Wilfrid Rollman - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Wilfrid Rollman

Department: International Studies

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: IR383
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Rollman is a bit of a traditional professor, in that he lectures from his desk for the whole class period (1h15min). He's a nice guy, and he knows a ridiculous amount of information. Plus, he has a ton of field experience. However, you MUST read his assigned readings, or else you're pretty guaranteed to fail. His tests are pretty specific, too.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST298
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is the most inspiring Professor I have met (I'm completing two masters)

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Rollman is a legend. You'll learn a lot and leave a better person.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST298
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sometimes hard to follow, but lectures are good if you pay attention. Great teacher, but you need to do the work. It's that simple.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: IR383
• 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:

Solid professor. Always willing to help a student out. Class does take significant time and studying. Do not take if you cannot devote the time to the class. If you do the work and know the material you will be fine. If not then you won't.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IR383
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is not an easy A. His lectures are very incomprehensible. He sits at his desk for 90 minutes and talks at you, not to you. No powerpoint slides or anything to go along with lecture. To do well in the class you need to do every single reading assigned on the syllabus and take very detailed notes. If you don't you'll fail.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IR383
• 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:

Lectures are painful and the readings are worse. I was so interested in North Africa and ready to learn more, but this course focuses on it's ancient history (despite the course title 'Modern Africa'). Reading quizzes are impossible. I've been to his office probably 8+ times over the semester and I am still doing poorly in the course.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: WRIT125
• 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:

If you actually want to learn about the middle east, take a class with this professor. Do no expect him to be "easy", though he is incredibly supportive in his energy and commitment to his subject. Also, his style is more of a wizened academic than witty "I-want-you-to-like-me" professor. If you like lectures, you'll love Rollman

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: IR707
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Rollman really knows his stuff. If you really want to learn about the Middle East and North Africa, you won't find a more enthusiastic and knowledgeable professor. I have taken two classes with him now, and I have learned A LOT. As a bonus, he is also a really nice guy. He expects a lot from his students, but no more than he should.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid at all costs. You learn some things, but the sheer amount of material combined with his aimless droning lectures makes this class almost unbearable.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• 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:

Professor Rollman is such an expert, knows absolutely everything about the MidEast. Movies in class help the time go by. I learned so much, 12-15 page research paper a pain though

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I too, was extremely excited about this class only to be disappointed with mumbled, horrifically boring lectures that go over the 1.5 hour time, and many MANY redundant readings. Also, pompous at office hours. On the bright side, I did learn that camels are low in carbohydrates.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was really excited about taking this class, but was exceedingly disappointed. This is supposed to be an intro class, but many times he says things like we're supposed to be experts in the field. Lots of reading, but doable. As a conservative, had a hard time sitting through his clearly liberal bias...Not a fan at all.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

don't ever take this class....the guy is the most boring thing ever. he stands up a mumbles, almost in a whisper, about crap that doesn't have anything to do with anything....oh and don't let him get started on sand and camels. my god...ahhhhhh

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Can't say I was a huge fan. Granted he was knowldegeable, but the class was tediously boring and the reading was just as bad - I mean, unless you enjoy reading about the arid landscape of the Middle East for fifty pages.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/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:

Clearly an expert in his field. Lots of reading, but it is actually interesting to read. I ended up keeping most of the books after class was done. Class was held at a terrible time, but it's ok if you caffeinate yourself beforehand.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good class. Rollman is extremely smart, interesting, helpful, nice, and likeable. He is well-versed and experienced in the subject. The courseload is moderate and the reading generally interesting. I like how he incorporates movies that give you a visual viewpoint. One of my favorite teachers.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: IR382
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the most knowledgeble professors i've ever had. Professor Rollman knows his subject totally backwards and forwards and can really teach you a lot if you pay attention. I can also respect that he has a ton of real world experience in the Middle East.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HI392UNDE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Rollman is nice, knows unique info tidbits, interesting lecs., easy tests