Abubaker Saad - Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT

Professor: Abubaker Saad

Department: History

College: Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS281
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Saad is incredibly knowledgeable in the Middle East. He clearly explains what are very complex situations. He is lecture heavy, so I highly recommend taking him if you retain information better in that format. There were three essay exams and one 6-8 page paper. Definitely read the novels he assigns! He can be a little abrupt, but he does help.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIS382
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Saad is a very energetic and knowledgeable professor. His love for Islam is very evident in the way he lectures. His class consists of 3 (possibly 2) tests and a research paper. I say maybe 2 because he offers a different proposal instead of the final test. The questions include 1 from the assigned reading, and the rest are from lecture.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: NCW107
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Had to drop his class to save my GPA. If you are taking science courses, DO NOT take this class. U have to read 3 different books on top of the class textbook, attend every class & take DETAILED notes. For the essay you have to read a minimum of 2 books different from class text. There's not enough time to do all of that when taking 12 cr and work.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIS382
• 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:

Saad is a good guy. He's nice and he tries to relate to students. However, his tests are very hard because if you write based off his lectures you'll get a 50. It is essential to read the text along with the lectures, because apparently what he says in class is completely irrelevant to what he wants on tests. Frustrating, but something to consider.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIS2SOMETHING
• 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:

I believe that once upon a time he was a great professor but it doesn't seem like he tries anymore. There are only three exams all worth 25% each and one essay with the remaining 25%. He took forever to return the tests and essay and his comments were missing required information for every question even when I had decent grades.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIS398
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he's an amazing professor with a lot of insight and experience in his topic, but if you aren't a history major or don't at least like history and reading historical books don't take the class. you read a lot and the exams are ALL essay.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: NWC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr Saad may be strict but he's the most inspirational professor I've ever had. He lectures heavy, and most is about Islam. I was getting a little impatient at first because I really wanted to understand the reason behind all the turmoil in the Middle East. But he gives you a good foundation. His past political career is very interesting

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: NCW107
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His grading makes no sense. He takes over a month to return tests, therefore you aren't given any feedback before taking the next exam. You cannot ask him any questions, because if you do you are wrong in his eyes. His tests are essay style and extremely lengthy. If you can avoid this professor i would do so at all costs.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS281
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

kind of strict on classroom etiquette but his course is easy as long as you pay attention and read the books. He curves the tests if he takes a long time so if waiting doesn't bother you he's worth taking.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Easy class. Basically youre Just listening to him talk for the entire class about his personal experiences and stories. Take notes because they will be on his exams. You willhave one paper and 3 total exams. Just pay a little attention and you can get an A

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Saad's class usually consists of a lecture entangling his personal life experiences with acute references to the textbook (which I haven't really used; quite honestly you could get by without it). It's fascinating to hear his life experiences, and the exams are not that hard as long as you read the novels! You will learn a lot from Dr. Saad.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

2 tests, 1 short paper, and 1 final exam (optional - could have averaged the other 3 grades for a final exam grade instead). Gave extra points on tests when they came back late. Never kicked anyone out for being late to class. There's a few books - Read some, know main concepts, you'll be fine. Lectures were good - Sometimes too long; I got bored.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIS281
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The grade for the class 25% exam 1, 25% exam 2, 25% exam 3; 25% term paper. I paid attention and read the book and got A- on the first exams, except since he graded them late, he curved them 10 pts. Then I got a A on the paper. The final was optional, so I got 97% in the class. READ THE BOOK AND PAY ATTENTION; SAAD IS AWESOME!!!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took Dr. Saad for NWC. It was a mandatory course for my major. His entire semester of lectures were all stories that were incredibly fascinating and funny. You get your average grade at the end of the semester and you choose whether or not you want to take the final. Good Luck!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• 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: N/A

Comment:

I had no problem for the first half of the semester. I was averaging good grades until a got a poor grade on 1 test. then I got a poor grade on my paper for reasons that made no sense, but when I tried to question it he shut the door in my face. Went from a B+ to a D+ without any explanation from Saad. He did this to others in my class as well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Does not interface with students well. People drive an hour to get to class and he tells them to get out because they're 12 minutes tardy. Possibility for legitimate discussion in class retarded by his inability to accept others' views. Material is only moderately difficult, but he seems to be a rather severe grader. Colorful worldview in any case.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 10702
• 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:

Didn't get through half of syllabus. Was interesting, but definitely difficult when not used to all essay tests. I wanted a change of grade b/c of my paper and he did not reply to the emails I sent him. He was not clear about all that paper should entail. Disappointed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIS398
• 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:

There hasn't been one semester where I haven't taken one of Dr. Saad's classes. He can be a difficult grader, but as long as you pay attention and take notes, you'll be fine on his exams. In your paper, he values analysis and YOUR opinion. He's without a doubt the best professor I've ever had. LOVE the man to pieces.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: NWC107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a good lecturer, though I wouldn't recommend him if you're not interested in the subject. He talks constantly and strays from topic but he has a lot of first hand experience and it's really interesting. He is a tough grader - you don't need to read the textbook, but read the novels. He hands things back a month later. Tests are all essays.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIS382
• 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:

Great lecturer. Lots of very cook stories. Brings the Middle East perspective to students which allows you to see this region in a new light. Highly informative. Have to WANT to study. He will not pass grades out. Textbook is used, and you have THREE additional books to read. All are accounted for on test and he grades to see if you use them.