HIST 97C
Introduction to Historical Practice: Variable Topics in European History
Description: Seminar, three hours. Discussion classes of no more than 15 students. Introduction to study of history, with emphasis on historical theory and research methods. Variable topics courses; consult Schedule of Classes for topics to be offered in specific term. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 0.0
Units: 0.0
3 of 3
AD
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2022 - I took this class in the fall of 2022 and at first it was pretty good but then it soon became quite difficult. Apparently this class was considered an honors class so I guess it makes sense as to why it was kinda tough. She does have clear biases towards some students. She really values participation and in some cases will call on you if you do not participate. However, shes quite strict with her writing requirement and would assign our 7-10 page papers like a week before it was due so that was really annoying. shes also a really tough grader but all in all shes super knowledgeable person. i did enjoy the classes and a lot of the stuff we read was interesting (though there were some books that were so boring). Thats another thing too. There is A LOT to read in this class and it was heavy in that sense.
Fall 2022 - I took this class in the fall of 2022 and at first it was pretty good but then it soon became quite difficult. Apparently this class was considered an honors class so I guess it makes sense as to why it was kinda tough. She does have clear biases towards some students. She really values participation and in some cases will call on you if you do not participate. However, shes quite strict with her writing requirement and would assign our 7-10 page papers like a week before it was due so that was really annoying. shes also a really tough grader but all in all shes super knowledgeable person. i did enjoy the classes and a lot of the stuff we read was interesting (though there were some books that were so boring). Thats another thing too. There is A LOT to read in this class and it was heavy in that sense.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - Tutino is a very challenging, but helpful professor. In the 97 Seminar, she has her students develop arguments using evidence from the readings. This may sound like a simple exercise, but Tutino is relentless and will pick your argument apart down to word choice. While defending your argument will be very tough and stressful (it was probably the most stress I ever been under in class that was not a test), she does this for your benefit and it really helped me to understand the process of arguing a historical thesis. Tutino is a very good professor who cares about her students and their learning. She begins class, and sometimes even halts discussion, just talking to her students asking about their weekend, interests, or just for the sack of talking. She is also hilariously Italian and it shows sometimes!
Winter 2016 - Tutino is a very challenging, but helpful professor. In the 97 Seminar, she has her students develop arguments using evidence from the readings. This may sound like a simple exercise, but Tutino is relentless and will pick your argument apart down to word choice. While defending your argument will be very tough and stressful (it was probably the most stress I ever been under in class that was not a test), she does this for your benefit and it really helped me to understand the process of arguing a historical thesis. Tutino is a very good professor who cares about her students and their learning. She begins class, and sometimes even halts discussion, just talking to her students asking about their weekend, interests, or just for the sack of talking. She is also hilariously Italian and it shows sometimes!
Most Helpful Review
If you want to do well in Urdank's class you have to become passionate about European history, at least until the quarter is over. Urdank is kind of like a happy sea turtle. If you bother him, he will contract back into his shell. Who knows what he does inside of his shell... probably research I'd assume. But if you wax his shell with knowledge, he will poke his head out and begin to enlighten you. He is from the east coast, so don't diss New York or you'll end up with an automatic B. There is just no helping that. It's part of his grading formula. But anyways, take Urdank because he is a great storyteller. When he lectures you will find that the walls of the room will disappear, your classmates will all be wearing 18th century garb, and you will be walking past the Bastille on a sunny day in July of 1789. There is no better history teacher than the one who makes you feel like you have travelled back in time. He is one of them. Also, Urdank has strong convictions on ethics. I believe he is conservative-minded, but not necessarily in the reactionary right-wing, tea party sense. It's wonderful when he goes off on tangents about current events. If you take him, you should try to rattle his cage a little bit and get him off track. You will find that Urdank knows a hell of a lot more about the world than just history. I was in awe when he spoke on economics one morning. Surprisingly too, he's actually a lenient grader. I was not expecting this from a guy who reviews PHD dissertations! Man o man. When I submitted my midterm I was like, 'damn I probably got a C on this one'. But then when he gave it back I got an A! and he told me, 'your paper made me laugh'. That was pretty cool. I think the whole class sort of fell off near the end, but I mean, who cares. It was fun. I'd do it again.
If you want to do well in Urdank's class you have to become passionate about European history, at least until the quarter is over. Urdank is kind of like a happy sea turtle. If you bother him, he will contract back into his shell. Who knows what he does inside of his shell... probably research I'd assume. But if you wax his shell with knowledge, he will poke his head out and begin to enlighten you. He is from the east coast, so don't diss New York or you'll end up with an automatic B. There is just no helping that. It's part of his grading formula. But anyways, take Urdank because he is a great storyteller. When he lectures you will find that the walls of the room will disappear, your classmates will all be wearing 18th century garb, and you will be walking past the Bastille on a sunny day in July of 1789. There is no better history teacher than the one who makes you feel like you have travelled back in time. He is one of them. Also, Urdank has strong convictions on ethics. I believe he is conservative-minded, but not necessarily in the reactionary right-wing, tea party sense. It's wonderful when he goes off on tangents about current events. If you take him, you should try to rattle his cage a little bit and get him off track. You will find that Urdank knows a hell of a lot more about the world than just history. I was in awe when he spoke on economics one morning. Surprisingly too, he's actually a lenient grader. I was not expecting this from a guy who reviews PHD dissertations! Man o man. When I submitted my midterm I was like, 'damn I probably got a C on this one'. But then when he gave it back I got an A! and he told me, 'your paper made me laugh'. That was pretty cool. I think the whole class sort of fell off near the end, but I mean, who cares. It was fun. I'd do it again.
3 of 3
