Matthew Berg - John Carroll University

Professor: Matthew Berg

Department: TBD

College: John Carroll University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HS336
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good professor. Taken him 3 times at the time of this review. Class structure is always the same. 3 main papers, weekly discussion boards (can get old really quick), a Presentation + Paper, and participation. He has students present material from readings and comments as they do it. Wish he lectured more to be honest. He is a fair grader.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HS230
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The grade was made up of discussion questions on readings, 3 papers, and a presentation + presentation paper. He is a tough grader, but if you put in effort he will recognize that. If you participate in class discussions and go to his office hours he will consider that in your final grade. Just know, he can be intimidating

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HS396
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It was definitely a challenging course for a freshman who is not a History major. I was able to improve my writing and reading comprehension skills quite a bit. Office hours will allow him to see the work you put in outside the classroom. The class will require research if you are not familiar with the material.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HS396
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the most valuable classes I took freshman year. Berg was a fantastic professor with a high degree of dedication to both his teachings and his students. Not a hard grader at all, rather a fair one. You will have to put in some effort to receive the grade you want, but you will come out of the course with much more knowledge.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HS336
• 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:

Do not take this class unless you are a history major. This was my most time consuming class with reading up to 150 pages per night. Be prepared to read and write and if you do take this class be sure to go to his office hours. He is an extremely hard grader. After week 4 classes were student presentations over the readings for that day.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PJHR101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Berg was extremely difficult to have my first semester of college. The reading can be very long and complicated if you're not a history/political science major. He lectures and tries to include the class every day. He expects A LOT of detail in the papers. My final paper was 10 pages and I only got a B- on it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HS116
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Berg is a good teacher. He really makes sure you want to know your stuff. He's very knowledgeable about his history and wants everyone to know what he does.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HS125
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

100 level with 300 level effort required. Interesting subject matter if you are a humanitarian and think everything is butterflies and rainbows. Only read for the papers and presentation and got an A- cause I wrote a final paper

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HS125
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Demanding but made expectations clear. Always there for feedback. Values reading and good writing. Wants to see you do well in the course and develop skills you can take with you after college. Not a lot of patience for slackers. But hey, it's college. If you want multiple choice tests, stay in high school.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 125
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Berg is the WORST professor I have had here at Carroll. He has made this 100 level class into a 300 level thinking class with minimal work. First off, lectures go off into so many directions and the readings just do not make sense. Secondly the only way to get an A on a paper is if you write 10 pages for a 6pg paper... Terrible teacher!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HS125
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable professor. However he makes his class that is supposed to be a 100 level nearly impossible. Sometimes you have 100 pages of reading for homework. Lectures are often unclear and papers are even worse. He may have the intentions of making you a better writer but that is not possible when the comments on the paper cant be read.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST464
• 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:

Dr. Berg is a fantastic professor. He is extremely knowledgeable, really believes in the subject matter and is always available to help students. His courses challenge students to think critically and form opinions which is what makes him a great teacher. Wish I had taken more of his courses.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HS151
• 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:

took him got an a- but it was a battle hes a tough grader but he really does help you in your writing and hes totally fair in grading make sure u go to class and engage in discussion its 20% of your grade he hates tardiness skipping mispelling and bad word usage id totally recommend him if you plan on going to grad school he ups your writin vry wel

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HS121
• 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:

Berg is simply wonderful he challenges the status quo at John Carroll (flag waiving patriotism) he is hard but he really pushes you academically to write better and really analyze your text getting an A really requires you to participate schedule office hours and dig deep into the subject matter you will come out knowing something and he's 2 funny!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HS420
• 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:

Yes, Berg was difficult but he was never unfair and was incredibly interesting in class. He pushed students to be analytical and better writers.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HS261
• 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 is very intimidating and a very hard grader. However, you will become a much better writer and researcher (VERY IMPORTANT FOR HISTORY MAJORS!) by taking his class. Great class discussions and presentations, but be prepared to work hard to get a good grade. Totally worth it, you'll feel good about yourself after you complete the research paper

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FYS101
• 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:

Be prepared to put A LOT of effort into the papers. You MUST come to class and he loves participation. Don't expect to get an A unless you put 200% into the class. I had to work HARD for my B-... good luck.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HST261
• 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:

Fabulous instructor! Knows his stuff-a true scholar. Labor intensive class but your writing skills will soar by the end. I got off to a bad start but recovered beautifully. He can be intimidating (I almost dropped the class) but I need this for my HST major. If you are having trouble, go to the Writing Center. Key: research like crazy!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HS261
• 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:

Well, usually there's only one section of 261 and its a requirement and so you have to take Berg. He grades hard, no doubt. If you keep on top of things, you'll be in good shape. He will help you with your writing skills so if you are planning to go to grad school or law school or something you have to take this guy. You will learn alot.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HS336
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class was fascinating but he is a balls hard grader. I am an A student and got a B in the class. I saw him in his office many times to talk about how to write papers and he still dishes out B's...Basically if you are a grad student this is the guy for you - if not - hold off for now.