazing amount of detail)

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST202
• 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:

Actually a great prof, knowledge of military history is very very impressive, and he is a very helpful prof, took marking essays into his own hands upon bad grades done by the TA's

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY202
• 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:

Smartest guy you will ever meet. Encyclopedic knowledge of world warfare. Monotone voice very boring to listen to. Very hard marker with his small army of t.a's

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HTST490
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have had Dr Ferris for 4 classes now including my 500 lvl By far the best Prof at U of C, extremely knowledgeable, fair and fascinating. His lectures are engrossing and useful. the only drawback some may find is that he does not use PP. Best Prof at the School, hand down!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HTST488
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great history prof! He is super knowledgeable and lectures straight from memory with no powerpoints or cue-cards which I find very impressive. He is very helpful and personable and can recommend useful sources off the top of his head if you're every struggling with a paper. His grading is very fair and his tests reflect what is covered in lecture.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HTST483
• 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:

Amazing. Fair Marker.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST202
• 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:

Really knowledgeable and keeps everything very clear and straightforward.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HTST202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Really knowledgeable and fun to listen to. delivers lectures in a way that is easy to follow and easy to take notes. Fair marker.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HTST490
• 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:

Great prof very interesting class. One of the best I have taken so far. He knows a lot about the subject, which is not easy to find from other sources. Also, he has extremely interesting and different perspectives on a lot of issues which was refreshing.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HTST439
• 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:

Dr. Ferris' classes are as hard as they are rewarding. By far the best professor at the U of C. Highly recommended.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HTST483
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely knowledgable professor, very interested in what he teaches. Papers are marked at the 400/500 level, so don't expect to do it the night before. Honestly one of the best I've had.