Laurie Manchester - Arizona State University

Professor: Laurie Manchester

Department: TBD

College: Arizona State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved this class. Yes, it is a ton of work but the discussion board assignments are really interesting and the quizzes keep you on top of everything. She is passionate about the topic and the events you learn about are fascinating. Gives you a study guide for the tests, which are hard but do-able. If you participate in class she bumps you up.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class was a lot of fun, but very lecture heavy and that can sometimes be a drag. It was an easy A and the teacher gives a clear rubric of what she wants. The TA is maybe the fastest grader I have seen, expect your grade back next day or day after. Would recommend for any history fans.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Very passionate

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is super boring, the assignments are terrible and are no fun to do. Sometimes aka all the time they don't even relate to class. I HATE IT.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HST304
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though she encourages you to have an opinion, if you disagree with hers, you are wrong. It is impossible to argue your grade. Her TA is just as incompetent. She's intelligent but makes the class so difficult it is not enjoyable.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HST304
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The material in the course is interesting and the work is easy, just a lot of it. The Prof. stresses that there is no wrong answer as this is supposed to be how you interpreted the Soviet Union as it is depicted in the movies. She then tells you you're wrong. She has her own views of the Soviet Union so you have to agree with her or kill your grade

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HST304
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Class was so-so, the grading was a bit ridiculous and the class was a little tough, but she only gave us 3 minutes to take quizzes and the final was two essay questions with a 30 minute time limit. give us at least an hour like everyone else. The TA seemed to take points off your work just for the sake of doing it with no real feedback.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HST304
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting material--harder than it needs to be. Her TA arbitrarily marks things down, and she's rather unpleasant. If you're looking to work hard for an A, go elsewhere.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

As anything but a history major, this was a fairly simple - yet challenging, history class. It spans an extremely long period of time covering a ton of concepts. Classes are the same every lecture. If you don't like white background powerpoints with one picture and a bunch of words, prepare to be annoyed. Discussion board, quiz and midterm grades.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is an amazing professor and gives AMAZING lectures. If you don't like history don't take the class. It is an easy class to pass but it is even better if you are interested in history. She is very passionate about Russian history. I learned a lot in her class. Quiz every week but easy to pass if you study a little before and listen in class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HST436
• 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:

Dr. Manchester was refreshing. She has a deep knowledge and passion for Soviet history and it shows throw her lectures. Watching her get excited about the material made it fun to learn. Her personal anecdotes about Russia were informative and entertaining. If you're going to class and actively participating, you shouldn't have much trouble.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really liked Dr. Manchester and she is a great lecturer... However, for all of our written assignments, there was no rubric to speak of and she was not the grader. The TA who graded all of our written discussions seemed to arbitrarily mark down things for no reason and Dr. Manchester unfortunately backed all of his decisions.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I made the mistake of taking this class because I am not interested at all in history (HST 104). Although the teacher is very brilliant and knowledgeable in what she teaches, it's extremely tedious work (opinion). If you're looking for an Easy A, don't take this class. If you're really into European-based history, go for it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HST104
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

AWESOME teacher. I would like to take her upper division classes next year. Shes extremely smart, and knows what she is talking about. She is super energetic so its not possible to zone out during class. She is not a hard grader, as long as you try and get facts right, it is history of course, you'll be fine. As long as there is effort, easy A

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• 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 "teacher" is a microcosm of everything that is wrong with ASU.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• 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:

Prof Manchester is so helpful! When I found out I had to write a 15 page paper on revolutionary Russia, I assumed I'd be struggling for a C. She was so helpful, I ended up with a B+, and probably could have gotten an A if I had attended every class. Participation and attendance are required, but it is a fun and interesting class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HST436
• 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. Manchester is one of my fav professors. I've actually also taken HST 300, HST 435, and HST 354 with her. She is absolutely the most engaging lecturer I have ever had. I've learned so much about Russian history and learned to love it. Class is not hard, as long as you listen and take good notes, and do the readings.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST436
• 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:

She is a great professor. She is passionate about what she teaches but just as importantly, she is passionate about teaching itself. There is a lot of reading but it's almost all interesting (memoirs, diaries, etc) this class will be serious work and coming to class is important to getting a good grade, but she is fair and you know what to expect.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HST435
• 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:

Manchester is fabulous! I took her 300 class too, and I love her approach to history. She encourages critical thinking, class discussion, and picks really interesting primary sources for her syllabus (lots of diaries). She can be blunt, and her class isn't a cakewalk, but don't worry-- she's extremely helpful if you approach her. Great professor!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST300
• 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:

Professor Manchester is challenging, but at the end of the semester you feel that you truly learned. You will be expected to read a lot and participate in discussion, your grade will depend on it. If you are not serious about history or your future in the academic field, perhaps you should not take the class. If you consider grad school, take it!