Jonathan Marwil - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Professor: Jonathan Marwil

Department: History

College: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unquestionably one of the most knowledgeable professors on campus. Great at facilitating discussion and provoking debate. Old-fashioned, though, in the sense that youre entirely on your own. Doesnt post anything online, vague about requirements for assignments, and a brutal grader. Take if you want to learn something, not if you like your GPA.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST254
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed the class. Lectures and discussions were interesting. A lot reading for a three credit course with a course pack and four books but they were all interesting and relevant to the course. Tests are essay questions that are open-ended and requires knowledge of the readings and lectures. His grading could be a little opaque though.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIS266
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class, but that's because I like history and think the topic is interesting. Marwil is a cool prof, but if you're not into history/wars don't take the class, it won't be worth your time.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIS266
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Personally, I think professor Marwil is a great teacher. He is extremely knowledgable in the subject and inspires his students to look at History in a way that I have never experienced before. There is a lot of reading to do for this class (one course pack plus 3 books) but it is definitely manageable if you put in the time and effort.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you dont go to lecture, you miss all the information because he literally posts ZERO content anywhere. Mater of fact, he didnt even have a canvas page this year. Hes a very old school lecturer, no PowerPoints, a little rude.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Marwil takes pride in being a very tough grader. I took the class because the topic seemed very interesting to me (F'17 was 20th C. American Wars). Marwil is a thought-provoking and well-spoken, albeit rambling, lecturer. I regret not taking it pass/fail. GSI was cool this semester. Discussion section participation 20%, 2 tests + 1 paper 80%

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY266
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The whole class is based off of lectures and readings. Nothing is online. Dr. Marwil's lectures are actually really interesting and engaging. The gsi does all the grading though

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIS266
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was a lot of work but so worth it. Professor Marwil is an amazing lecturer and picked primary sources that were relevant and interesting. He also loved engaging with students.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY214
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're willing to put in the effort, you'll do well in the class and learn a whole ton in the process. Marwil knows his subject and gives all sorts of interesting information, though you'll often need to read the textbook to get the "big picture", as he often focuses on smaller details. Be ready to participate in discussion, it was 30% for us!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIS241
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Marwil is a very tough grader. The class overall is really interesting and he really makes you work. He says C is average and you have to blow him away to get an A. His exams are essays and he doesn't really give you much guidance and says to study everything (which is a lot). The matieral is good but only take this class if you're willing to work.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY190
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. As an engineer, I needed a humanities class that I could get an easy A in... definitely not the case here. I participated regularly in class and read all of the books assigned, yet I found myself doing terrible on the papers and getting no help during office hours. STEER CLEAR OF THIS CLASS.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There is a ton of reading in this class. Luckily, the final and paper aren't based off of his lectures, so do the reading, and you'll pass.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY266
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Marwil is brilliant and the information he presents is extremely interesting. You better pay attention or you will be lost in this class. He does ramble on at times, but if you stay focused you can get a lot out of this class. There are a lot of readings, but as long as you do most of them you can easily participate in discussion.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 266
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Everyone is correct when they say he grades tough and makes you read, but believe that it is absolutely worth it! His lectures make you look at history in such a new and thought expanding way. Take the class, work hard, and get the most rewarding B+ ever.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy class but a fantastic class. Marwil is a hard personality for everyone to love. His arguments are interesting, he usually has good GSIs working for him, the readings are interesting. I really enjoyed this class. It will challenge you. He will not hold your hand and yes you have to work for your grade. Welcome to college.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST197
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting and thought provoking class. I cried more than once while watching the documentaries. You don't have to write like a historian, just like a college student. I am not a history major and I really enjoyed this course, though the readings do take a while to get through

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• 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:

This class is honestly downright pathetically organized and will leave even the brightest of students irritable and feeling lost at any given moment. No organization of material, no lecture slides, and office hours are almost useless. My advice: never take any of his classes. You will regret it.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• 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:

Professor Marwil is a brilliant man. His opinions may not be conventional, but they are all extremely informed. I felt honored to be in his presence. This class may have a lot of reading, but if you take the time to do it it will enrich your life and how you see the United States in the world and at home.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST266
• 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:

STAY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM HISTORY 266. YOU WILL NOT GET AN A. The lectures were great, but his grading is absolute ludicrous. I'm an A to B+ only student, and the grades i received did not mirror this at all. His goal in the class is to 'make you work for it' aka make your life an absolute living hell, even when you are working extremely hard.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY266
• 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:

Yes, this class was challenging, but it was by far my favorite class I've taken at Michigan. It's important to stay engaged and take good notes during lecture because he doesn't use Powerpoint. Expect a lot of reading, but you really only need to know a few examples for the exams.