Laurie Koloski - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Laurie Koloski

Department: History

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST373
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took the HIST 373 in 2014, and Dr. Koloski's teaching was fantastic! Though the course is very tough with the many books' worth of research and the formal essays, it was incredibly fascinating. Dr. Koloski is very much into her own research, and is a great professor to talk to if you can talk to her during office hours.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST312
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Modern Poland pass/fail with Koloski. She's great but gives so much reading. She's super passionate about Poland and history and it comes through in her lectures. but there is just so. much. reading.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Modern Poland with Koloski- a real passion of hers, as shown in her engaging lectures, stories, and powerpoints. There was far too much homework at the beginning of the semester, but she adapted the syllabus to our demands, which I appreciated. She's also super groovy, available to help with papers, and fun to hang out with. Highly recommend

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: EASTERNEUROPE
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst college professor I have ever had. Changed the syllabus multiple times, was not clear on when assignment would be due or what she wanted. Harsh grader. Shows favoritism. Doesn't actually teach anything, just wants rambling discussion that You take nothing away from.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST373
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She assigned 800 pages of reading in the first HALF of the semester. Her assignments (readings, papers, etc.) are ridiculously massive and cumbersome. She is enthusiastic and approachable but seems to think you have all the time in the world to devote to her class. Do not take for GER. Do not take if you have a heavy course load.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST192
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Koloski is the best professor that I have had so far at William and Mary. Incredibly passionate, interesting lectures. You will learn a lot. That being said, you must read the textbook as context due to the specificity of her lectures. Do not take this class lightly.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST192
• 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:

Do not take to just fulfill a GER. Only 2 lectures a week, the third class is a small group discussion with a TA each week. Lectures aren't very relevant to textbook chapters but can be very interesting. Go to lecture bc you will need to discuss in discussion class. Not too bad if you are good at writing.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST192
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I would not recommend this class, they're are better classes for the GER. Grades were completely dependent upon TAs, Koloski, while very intelligent, had lectures not relevant to the graded material. A whole lot of work, and grades completely dependent on your TA. Grade essays at graduate level and little help provided despite being an intro class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST192
• 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:

Interesting concept for a class, but made utterly miserable by this professor. Her lectures have nothing to do with what the "required" reading is. Grading is based solely on TA's who expect graduate level work in a intro course. Attendance is mandatory since she gives "in class responses" at random, forcing you to go. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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:

The assigned readings are very interesting and informative but the lectures/discussions are useless. Extremely boring and unhelpful. Unfortunately, you have to be there because she takes attendance. And even though she teaches you next to nothing, she holds students to much higher standards than herself and is a very hard grader.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HISTEEUROPE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's very challenging- her essay questions can be rather frustrating. Still it was an amazing class, she's fascinating and can direct discussion well. Excellent use of multimedia, good readings though long. If you get bogged down, go talk to her, she's really willing to work with you and very helpful. NOT for the faint of heart but can be great.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST112
• 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:

Do not take her if you are planning on coasting through an intro class. Hard grader and very challenging. However, if you want to know what history is all about, you should take her. May not get an A, but you'll look at histoy in a whole new way. Highly recommend her despite the harsh grading and tough workload.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough grader, but totally worth it. She will make you understand the material and keeps you entertained. Don't be afraid of the grader--she's a great professor and is always open to talk to outside of class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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:

Without doubt one of the best professors at WM. Yes, a lot of reading and tough grader on papers, but it really doesnt matter that much, does it?

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very good professor...very knowledgable and interesting. Lots of reading and a difficult grader on papers, but worthwhile.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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:

AWESOME - she makes me excited to come to class. Covers all points of view; doesn't insert her own bias. Really excited about what she is teaching and very eager to help; gives lots of outlines and instructions. Lots of reading and grades tough on papers, but it is SO worth it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

this class requires a ton of reading and most of your grade is based on midterm and final. 20% is based on pop quizzes which are easy to do well on.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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, but difficult course. She's a tough grader and expects a lot, but she is very knowledgeable and and I feel as though I've gotten something out of it, which is untrue with some other classes...

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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 Prof!!!! She's energetic and funny...lots of reading, but its all interesting and worth it!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST243
• 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:

Full of enthusiasm and energy. Gives great lectures and gives equal attention to all sides of the issues. Reading can be a bit heavy, but no that bad. Grades papers very hard, but I came out better for it. I would recommend, but don't expect an easy class.