Professor: Melvin Ely
Department: History
College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Rating # 1
Overview:
- Course: AFST235
- Grade Received: B+
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
TONS and TONS of reading. Spent most of my free time reading for this class. His lectures are a but overrated but they aren't bad. He's a good guy and cares a lot. The class isn't too hard and the topics are very interesting and important, but the reading was just too much. I like him as a person, but I don't think I could do that again.
Rating # 2
Overview:
- Course: HIST226
- Grade Received: A+
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Amazing, amazing man. What a privilege to have taken African American History with him this semester. His passion shines through in every lecture. There was a lot of reading each week, but it was all interesting, and the (very easy) midterm and final were both partner tests. Great discussions took place in this class; you will not regret taking it.
Rating # 3
Overview:
- Course: HIS236
- Grade Received: A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Ely is perhaps the best professor I've had W&M so far -- his class was amazing week in and week out. Like others have commented there is a lot of reading, but it is all pertinent and intellectually stimulating. Take this class!!!
Rating # 4
Overview:
- Course: HIST236
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
1 quiz, 1 partner test, and a final. Summaries due every week, lots of readings and you have to read them but they're very relevant and interesting. Class makes you think in depth, he goes over what he wants you to know. This class gave me a new perspective on slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Very engaging, never left a class unsatisfied.
Rating # 5
Overview:
- Course: HIST350
- 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:
Professor Ely is a great lecturer who encourages insightful class discussions. Weekly reading summaries helped me to better comprehend class material and write more effectively. (He is also full of great quotes! My personal favorite: "The human capacity for self-delusion is almost limitless.") STRONGLY encourage taking a class with Ely!
Rating # 6
Overview:
- Course: HIST122
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I loved Professor Ely! I accidentally took two classes with him this semester, but he was the best! He assigns weekly summaries to ensure everyone does the reading. Impressive, brilliant guy. Try and take a class with him before you graduate!
Rating # 7
Overview:
- Course: HIST122
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
No quiz. Only midterm allows group work and he gives clear guide about how to review and what to expect. Best lectures I've ever had here. Perfect course for a GER.
Rating # 8
Overview:
- Course: HIST236
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
One of the best professors I've had at William and Mary!
Rating # 9
Overview:
- Course: HIST 236
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Ely is one of the greatest professors I've ever had here. He cares about his students more than most professors and wants to see us succeed. He is always super helpful in office hours. There is lots of reading and weekly written summaries, but definitely worth it. 2 or 3 exams with multiple choice and short answer questions.
Rating # 10
Overview:
- Course: HIST122
- Grade Received: A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Manageable but lengthy readings for summaries each week- gives you feedback on summaries but isn't a harsh grader. Will call you in and try to help you if he notices you are struggling. Genuinely cares about his students and wants them to do well, talked about students' stress levels once to make sure we were all doing okay
Rating # 11
Overview:
- Course: HIST452
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.5
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Hands down the best professor at W&M. I've taken several classes with Ely, and he never disappoints. Every lecture is intellectually stimulating. The reading load is moderate to heavy, but the assignments are graded very fairly.
Rating # 12
Overview:
- Course: HIST236
- 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:
He's great when he actually lectures, but we must have watched movies--sometimes documentaries and sometimes pure fiction--for at least half the semester. I understand the power of video primary sources, but he could have shown individual scenes rather than wasting valuable class time. I loved his lectures, but I wish we'd had more.
Rating # 13
Overview:
- Course: HIST236
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
A lot of reading, and tedious summaries, but worth it. Lectures are interesting and make you think. By far my favorite class to go to.
Rating # 14
Overview:
- Course: HIST451
- 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:
Quite frankly, the best professor at W&M.
Rating # 15
Overview:
- Course: HIST451
- 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:
He is my favorite professor I have had at William and Mary--every class it feels like you are just being told stories. So interesting, so worth it.
Rating # 16
Overview:
- Course: HIST281
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
One of the best professors i've had a w&m and i'm not a history major. attendance isn't mandatory but it can help bump up your grade. he genuinely cares about each student and makes an effort to get to know them. weekly readings and summaries can be tedious but his class is worth the work. i would highly recommend his class.
Rating # 17
Overview:
- Course: HIST452
- 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:
Makes a seemingly mundane subject very human and interesting. Readings reasonable, weekly summaries easy but require focus. As he puts it, he doesn't want to "hide the ball"--he makes everything very clear and reasonable. Class was instantly a favorite. Take anything you can get with Professor Ely, he's amazing.
Rating # 18
Overview:
- Course: AFST306
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 2.5
- Course Difficulty: 3.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He made us do summaries every week with all the information from his boring book stuffed into 150 words. I would rather have quizzes.
Rating # 19
Overview:
- Course: HIST122
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 1.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
very heavy on black history for an american history class. seems like we focus on things like that for every decade instead of things of some importance like...ummm..WWII. that said, discussions are interesting and there are NO TESTS!
Rating # 20
Overview:
- Course: HIST
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 2.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: N/A
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Take him if you can! Most wonderful person alive.
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