History/Govt Concentrations

<p>Anyone know what professors are wonderful in these departments? Thought about taking a history class under Prof James Hankins this summer and maybe another history or a government class.</p>

<p>I am a freshman at another college in the northeast who is changing his major and thought I might get "caught up" by taking a couple of classes this summer @ Harvard. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Some of my friends are literally in love with Hist Prof Caroline M. Elkins. I think her area of expertise is African history.</p>

<p>Hankins didn't do very well in Harvard's CUE guide (the class/professor evaluations). He taught the Renaissance in Florence, and recieved a 3.6/5, while the average for the department was 4.2.</p>

<p>I sent you a PM just<em>forget</em>me. Thank you so much for the info!</p>

<p>Harvey Clefan Mansfield Jr. is AWESOME.</p>

<p>Seriously, he can kill Chuck Norris with the power of his mind. Don't screw with the Mansfield.</p>

<p>Harvey "C minus" Mansfield Jr.</p>

<p>Thanks for all of you helping! Could you look up one more professor in Govt in the ratings - Beth Simmons for Govt S-1740 International Law which is a summer seminar?!</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>Also, anyone know how the seminars are? I notice this one is taught from Mon-Thurs 9-11:30 and required sections also arranged but only taught July 24-Aug 18.</p>

<p>Simmons taught Philosophy 8: Introduction to the History of Early Modern Philosophy, and recieved a 4.9 (!) in the CUE. The class was graded as difficult (3.9/5).</p>

<p>Hey - would you mind checking once more for me - are you sure that wasn't Alison Simmons who taught Philosophy? Beth Simmons is a Govt Professor. Sorry to be so much trouble, but you are really being a big help to us!</p>

<p>bbhouston's right. Here's Beth Simmon's evaluation:</p>

<p>Her course on International Law got a 4.0/5 (average is 4.2); she herself got a 4.6 (average is 4.4). The response rate for the evaluation is extremely low--less than 30%--but the numbers are similar to the evaluation she got in a previous year with a 96% response rate. I'll clip from the most important parts of the eval:</p>

<pre><code> Those surveyed praise Professor Beth A. Simmons for being excellent (33%), interesting (11%), clear (30%), and organized (48%). They find her to be enthusiastic (26%), engaging (11%), and knowledgeable (15%). 19% describe her lectures as valuable.
</code></pre>

<p>81% of course veterans unconditionally recommend Government 1740. They call it interesting (11%) and a good introduction to international law (43%).
Respondents cite the lectures (23%) and the interesting subject matter (23%) as the strengths of the course. They point to the long lectures (15%) and the heavy reading load (31%) as weaknesses.</p>

<p>Workload is 2.5, difficulty 3.1, which is average for gov classes. Workload in humanities classes rarely ever goes above 2.5, though; all you'll find is that people just won't do any more work than that, even if it's assigned. This used to be demonstrated quite nicely back when the CUE asked you what percentage of the reading you did along with how many hours per week you spent on the course.</p>

<p>So: she got average/respectable ratings. If you like International Law, you'll probably like the course.</p>

<p>Thanks so much everyone for your help!</p>

<p>Last summer, did anyone take Intellectual Property (GOVT S-1130) taught by Allan A. Ryan, Jr., or Legal Writing (CREA S-175) taught by Gilbert Whittlemore?</p>

<p>Also, could someone check and see what Hankins (History prof) rating was based on? Interested in the class HIST S-1474 Republics and Republicanism.</p>

<p>Sorry to be so much trouble!</p>