Howard Lay - University of Michigan

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Howard Lay - University of Michigan

Professor: Howard Lay

Department: Art History

College: University of Michigan

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

professor lay is really kind and knowledgable! grades are determined by only 3 essays though, so start on them early. approachable enough to art with the lectures so you can take this class without any prior knowledge!

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't get me wrong, the professor was nice. A little hard to take notes bc of his speed talking, but overall the lectures were not too bad. The papers are what sucked. If you aren't interested in pursuing art, don't take this class because the reading is long and difficult and the 6 papers are definitely not the easiest. Discussions are required.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay is one of the best professors I've ever had. He is clearly interested in what he teaches and definitely cares about his students. Although attendance isn't taken, you need to go to lecture in order to get an A, but his lectures are super interesting and often funny! Definitely take a class with him if you get the chance.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay is great. His lectures are interesting, and they're not mandatory. However, you would have to show up, take notes, and incorporate them in your essays in order to get an A. He doesn't really do much; it really depends on your GSI to get a good grade. Just make sure to incorporate his thoughts in your essay and you'll get an A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: HISTART377
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Howard Lay is the best professor I have had at the University of Michigan! If you have the opportunity, take his class! Extremely knowledgable, engaging, and most importantly passionate!

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: HISART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay is just incredible.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Lay is awesome. He clearly cares about the subject and enjoys teaching it. He definitely increased my interest in the subject. You also get a field trip to a museum- go! It was so interesting. Slides only have images, so to get any info you have to go to class. I never did the readings and was fine. Overall, amazing class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay has a wealth of knowledge to give on the history of France as seen through the lens of art history. His lectures are long, but if you pay attention, you will learn SO much and be glad you did. Exams are easy, do not need to go to class to do well (you could easily get 100%). Essays are harder, but there are only 3 and not very long

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: ARTHIST271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Howard is soooo knowledgeable, funny and makes the content really engaging. I learned a lot from this class, but you really don't have to because the exams are an absolute breeze and there is extra credit. Definitely take this class it will change the way you think about art, France, gender, class,etc. Tres bien :)

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: ARTHIST271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Howard is so passionate about art history and is clearly a super intelligent guy. I learned a lot just by going to lecture and listening 75% of the time. This class is pretty chill; the papers were the only slightly annoying part if you've never taken art history before. Otherwise take any class with Howard you'll benefit from it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Lay is a really laid back guy who I genuinely enjoyed as a professor. The lectures were just long and dry. Grade based on 2 exams and a paper. The paper is super ambiguous though and expectations weren't very clear.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He gives the best lectures which are extremely helpful if you want to better understand the topic. He's also very reasonable grader, however you still have to show your work. There're 3 in class tests mainly testing your understanding of artists, art, and historical theme. If you show up in class and do the reading, they're pretty straightforward.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing guy. He's clearly knowledgable on the topic and seems to understand the plight of the student. All the readings are more or less optional, and there's not much of it to begin with, but he covers everything in his lectures clearly and thoroughly. I would love to just grab a beer with him and listen to his weird stories and theories.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay is amazing. I actually started crying on the last day of lecture because he was that good. Really passionate about the subject, and would recommend to anyone even if you aren't interested in Art History. Also, pretty easy A.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Lay brings specific genius to this course, and generously shares it. He checks to keep the class with him, and outlined not just a history of 19th century France, but how it relates to life now. You get a sense he really cares. Every session made me laugh and think. He ought to have an endowed Chair. Great storyteller. Awesome.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Howard Lay is one of the best professors at Michigan. He is truly passionate about his field and even though I am not an Art History major, I genuinely enjoy going to his lectures because every time I come out of it with an appreciation for the topic. The class is not intensive but your entire grade is through essays and GSIs do all the grading.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: HA271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely loved this class and Prof. Lay. He makes the lectures really interesting and clearly not only loves what he teaches, but is an expert in his field. Alex as my GSI was also really helpful and easy to talk to. I would recommend this class even if you're not that interested in art history. It will change the way you look at art.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: HA271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay was amazing! He's a very intelligent man and does a great job integrating historic events with appropriate works of art and social theories, but he breaks it down in a simple way so you aren't lost. Go to his office hours if you can, even just to chat - he's an interesting guy and very nice. Also you get a field trip. TAKE THIS CLASS!

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: HISART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lay was amazing. He is very engaging and he knows what he is teaching. If you approach him personally, he will help you in all means. There was one girl in my class who wanted to do Degas' dancers but she couldn't go to any museum that had one so he helped her out by suggesting places. The grading isn't too bad for this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: HISTART271
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Lectures are so engaging and, you guys, his little catchphrases are unforgettable. He really knows so much about his field. He really wants students to do well and he never lets surprises pop up on tests.

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