Deborah Van Ells - American River College

Professor: Deborah Van Ells

Department: TBD

College: American River College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIS330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Its extremely problematic that the professor talks more about historical clothing/fashion (which is not part of the curriculum but is instead her interest) than the role/contributions of African American women in a class about women in US history. Avoid this professor.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIS310
• 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 really enjoyed Professor Van Ells class this semester. Her lectures were funny, informational and interesting to watch. If you don't want to be an adult and sign online and watch the lectures, read the book or do the homework, don't expect to get a good grade. I would take another class with her again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIS330
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

-The Prof is a mess. Modules posted late, assignments taking forever to be graded. Prof has high expectations of you and very low expectations of herself. -Inappropriately uses passive language in lectures ( C'mon now, words and language matter in a history class) If interested in history, do yourself a favor and find a different professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIS330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Deborah Van Ells is INCREDIBLE! Her lectures just feel like a friend telling you a dramatic story! I was completely enthralled by her, and I've always DESPISED History. After 27 years, she was the one who finally made it interesting. Fascinating, even. If you come to learn and be inspired, you will leave successful and enriched.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST311
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This proffesor is legit the most retarded professor to be alive, no hate to her but she doesn't teach good, her notes are a kindergarten level, She doesn't tell you your grade and doesn't post it on canvas so there is no way your going to know your failing, plus no make ups and if you miss a class and miss something even if its excused you can't.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST330
• 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:

I am just finishing Women in U.S. history and I really enjoyed it. Be sure to do the reading, you really can't skate by on the lectures alone. Class participation during the lectures is greatly encouraged. She seemed to really focus on not only getting her students to remember the facts but to ANALYZE the information for meaning and impact.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST330
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

History has never been my forte, but I passed this class with a C. I honestly was terrified but also loved this professor! She can be opinionated and have rude remarks, but she can also be very sweet and inspirational. I don't regret taking her class. Thank you for your amazing lectures and cool videos :)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

After taking the course with Professor Van Ells I was really disappointed and frustrated with how rude she is. I passed the class with a high B but there is so much reading and she cancelled 3 classes which made her get WAYYY behind. She didn't have very much organizational skills plus she gets OFF TOPIC way to much. She says rude comments!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIS330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very unorganized. She told us to study one part of the reading for our quiz and there was NOTHING in the quiz for that part. She is very knowledgeable in the subject, she's just all over the place with her teaching. I kinda felt like she was only there because shè had to be at times. Tests and quizzes are hard to understand as the wording off

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST311
• 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:

I really enjoyed her class! She is very passionate about history and is not boring at all! You MUST do all the reading and attend class if you want to get an A. Quizzes and exams are not hard if you do the reading and take notes!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST310
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Van Ells has a great personality, a bit intimidating. She requires ALOT of reading and not clear on what you should be reading for homework. Syllabus is unclear and only gave one study guide for the first test and that was it. She advised to skim through the chapters which was not a good idea. Tests were hard to prepare for.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 330
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She is an amazing an inspirational teacher. she says she just wants her students to become more interesting and i really think she achieves that. She makes you want to show up to class and really think about what you are learning. shes amazing

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 330HIST
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is unorganized, didn't have a full syllabus till semester was almost over. I personally asked for heads up for tests or quizzes and her response was "I don't spoon feed students". Wow, this isn't my first college class. I've been taking classes over the past 20yrs and this was my first time ever feeling like we inconvenienced our teacher.??

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher. She's hilarious, and thorough. Just have to learn her ways of learning :) great person , awesome, but as she says NOT a nurturer.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Van Ells was a great teacher. She really cares about her students and wants them to succeed. If you are having trouble she will help you. Also, part of her class is learning how to recognize significance, which is very helpful and will make reading her textbook, as well as textbooks for other classes easier. I enjoyed her class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HISTORY330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pretty easy class, pay attention and do the readings and you'll pass easily. She's very opinionated and is strong willed about HER views and side ... but she respects debates if you know what your talking about.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST330
• 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:

Overall, her class is fine but the format of it isn't very clear. Her way of lecturing is okay but she makes it confusing sometimes. The book that she required is super perplexing and very complicated. Has one essay but is taking her such a long time correcting it. Analyzing and finding the significance is a really complex thing in her class also.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST311
• 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:

She is a good lecturer, and that is pretty much it. Did not like the format of her class.Just knowing info is not enough in her class. Critical thinking, connecting the dots and analysing the significance of events and ppl is more important. If U are majoring in history take her class, if U take other important classes AVOID her at all costs.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST311
• 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:

Ms. Van Ells is one of my all-time favorites. A lot of people thought she was tough but it's just because they wanted an easy A. She is so intelligent. Also witty. I hate history and this teacher got me loving history. Never a boring lecture. She is very lively and clearly loves teaching. You will see the world differently after taking her class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class overall was interesting and I did learn alot. Dislikes were- She was rude, condescending, did not seem helpful to anyone, passive, unorganized. If you want a teacher who is on top of it-she would not be the one. Avoid her if possible, but good class overall.