Robert McDonald - University of British Columbia

Professor: Robert McDonald
Department: History
College: University of British Columbia
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: HIST305
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Exceptional instructor. Makes students feel comfortable speaking their opinion. He's found a way to make BC history interesting - not the easiest thing to do. Gives out lecture notes; includes biblio. of sources at top of each one- you know he's not just making stuff up out of his head. Leads all of his own discussion groups; marks assign. himself.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: HIST235
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He taught the second half of Canadian history. His photocopied notes were a real help, and indicated the important points that would be on the exam. He loves to talk about his hometown of Brandon, Manitoba and makes references to old hockey players but overall he's pretty entertaining.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: HIST305
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Although I took it on a whim, BC History is one of my favorite classes I've taken at UBC- because of Dr. McDonald's style. The readings were relevant and reasonable, the lectures were entertaining and discussion groups were great. Just excellent!
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: HIST302
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Extremely knowledgeable and interesting. Sometimes goes off on tangents which aren't always relevant. Very personable, cares about his students and the topic. Made BC history a worthwhile class
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: HIST404
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Bob McDonald changed my entire conception of BC history. Bob McDonald taught me that first nations are an integral part of BC history, especially before 1880. His modernity thesis has some validity, but his constand reference to post-modernism must DIE.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: HIST329
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Dedicated, passionate, down-to-earth, funny--those are characteristics that come to mind when I think of him as a professor.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: HIST329404
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Very good prof. Extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. However all the marking in 329 done by inconsistent TAs. His marking style is suprisingly fair. Would recommend 404 (BC History with no TAs) highly over 329. Take his class unless you think you might be irritated by constant references to modernity, his true obsession.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: HIST329
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He's a great prof, one of the reasons I love Canadian History. I didn't like that everything was marked by TAs and they had inconsistent marking styles. He was much better, more consistent marking, better lectures in Hist 404.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: HIST329
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Professor McDonald is definitely a passionate teacher, however, I would not reccomend this course because no matter how hard you work the grades are highly unpredictable - probably because his TA's do all the marking. It was very hard to take notes in his class due to his stream of thought style.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: HISTORY329
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I took his class 20 years ago and it is because of him that I really learned how to write great history papers. He is intelligent, passionate about the discipline, and knows how to teach undergraduate students. He is one of the reasons why I teach IB history to high school students.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: HIST404
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Engaging and well-taught. He makes history fun.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: HIST329
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
329 is a lot of work, having several papers due each term and weekly reading notes. You don't have to do any outside research for any of the assignments; they're all based on the class readings. The assignments will help you improve your interpretive skills. There is 1 exam, a final worth just 20%.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: HST
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
One of the best!
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: HIST135
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Clearly very knowledge, enthusiastic, and helpful, but this course is DEATHLY boring. Overall, his lectures are pretty disorganized (lots of irrelevant details) and it's hard to decide what to study for final, but it's not too hard, and he's pretty good.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: HIST135
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
avoid him at all costs...very disorganized and can't lecture well...way too many readings and the weekly reading notes are a pain in the ass!!!
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: HIST135
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
No Comments
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: HIST404
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Excellent prof, lectures and discussions. Hard to approach but he is a fair marker.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: HIST135
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I am considering a history major because of this course and his teaching. His lectures are engaging and interesting. and I thought I didn't like history
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: HIST404
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Great lecturer, he really knows what he is talking about. Very interactive & interesting tutorials. Not so approachable when it comes to discussing term papers (you are left guessing) & seems like a different person in private.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: HST125135
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
He wins teaching awards for a reason!
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