Richard Beyler - Portland State University, Portland, OR

Professor: Richard Beyler

Department: History

College: Portland State University, Portland, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HST427
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Inspired me to do the Philosophy and History of Science minor. Very knowledgeable and passionate about history and science. A lot of reading (one novel per week) with quizzes for each novel and a short paper for over half of the novels read. Loved how he incorporated scifi novels with historical science. Just go to class and do the readings.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HST495
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I would call Prof. Beyler a contemplative teacher. He thinks about students questions and comments and forms genuine replies that left this student feeling engaged and appreciated. I fully endorse him. That said, I do think there is room for his lectures to be more tightly presented, seeing as it wasn't uncommon to get behind on some material.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Excellent professor! Professor Beyler is very passionate about history and is informed in a number of other disciplines having contributed to history. This makes him a great professor from whom to take 300. Very nice and accommodating. I plan on taking a course with him again!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures have no real guide and are impossible to take notes for.. Main research report assignment is incredibly time consuming with annoying requirements in regards to how you find resources.. And the course was supposed to be general history though we only hear about his personal topic. Incredibly untimely email responses.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The lectures rarely coincided with the reading, which was extensive. The organization of the syllabus was unnecessarily complicated. This professor seemed very checked out during class time and conversations about the reading reflected this. Could have been good, but was instead both dull and difficult at the same time.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HST387U
• 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:

Great teacher! Very interesting and enthusiastic about his field. Lots of reading but the texts went well with the course. Exams were okay if you listened to the lectures and did the reading. Offers lots of choices on assignments. Prof. Beyler is very intelligent and has a good sense of humor too.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HISTO387U
• 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:

I took his 4 week summer course on History of Modern Science. I would NOT take this course again, even if someone paid me. He does not use power-point, does not provide a study guide, and assigns a lot of reading. His lectures are dry and difficult to pay attention to. I haven't finished the course yet, but I fear I will barely pass. AVOID.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Beyler is what makes this class very interesting. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the class and offers his own opinions into some of the topics being discussed. He makes himself available to the students and you will WORK for your grade. LOTS of reading to be done.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HST387U
• 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:

I'll be honest: the content of this class was very, very dull. The professor managed it well, though; it was one of the most organized classes I've taken. The grading is strict and the workload is heavy, but there's a LOT of flexibility in the rubric. I wouldn't take 387 again if you paid me, but I could see him teaching an interesting topic well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Also took European Intellectual History with him. He's a very hard teacher, there is a huge workload (mostly reading), and while his lectures are interesting, they rarely have anything to do with the texts. He likes to lecture about what he likes, rather than what he's supposed to be teaching about. Be prepared to make an effort or fail.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• 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:

Dr. Beyler chose good texts for the course and related them to his lectures. The workload was reasonable, although there was quite a bit of reading and writing to do, that goes with the territory. There wasn't a great deal of discussion in the class, mostly lecture, but he is not a boring speaker and knows his subject. I felt he graded generously.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HST495
• 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:

Dr. Beyler is great. The texts that he selected for the class were interesting, reasonably readable, and connected with his lectures. He is a good lecturer. Although he isn't too dynamic or expressive, he isn't monotonous either. He is open to questions, but doesn't ask or encourage them much. It was not a discussion course, but he knows his stuff.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HST387U
• 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:

Hist of Science was wonderful; lecture time well utilized and papers and tests used effectively to encourage synthesis of ideas explored. Took a SINQ with him after and was surprised others found him lacking. If you want to take advantage of your time in college, I think Beyler is a bargain at PSU prices. Get educated!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST427
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This dude will kill your GPA. I get almost all A's, but not with him. My first paper was a C-. Second was a C. On time, did well, showed up to class, still C's. He assigned over 3000 pages of reading in 10 weeks. That's called torture. Told me that A's shouldn't be given to often to students unless they are amazing. AVOID.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HST407
• 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:

I have taken several classes from Beyler and enjoyed every one of them. His passion for and dedication to history shows in all his work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HST407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very very smart. Lectures can be long, strenuous and often unfocused. Very tough grader yet will help you if you ask. Took him for 407 and had much more work and reading than normal for a 407, the research paper was always the focus of the class. Enjoyed his class, but you have to bust it for your grade, I wouldn't take him if you need a grade.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HST495
• 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:

Great teacher, very knowledgeable, funny, tough grader. Exams aren't horrible if you attend class. Cool guy overall

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST548
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was the most mind numbing class I have ever taken. Modern German History sucked. I did nothing and received an A. A graduate level class should be time consuming and challenging. Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine did nothing to prevent the mind numbing effect this man's lectures. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASSES, EVER.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HST495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the harder teachers I've had at PSU, but by the end of the term i had learned more than any other history class I've ever taken. He is always willing to help students understand course material and gets you interested in history. Easily over qualified for PSU, but sure glad to have him. Harvard education at a PSU price, whats not to like?

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST387U
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hands down the best professor I have ever had. He is extremely knowledgeable, prepared, enthusiastic, interesting, and clear. His textbook choices are great. I agree that he is overqualified for PSU and we're lucky to have him. He has inspired me to work as hard as I possibly can. Take this class if you love to learn-not if you want an easy A.