Gregg Brazinsky - George Washington University

Professor: Gregg Brazinsky

Department: TBD

College: George Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Such an odd, but charming man. I really hate the way he tests his students and I could not stand his voice, but other than that, he really knows what he's talking about and recognizes students that put in effort. This is the type of class where your TA will matter more than the Professor as they grade everything, but Gregg is a decent choice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really great WID class. Final grade not heavy on exams, relatively few papers, only mandatory attendance is during discussion. If you show up, you won't need the textbook, but the textbook is actually free and on Gelman's e-resources. All in all a great experience.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class and I learned so much. The tests, however, were a very poor way to measure a student's understanding of the material taught in class. Brazinksy has instructed TAs not to give students higher than a 90% on most assignments so it is difficult to get an A+ on writing assignments and this is not fair. Loved his lectures!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 2340W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brazinsky is one of the best professors in the GWU History Department. He does a great job at engaging students in class and makes good impersonations of U.S. presidents.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brazinsky's impressions are on point. The mystery quote identification thing was a little odd, but they give hella partial credit, so no worries. Go to office hours so he remembers your name. TA's were overall great - go to discussion so they know you and make sure to participate. The material wasn't very hard and hardly any writing assignments.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I learned a ton in this class about former presidents' foreign policies and getting an A- was doable. Go to discussion and participate. The 2 blogs are super easy. If you spend time on your policy memo and final paper and go to your TA, you can do well. Tests (quotes and an essay) are pretty easy as long as you study hard before. Record the quotes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 2340W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, amazing stage presence and highly engaging professor. Skipping class is not viable since he goes over all crucial segments in assigned reading (which you don't have to really read). Writing assignments are graded fairly easily and the exams should not be a problem as long as you attended the lectures and allocated some time to study.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Love Brazinsky. You have to go into class knowing he's a little quirky and take him with a grain of salt, but if you do he's hilarious. He cares a lot and hid lectures are really helpful. Discussions are also actually helpful for once. Assignments aren't bad and he grades pretty easily.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brazinsky is an interesting guy and he knows a lot. He's kind of strange, but that what makes lecture not totally boring. He knows who comes to lecture and who talks during it--beware because he will take points of your grade apparently. Become his friend, it will be worth it! Tests aren't too hard, but the quotes are a weird twist.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really knowledgeable guy. Definitely go to class, pay attention, take extensive notes, do the readings. TA based grading so missing discussion or not participating in it can really hurt your grade. Very few papers for being a WID but be warned the lectures can be incredibly boring. Funny guy though does really great presidential impressions.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, will teach you a lot about US foreign policy over the years. I loved his class and would recommend to anybody pursuing a career in diplomacy.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic. Lectures were literally crystal clear. Take extremely good notes and pay attention in lecture and the exams and papers will be easy and you will barely have to study to get an A. I learnt so much and lectures were always interesting - granted, I do love US history. Also highly recommend Mark Alexander as a TA.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIS2340W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Can't understand his Quotes part of the examination. It's ridiculous to remember so much unnecessary details

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST3301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

(WID Class Cold War and 3rd World) Incredibly interesting subject matter, very knowledgeable on topics, but readings verge on sadistic-- 200+ pages the norm. Clear expectations for all assignments and for class. I would highly recommend this class if you have interest in the Cold War, but if not, I would caution against it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you are in ESIA and need a WID take this class. It double counts and is stupidly easy. If you have knowledge regarding the Cold War and Cold War presidential policy you will get an A. Reading wasn't necessary at all as long as you went to class. Discussion was easy as were all of the assignments. Hilarious impersonations of presidents too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

his class is no fun, its not even interesting. It isn't very relevant to diplomatic history, more of a foreign policy class. He is also very egotistical. Discussions are highly unnecessary, yet attendance is mandatory. Lots and lots of reading. Avoid this class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brazinsky is awesome! There are assigned readings before each lecture, but in lecture he often expands and explains each one. There are quizzes in about half of the discussions but they are passfail style. Both papers have the option to turn in early for feedback before your final grade. Highly recommend this class- especially if you love history!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I agree with the comment below. It's an interesting class but you need to be careful. I really got hurt on my final grade for missing quizzes and spores.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• 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:

Brazinsky is an interesting professor. He has a clear direction during lecture, and does ridiculous impressions of US presidents. His system of pop quizzes is really annoying, though, and punishes students a lot if you happen to miss lecture every now and then. Make sure you get a good TA, too, because they grade your papers.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST2340W
• 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:

At the beginning of the new semester, let me warn you that Brazinsky has implemented a new pop quiz system to catch and penalize those who don't attend lecture. So don't count on taking this course and skipping lecture unless you want a low grade.