HIUS 3654

*NOTE TAKEN IN FALL 2025 BUT WOULD NOT LET ME SELECT AS AN OPTION

-I Highly recommend this class! Though it has a reputation for being an easy A and I took it to fulfill a college requirement, I genuinely feel like I walked away learning something and having a better understanding of the complexity of UVA’s history. Prof. Harold is SUPER passionate about this course, and is a great lecturer who can sometimes even be hilarious. In terms of content, you delve into key decades in UVA’s history and African American figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the university to what it is today. Along with this, she also provides context on what is happening in the US and the World at the same time these events are unfolding at UVA. I really appreciate how she was able to connect what we learned in class to super recent times. It really made the material we learned feel real. The class consists of Attendance/Participation, 2 Reflection papers, 5 quizzes, a Midterm exam, and a final project. Prof. Harold always provides a study guide in advance for the quizzes and exam, so you are equipped to perform well. The final project is somewhat comprehensive, but allows for you to really delve into complexities of history at UVA and the Black experience. My only gripe with this course is it is very disorganized. Prof. Harolds lectures can be a little all over the place, she really does not utilize Canvas to its full potential and sometimes even had us turn assignments in on paper. She just really doesn’t utilize technology for her class, like for example would still pass out a physical sheet for attendance everyday. That being said, I definitely recommend this class it is a great way to fulfill a requirement, an easy A, and honestly a super meaningful class.

Took this in Fall 2025, Professor Harold is one of the best professors I've ever had. She is a representation of how all professors should be—welcoming, understanding, knowledgeable, and passionate. Black Fire itself is a fascinating class, that you never once will be stressed about but instead will constantly faced with gripping material. The class and Harold's teachings make this class very worth it, and one of my favorite classes I've taken in my life. She creates a genuine community in the class, and I looked forward to it every day. Can't recommend it enough. #tCFfall25