Derek K. Hastings - Oakland University

Professor: Derek K. Hastings

Department: TBD

College: Oakland University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HST3000
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hastings is very knowledgable and wants his students to succeed. He offered great feedback on my papers and would stay after class to talk more about specifics. He understands that we're real people with real lives, which most professors don't. While you do have to put in the work, he makes it enjoyable.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved prof. Hastings! He's so genuinely kind. We only had 2 essays the whole semester (which were on pretty cool topics/pieces) & he was extremely accessible to talk to outside of class, as well as extremely approachable! He radiates that passionate, cool male-history-teacher-esque. His lectures are loaded, but very understandable. Overall, 10/10

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Hastings Is a really good professor. He cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He is very lecture heavy but a lot of his material his interesting. Participation is really important. Make sure to talk to him if you have any difficulties in his class. Portion of grade is participation. 2 papers, and 2 exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HST3485
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took a class about the politics of Nazi Germany taught by professor Hastings and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Very interested in his work, very easy to reach outside of class. A tough grader, but its not too bad as long as you understand the material-which he will certainly help with.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HST3485
• 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:

Amazing professor, very passionate about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. He's a bit of a tough grader, but definitely the best professor I've had at OU.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HST343495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hastings is a really great professor, I have enjoyed being in his class, however, I agree with the review that his classes are not for the weak. He is extremely lecture heavy and essay/paper heavy. He is also a pretty tough grader. His class is not the one to take for an easy A but I have learned a lot, he is a brilliant guy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST353
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hastings is a great guy but his classes are not for the weak. He loves what he does and even got choked up when we were watching a docu on the holocaust survivors. He cares but he is tough. Quizzes are expected but told before hand and the reading is a must. if you like history challenge yourself and take one of his courses.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HST101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! OU classes tend to be Condescending but his was not so. Definitely not a difficult professor if you like to write. Pop quizzes are short and so easy a monkey could do them. Midterm and final are essay and require study. Remember many specific facts in order on a topic rather than a general overview of it. He likes detail.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HST352
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Hastings might be a great guy, but he can be very condescending and unapproachable. His lectures are unreasonable in detail and length. He refused to provide an outline, expects you to copy his, and then lectures at lighting speed. I feel like his heart isn't in teaching but a necessity to be continue his research in Germany. Don't recommend.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST353
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He loves working with students and has lots of school spirit, which is great. He may seem intimidating at first, but once you get to know him, you discover that he is very approachable. He has lots of opinions but isn't preachy and encourages students to find their own greater meaning from the history he covers. OU is lucky to have him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, clearly knows his stuff. However, workload is hard for a 101 class. Three five pages papers, hard pop quizzes, and the midterm and final are very hard. Midterm and final had so much information (we needed to know 30 ID terms, four short essay topics, and four long essay topics). I would probably take him as an upperlevel prof.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HST343495
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hastings is extremely knowledgeable of his subject material. He really wants his students to succeed and will not hesitate to tell you how to get the grade you want. If you want an A your going to have to work for it. Very approachable. Taken him twice and would take him again. If you DON'T do the work you WILL NOT PASS.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HST101
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Great Professor. Very helpful and respectful of his students. Very knowledgeable on his subject as well. I would take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HST343
• 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:

Great professor, just be prepared to work for your grade. Two tests and one term paper. Test material seemed contradictory to what was emphasized in class though.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HST343
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm extremely suprised that no one yet has mentioned how fast this professor talks! He lectures very quick and rarely lets his students get a word in before he moves on. It is very hard to keep up with his pace, especially if you are not already an expert in the subject. Very knowledgeable, yet moves too fast.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HST353
• 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:

Professor Hastngs is extremely difficult and expects a lot out of you, but he is a great professor. Super nice guy who is always willing to help and makes a difficult topic very interesting. I was nervous to take him but really enjoyed his class. Highly recommend but come ready to work.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HST353
• 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:

At the top of the heap of a good history dept, Hastings power lectures from memory. Names, dates, Nazi methodology, all recalled instantly and fascinating to hear. Fair grader if you engage. Take...this...professor.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST343
• 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:

Awesome teacher and just a real genuine guy. If you make the effort to go to his office and speak with him, he will bend over backwards to help you succeed. Really cares about you as a person and not just a student. Still remembers you well after you take him. Take any, and all, classes you can with him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• 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:

Great teacher who has a tremendous amount of knowledge. He is always willing to talk with students after class and during office hours. He is willing to help you on your paper and point you in the right direction. The best professor I've had in college.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

German HST Since 1740. Excellent instructor, very detailed, knowledgeable, presents material in clear outline. Hard and expects a lot but you will enjoy learning.