Maris Vinovskis - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Professor: Maris Vinovskis

Department: History

College: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST497
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vinovskis is extremely knowledgeable! This was a great class, especially if you are looking to go into education. I have never read so much, even as a history major. However, you really do need to complete it to get a good grade. Go to office hours. He is really kind and willing to talk to you about class and future careers.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very, very sweet man who is very willing to help you out at any time. Lectures could be confusing, but could be clarified in the readings or in section. A lot of reading was assigned, but it was pretty interesting and crucial to pass. Pretty decent prof overall.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Maris is the best teacher I've ever had.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Vinovskis is very, very willing to help students and his lectures are generally clear and interesting. If you're in the honors section you have to write an extra essay, but it's pretty easy and is a good trade off for getting to be in his section (rather than a GSI's). Really nice guy. Fair bit of reading but it's not unreasonable.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took the Honors section so I had to write an extra 15 page paper, but he makes sure that you are on track so you don't wait until the last minute. There are four essay quizzes throughout the semester, but he'll pretty much hint at those and you'll ahve a good idea of what they're on. If you go to office hours he'll give you clues for finals.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So so much reading, and you will need to do it. If you already have a clear understanding of US history and don't need to take the class, I wouldn't. Just expands on what you probably already know with first hand accounts.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vinovskis seems like a nice guy. That being said his lectures are terribly boring. He doesn't use any online resources and just projects some notes on an overhead. If you don't go to lectures only way to get notes is from someone else. All quizzes and exams are essays.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really helpful professor outside of class; makes himself available to students & is willing to answer questions. Unfortunately for me, I am a terrible audio learner, and Vinovskis' primary method of teaching is straight lecturing with few visuals or interaction. He speeds through topics toward the end of lecture, too, which is sometimes confusing.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY260
• 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:

Professor Vinovskis is absolutely one of the best professor's I've had here at Michigan. He is extremely intelligent but not arrogant about it. Also is very accessible and has a great sense of humor. So many professors care just about the content of the class or their research. He always puts students first. Definitely go to his office hours.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a very kind and funny man, whose lectures are a little all over the place but generally fairly good. Discussion with him (honors section) is not so great though: he basically just drills you on what was in the reading, rather than prompt actual discussion. Grades very nicely, though, and wants everyone to succeed.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Interesting lecturer, easy but useful readings, 4 useful quizzes to help on the midterm. All test and quizzes are essay questions

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Maris is a really nice guy. He obviously loves teaching this class and he even wants you to call him at home with questions. His lectures can be a little all-over-the-place, but the class is fairly easy and actually pretty interesting. A LOT of reading though!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Vinovskis is awesome: very helpful and very clear. The class is based on two writing exams and four pop-quizzes, so your grade is determined by your GSI. Lots of reading, but not too hard and pretty interesting. Definitely would recommend.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily the best History professor I've had at U of M. His willingness to help students is unparalleled. He's very knowledgeable on the topic and you can tell he has a passion for teaching and the subject. I would definitely recommend him to both History and non History majors.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily the best History professor I've had at U of M. His willingness to help students is unparalleled. He's very knowledgeable on the topic and you can tell he has a passion for teaching and the subject. I would definitely recommend him to both History and non History majors.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST4663
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Vinovskis is incredibly helpful, and takes great pleasure in helping his students at their convenience. His class is interesting, and his aim is in helping students comprehend the material, not trick them up.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST463
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easily the most helpful professor I've ever had. He not only allows students to call him at home, but encourages it. To talk with him one on one makes him super happy and helpful. He also has a super interesting past so it's fun to hear about some of his personal work. I had him for 260 also and he is great.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• 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:

Really jolly old fellow who really wants to see his students do well. He is so willing to help people out, so there should never be a comprehension issue. Some complain that the reading is heavy, but come on-its a history class! There is going to be reading! Being able to write well is important, and your grade is determined by your GSI

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, knows how to interact with students extremely well and knows how to crack a joke or two during lecture. Always open to students and grading system is completely fair. Immediately take if time allows.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, makes lectures fun by throwing in puns and his interests in michigan sports teams. A lot of reading that you dont always need to do. 4 quizzes a semester and gives great help for the midterm and final by giving the past essay questions to you.