Howard Smead - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Professor: Howard Smead
Department: History
College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A+
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
You are only graded by exams which makes the class more difficult, especially since he is a tough grader. However, he posts all of the lectures online and if you write the important points that he reiterates, you will do well on the exam. He knows a lot about history and you will learn a lot in the class.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: HIST208
  • Grade Received: C
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
All he does in class is lecture, which you can get online once he posts the slides. The only grades in the class are from 3 exams, all essay format. He is very knowledgeable and passionate, but he is a tough grader .. and the classes can be hard to sit through without falling asleep.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
If you take Professor Smead's class, basically those next weeks will be nothing. He lectures, and that's about it. The syllabus tells you what day each topic will be, and that basically tells you that you don't need to come to lecture at all. The only time people show up are for the exams, and sometimes those dates are subject to change.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
The class is quite easy. Professor Smead's lectures are very informative and i would recommend going to class. The book helps but is not really necessary. He also posts the slides and does lecture podcasts so you can hear everything he says. There were only 3 exams so make sure you study for them. Pretty easy A if you study for the exams
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Very lecture heavy, puts all of his lectures in the form of podcasts online as well as his power points therefore attendance is not a necessity but keeping up is. Not a class on memorization but rather on synthesis of the big picture ideas because the grades for this class are the 3 exams only and they are essay questions only.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
I LOVED Prof. Smead. Super knowledgeable about his field and I actually enjoyed every lecture because I love learning about History. He is really funny too and overall a VERY nice guy. He makes you work for the grade though, since exams are all essay question style and for an A you have to go really into detail and memorize all your dates & names
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: HIST101
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Smead is a great professor. Although politics can get in the way of his lectures just sit through it. If you're comfortable with your writing you and are fine with GOING to the lectures you'll be good. And by going I mean just sitting through the lectures hungover and somewhat listening. Got a 69.5% in HS english, 85% avg. on his exams.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347SU18
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
This class was honestly my favorite history class ever. Dr. Smead's podcast had an abundance of information, was very interesting to hear, as well as entertaining. His syllabus is very clear and organized. His powerpoints match his lectures. The required book and the assigned reading of it gives a brief, yet detailed summary of the topics.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Loved his class, despite it being at 8:30am. Hilarious, sarcastic guy who knew his stuff, and encouraged participation. If you want to learn the truth about the civil war, World War II, Watergate, he's the man. Only graded by 3 exams, the third which is your final. Just do the readings and you can get a B, more effort and the A is yours
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Your grade in the class is based on 2 exams and 1 final cumulative exam so you really need to know the material for the exams. The professor was alright, he knew what he was talking about but was boring. He was funny though but the class just dragged on and wasn't very engaging.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He does a pretty good job of explaining content, but his expectations for what you need to know are pretty vague. His lecture slides contain an outline of content. In order to get everything you need for the test, you need to come to class and take notes. There are 3 exams, each is 2 essays and definitions. 1 of the essays is based off of a book.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Decent teacher, very liberal though so he can get annoying. Your final grade is based on 3 exams 100 points each. Hes a tough grader so you have to know your material really well. Its almost impossible to get an A so study hard for that B.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Smead makes class interesting; which is important at an 8:30am. I loved learning from him and his knowledge and passion for the subject radiated when he gave his lectures. Unfortunately, his exams are the only grades in class, and it's very difficult to receive an A, no matter how much/how long you study. Read the assigned readings!
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Smead is very knowledgeable, which helps the course tremendously, but politics can get in the way of class material, this semester being especially bad. His grading methods are a mystery. Grades were based on three essays with no rubric or even a length guideline. A somewhat below average professor when all is said and done.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
He is a good professor and knows the subject but he has a hard time keeping liberal politics and his opinions out of the classroom. This can be a huge deterrent to coming to class. Your grade is based on three tests so be prepared to read if you want an A or at least show up to all of the classes.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: HIST347
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Snead is super smart about American history, and it shows through his lectures. Only three tests define your grade, so make sure you do well. he does get off topic and falls behind very easily and since we fell behind he gave us our tests as take home exams, but they're not easy. The syllabus readings showed up on test 2 but that's it.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Smead is a tough grader but if you attend every class and follow the syllabus you won't have a problem getting a good grade. Completing the outside readings is a must. His lectures are among the best I have sat in as he is very energetic and enthusiastic about history.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: HIST330
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 1.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Took as winter session class - easy 3 credits. Lectures (recorded - not always good sound quality) more important than reading. On tests, give it back EXACTLY the way he gave to you.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Dr. Smead is a brilliant professor. His lectures are very impassioned and informative. Go to class because you learn from his lectures! The grade is made up of two "hour" exams and a final exam, all written. Read, read, read! Write as much as you can and you'll do well in his class. Dr. Smead-If you're reading this, I'll see you sometime @ UMD!
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: HST102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Could probably get a B without reading the text book, but other readings a must if you want to pass. Good lectures but can get off topic. 3 exams, all short essay. Nice guy, adds some humor and unique insight to lectures. Do the reading an you should be able to get an A in class.
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