Simon MacKenzie - University of South Carolina

Professor: Simon MacKenzie
Department: History
College: University of South Carolina
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: HIST376
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
While Professor Mackenzie seems to be very knowledgeable about his subject matter. He is not forthcoming when it comes to feedback surrounding grades and when you do ask for feedback his reasoning behind point deductions is mediocre at best. I wouldn't take this class if you're looking for a GPA Booster.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: HIST396
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Ive taken honors classes my whole life with tough graders. Long story short if you are accustomed to getting an A for A-level work, get ready to receive a B. After multiple meetings with the professor to discuss what I can do better I was blown off and given a B even after asking what I can do to get an A from day one after receiving 88s and 89s
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
He is a good professor but a strict grader. i would try to avoid this class because it is a hard 102 class.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
3 essays (10% each), 3 exams (15% each), 2 textbooks. He is a slow talker and his British accent sometimes makes it difficult to understand. He gives lecture on his notes and says you won't pass if you don't have lecture notes. He is an okayy professor. The discussion class for this lecture is honestly not needed.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: HIST396
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He was a pretty entertaining to listen to in class. If you like learning about war and ancient battles then you will like this class. 2 tests and 1 research paper. Participation is a big part of your grade so if you go to class you will be fine. Solid Professor
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: HIST318
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Pretty good lectures, and he jokes around and makes them more interesting. Half the classes are lectures, half are watching videos that relate to them. Tests consist of one long paper; another research paper also counts for a lot of the grade. He's not an easy grader. But no homework, and only takes attendance on video days when need to participate
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
amazing professor! his lectures are extremely easy to follow and he shows funny videos in class! he's also extremely approachable and answers emails quickly.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Pretty good professor, but be careful with the tests. He loves "all of the above" and "none of the above" responses and switches up words so answers sound right but aren't. Messed me up a couple times. But he is always willing to talk over your test and is very nice!
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • 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:
I found Dr. MacKenzie easy to understand despite his British accent. The tests are fair, but they are only 25 questions each, so each question counts a lot. Pay attention to wording! Attendance isn't mandatory but go to lectures to do well! He's funny and makes the class watch cringy 80's movie clips if he hears a cell phone go off in class.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Great professor! Take his class.
Rating # 11
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:
Mackenzie was one of the most accessible and caring professors i've ever had. He would go out of his way to help any student. He is a little soft spoken so sitting near the front goes a long way. Although attendance isn't mandatory his tests are HEAVILY lecture based, so I suggest going. If you have a problem, GO TO HIM, he is always ready to help.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
MacKenzie's very knowledgeable and clearly enjoys teaching. Sure, his lectures can be a little boring and he's been known to ramble, but the class itself is pretty easy. Your experience in this class will really depend on your TA. Mr. Sellick is great- super interesting and a fair grader. Overall, I would definitely recommend MacKenzie for 102.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: HIS102
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Great lectures. I really enjoyed his class. The only thing is that the 3 tests are based off of what he SAYS in the lectures. They are really specific so it's difficult to do well if you don't study. But there are 3 essays assigned which are easy As
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Mackenzie is one of the coolest professors I've had. Super funny and definitely a smart guy. His lectures can be boring and he kinda rambles and his accent is sometimes hard to understand. Pretty much everything is graded by your TA so he really has no part in your grade (Easy A). Cancels class every so often. Definitely take him for 102!
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • 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:
I'm terrible at history & I struggled alot in this class. Tests are only based on lectures so make sure to attend class even though attendance isn't taken. Mackenzie is kind of hard to understand so it makes lecture difficult. Only 6 grades (3 tests, 3 papers, 1 participation in discussion) Papers aren't that hard but you will need the book!
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
He mainly teaches through lectures but you can always count on watching a hilarious, non-related video at some point during class. The dude absolutely makes your day! The tests are 25 questions and multiple choice, aren't too bad if you study.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
I dont think he has ever formulated an entire sentence the entire semester that I had him. Every 5 words he pauses and says "uh" "uhm". He doesnt have notes or slides, its just a lecture so you really need to go to class! Its not necessarily a super hard class, but Id take ANY other prof. if optional. He will also calls you out if youre late
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: HIST318
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
MacKenzie's a cool guy and really funny but his class is kind of hard. He's a tough grader and the final grade was only determined by 4 grades (the paper, the midterm, discussion days participation, and the final), and you never really knew how you were doing in the class until the end. Overall, cool guy tough class so just be prepared.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: HIST397
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.5
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He doesn't exactly give the best feedback on papers that he gives poor grades to. His slides are posted to blackboard but they are a bare bones outline of what was covered, so you really need to go to class to understand what's going on. Two tests and a research paper. Participation counts, so go to the discussion groups.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: HIST102
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I agree w the people below. My TA screwed up my participation points too. Also, he misread my thesis for my paper & took off a lot of points on it; when I asked him to look at it again, he told me he DID misread it, but did not give me any points back. The tests were fair; made a 92, 76, & 84. Would have made an A in class if TA wasn't bad.
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