John Katz - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Professor: John Katz

Department: History

College: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HST385
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Katz is a wonderful professor to have taken a course with. His work load is intense, multiple chapters of difficult material every week, however if you do manage to read it all you almost certainly will get an A. While it is challenging you get out what you put in. But Katz absolutely loves the material, and that is valuable to me.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HST362
• 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:

A true scholar and a man of fascinating life experience, character and humor (if you catch on, do try). Don't expect Edutainment. Though the reading is enjoyable despite serious subject matter. Learn about Iran, learn about revolution, learn about American culpability and the complexity of Middle Eastern culture, religion and paradox. Smart stuff!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HST388
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Katz wants to be liked by students, but his interpersonal relations and consideration of students's feelings is minimal. He's not good at listening or inspiring creativity. His gendered perspective feigns as pro-feminist but infantilizes his students. His lectures are difficult to follow, butput in the work and try your best, and he's fair

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HST338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The content of this class is excellent, but there is a lot of reading involved. I would NOT recommend this class unless you are interested in the subject matter. Otherwise, he is a very knowledgeable professor, but he can be a bit overbearing in that he WILL call upon random students in class to ask for opinions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HST387
• 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:

Great professor, though his lectures do sometimes get stuffy. The content of his course is excellent, though readings are at times laborious. A caring man, who really made an effort to get to know his students and engage them in course material. Knows his stuff extremely well and is great at giving suggestions for further reading. Great professor!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HST485
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible professor!!! He talks down to the students and is extremely puffed up with too much knowledge for his own good!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HST387
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Relies too heavily on stuffy textbooks (even for a history major!), and his lectures lack context. He will briefly mention 10 random people, move on in 30 seconds, yet expect you to know their names on the final. Apart from his frequent political rantings, the class was otherwise good. Minor adjustments would make it rather enjoyable.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HST386
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ridiculous amount of reading. I was excited to take this class because I'm interested in the subject matter but instead of learning more I'm now I'm more confused than ever. Also hate that grades are so heavily weighted on 3 essays and a little on discussion board.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HST386
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Katz is very knowledgeable and passionate about his subject. The class was very interesting, but I hard time keeping my focus, because the reading was so tedious. However, I enjoyed learning about Iran and look forward to taking another class from this professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST385
• 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:

AMAZING. probably the most intelligent professor I have ever had. He is definitely not easy, but if you go to class and ask questions it will not be a hard class to get an A in. I thought he was hilarious and he is a really nice guy if you get to know him. Definitely would recommend him but be prepared to work for a good grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST387
• 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:

I'm really interested in history (it's my major), but this class was terrible. The lectures were poorly organized, and little or no context was given for information. If you don't have a strong background in Islamic history, don't take this class. You'll be lost if you do.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: WCIV101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Incapable of powerpoints, makes lame jokes, Uses a large vocabulary, grants extentions all the time, likes those that sit in front, gives lectures.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST103
• 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:

As a history major and an A student I figured this class would be fun. However this class was extremely hard to follow and unorganized. The prof's requirements are ridiculous for a 100 level baccore class and I strongly recommend that you find a different prof. Perhaps one that can stay on topic and discuss things relative to the course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST388
• 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:

Great Professor. Other Ratings will say that he is dry and boring, true perhaps if you don't like history, but historians in the class will love it. Make sure to talk to him outside of class, he can be really helpful! This isn't a class for someone just looking to fill in their Bacc Core, it is for people who love history.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HST390
• 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:

Took online class. Assigned texts were autobiographies of Women of the Mideast, all great books. Clearly loved his subject. Appreciative of students who were interested in subject. Would gladly take another course from him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HST103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst Teacher I have had at OSU, this will be the last history class that I will ever take, horrible teacher, horrible class structure, if you want to understand anything about western civ you are better off going at it yourself rather than trying to piece together the nonsensical lectures of Mr. Katz.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HST103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The WORST class that I have ever taken here at OSU or anywhere else! He is so monotone, confusing and unclear about what he is talking about! I hate this class with a passion and I highly recomend NOT taking it! I tried but it was useless~!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class bored me sooo much. He spoke in a monotone voice that just about put me to sleep. He expected us to take notes yet he was very disorganized when it came to this. Occasionally he would scribble something on the board but the was about it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HST103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he may know a lot about history, but his class is pretty boring. He critized all of us on our essays (which are big % of our grade). A jerk in general, not very interesting.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST
• 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:

Great professor, funny, he knows how to interact with students, and makes his field interesting.