Steve Rosswurm - Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL

Professor: Steve Rosswurm

Department: History

College: Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His classes cover some great historical topics but his teaching style and accessibility is poor. Is not helpful in his commentary on papers or during office hour visits. Assigned a lot of work for a 100-level class. Get ready to read 4 WHOLE books minimum. Literally made me cry halfway through my second semester.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• 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:

A lot of reading is required for this class but the topics are interesting for those who are interested in History/Historical research

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST257
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy professor. Very demanding with writing assignments and time given is only a week. He can be helpful but mostly he is very intimidating and not easy to ask questions. He is not flexible and does not care much about your personal life and other things going on. I would not recommend him if you have a busy schedule.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• 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:

Rosswurm is tough but good. Do the readings, figure out what the essay prompts mean, and organize your essays and you will do fine. Participate in class when you know the material otherwise he will call you out to answer harder questions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Rosswurm gives lots essay prompts that are unclear. However, taking advantage of his office hours will greatly benefit you. To get on his good side, do the readings and participate in the discussions. If no one is active in them, he will walk out on the class. DO NOT LEAN ON THE TABLES, he hates it!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Holy cow, what a professor. I love Rosswurm. He knows exactly what he's talking about, and he's serious about his students reaching a similar level of understanding. I love that he takes no crap. Kind and funny person. Keeps very odd hours, and apparently gets up at like 3am daily (that's why his classes are early AMs). Listens to underground rap.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Rosswurm's classes may be in the history department but they are really writing classes. He is a very tough grader, but if you put in the effort he can make you an amazing writer and critical thinker.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He does not explain papers whatsoever. Tends to grade on grammar more than content. Thinks he grasps the English language much better than he actually does. He has extremely annoying habits, gets mad at kids for over-enthusiasm. Hands out a five page paper and the prompt was a 10 word sentence. Plays favorites hard. No one can be right except him.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FIYS150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man does not know what he is doing - he may seem intelligent, but I promise you his pretentiousness and delusion of correctness is all that you will be given. He will only give you a good grade if you say what HE wants to hear, anything else is wrong. He plays favorites, and teaches concepts in a very narrow minded way (and i'm a liberal).

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST267
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He will challenge you whether you are a Marxist-cum-Catholic as he is or not. Rosswurm is going to make it hardl he'll drive you nuts. He'scranky, eccentric, highly passionate. His lectures go from useless to stunning, but he selects phenomenal readings, orders them perfectly, and makes you write about them in ways that enhance learning.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Rosswurm is one of my favorite professors at LFC. He doesn't take any crap, which is great, but he'll still joke around with you. Very clear about whatever the topic is. Do the readings or you're screwed. The guy is great. Oh, and his laugh is hysterical!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST265
• 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:

Best teacher at LFC

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST257
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Rosswurm is one of the best professors at LFC. His classes are hard but he makes you think deeply, analyze and understand the central notions. Very knowledgeable and helpful.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• 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:

Great teacher. Cares a lot. Intense.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The problem with him is he's not sure what he wants. His assignments are vague, and so is his grading. I'm not opposed to a difficult grader, but there is no context. He assigns short papers on long and deep books. He then gets frustrated because your focus is too narrow, yet if it is too broad he says you need to be specific. You could do better.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Even his 200 level courses are difficult, and I say that as a history minor. But he does a fantastic job with the material and is quite willing to help students live up to his high expectations. One of the toughest, but best professors on campus.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 121AND347
• 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:

my favorite professor at lfc. brilliant man. absolutely brilliant. and he doesn't take anyone's****.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

very knowledgable. intense. If he thinks the class has not read, he'll just get up and leave

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST250
• 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:

Rosswurm was one of the most demanding professors I've had at Lake Forest and he really pushes his students. Although the course was challenging, I ultimately appreciated the extra hard work that was expected of me.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST120
• 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 loved Mr. Rosswurm's class. He made it so interesting by combining lecture with discussion. He gave questions to guide us with our reading which really helped with retention and understanding. He is a tough grader, but he will give assistance before something is due. I liked him and the class.