Scott Swanson - Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

Professor: Scott Swanson

Department: History

College: Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: TI205HST
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

SO much reading and SO much writing. Very participation heavy, will call you out for not talking. Does not grade papers and does not use Moodle so you pretty much have no idea where you stand until you see your grade on MyButler. No tests though. Not ideal for non history/English majors.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GHS208
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Go to class. Exams are impossible and there's homework every day.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Scott's a great person but I hate his teaching style. He sends long passive aggressive emails that stress everyone out. Once less than 1/2 the class had done the reading so he had us all sit in silence for the entire class period. He assigned long memorization projects at the end of each semester. But if you do exactly what he says you'll be fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HST205
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A nice guy and flexible to your schedule to meet. Participation matters a ton in this class, as I found out when I got a B in the class. Doesn't use Moodle at all, which is really annoying and unfair as the semester ends (in my opinion). Can be super passive aggressive and assigns a lot of reading in between class periods. Wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Scott is a really nice guy and an interesting character. However, as a professor, he talks most of the class time and you lose points for not participating. The lectures are on really long readings that are extremely dry and hard to follow. He is a guy who loves nothing more than 15th century Florence and you'll learn that quickly

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Scott is one of the nicest people in the world He assigns a lot of reading which you need to keep up on to participate in class. He never gives grades, but instead focuses on participation. If you just voice your opinion and stay involved you'll be fine. There aren't many papers, but you do have to memorize and recite 150 lines of Dante.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Scott expects a LOT of reading for this class. Also expects you to participate in discussion, but is not as concerned about what you say as much as in the fact you are trying. Does not make you feel bad for giving their opinion, and is interested to hear what you have to say. Not too many papers, but some casual 'overnight writes'.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely come to class with the reading done and have some insight to add to the class discussion. He assigns a lot of reading that you have to do to succeed in his class. Participation is essential in his class and he will help you if you need it. Like most other Butler professors, he just wants you to succeed.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FYS10126
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Scott is a nice enough guy, he is willing to help you if you ask. Expect a lot of reading and long papers. He is really knowledgeable and will challenge your way of thinking (which isn't always bad). His lectures are interesting and in class participation is key. He wants you to improve but sometimes the material can be a lot. Nice guy, tough prof.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He really likes what he does, which is always good. His class discussions can be good, depending on the topic and the class. He would give us questions to think about beforehand but did not ask us about those questions. He also hijacked my research paper and made it what he wanted. A TON OF READING and an unreasonable amount between class sessions.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GHS208
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Swanson is a very passionate teacher about what he knows, and he points out things in history that relate to real life. However, he tends to shove his "lax discussion based class" down everyone's throat. Lots of reading. Lots of writing assignments that do not get pick up by him. Easy class, but unbearable if you want to learn.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GHS209
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Swanson is very passionate about what he teaches and points out things in history that relate to real life. However, he tends to shove his "lax discussion based class" down everyone's throat. Lots of reading. Very stressful in class to answer his questions. Not the worse professor here but he is also the reason why I go on this site now.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY301
• 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:

Excellent professor. Had Dr. Swanson at Williams College, which is one of the leading teaching colleges in the U.S. He fostered excellent class discussion, inspired us to write thorough researched papers, and spent countless hours providing written and verbal feedback on progress. Dr. Swanson took an interest in his students.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GHS208
• 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:

Dr. Swanson assigns a lot of reading. You will have a short paper to write (1-2 pgs.) for almost every class period. However, you will learn a huge amount, and he will help you see the world in such a different way. Do your homework, and you'll be fine. He's my favorite professor, in and out of the classroom!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor that is very interested in his subject. Wants you to dig deeper into history then what is on the surface. Grade based on effort, no tests.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GHS208
• 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:

Awesome professor! I leared so much in his class. I was intrigued by topics of conversation everyday. I highly recommend him as a professor. I will say though that he has little to no tolerance for students who don't wish to put in effort and expects that you do the assigned readings as well as participate in class discussions. Overall, he's great!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GHS208
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He comes off as shy and he does read off of an outline for class, but he is an incredibly intelligent and cultured man. He never puts down anyone's opinion, so as long as you do the readings and make something of them, you're fine.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: H300
• 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:

Exemplary professor and an extraordinary person.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CNGTR201
• 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:

Great professor best I had in Butler

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• 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:

This man is the best teacher I have ever had. He truly cares for students & teaching and if you are willing to meet him 1/2 way you won't regret it. People say he is hard and may be boring but it is because he takes his profession seriously. He will increase your writing skills dramatically. Butler is lucky to have such a high caliber educator.