Professor Gelvin is easily one of the best professors I've ever had. Take as many of his classes as you can. Personally I think this class was just challenging enough that it pushed me to think differently and didn't bore me, but was not so challenging that I was crying in Powell every night until 2am. If you do the work, you'll be fine. And seriously Professor Gelvin is a GEM, go to office hours as much as you can, just to hear more of his thoughts.

Prof Gelvin is a really funny guy and often tries to make jokes in class (although we don’t really get his jokes since he’s old school). He’s lectures are very engaging and materials that are taught in class are definitely relevant to everyone in this age.

This class was really interesting and had a lot of relevance for events today. Professor Gelvin and the TA Daniel were great! They were very helpful and definitely knew their stuff! The workload is not that bad, 2 papers, a small critique every week and a final at the end. I still don't know why I got an A- though as I aced the papers, got a 100% on the critiques, and though the final was easy. But, whatever, would definitely recommend this class!

This was a really interesting and relevant class. It spans a huge amount of history but Professor Gelvin selects certain events so it never becomes overwhelming or boring. The reading only comes in useful while completing the papers and even then only if you're notes are lacking. The lectures are extremely detailed and cover everything that you need. The sections were one of the best parts of this course. The TA, Daniel, was excellent at leading them and the entire class was fully engaged.

It is also very possible to do well in this course there are weekly critiques that amount to 20% of your grade and then two 6 page papers. So, the work load is also perfectly manageable.

I loved taking history 9D with professor Gelvin! He connects what you're learning with modern conflict and politics and the class gave me a lot clarity on the middle east. Every week you have to read one- three articles and write a one page analysis on them. There are also two essays that are based off of books. The books were pretty interesting, but don't leave the reading til the last minute cause it is a whole book. The essays are really easy to get A's on because he gives you a list of questions that you have to answer and if you answer all of them and don't mess up grammar too much you'll get an A. Gelvin is also really funny!

he is definitely a smart guy. you will love his sense of humor. dont pay attention on every single detail you hear in the lectures. if you take history 9D just understand the relationship between weekly readings and make sure you get the ideas presented by TA. that's all you need to do for the final. for two papers on two books just reach the minimum page limit thats all. you got at least B+, me? i got an A-...

Gelvin is a great dude, and REALLY F*CKING SMART.

He has a no-nonsense approach. He is blunt about his intentions and expectations.

If you go to lecture, he will literally lay out all you need to know, in a clear outline form. He actually makes it painfully easy and simple to understand the material. And to all of you who aren't into history or Middle East history, he doesn't expect you to remember basically any names or dates.

The two papers are kind of annoying, as they are both about books that don't have a whole lot to do with the subject matter. The final is standard, IDs and essay questions. It's easy to prepare for the essay questions - as I said, he literally will lay out an outline FOR YOU in class.

I'm a Middle Eastern + North African Studies Major, so to the few of you who care about his perspective on modern Middle East politics - he basically thinks that all of the various populations/leaders of the Middle East are equally stupid. It's hilarious.

All in all, the papers are annoying, but reading is light and lectures are entertaining. Take the class.