Jon Karl Evans - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Professor: Jon Karl Evans

Department: History

College: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST3700
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Professor Evans (now retired) for 8 classes in my career at the U of M: 5072 Roman History II A 1052 Ancient History II C 5073 Roman History III D 5074 Roman History IV B Rarely took notes, but enjoyed classes! 3552 Ancient Egypt B 5071 Roman History I B 3700 I, Claudius A 3515 Historians of GreeceRome B

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST4000ROME
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He did not return midterm grades until 2 days after the class drop deadline. This shows a real lack of empathy for students as it would take almost no effort on his part to make this accommodation. He is a tough grader and will not divulge what he is looking for until post exam.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I highly respect Professor Evans both for his honesty and his knowledge of the subject matter. However, as many will say, his grading is pretty ridiculous. Though I can expect to make mistakes, I worked very hard on his take homes (having A's in all my other history classes) and barely reached a B. I would recommend his course on pass/fail.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 3052
• 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:

Had to shake my head at some of these reviews. I took Dr. Evans' class as my FIRST upper-division history class and was NOT a history major, and yet I wound up with 299/300 total points in the class. Take diligent notes during lecture and he GIVES YOU THE ANSWERS. Don't let the whiners deter you from learning a lot from this awesome professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Professor Evans clearly knows a great deal about his subject and relates it very well in lecture, but he has an absolutely unreasonable expectation of students to recite that information in his preferred style and structure during examinations. So unless you can memorize 3 hour long lectures and repeat them verbatim...

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• 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 teacher! The guy is a walking text book and has a logically thought out and relative answer for everything you can ask him. Very personable and is very passionate about his subject matter. He's not afraid to say things as they are (i.e. - the PC) sometimes with a few minor expletives thrown in there! Again, great teacher, my favorite so far.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST3053
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I will start off by saying that I am a Junior with a 4.0 GPA. This teacher treats you like you are stupid if you ask a question. The tests are RIDICULOUS and not graded fairly. I spent over 15 hours working on the test (take home) and got a D-. This would have been an A in ANY other class. He does know the subject well, but doesn't teach well

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST3053
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

To read some of these comments suggesting he is a good teacher and the students dont put in effort is offensive. I have been, heretofore, a 3.75 GPA History Major, but nearly failed and it was not for lack of effort. Should not teach undergraduate courses. Expects students incorporate unassigned material into exams, beyond what is taught.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Evans is the best lecturer I have ever had, yet still the worst instructer I have ever had. His disregard for students is overwhelming. He is insulting if a concept isn't understood. He told me I don't know how to write the same semester I got an A on my History major thesis. I learned more from him than any other prof ever, but I did not pass

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Weird blue book requirements. Unrealistic expectations. I'm a history major & normally an A, B+ student, but I struggled to get a C in the class. Spent well over 15 hours on the last paper/exam & still got a 72%. If you're not a history major, don't take the class. His lectures are very interesting though & engaging. However, only gives one break.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very good professor - he doesn't have an Outstanding Teacher Award for nothing. He really enjoyed the subject matter and taught it well. HOWEVER, he was a very, very harsh grader, and I got two 75's and a 59 on the 3 required papers when I normally do really well. So take the class, but just read the material and be careful when writing papers.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• 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:

While his classes are demanding, they are not impossible. As for his exams, answering every part of the question is of great importance. Back up your claims with study quotations. The material is fascinating, and the lectures are top-notch. Don't let the other reviews here frighten you.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's an okay prof but definitely not an easy one. Make sure you answer every stinkin little part of the essay questions. Really. The only reason not to do well is because you neglected to answer even the smallest part of the question. There may be two to five different questions embedded, so make sure you know what he wants you to answer.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID THIS PROF. I wish I had read his reviews before enrolling. I'm a decent student and do not normally do poorly on writing papers. I got my first take-home test back with some unnecessarily mean-spirited comments from the TA and an F on it. Again, this is not a normal grade I receive on anything. This prof will ruin your GPA, bank on it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST3053
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

So, it's true, he's a really difficult teacher. He doesn't use powerpoints or slides for the lectures and you really have to pay attention to get the main ideas out of his lectures. If you try really hard, do the readings, and pay attention to feedback, you can do well. The people who complain are just annoyed that they can't write a decent paper.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST3053
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Completely ruined my GPA. I am another of the students who got "this is a very well written paper" for feedback and a D for the grade. Wish I had looked here before I took this class. He is insulting and the grading is ridiculous. It's a shame because he is very talented and intelligent and the class has a lot of potential.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST3053
• 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:

His personality is not as bad as all these comments make out, but he is definitely ridiculously hard. He doesn'do the grading, his TA's do, but they are just as hard as I would expect him to be. Honestly, don't take the course if you aren't ready to put in a ton of hours of work per week, and unless you really want to bend the way you think to him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST4072
• 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:

Very knowledgeable,interesting to hear lecture. Very cynical, but hilarious. The most intelligent and helpful professor I've ever had had at the U. Don't take his course unless you're good at analysis, critical thinking, and writing. AWESOME teacher overall.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST3930
• 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:

Class is complete lecture, no powerpoints or notes handed out. He lectures very fast, and will only say something once. Midterm and finals are both take home essays but are straightfoward. Only attempt if you have taken 3XXX level history class before. He is very pompous and insulting. Not helpful if you are a person that needs help on papers.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST3052
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Evans is extremely knoweledeable although he has an odd teaching style. His grading criteria is ridiculously hard. On my midterm he wrote great job and many positive comments but still gave me a D+. He will make you feel stupid. Unless you want to work your butt off and lower your GPA don't take his classes!