HIEU 3321

This class was really interesting. The amount of reading was pretty typical of a history class, but the class qualifies for the 2nd writing requirement, which means we wrote a LOT. (The main part of our grade was a 17 page term paper). Even if you get behind on the reading, Parshall is such a fantastic lecturer that you don't feel lost. She lectures in a very logical and linear way, and never fails to write important dates and details on the board.

I cannot in good conscience allow Mrs. Parshall's name be attached to this class on The Course Forum with a positive connotation. While this course should have been interesting to a fourth year history major, it turned out to be the most stressful class of the semester. If you are not one of her favorite students, no work you present will be good enough. For example, in the 17-page research paper we prepared (not for a final - there was a comprehensive final exam, too), I quoted her directly from lecture and found the quote stricken with the word "WRONG" over top of it in my graded paper. The reading is laborious, the writing is arduous, and the lectures involve too much mathematical explanation and Mrs. Parshall reading directly from assigned readings. I whole-hearted recommend against taking a course with Mrs. Parshall, unless you happen to be a masochist.

Professor Parshall is AWESOME! Shes one of the nicest ladies i've ever had as a professor and she is very knowledgeable about the course material. This class is very difficult and I wouldn't recommend taking it as a first year or as an easy elective, but if you're interested, it is very fun and informative.

Oh man this class. I took it because I'm trying to double major and possibly minor and it knocked out both my history and second writing requirements. If you're really interested in history (especially ancient Greece and European Renaissance) I'd recommend this class. If you're interested in science and government and just want to knock out a couple requirements (like me) I would not recommend this. I did okay - I got a B+ - because I really got my shit together for the last essay and the final.

READING - There is a ton of it. Probably an hour to two hours or so (I'm kind of a slow reader - and occasionally we had to read entire books before class) for each class. I'm gonna be honest--I didn't do all the readings. I took very diligent notes in class so I didn't necessarily need the reading for course content. However, make sure you buy all the books and bring them to class with you. The passages that she reads aloud are VERY IMPORTANT for the midterm and the final.

WRITING - Other reviewers have talked about the final essay. Yeah it's a pain. Make sure you go to office hours to talk about your paper throughout the process.

EXAMS - There is a midterm and a final that are equally weighted at 20%. I did horribly on the Midterm (I got a 50%) which was curved up to a C because the class as a whole did pretty terribly. Be aware that there is a LOT of course content--all of which will be covered on the exams. The final exam took me 2 hours and 45 minutes. Most people finished about 20 minutes before I did. This one girl, however, literally walked out after an hour 'cause she just couldn't take it anymore. Make sure you study your ass off for the final. Also both exams are completely free response.

LECTURES - Mrs. Parshall is actually a pretty great lecturer. It's a 75 minute class, so it did tend to drag on. However, she is incredibly good at presenting information in a logical, meaningful way. They can be entertaining, and there's enough content that you can ask meaningful questions. Speaking of which, participation is a part of your grade. And Mrs. Parshall did seem to play favorites. It became clear that she really, really liked the people that pointed out things and asked questions. She's also really good at replying to emails if you email her a question. I'm not saying that trying to make yourself a favorite will make her grade your essays easier, but honestly I think it did help my grade that she liked me.

The class is interesting. I enjoyed the lectures. However, the workload is unbelievable. We had 2-page responses to the weeks reading, a 5-page paper, and a 15-page paper. The papers are meticulously graded. Even though I became a stronger writer after office hours and definite improvement in my writing my grades on them did not change. It's very discouraging. Not only that, but there was a long mid-term and an excruciating final. The main issue I had was the fact that she plays favorites and if she does not like you...well, good luck! For example, participation counts in this class, but because I wasn't her favorite, she literally would not call on me when I raised my hand. This class kept me up at night worrying because no matter how many people edited my papers, including the writing center and peers, I expected nothing above a certain grade. I never felt good enough, no matter how much effort I put in during this class.

Do not take this class. I had a sense of shame every time I walked into this woman's room. The workload is unbelievable for a 3000-level history course. She is the most nit-picky grader I've ever encountered, and no matter how much effort you give, you will never reach her standards. With every writing improvement I made, she found a new thing to criticize. The course material is interesting, but she picks favorites in class and the same 3 kids talk for 75 minutes while sucking up to her the whole time. If you're not one of her favorites, good luck chief. Took this as a politics major just looking to fulfill my second writing requirement, and it ended up being my hardest class by far. Constant assignments, not to mention a brutal midterm and final ON TOP OF a semester-long research paper. Stay far, far away from Karen Parshall. She probably gets stronger every time a negative review is written here.