Zack Schiffman - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Professor: Zack Schiffman

Department: History

College: Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS300B
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Only history class I've ever not gotten an A in, and I'm a history major. Lectures are long and drag on. Also makes no sense, jumps all over the place and has no notes to show the class to help clarify. So confusing. To much reading assigned, 7 books. To much when you have 4 other classes. Also very tough grader and only 2 grades are recorded.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Schiffman is good, hard class, you better hit that thesis dead on or you will struggle!! He gets bored easily....

Rating # 3

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I took is ancient rome class, and although i agree with other comments that he is a nice guy, he is also a hard professor. It seems like his class was harder than other 300 level courses. there is a lot of readings, but only 2 papers during the semester. I'd only recommend him if you want a challenging class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• 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:

Schiffman's a great man but I wouldn't sign up for a 300 level history class with him again. He grades 100% fairly but his standards are super high (as they should be!) - its just I'm trying to graduate and don't need to mess up my GPA. Love the man though and you will learn a LOT of awesome stuff, super passionate which I always respect.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST111B
• 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 him! He's smart, funny and fair. But, if you don't like reading, or history, pass on this class. Only two grades per semester, the midterm and the final. Essay and short answer format, so it's challenging! He also grades on class participation, so if you're shy, avoid this class. He invites questions and is very helpful in prepping for tests.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• 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:

He keeps talking and talking which makes the class that much harder. Take him only if you are a history major. Other than that, stay away. He gives only midterm and final exams but they are all essay questions. No notes allowed so you are on your own. Definitely not an easy professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST300B
• 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:

His lectures are very clear and kind of fun to listen to. He does not require any assignments due throughout the semester except the assigned readings and there are ALOT (I mean ALOT of reading). He only requires two papers, but man (or woman) you better be dead on. He is hard and I would not recommend taking him unless you are a history major!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Excellent teacher. He's got a great personality, he makes the material interesting, and he has lots of energy (however tired he claims to be at the beginning of class). Make sure you read the material, and if you don't (like I did), make sure you take notes of the discussions. In fact, notes are extremely essential in this class. GREAT PROFESSOR!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• 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:

I've taken Schiffmen for two classes now and I can honestly say they are two classes I have learned A LOT in. His classes are fun and engaging BUT there's a lot of reading. In his Ancient Greece class, we will have read 7 books, some of them twice by the end of the semester. There's no busy work which is a huge plus. TWO THUMBS UP!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REN01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schiffman's Renaissance class was perhaps the best class I have ever taken. After NEIU I went on to do an M.A. and now a PhD in European History at a Big 10 Univ. His course taught me the most in any lecture style course I've ever taken. He has had an enormous impact on his field and inspired me to try to become a historian myself.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST111
• 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:

Unless you love history(or are a history major),understand it easily, plan to attend every class, and take extremely detailed notes, then do not take this course. Grade is based on 2 exams and participation, but does not really encourage class participation as a whole, instead lets history majors dominate class discusssions.Would not recommend.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As far as I am concerned Zack Schiffman is one of the best professors on campus. He is the only professor who taught me-in understandable language-how to write a well-developed, comprehensive paper. Thanks to him, I can graduate.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• 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 have had numerous classes with Professor Schiffman, and all I can say is that his classes are a treat. He is an excellent teacher and an even better human being. We are lucky to have him at this University. Take him for as many classes as you can.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST302
• 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:

Excellent instructor. Demanding, but, fair and willing to work with you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST111B
• 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:

Wow! This professor knows his stuff...and my god...does he knock out the information. 3 books and numerous course reserves. Academically brilliant and does not throw it in your face. You must take detailed notes, complete all reading assignments and try to attend all classes. The most gratifying A I have ever earned in university

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST302B
• 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:

Great teacher with a sense of humor who keeps class light and interesting and doesn't require busywork, although beware - lots of reading. Still, it's worth it to have such an upbeat and knowledgeable teacher!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST302
• 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:

the best professor, great sense of humor, great knowledge on the subject

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST111B
• 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:

great teacher

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST111B
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

An excellent professor who makes you want to know more on the subject, and boy does he knock out the information. He only requires two essays and some definitions, but when that is all that makes up your grade (along with participation score), makes him a little hard on the grading. Excellent classroom speaker.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ALLOFHIS300
• 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:

I have taken Ancient Greece and Rome, the Reformation, and the Renaissance...though the Reformation and Renaissance classes were much harder than the other two. He is the best professor at NEIU.