Michael Birdwell - Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN

Professor: Michael Birdwell

Department: History

College: Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is HARD. 20 pages of notes every lecture (80 mins), four 300-page novels and hundreds of pages worth of iLearn readings. I made a C- but its possible to get a good grade. You just really have to work hard and put a lot of your time into it. Had a lot of mental breakdowns and tears because of this class my first semester of college.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Birdwell knows his history, and he is a nice guy. However, his class is way too hard. Reading a novel that is 300 plus, 30 pages of notes, and 7 articles is too much criteria to cover on a test. This is a very hard class for an undergraduate course.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was way too hard. I didnt have the time to do everything required. On tests we would have 20+ pages of notes, articles to read, & a novel. Even if I had the time it would be almost impossible to retain all the information needed for each exam.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class isn't as hard as people believe. But Dr. Birdwell just isn't a very nice person. I also get the feeling that he doesn't know much about history.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst professor I ever had. He bases half of his tests on the lectures, will not put his class notes online, and talks faster and faster as the end of class approaches. He forgot to put some material online and yelled at the class when no one knew the material. I am an A student but was relieved to get a C in this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He isnt as bad as everyone says, just pay attention & lay low. Takes role every day. Birdwell is funny at times but also takes somethings very serious (like cellphones DO NOT let yours go off or you get kicked out for the day) . His tests are taken straight from the lectures, ilearn readings, and 4 books he assigns so you know how to prepare.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ive never felt more condescended in my entire 19 years of life than I felt during Birdwells class. He expects you to come in to the class knowing everything he already knows and gets mad at you if you dont. My class was yelled at for not doing notes he put on iLearn (which he never did). This class encouraged me to change my minor out of hist.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST2010
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Michael Birdwell knows his stuff. That being said, he tends to tell false stories. Some that Ive looked up to find that theyre direct lies. He doesnt have favorites, but the second he decides to not like you, its set in stone. Ive been even yelled at for things my classmates have done. At least 40% of the class was him praising himself.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST1020
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher who makes learning history fun

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As a student with a strong GPA who frequently works hard for his grades, this class sucks! How is he a professor? With nearly 100 pages of notes and no clear idea as to what is on his test studying is practically out of the question. This is an undergrad course. Someone should remind him of that. I would never recommend him to anyone.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's honestly a pretty cool guy. As long as you attend class and read the required material, you will pass. Personally, I loved the class, and I hope you will too :)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIS1020
• 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:

Professor Birdwell is a tough teacher. I found his lectures interesting to listen to and he is clearly passionate about the subject. My poor review comes down to his personality. His reactions to minor situation are over the top. In this room there is such thing as a dumb question and he will be sure to let you know in front of the entire class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIS201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Birdwell lives in a fantasy world in which historical facts are replaced by myths, legends, and bad jokes. Not what you are looking for in a history teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Birdwell expects you to work for your grade. This class is not easy, you will have to study and there is a lengthy paper due 3/4 of the way into the semester. Some of the best lectures I've ever sat through, however. He is incredibly knowledgeable is his field. Be respectful, show up on time, pay attention in class and you'll be fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST3100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

60% of the class comes from a 20-35 page paper. It is pretty difficult, but he will help you and guide you in the right direction with it. He is the SLOWEST grader though. I swear it takes him months to grade anything. The other percentage of your grade comes from a midterm and final which are essays. Challenging, but good class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST3100
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He knows everything about history, but holds his students to the same standard. I had him for Tennessee Topics, and 60% of our grade is based on a 40 page paper. That might be normal if we were working on our masters or doctorate, but this is an undergraduate class! He also teaches way too quickly to even dream of taking adequate notes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIS201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mike is a voracious reader. He reads more books in a year than most people will read in a lifetime. But most of what he reads is fiction, a lot of it historical fiction. All the history and fiction gets mixed up in his head, so some of the things he teaches are more of what he wants history to be, rather than what the facts indicate. Beware.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIS1020
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Say goodbye to your GPA. He hates you and makes it well known and he also thinks college students are stupid. His test are incredibly hard and I failed every one. I studied for weeks as well. Stay far away from this man.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIS1020
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor i've ever had in my life. Literally. He is the spawn of Satan. I studied for weeks and still made a 20 on a test. He is not a happy man yet he knows everything about the History of everything and expects you to as well. He's not helpful. Be ready for failure.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He makes an easy subject difficult by trying to trick you. Also, he takes attendance yet misses class frequently, and does not return grades to see what you missed. He doesn't post grades either. You have to ask him . Weekly reading and 3 books all over 250 pages makes the reading load ridiculous. It isn't worth the work he demands. Don't bother.