AI Rate Professor

History

Paul Swendson

HIST101 · HIST180 · HIS175 · HIST100 · HIST175 · HIST5486 · HISTG175 · HST175 · HIST170 · HISTORY170 · 70 lifetime ratings

AI rating
65/100
RMP rating
3.8/5
Take again
71.43%
Difficulty
3.0

The decision

if you like lively history lectures and will keep up with reading, but if you need a low-effort GE.

Best fit · Effort For RewardEngaging LecturesHeavy ReadingTough QuizzesClear CriteriaOpinionated
  • Students often praise Swendson as funny, passionate, and engaging in lecture.
  • The class is not a free A because reading, quizzes, articles, and .
  • Reviews are polarized, with some students loving the structure and others criticizing harsh grading, rude communication, or biased content.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

60/100

A good grade is realistic if students read, attend, and study, but many reviews reject the idea of a low-effort A.

Online reviews directly say it is not a breeze but manageable with work, while , and quizzes.

Is the course easy?

Standard

48/100

The history content is understandable and often engaging, but and .

Online sections can feel faster and reading-heavy, while and article details.

Is attendance flexible?

Recommended

38/100

as formally mandatory, but many reviews say you need class notes, pop quizzes, or .

Attendance pressure is mainly in in-person reviews, while online and workload.

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

68/100

He is recommended by students who value engaging lectures and , but not by those seeking an easy or neutral class.

In-person reviews are more positive about lectures, while online reviews , and course materials.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

52/100

Grading is usually seen as fair if students do the reading, but .

Format shift

Online grading has mixed reviews including harsh discussion grading, while but test-heavy.

Workload

Moderate

42/100

The workload is manageable but reading-heavy, with , and occasional papers or projects.

Format shift

Online sections emphasize reading and discussion work, while , and attendance.

Teaching experience

Good

74/100

Many students find him funny, passionate, and clear, but recurring complaints about rudeness, bias, and .

Format shift

, while online teaching has more complaints about engagement and feedback.

Assessment method

FocusOnExams

72/100

, and reading-based questions more than routine homework.

Format shift

Online sections use discussions, quizzes, readings, and assignments, while quizzes, and test essays.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

41 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person reviews usually praise his humor and lectures, but many warn that , and .

Main concern

The main concern is that tests and and lecture notes.

What students said

“This guy is hilarious. He seem passionate about the subject he teaches.”
HIS175
“LOTS of reading, but if you complete the reading and study his lectures (not just the powerpoint but actually what he says) you should get an A.”
HIST175
“ funny guy and i enjoyed sitting in his classes listening to his jokes, but when test time came around it was INSANELY HARD!!”
HIST170

Remote format

Online

9 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

Online reviews are mixed, with some students calling the class clear and easy with effort while others report heavy reading, poor feedback, or inappropriate book content.

Main concern

The and inconsistent student experience in online sections.

What students said

“don't expect this class to be a breeze or an “easy A””
HIST170
“He makes you work for your grade however”
HISTORY170
“ .”
HIS175

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

because quizzes and tests are reading-heavy and sometimes difficult, though several students say they are fair with preparation.

Reading-Based QuizzesPop QuizzesFinal EssayTough TestsExtra Credit In Some Sections

Assessment risk

Standard

45/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

, and tough tests, but do not clearly prove proctoring or open-book rules.

Six QuizzesFinal EssayPop QuizzesLecture-Based Tests
“6 quizzes and 1 final essay.”
HIS175
“ , so make sure you read.”
HIST175
“Tests are 70% lectrue/30% Book Reading.”
HIST175

Online

, and assignments, but do not clearly prove webcam, proctoring, Lockdown Browser, open-book, midterm, or final policies.

QuizzesDiscussion PostsReading-Based Work
“It's important to do the readings and participate in discussions.”
HIST170
“Blocked correct answers from 8 quizzes (worth 20 points) and 30+ PSAs/review assignments”
HIS175

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“If your looking for an easy A or a ( i barely did anything class ) this is not it.”

Voice snapshots generated from 50 reviews, highlighting key themes in , and format differences. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

74/100

“This guy is hilarious. He seem passionate about the subject he teaches.”

📚 Effort Required

60/100

“He makes you work for your grade however”

⚖️

52/100

“If you put in the work you'll get a good grade.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • He makes lectures really fun
  • Professor Swendson is a passionate teacher who seeks engaging students during his lectures.
  • Very unprofessional and inappropriate.

Theme 2

📚

  • LOTS of reading, but if you complete the reading and study his lectures (not just the powerpoint but actually what he says) you should get an A.
  • This professor had us read chapters 1 to 6 within a week of starting the course.
  • You have to work for your grade.

Theme 3

🧪

  • the and oddly worded.
  • THE ARTICLES.
  • funny guy and i enjoyed sitting in his classes listening to his jokes, but when test time came around it was INSANELY HARD!!

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

50

Recent reviews read by the AI

70

Lifetime ratings

97/100

Evidence confidence

The rating is based on 50 reviews across many years with consistent themes of , and .

Inside 50 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 529
4 out of 520
3 out of 58
2 out of 56
1 out of 57

Course coverage

HIST17527 reviews
HIS1758 reviews
HISTG1755 reviews
HIST1704 reviews
HIST1001 review
Show 5 more courses
HIST1011 review
HIST1801 review
HIST54861 review
HISTORY1701 review
HST1751 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

26 reported outcomes

A range

14

A+ 1 · A 11 · A- 2

B range

5

B+ 3 · B 2

C range

3

C+ 1 · C 2

D range

2

D 2

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

2

Not sure yet 2