John Monfasani - University at Albany (SUNY Albany)

Professor: John Monfasani

Department: TBD

College: University at Albany (SUNY Albany)

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS235
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is a very easy class to pass if you put in the work. He can sometimes be condescending but that's because he expects everyone to pay attention and take part in class discussion. He expects a lot, but gives you all the materials you need to get a good grade. As long as you take a lot notes you don't even really need to read the material.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AHIS 339
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is one of those classes that might make you choose between it, and a job or other class. Intelligent, but repetitive, hard to follow in lectures, and condescending. Rely on readings and test study sheets, and be ready for vague or trick questions on the literature, which can ruin you.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Alot of reading and a tough grader, but I have to thank him for raising my standards on what good work is. While he isn't a bad guy he can at times be condescending. Doesn't deserve the negative comments on this page. Recommended for history majors, if you are looking for an easy elective stay away. Study guides tell you what will be on exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST339
• 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 is a tough grader, but I can't say it's unfair because he lets you know literally EVERYTHING that will be on the exam the week prior, so he expects details, not vague ideas. Recommended for committed students, you can't breeze through the class. A lot of reading but if you do the work you will be fine. He is arrogant, but is also helpful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took his Renaissance class and it was one of the hardest I've had done at SUNY. Even though he is very knowledgeable on the subject, none of the things he lectured on in class were on the tests. The readings were no help either. His lectures are very scatter brained and jump all over the place. I would not recommend this course to anyone.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AHIS338
• 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: N/A

Comment:

I have taken three classes with Prof. Monfasani, and I can say it was well worth it. Monfasani is for the history diehards who are able to dedicate time and effort to specific subjects. He much kinder to Grad students though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are looking for an easy class, skip this professor. If you are looking to be challenged, then Monfasani is the prof for you. Always avail after class if you seek him out, and very willing to work with you if you show an honest attempt to do his work. The readings are challenging but doable. Sometimes a bit hard to hear, but good lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although he has a lot of negative comments, he is still a good professor and a good lecturer. Remember we are here to hear him speak. Even though it would be nice, he shouldnt have to go out of his way to help you!! Thats what TAs are for....He is incredibly knowledgeble just take ALOT of notes, and youll be ok

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AHIS338
• 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:

I took Monfasani's Class on the history of the Italian Renaissance and have been extremely disappointed. His lectures are hard to follow, as he jumps around all over the place. He's extremely condescending. He once spent five minutes destroying a student for answering a question wrong. I suggest you take this class only if you really like Renassain

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AHIS339
• 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:

Lectures seemed to jump from topic to topic and half of the info he gave was not on the exams. Expects students to read an enormous amount of books and then makes fun of the students when they cant answer his questions...unless you have to, dont take a class with him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AHIS339
• 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:

though i was apprehensive about taking one of his courses due to the negative responses on this site, i did not find him to be nearly as horrible as people said, his tests and reads are very fair, you just need to put in the time in order to study what he gives you. He is condescending tho and doesnt let you get ur question out which is annoying.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIS130
• 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:

While i tried to keep interested in the topics, he just scrambles up everything in the lecture. I never know what hes talking about. He is very condescending so don't get caught leaving early or watching a movie on ur laptop. Material is do-able tho. TAs are pretty fair graders. The books were annoying but I won't say I didn't learn anything.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST339
• 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:

confusing, disjointed lectures which were occasionally very informative. The reading was extreme, unless this is your only class or you can read quickly with comprehension. The grading on reading assignments is harsh. He should decrease the reading and stop complaining about the quality of the students at SUNY. It's rude and counter-productive.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The comments here are proof of what Prof. Monfasani complains about- the fact that SUNY Albany has lowered its standards to admit under-qualified students with bad grammar, who are uncommitted to real learning (i.e. being challenged intellectually) and who just want to skate by. College shouldn't be a degree factory, but SUNY is now.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HISTANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly intelligent with very high standards. If you are interested in the material and willing to put the work in, you will love him. But you definitely can't skate through any of his classes or he will fail you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AHIS130
• 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:

One thing I didn't get about this guy. He brags about how many students he failed and all that when he actually doesn't even grade the tests or quizes!? He takes attendance and yet teaches you squad! Leave his classes as the last option!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIS130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

you must use the text because you will gain NOTHIGN from going to his class. He's terribly boring and rude, however attendance is mandatory. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from his classes! WORST PROFESSOR EVER.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AHIS130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this guy is the WORST drop his class or be ready for a semester of torture with his crackly voice lecturing about useless information that has nothing to do with what he tests you on and he LOVES to fail people he brags about failing whole classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Monfasani constantly talks about how undecated you are and how Suny albany is an easy and bad school. Sounds like a mix between Jadakiss and a pubescent young boy. Very intelligent but really conceded and into his lectures. He needs a reality check on teaching. Be prepared to complain all the time about this class and feel insulted by Monfasani.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIS130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

probably the worst teacher I have ever encountered