Peter Cole - Western Illinois University

Professor: Peter Cole

Department: TBD

College: Western Illinois University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was not prepared for the amount of time needed for this class, esp being a general elective. All tests are essay ?s that require a thesis, footnotes/citations. There are 2 book essays with the same expectations. He's a nice guy, but the course work seemed to be geared more towards students who were going to become a published historian.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cole is interesting. He is nice and is very obviously passionate about history. If you talk in class he will definitely like you more and you need participations anyway so you might as well ask a few questions every now and then. You have to buy a textbook and 2 novels and write 2 papers on the books, but they're not awful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He assigns 2 books that you will have to write a report on. Make sure you get and read the textbook because he has random quizzes on the weekly readings. The midterm and final are essays so make sure you know a lot about the topics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST510
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There are some individuals who are suited for research work, and others who are suited for teaching. Dr. Cole is suited for research. He knows his field and is able to prove it. However, he's also one of the most disrespectful professors I've ever had. A teacher should never talk down to his students or make them feel like their dumb. He did.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST416
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A very good teacher. He really cares about his students. Very left of center and loves unions. Fairly open minded with those who have other opinions, but be prepared to explain your reasoning. All of my classes were for graduate credit and included many long papers. Tough grader, but fair. Good sense of humor. He is a good person.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have always liked history, and I definitely learned a lot in this class. You must show up to class and you must take notes. All you do in class is take notes which gets very boring. You should read the weekly assignment because there are quizzes almost every Thursday. You must be willing to study. I worked very hard for my B!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

not an easy class unless you're very interested in history and are coming in with extensive knowledge of US domestic affairs from 1870s-1992. Most of what he covered was stuff I already knew, so I did well. But be warned: Your grade is based on essay exams and essays on novels. It's kind of tough for a 100 course.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 300
• 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:

good teacher, good class if you show up (you get a grade for showing up and participation) and do the (heavy) reading youll be fine. make sure after the first paper you read his what you can improve on because if you do and actually improve he will grade your assignments better. oh and expect a quiz every thursday.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ANTIAPARTHEID
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Please, for the sake of your own sanity, do not take a class with him. None of the course objectives or assignments were clear, he's very ambiguous with feedback, and the classes were kind of pointless. I didn't learn anything and was totally unaware of anything that went on or what his expectations were.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST106Y
• 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:

He is a very tough grader. The books you have to read for the essays are boring. Your paper basically has to be his own opinion if not its wrong. Peter Cole is rude when you email him and doesnt answer your question just insults you. Quizzes every other thursday. Leave before you can't.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• 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:

This class is farely hard. He expects a lot out of his students and is a tough grader. There is a lot of reading and attending class is mandatory, especially if you want a good grade. He is a pretty cool, down to earth guy. But he grades way too tough. There is a possible quiz on Thursdays too over the reading, but you never know which day. SO READ

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST7
• 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:

Hard class. Long readings each week. Possible quiz every Thursday on reading. I disliked the class and professor. I do not recommend taking this class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST106Y
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor ever. Impossible to get good grades on anything he assigns because he only believes in his own opinions. I suggest if you are in his class and you still have time to drop, or switch professors that you do. He is not helpful at all and never keeps and updated grade book so you are left hanging. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST106Y
• 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'm in my final week of his class and there is almost too much to say to fit in this rating. He is VERY liberal and a pacifist (doesn't cover war with detail) but to get to the thick of it...he's a very strange guy but incredibly nice. He is very down to earth and understanding, but has very high standards in his grading process. MUST attend class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST201
• 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:

Class was demanding and a lot of reading and writing was required. He is very helpful, and if you put in the time and effort you will write history better. I got all As on my papers and he still gave helpful criticism that made me write better each time. Really prepares you for upper level writing.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: URBAN300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really knowledgeable. Books are pretty difficult to read and are long readings, but the books are always very good. When doing papers go to his office before and discuss your topic with him and he will make life so much easier

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• 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:

Dr. Cole was a very unusual person. Very hard to describe. His class, in my opinion, was half interesting and half boring. I hated the reading assignments. Papers were descent. Tests and quizes were rough though. I happened to get an A in the class, which was amazing. Attend every class and study hard for the exams and you shall be rewarded

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• 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:

He is a very nice professor and will help you with what ever you need help with. He could give a pop quiz every thursday, you have to read about 70-100 pages, which takes a long time to read them and the quizes are very hard. The class is not that hard if you take the time to study

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST201
• 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:

Cole gets a lot of criticism as being hard and cocky but if you actually try in the class he is neither. He always offers help if you go to his office hours. He is very intelligent and knowledgeable about what he is teaching. I will be taking him again next semester.. One of the best History professors at WIU in my opinion

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST106
• 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:

One of the most boring class I have EVER took. His quizzes are impossible and aren't even over the sections that are assigned. All he does is lecture for 85 minutes straight and it's horrible! He's very anal about grading and it's impossible to get a good grade on anything. If you are taking this class.. DROP IT or switch professors.