Kirk Willis - University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Professor: Kirk Willis

Department: History

College: University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST3371
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Willis' classes are lecture heavy but he's very good at taking history and turning it into a story. He never takes attendance but I found myself never wanting to miss his class. He gives you three books to read throughout the semester along with weekly textbook readings, but if you follow along in lecture you should be fine for the exams.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST3371
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my second time taking Willis and I plan to take him again. His lectures are really great and fun to listen to. He won't take the time to learn names but he's probably still one of the nicest professors I've had. I was sick and had to miss a test and he was really understanding about it. I definitely recommend taking Willis!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST3371
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing lecturer but that is all he does so be warned. With that being said, his lectures are super funny and he really brings life to all the historical figures we discuss. As long as you do the reading and keep up with the take home papers for each test, it is not a hard class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST3030
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Willis is a great lecturer, but that's all he does so if listening to someone talk nonstop isn't your thing, stay away. If you like that though he's awesome. He knows the material really well and makes it interesting. Attendance isn't mandatory but if you want to do well on the tests you have to go. Get started on the take home essays ASAP.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST4383
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Accidentally took this class as a freshman but managed to get an A. Read the books he assigns and show up to lecture. The class before the test he tells you the essay topics for the test. Lectures are interesting, not mandatory but highly recommended. What he lectures on will be on the test.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST2302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took him during Freshman College. Sweetest man there is! We only had four total grades, each worth 25%. Engaging lectures, but interminable.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST2302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Prof Willis. His lectures were amazing. They flow really well, and he tells history like it's one long, connected story. He does not waste any time, and starts talking as soon as class time starts. He is good to talk to, and wants to help you. He has really bad handwriting, so his feedback on papers/exams is really hard to read.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST4382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Willis is a phenomenal professor who lectures like he is telling a story. His ways of lecturing helps students to understand history that it will stay in your head. Make sure you go to his lectures and take good notes. His tests are ids, in-class essay, and take-home essay. For the take home, he gives you a topic according to a book he assigns

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST4990
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best lecturers I've ever had. He tells history like it's a storybook. This was my second class with him; if you're taking a 4990, I recommend Willis because he lets you go off on your own to write your paper. He's critical of your writing but in a good way, and lenient with attendance, but go anyway. You'll learn something.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST4382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Willis is an absolutely captivating lecturer. Like many have said, he makes historical figures come to life. Tests are not very difficult; they are based heavily off of lecture. There is a 15 page research paper. I highly recommend Dr. Willis. By far one of the best professors I have had.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST4382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Willis is one of the best lecturers I have ever had. He tells the story of the history he is teaching and makes the individuals within history animated. He is happy to help his students in any way possible and his tests are very basic. He does require a hefty final paper abut 15 pages but it's so worth taking. Love him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST3372
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Willis is hands down the greatest professor I have had at UGA. He is a great lecturer who keeps you engaged for the entire class period. There is a relatively long term paper near the end of the course but he gives you plenty of notice and resources so it is not too stressful

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST4383
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Willis' tests are all pretty much based on his lectures so if you go to class you'll be fine - the book offers a little more clarity, but you don't really need it. Definitely learned a lot and would take another class with Willis if I could. Great professor. Great subject.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST4383
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor is hands down the best lecturer I've ever had. He turns every historical figure into a character. The class I took was a class on British politics; it's not something I'm particularly interested in, but I look forward to his class every day. Attendance non-mandatory, but you will fail if you don't go. Tough grader but so worth it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST3030
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Willis is a great lecturer: his lectures are (for the most part) engaging, and he really knows his stuff. The tests are pretty fair, both in content and his grading. And he's just a really nice, approachable guy. If I had to take another history class I'd take him again.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST4383
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Willis is the best professor I have taken at UGA. I would never miss his lectures due to his interest, knowledge, and skill with the material. I am a much more intelligent and well-rounded thinker after taking his course.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST4382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Willis' tests are pretty easy. You can afford to skip maybe one or two lectures between exams since the IDs and short answer prompts that he gives you pull from several lectures (ex, Willis gave us 12 terms for IDs but we only had to explain 5). The main textbook isn't necessary, but you need the take home question books.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST3372
• 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:

Great lecturer and interesting subject. The tests are based solely from the notes so go to class and listen. You will learn a great deal. The term paper takes a while but is not hard. However, if you want an A, they are hard to obtain and you should go and talk to him to see what he wants because he is very specific. Good Luck!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST4383
• 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:

I audited this as a grad student. Dr. Willis is one of the best lecturers I've ever heard. Very engaging and brings life to subject. Delivers balanced presentation w/ no perceived normative bias. I highly recommend his courses and may even sit through another.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST4382
• 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:

Fabulous lecturer. Somewhat difficult class, a lot of writing. 16 pg term paper at the end, and you have to bring a 6 page essay to every exam. But it was an extremely interesting class. I feel like I learned a lot and I would take another class with him.