Pamela Swett - McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Professor: Pamela Swett

Department: History

College: McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS3FF3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting course. As a prof her lectures were easy to follow and had my attention for the most part. However, I just finished writing the final exam and it was horrible. She gave us an exam outline in class that she did not follow, and she picks the most trivial details to quiz you on. It's definitely difficult to do well in this course

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 1FF3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Swett is down to business and understanding. She wants controversial thinking and your best effort. When she gives you feedback on an assignment, she expects you to follow it up on the next one. Expect to discuss every chapter in excessive but thorough detail during each class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 1FF3
• 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:

Dr. Swett is an engaging and inspiring teacher. She has high but clear expectations, wants her students to work hard but is available for help or feedback. She can be intimidating, but is fair and gives good feedback. You will learn a lot in her classes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: NAZIGERMANY
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Swett in my undergrad and graduate experience. She's an initially intimidating professor, but she warms up to you in you show dedication and ask the right questions. She's an excellent moderator in seminars, but if you slip up, that glare can really do some damage. I rate her highly, and would suggest taking thorough notes in lecture.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIS3FF3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice woman. Great lecturer. Engaging material and person. Horrible exam writer though. It's a universal complaint with this particular class. Just wrote exam hour ago, she likes to pick the more obscure ID questions making studying difficult. No need for that...

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST3FF3
• 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:

Amazing professor and great class/subject in general! Also had her for 2P03. Very helpful and interesting! Actually emotionally connected to the subject! Amazing!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST3U03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Totally unhelpful, emails were unclear, and she was very condescending on top of that. Definitely plays favourites. When you go into her office she looks at you with disdain and then brushes you off as quickly as possible. Perfect example of how an ivy league school doesn't always produce a good prof. Bad experience all around.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST2I03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I have ever had - interesting material, fair workload, fair exam, and extremely approachable.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY1AA3
• 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:

Swett is the She-Horn of Mac History. Great prof, intimidating as all hell, but a damn intelligent lady.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY1AA3
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

An absolutely amazing professor! She spoke energetically and occasionally humourously (always a plus). She was considerate of our other responsibilities but at the same time not really a pushover. Her class made up for my other not-so-exciting lectures! The exam was easy with a fair amount of choice.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST1AA3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I cant believe so many people liked her so much! Her lectures were sometimes interesting but lingered on really small details and went fast over important parts. The essays on the exam were horrible! They didnt hit on the big pictures but again dealt with trivial detail. She should really have done a midterm.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY1AA3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

i liked the fact that she extended our essay due date by a week. that is all.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 2FF3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

very approachable. takes an interest in what her students think about the material and how its presented. its obvious she wants her class to do their best, and is willing to help. she is great with discussions, and her classes are very interesting. def. got what i paid for

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 1AA32FF3
• 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:

One of the best Profs I have ever had. She has always been very helpful and I would recommend taking anyone of her classes. Although she may be hard she is very fair.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 3Q03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

"Leader in the German history field?" How would an undergrad know that? If that's not suspicious enough, how about *three* reviews in one day? Students say she writes her own reviews. I'm beginning to see why. Not terrible, but not good either.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 3Q03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Swett is a leader in the german history field. very approachable and spends a great deal of time fielding questions. Always answers emails same day. Whoever said her office is a lair is an idiot. I have never had a problem talking to her. She plays favourites in that she doesnt like slackers

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY
• 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:

I love her, she's one of the best profs in the history department. She knows her stuff and is very organized with her overheads!!! The pictures she puts up are great too!!!She very nice and sweet when you approach her too!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EURHIST
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher. Very interesting, fair and fun. She looks like Tina Fey!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIS2FF3
• 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:

If your looking at preparing for life out in the real world(especially if you are thinking of pursuing graduate studies), you will do yourself a great favor by taking her classes! Thanks!