Jonathon Erlen - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Jonathon Erlen

Department: History

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SOC1488
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Professor Erlen's History of Medicine class. It was by far my favorite class in my first semester of freshman year (2015). He is a really interesting man who is funny and engaging, but is also one of the most knowledgable professors I've had. You earn the grade you receive. Tests aren't too bad. I would highly recommend this class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Erlen's Honors History of Medicine class was one of the most interesting classes I've taken. He is sometimes humorous during his lectures and he is more than willing to help. As long as you put in the effort in paying attention, taking notes, reading books, and writing the essays, you will do fine! Don't be afraid to get to know him, too!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I received a C+ in the class and over breaks between semesters, he emailed me giving me the opportunity to raise my grade to a B-. I've never had a professor do that. He truly cares about his students and his knowledge is vast. He is one of the most intelligent professors I've had and he is so genuine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He definitely notices who goes to class, and he is always very helpful at his office hours. His class is very interesting, and he writes letters of recommendation for anyone who earns a full A. Overall, I really enjoyed his class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As long as you attend lecture (a must!), take notes and put in the work for the writing assignments you should do fine. He is extremely knowledgeable, passionate about the subject and gives very interesting lectures that you'll learn a lot in. Highly recommended, even if you're not that interested in the subject.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Exceptionally knowledgeable; well-prepared. You absolutely must attend class and take notes, but lectures are interesting and he provides term sheets (sufficient study material for the exams). You will have to write, but not terribly often. The textbooks will not be used. Charming back-and-forth with his teaching partner! :) Highly recommended.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• 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:

He's extremely knowledgable in what he teaches and you will learn some very interesting things from him. But he's not very helpful if you're struggling in the class. Your grade is based almost entirely on papers and if you don't mention the few little things he's looking for, you automatically get bad grades.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I agree with the 3 comments below but also wanted to add that there are a few mandatory lectures to attend but if you attend an extra one he gives you a bonus of adding to your final grade...for example, if you earned a B+ and you attended the bonus lecture, he gives you an A-

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have always hated history, but I really enjoyed this class. Don't take the class if you suck at grammar because you'll fail the papers. The tests are easy if you just study the terms, DON'T buy the books (wasted a ton of money on them and never opened them). Easy class but there's a lot of writing (final = 2 papers and a written exam)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• 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:

This was a great class. I learned a lot about medicine and he really knows his stuff. Once you understand how he grades things, class was easy. The books are absolutely useless, just make sure that you go to every lecture, listen well, and take good notes. You will have to write a few papers and 3 book reports. Rating continues below:

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• 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:

From above: He was a grammar Nazi and will base a large portion or you grade off of how grammatically sound it is so just make sure that you get your papers checked at the writing center. I ended up with an A- but an A is definitely attainable in this class if you put forth the effort and do well on the final- which isnt cumulative.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HISTYMED
• 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:

i actually took this class for a gened req. believe it or not- looked interesting, and im glad i did. really easy, straightforward, write a couple papers (like book reports). pretty easy grader, in the end id say this class is a joke and if anyone who says its hard is a joke. prof. erlen is really helpful and has his favorites, just agree with him

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HISTMED
• 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:

this class is great! he is so interested and knowledgeable about it subject. i am a freshman and have yet to find trouble keeping up with the class. midterm and book reviews are easy. values correct grammar and a sense of intelligence in the papers you hand in. not pre-med, but love the class! never use the books, but are good background for papers

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC1488
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good class, he's very knowledgable. But his grading system sucks! It's not quantitative, and certainly not objective. He alternates between giving letter and number grades and seems to have no system for evaluation other than his own favortism. An extremely unfair, subjective, and biased grader.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SOC1488
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While Dr. Erlen teaches an extremely interesting class, his grading is unfair. All tests are essays and they aren't graded consistently. After the first test he already has his favorites picked out and if you aren't one of them, it sucks to be you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HPS1090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Hist of Med with him. He was completely biased and unfair towards my grade. Didn't read my papers till I saw him in office hours. Talked down to me for no reason. Teaches a good class but is too egotistical. Doesn't focus on students - just cares about those who are already up the hill. He's all talk.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great guy, very helpful. Amazingly interesting class. You don't have to read...just go to lecture and you learn some of the coolest stuff.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST1090
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Erlen is a nice guy and is hilarious. Really helpful if you have any ?s about med school. You have three book reviews (not bad at all) two midterms and a final. The final which is 2 out of class essays and inclass part is worth 50%. its a good class and midterms are not hard at all. take it...you just might learn something

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

the two essay papers and the final (all on the same day) are worth everything