Karen Balcom - McMaster University

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Karen Balcom - McMaster University

Professor: Karen Balcom

Department: History

College: McMaster University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: WOMENST1AA3
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Her assignments had little to no clear criteria-- I basically had to just guess and pray I did the assignments right. I do appreciate the fact that she let students hand in assignments whenever they wanted since we were online (helped a lot with stress). Super tough marking scheme though, hard to get anything above 79/80.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: HIST2HI3
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you want to see anything above a B+ avoid this prof. You won't get an A or even an A- regardless of if you do everything asked of you. You must go aBoVE aND BEyOnD which is impossible when nothing is articulately explained in assignment instructions. The grading scheme makes 0 sense. Given excellents but the mark of 78% every time. Frustrated.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: 2IS3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: No
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Balcom thinks she's great for her students. She is not. Her course page is extremely unorganized, as are her lectures. If you aren't active in discussions during lecture you will probably get treated unfairly. Do not take her class as an elective she will constantly make you feel panicked and won't give clear instructions for assignments.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: 3WW3
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She is amazing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she adjusted the ONLINE class and made everyone's lives so much easier. She cares about her students. One of the most important qualities for any student who wishes to succeed. While her course had lots of material, it was not difficult at all. Engage with the material a little bit, and you'll be great.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: HISTORY3WW3
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

HIST 3WW3 is the hardest course I have ever taken. The amount of work assigned is next to impossible. Dr. Balcom is a sweetheart but her expectations are ridiculous. Don't take her courses if you're not SUPER into history, not worth the grief.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: 3HC3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Picks random questions for exams and they are way too long. Also too many course readings.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: HISTORY2HI3
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Balcom is a great professor and an all around amazing person. I was going through a really hard time during the middle of the term and she helped me through my problem and was very accommodating. She genuinely cares for her students and wants you to succeed, so if you're having issues, TALK TO HER. Would definitely take a class of hers again!

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: HISTORY2RR3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Balcom was decent, but lectures felt somewhat unorganized, and she was often all over the place. If you study hard for the exams, you'll be rewarded. Workload similar to any other history class. My main issue was that I felt Balcom did not give us a general 'survey' of US history, as she often focused solely on minority groups. Class was a 710

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: HISTORY3WW3
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I've taken three classes with Dr.B. She is passionate about what she teaches and has her own unique teaching style. In her classes she provides a lot of help with research and defines her assignments and expectations clearly. She is VERY approachable and always helps students. she's amazing. You should take her classes, but you will work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: HISTORY2HI3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Balcom was ok. I never got my marks for my last assignment. She said she would email me them, but they ended up going to another student.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: HIS2
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is one of the most approachable people. I found most professors I've had socially awkward, but Dr. Balcom is young and a cool person. She's just friendly; yes it's true, she's a hard marker, but what do you expect people to have things handed to you? I think she pushes us to the best of our ability. She's highly intelligent and a great person.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: HS
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is amazing, best professor I have EVER had. If I could recommend one thing to any student it would be TAKE DR BALCOM'S CLASSES. She's easy to get along with, she's super nice and adorable. If I walk into a lecture and see Karen as my professor again, I'll be the happiest person at Mac!

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: WMS
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Very caring when it comes to her students and their success. Made it clear on several occasions that her office hours are open for any students with any questions! Seems very passionate about her career choice and does a great job at it! Young, enthusiastic, extremely nice lady, and someone who truly deserves being called Doctor! Loved her!

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: HISTORY3W02
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Balcom is one of my favourite professors in the history department. She goes out of her way to help students understand material and point them in the direction or lend students to research material. Her marking was a little slow this year, but her material was interesting and you could clearly tell she is passionate about what she teaches.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: HIST2HI3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I found Dr. B to be very unprofessional. She would emailed each of us our feedback on assignments...except she sometimes sent us someone else's. I was not impressed by this at all. Our marks are confidential and McMaster has email policies for this exact reason. I will never take her class again because I can't trust her to act professionally.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: HISTORY2H13
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

hard to talk to without being looked down on

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: WOMENST1AA3
Grade Received: B
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. B keeps things interested but is very slow on getting marks back and has extremely high expectations for her 1st year courses.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: 2HI3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

My experience with Balcom was not a good one. Avoid being in close quarters with her. Her personality seemed very closed off. She was always trying to turn her students into leaders, whatever that means. The world is not lacking in people trying to create a cult of followers Balcom! Very aristocratic attitude in my opinion.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: HIST2HI3
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is excellent.So impressive it kind of brings tears to my eyes.Karen really goes out of her way to help the students that need her.She has her hands in what seems like everything around the city but she still makes time to help you progress.She's charming and lively as a lecturer.Members of last year's 2hi3 still reminisce over our time with her

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: HIST2R03
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I happened to once overhear Dr. Balcom speaking with a student in her office. He seemed to have little clue about the work but Dr. Balcom spoke with respect, utilizing a problem-solving approach. This is the same kind of experience I had with her. She went way beyond the call of duty to be helpful and generous. She is also exceptionally organized.

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