Pablo Silva - Grinnell College

Professor: Pablo Silva

Department: TBD

College: Grinnell College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had Silva's class during the covid-19 pandemic. After we transitioned to online classes, he continued with the same level of difficulty (didn't change assignments or requirements for the final project and test) disregarding students' input or mental health. This made me realize he is completely unaware or uncaring of what is going on around him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Definitely a great professor to talk to. Respect ++ But be prepared to have a hard grading. Lvl of difficulty is 10/5 Don't take his tutorial class if you are a freshman. Your life is more than having a hard time getting through a tutorial class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIS100
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best(and my favorite) professors here at Grinnell College. Besides being helpful during/after class, he does not hesitate to show empathy towards our academic issues. He also gives really good feedbacks on papers and summarizes the readings in a graceful way. He does walk funny sometime, but I think we should be less mean to professors.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIS100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very passionate about history, especially his area of expertise. He definitely knows what what he's talking about so he will know when students haven't done their readings. He makes you write some papers which will be tough but he gives good feedback to help you become a better writer. Would recommend going to office hours!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely intimidating at first. I really like his teaching style--makes you work for it but you learn how to come to your own conclusions.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mandatory class participation, but discussion question are so vague you either get it wrong or have to ask for clarification. Often you can't even guess the answer he has in mind because you don't have enough information and perspective. Will correct grammar wrongly, can't spell. Best to write as simply as possible. Very frustrating.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• 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:

You get what you put into the class. Very tough grader. He emphasizes clear writing and to the point. Always willing to help with papers and I improved so much on my writing. Also, participate a lot if you want that A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A challenging professor who will definitely make you work for your grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great at leading discussions and teaching kids how to do history.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Best teacher I ever had. Improved my writing, made me love history, and was the reason I became a history major.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIS400
• 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 took several classes from Mr. Silva, and they rank among my favorite experiences at Grinnell. Mr. Silva emphasized clear writing, subject analysis and creative thinking that transcended his course.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIS105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Silva is, without a doubt, not nearly as good as some say he is. I found him to be arrogant. He was intelligent, but never seemed to deem his students worthy of knowing the material as well as he did (he never lectured, even though that is where his true talent was). Also, he walks funny.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LATINMOD
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He'll write scary, deprecating notes to you with his little blue pen, but that just means you need to go see him in his office. Go see him, and you will learn how to write well. Listen to what he says. When discussing readings, just come to class with a solid sense of the thesis of the article/book. Don't **** him because he will destroy you.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HISTMOD
• 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 teaches a specific way of writing, but it is the most common style for historians. Silva's style is clear and direct. Get to the point or get out.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TUT30
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Reasonable grader, a bit vague w/paper assignments sometimes but will clarify anything when asked.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CULTENCO
• 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:

was able to clarify the context and essense of some dense primary texts really nicely. the class followed a fairly predictable rhythm where he would ask for student opinions or judgements on the readings, try to bring the discussion along and then come around to his conclusion. some good discussions came out of it though

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIS105
• 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:

Great prof. Class was so much fun. Grades hard but fair on papers. Friendly, funny, a little scary at first, but u get used to him. very helpful in office hours.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very good prof. really knows the material and leads a terrific discussion. if you're willing to bring him a draft, he'll review your papers and tell you exactly how to fix it. he'll tell you things straight though, so don't expect him to sugar coat it. if your paper sucks, he'll tell you. lectures are good, but few.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was impressed how he would really listen to what everyone said during a class and then write the main points of the discussion on the board. He always made sure that we got the point that he wanted us to get though, which is good - some professors let the students do all the talking. Students need that sort of guidance in an intro class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Silva is great. I learned a lot and I never once looked at the clock during class. Pretty demanding for a normal intro class, but well worth it. Highly recommend taking it.