<p>To those who are majoring or who majored/know people who are majoring or who majored in history: Who was your favorite professor and why? I am a prospective history major and through my research-and due to my particular interest in the U.S. South-I've become fascinated with John B. Boles. What is your opinion of his teaching? His historical interests are essentially the same as mine and I'm interested to read your replies.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I am a junior history major at Rice and I normally don’t post on these forums, but I saw this and couldn’t resist. John Boles is an amazing professor. I took his course my freshman year and found it fascinating. It is a lecture course and his ability to lecture keeps students engaged throughout the entire class. I learned a lot and had a great time in the class. Definitely one of my favorite professors. </p>
<p>In general, I highly recommend the history department at Rice. I really believe it is one of the best departments at the university. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>I have heard really good things. I never got the chance to take a class with him though.</p>
<p>He came to Martel and gave a lecture on the history of Rice last week and it was awesome.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear that such excellent professors are teaching in Rice’s History department–also not surprised! I had an inspirational APUSH teacher and a far-from-inspirational APWH teacher so I know from experience just how valuable a good instructor can be.</p>
<p>@riceowl12:</p>
<p>I’ve decided to take advantage of your kind offer and ask you a couple of questions! :)</p>
<p>What is the best history class you’ve taken at Rice? </p>
<p>Did history interest you in high school? If so, what was your favorite history class? If not, why did you choose to become a history major?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>
Was this the lecture? It’s a pretty interesting talk by Dr. Boles:
[url=<a href=“http://centennial.rice.edu/know-more/videos]Video”>http://centennial.rice.edu/know-more/videos]Video</a> Podcasts | Rice Centennial Celebration<a href=“it’s%20the%202nd%20video%20on%20the%20page” title=“Dr. John Boles discusses Edgar Odell Lovett and inspiration for the Centennial Celebration (2010)”>/url</a></p>
<p>Best history classes I’ve taken at Rice (I couldn’t narrow it down to just one)
HIST 395: The American South with John Boles (no surprise)
HIST 315: Blacks in the Americas with Alex Byrd and Ed Cox
HIST 378: Modern Arab History with Ussama Makdisi </p>
<p>History did interest me in high school and I actually came to Rice looking to pursue a degree in history, although I did try to double with a science major for my first year and a half I realized my true love was history so I dropped the other major. </p>
<p>My favorite HS history course was definitely APUSH.</p>
<p>Ahhh; all three of them sound interesting!
I will be so glad to study US History again in college; I miss APUSH.</p>
<p>At first, I was worried about the history department because Rice is so well known for its material sciences and engineering. I’m taking three history classes this semester, and I can tell you that all of them are terrific. The history department is particularly strong among the departments in the School of Humanities, so Rice attracts renowned historians like Douglas Brinkley, John Zammito, Cyrus Mody, Ussama Makdisi, among others. Check out the Galileo Project (galileo.rice.edu) and the history department’s website (history.rice.edu) to learn more.</p>
<p>I also highly recommend taking classes with Dr. Richard Smith and/or Dr. Lisa Balabanlilar, I am in their Intro to Asian Civ (also cross-listed as a history class iirc) class right now and they are both great (Dr. Huang is good too but tbh her subject interests me a bit less).</p>
<p>I second Dr. Balabanlilar… I took her class on the history of gardens a few years ago and it was awesome.</p>