Richard Saunders - Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Professor: Richard Saunders

Department: History

College: Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST172
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took my last class with Professor Saunders just over ten years ago. He was bar none the best teacher I ever had and had more of an impact on my academic career than any other teachers I had when I attended Clemson. I graduated due to his inspiration. Clemson is a better school because of him and I think he was the best teacher Ive ever had.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST1720
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The official position of Dr. Saunders on the Clemson webpage is "master teacher", and this title could not be more fitting. He knows more about history than the people who lived in those times. He wrote the textbook, and gives it to you for free. Yes, he bashes religion; he's a historian and clearly sees the damage irrational beliefs have caused.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST305
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For what it's worth Dr. Saunders was my adviser and professor many years ago. His classes were some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I had at my time at Clemson. I owe that man a lot. If you have the chance to study under him jump at it. He made me want to become a teacher of history. Thank you Rich.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 1730
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Saunders is a good teacher. He is super interesting and if you are a history buff, you will love him. He wrote his own textbook online and it provides a ton of interesting insight into each area of the course. Bad side: Saunders is about as left-wing as you can get and tends to be really disrespectful toward religion and our generation.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 4090
• 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:

Dr. Saunders is the most interesting man I have ever met. I He was very emotional about some of the subjects he lived through, but always interested in teaching the material. Doesn't like Republicans, Southerners, or religion. You have to earn grades, but Saunders is a great teacher and I another course with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST1730
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Saunders is a very good teacher. Only problem with it is I can never tell if he is really giving me history or his opinion. He is an atheist. Which would normally not be a problem in a history class except this class goes through the enlightenment thirty years war etc.. Lots of talk on religion and he super quick to give his opinion.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST1730
• Grade Received: 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:

He is by no means arrogant. He takes his course seriously and his passion for the subject shows in his lectures. The bad reviews are from easily offended/underperforming students. I am religious and respect his opinions even if I disagree on some. Great professor and gives a lot of hints about tests. You will do good if you take the time.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• 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:

This class is relatively easy if you just read and study the notes he provides for each test. Class honestly isn't necessary to do well in this class. There's two book reports which don't take a huge amount of time. Attendance is mandatory but you really only have to show up. It's not a super easy A but it can be done.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class, and I love the way Saunders teaches it. If you need clarification on a topic go to his office hours and he will explain in further detail. Tests are difficult, but he will help you out if you know what you're talking about.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST487
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy class by any means, but he's not a bad guy. He really likes to use the word "kinky" in lecture. I wish I was joking. His tests are hard, and he expects a lot from his students, but it was a 400 level course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Saunders is, without a doubt, the most offensive professor I have ever had. He will make you feel dirty for being from the south, whether or not you're a liberal or a conservative. He will give NO help. He compared students who asked to discuss grades after exams to dogs who had shat on the carpet and didn't know what they had done wrong.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• 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:

A very talented and passionate teacher. If you even remotely like history, I would recommend this course. He loves what he is teaching, and he wants you to understand it. You have to put the work in, but if you pay attention and work hard, an A is definitely possible.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most arrogant and offensive man I've ever met, especially towards conservatives or religious people. His exams are unreasonably difficult and he expects you to know an unholy amount of information, then when you do badly on his exams he makes you feel like an idiot for it. DO NOT TAKE a course with this man if you value your GPA.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST1730
• 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:

He's a nice guy, but this class is hard. Its a lot of facts that he wants you to understand. All of the tests are essay questions and he gives you 200-250 things to know to write about, and you have to pick 5 from a list he chooses. Then you have to write two essays on the broad topic of the unit. If you don't like lectures & essay tests. DONT TAKE

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• 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:

Good teacher. Some people say the class is hard, but I don't really pay attention and get all the information for tests on his online notes. Two book reports, but both are fairly interesting. Not a bad class to fill a Gen Ed. He REALLY loves history

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST419
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He really wants you to take something away from the course and he pours his heart into his lectures. If you like history you're going to find his lectures somewhat interesting. If you want help with a term paper GO TO his office. He will help you find a topic that is relevant to you. I enjoyed his class and his style of teaching!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Focuses more on if you comprehend things and see their significances rather than on specific dates/people. His online notes are extensive, but worth reading because in them he makes it very obvious what he wants you to write in your essays. If you're a decent writer and read the notes, you'll get a good grade.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST391
• 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:

Knows his materials like the back of his hand, I took his 391 class and I'm currently taking 306. He is great at telling the sides of history you won't hear about. He is a demanding teacher though. His attendance policy is unyielding and he requires in-depth papers. But if you have any interest in the REAL world around you than take him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST409
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took the 409 class on JFK. May be the best/most interesting class I have ever taken. If you get a chance TAKE this class. Saunders really loves History, and he really gets into his lectures. His class was not easy though. You have to STUDY hard for his tests. I would take him again though. Really cool guy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST173
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You can tell that saunders knows and loves what he is talking about. His ppts and personally written online textbook are very indepth. But by god this class is f*cking hard. His tests are multiple essays plus written identifications of whatever he chooses. His final exam is even more ridiculous expecting you to cover an unholy amount of material