William Kangas - Seattle University

Professor: William Kangas

Department: TBD

College: Seattle University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1400
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was a lot of reading, but I ended up learning a lot. Most of the class is discussion, but you can usually get away with skimming the reading and looking at sparknotes, Participation is a huge part of the class. He also assigns 3-4 papers throughout the quarter, but he gives you plenty of time to do them. The papers are very self-paced.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kangas is very an intelligent, but challenging professor. Once you overlook the intimidation factor, you realize that Dr. Kangas encourages the intellectual growth of his students and ultimately wants the best for them. Difficult class, but worthwhile. I learned more in his one class than I did in an entire quarter.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1440
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher I've ever had, most enlightening class. Took "Marx,Nietzche,Freud" and read A LOT but it was worth every minute. He is the definition of hard rock vampire philosopher aesthetic Discussion-based so you have to participate even when you think you're wrong because he'll magically lead you to the "right" answer with more questions loved it

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1400
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took "Problem of the Polis" during fall quarter of my freshman year. Prepare to read and write a LOT. Class was discussion-based, so make a conscious effort to participate. I will not take a class from him again because he does not use Canvas (and will not tell you your grade). Dr. Kangas made a seemingly uninteresting subject interesting.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1405
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

What an intellectual, incredibly eye opening class, but to experience that side of definitley comes with work in the form of reading. that being said if you find interest in what hes teaching, almost feels like a club. be ready for discussions

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: UCOR3410
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He runs his class discussion-style; really great way to learn, but be prepared to read A LOT. I really enjoyed this course and took a lot away from it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really knows what he's talking about and super passionate. Assigns way too much to read, but lets face it you don't have to read all of it. The paper topics are confusing and he's a tough grader. Also the group chats are pointless and no one knows what's going on. Also when you ask him a question he doesn't really get to the point and answer it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1440
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took his UCOR called Marx, Nietzsche, Freud. I think about concepts that were introduced to me in this class every day, but this is not a class for the faint-hearted. Reading is super dense and hard to get through, prompts for essays are a page long, participation is difficult unless you read. It's all worth is to listen to him read Nietzsche ;)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1440
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I personally loved having Kangas as my first ever college professor. He is challenging, asks a LOT of his students, but he is always engaging. He likes to answer questions with questions so they really make you think. He is very open and more clear during office hours. Open, interesting and engaging. He truly set me up for success here at SU.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not only is Kangas one of the hottest professors I've had at SU, but he is by far the most interesting man I have ever met. Rumors of vampirism drew me in, but his passion for 16th century eroticism stole my heart.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST1210
• 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:

Kangas is one of the most intelligent professors I've had here at SU so far. I took this class with no particular interest in history but for a college requirement so I hated the material and there is A LOT of reading. As an intro class, I felt like it was a lot of work and if you don't like history to begin with, you will resent this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: UCOR1440
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, Kangas is one of the best professors at SU. He is brilliant and very passionate about his classes. He is also one of the most difficult professors, but as a Fall Quarter freshman, I survived his class. One of the most worthwhile classes- I learned so much. I wish his discussion based class could be the format for all SU classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: UCOR144002
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

First, lets get the positives out of the way. Kangas is very passionate about his material which a nice quality to have in a teacher. His classes are discussion based and he demands that they should be "student led," but in reality, hardly anybody in the class has the slightest clue whats going on. The papers assigned are useless and difficult.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst teacher I've ever had. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. He is incredibly hard and his paper topics are ridiculous.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kangas is great. He re-ignited my interest in history that remains nearly 10 years after taking him. Loved his intro "History is fiction, but the past is real" and the fact that he could use art and music to explain cultural shifts. Demanding? yeah a bit but you get out what you put in.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The reading is incredibly dense and hard to understand and when we're in class he offers us "group discussions" which don't help. When we ask for help about the reading he responds in a circular manner which ultimately clears nothing up. As a whole: too unclear and dense to be an intro to history class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This man changed my life. I took him as a freshman and it was very rewarding. Everyone on here who says he is "so hard" are fools. There isn't that much reading and it's very interesting compared to what it could be. Kangas is the best teacher I've ever had, hands down.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST202
• 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:

Very difficult but very rewarding. Learned tons! Lots of reading and grades harshly. Assignments are a little ridiculous. But will read b4 and give you advice and totally worth it for the stuff you learn. Knows his stuff!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is soooo hard and participation is key. He expects you to say at least 4 comments. The reading is difficult and you have to write about everything you read. It is so hard, you guys. But if you are really into history you will do well, but if you have other hard classes on top of this one- stay away!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST120
• 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 class I have EVER taken. Not only was the reading difficult, but it was also just incredibly boring. His answers to your questions are circular and discussions never get anywhere. Less history and more philosohpy.