Richard Oestreicher - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Richard Oestreicher

Department: History

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tbh best professor I've ever had in my entire life. Incredibly passionate great guy

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly passionate about history and is incredibly friendly to talk to outside of the classroom.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You can learn all course material from just the book, or just the lecture. The TA assigns additional material that is provided. There was a midterm and a final in the form of 5 page essays and quizzes every other week in recitation. The TA graded every assignment, the professor did not grade a thing. A is possible as long as you keep up with class

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Oestreicher is passionate about history and it shows in his lectures. Attendance is graded and checked by a sign in sheet every lecture and recitation. No final or midterm, just a paper for each. Take your own notes because he frequently forgets to upload the PowerPoints, but even then they are only a skeleton to his lecture.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST1641
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was a fantastic professor. Very knowledgeable. HOWEVER, unless you already knew about the subject matter of the class, you most likely would become lost. The powerpoints are also not too helpful. Be ready to take notes. Only two grades in this class and he is a tough grader. This class is not easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's very passionate in his subject. But his PowerPoints make zero sense so be sure to listen and take notes on what he's saying because the notes on the board don't help at all. Attendance is apart of your grade and there's an attendance sheet every lecture and recitation. Lectures can be very boring. No tests. Overall, he's not horrible.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST600
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. O is a great lecturer and I never was bored in his class. The recitations are helpful and there are short quizzes in them but never too hard. Only two papers that serve as a midterm and a final. Go to class though, attendance is mandatory and he often teaches things that aren't mentioned in the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy, but I would not recommend it if you are not willing to put a 250% effort into your writing. Prof.O is available to talk to if you need help and some guidance, which was very unhelpful in my opinion. He based his grade on the first 2 pages of each assigned paper. If you do not want your GPA to suffer do not take this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. O is an amazing professor. Easiest class I have taken at Pitt. The only tests are 2 take home papers and they are not hard.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A pretty cool guy. His American Left seminar is very interesting especially to those interested in political history. He definitely makes you work for your grade so be ready for that. However, not a ton of writing for a Writing Intensive class

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great. easy B+ or A for social science elective. 2 papers all year, each worth 25%. Recitations are mandatory but pointless. 6 easy quizzes in recitations, drop lowest. Just have to write definitions on 2 key words from lectures. Lectures are mandatory but sheet goes around and can sign anyone in. Rich is a pretty cool duded that knows his stuff.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST1001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Oestreicher is a very knowledgeable professor and clearly wants to make you a better writer & historian, but he is not always entirely clear about expectations on papers & grades harder than any other history prof I've had. The first two sections of the class on the Left are pretty boring but he has a lot of great stories about the 60s.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST1001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but he really isn't the best in long seminar-length classes. Very tough grader so be ready for that, especially when you revise your papers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST1656
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Enthusiastic, engaging, and well-read. Sometimes he can get carried away and end up overlooking important points. His office hours are a fantastic resource, and very helpful if you want to learn everything you can on the class subject. They're not necessary, cuz he's a very easy grader and missing some information won't kill you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite professors I've had. an awesome lecturer always keeps it interesting and the class is really easy. I would recommend taking this class for sure

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST1685
• 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:

This is an honors writing course and he definitely treats it like one. Very little restrictions on paper topics so the content can be focused on your personal interests. Dr. Oestreicher is always willing to help students outside of class. Be prepared to devote a large amount of time to this class but your writing will certainly improve.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST0600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

An extremely entertaining lecturer. His lectures are relatable to the readings but the readings are not necessary at all. Attendance to lectures and recitations are part of your grade, and there are also quizzes in recitation.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST1656
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is extremely knowledgeable about all topics. Sometimes hard to stay focused during hour & 15 min lecture. Take home tests, but on the first one he expects more than you would think based on rubric. I'd definitely take him again, nice guy and is very passionate about what he teaches.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST1656
• 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:

An enthuisatic lecturer who exudes a lot of spirit when talking about American workers. His use of colorful metaphors and subtle humor would capture my attention for the entirety of the class. Prof. O is a demanding grader, but a fair one. His lecturing style as well as helpfulness in improving my writing made this class worthwhile.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST1655
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really knows his topic inside and out. Is an interesting/enthusiastic lecturer, even though I was not too fond of History of American Workers. Attendance isn't mandatory, but will help you majorly on the take home exams.