Susan Costanzo - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Susan Costanzo

Department: History

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST113
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I thought Susan was a good prof but he class is very lecture heavy. There are no tests for this class, only 3 essays. The essays are extremely reliant on lecture notes and the readings if you want to do well. The class is pretty standard, but Susan is a pretty tough grader on the essays and workshops.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST113
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Her lectures are sometimes dry, but at times to time she is funny and makes the class fun to participate in. She is a tough grader on essays, but if you get the papers proofread then you'll do good in her class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIS113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't think she is a horrible teacher or a bad person, but I have never had a teacher with such outright hostility towards some students. She gives no one the benefit of the doubt, and if someone asks her to clarify an ambiguous statement on her part, she treats the student really condescendingly, and reads into their question much more.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST364
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's really great. I had her for a film class but the few type of lectures we had they were great. Stays on schedule and is very helpful for office hours. She's a little tougher in grading and really makes you think. Heavy on class participation but I never felt attacked by her. She knows her stuff and really makes you look at history differently.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST113
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a junior and honestly this has been one of the most engaging classes I've ever taken at WWU. This period in history is extremely important and has tons of relevance to today. Costanzo will make you work for it but THAT IS WHY YOU ARE IN COLLEGE. Workload- 3 papers and in-class group workshops will turn you into a THESIS WRITING MACHINE.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIS113
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! She is so enthusiastic and gets in the zone when it comes to lectures! Every day is a lecture day so make sure to always have paper and a pencil! Notes are very important in the class! For essays and workshops it is always good to look back on notes and remember to read! She is so helpful and I never found any of her talks boring.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Costanzo is one of the best professors I've met. She puts a lot of effort into her lectures and assigns readings that are really interesting. She gives a lot of feedback on essays and will try to make you a better writer. She teaches history from multiple perspectives, including women's history and the people's history. She is also funny.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've taken multiple classes with Professor Costanzo and I honestly have enjoyed every one. She is a difficult professor but class is usually entertaining and she pushes you to be a better student and a better writer. I would highly recommend her classes to someone who is interested in becoming a history major. I would not take it for an easy GUR.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Costanzo is very passionate about history but her class is terrible. Her lectures are so dry and boring and are hard to sit through. She doesn't use slides and only lectures off of an outline. Writing an "A" paper for her was almost impossible. Avoid taking her class. I loved history and she ruined it for me.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I've ever had. Her syllabus is confusing, she doesn't stick to deadlines, and her lectures are so dry. The worst part was she made students feel stupid for asking questions and many times blamed us for her lectures being behind, even though she got off topic. Do not take this professor if you like teachers who are professional.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a tough grader, and I wasn't always sure what was expected on papers so my grades varied. When I went in for help on the final though she spent a lot of time helping me through it, and I think just talking to her boosted that final grade. She expects CRITICAL analysis and will really push you for the better.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST401
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Costanzo can seen harsh at times, but it is only to make her students think critically. Take this class and be ready to read A LOT.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 130742
• 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:

Costanzo has difficult classes and expects the best. Do not take her classes if you want an easy grade. There will be reading, taking of notes at lecture, close analysis of sources and strong writing skills required. Don't bother if you won't come to class or put effort into these papers. She is not a pushover. But it is highly rewarding.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the hardest professors. Very picky when it comes to papers and discussions. I thought I would have enjoyed the class more, but felt I just learned more out of the textbook than from the teacher. Going to office hours did not help me either. Generally, an A or B student in history, and this class did not meet my expectations.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible. Course was supposed to be a survey of Western civ 1756-present, ended up being solely on the economic/social classes of the era--NO BACKGROUND. TA was so useless, and graded like she didn't read your work. Professor made mean comments on occasion. I regret this course :o( I worked so hard, and it wasn't even what I wanted to learn! AVOID.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST333
• 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:

Costanzo is a very tough grader. Very strong emphasis on the importance of analyzing sources. Lectures alright, usu. from whats in the textbook, but on certain subjects is very good. Her limitations on certain aspects of Rus history are evident by mistakes and unanswered questions in lecture. Overall an average prof who gets done whats needed.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

she is an awesome prof, but a tough grader on essays!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST113
• 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:

Writing an acceptable essay for her is impossible. So if you are not a fan of writing or you dont love history, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. There is only one test and it is to name the counties (and their capitols) of Europe. Other than that, you have 3 essays and 6 books to read (not including chapter reading that you do not have to do).

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST398
• 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:

LOVE this class! it's small and very helpful! I learned to be super analytical of lots of different sources which will definitely help me for my 499. It's definitely a lot of work but it's worth it! you see a goofy and more fun side of costanzo which is fun. She's super helpful and gives lots of feedback. TAKE THIS CLASS if you're TAking 499!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST333
• 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:

I LOVE HERRRR!! she's prob one of my favorite professors! she knows her stuff and spits a lot at you during lecture. It's essential to go to class b/c she doesn't post anything on BB. She is EXTREMELY helpful and provides lots of feedback on papers. She's a tough grader but it's for the best! I DEF recommend her to anyone!