No Comments

No Comments

Incredible! She actually made history interesting.

No Comments

Makes history understanable

She makes history fun and understandable!

can be difficult at time, but a terrific lecturer and makes history really interesting and relavent

No Comments

i'm torn. she's a very good lecturer, and is really fun - unless you're on her bad side, for any reason. and she gets to pick why you would be there, even if you don't know. can be scary, and the blunt arrogance can be grating.

In fact, Poska is one of the top-scholars on the history faculty. Her classes are challenging and she's not there to be your friend. I learned tons from her class on Spain. She will challenges your assumptions-- a good thing!

Awesome lady. Take her if you are a girl, she is kinda partial. But her classes aren't meant to be hard. Really funny lecturer.

No Comments

Her lectures are very clear and informative. Maybe the men are sensitive to her lectures because she is a scholar of women's history which often doesn't show men in the most positive light.

I am learning a lot in her hist. of spain class. I feel that she is a fair grader and does not play favorites like other people say. I really think she is passionate about what she teaches and I appreciate that!

oh that Poska! gotta love the enthusiam and all the talk about sex and her boyfriends. she knows her stuff and isn't shy about it. papers are tough and so are her tests. not an easy class, but somehow her charm wins the day. you have to work really hard just to get a B. for the brave only.

Great teacher. Very funny, loves what she teaches. Makes lectures interesting and discussions worthwhile. Very difficult papers and tests, don't take her unless you're willing to work, but otherwise she's completely worth it. Doesn't play favorites, willing to help. Doesn't mess around.

Very straightforward. For the papers, just argue a thesis that you can find the most primary materials on, which are the required texts for the class anyways. For the test, you can almost guess the essays and identifications. Talks about sex alot, and likes to point out gender dichotomies.

Good teacher, clear lectures, speaks very well, has broad knowledge and relates it very interestingly to class.

An excellent lecturer, but the class is quite hard. She doesn't let you get away BS'ing anything, and her tests are fairly tough, but its worth it if you're interested in the subject or think you're up to the challenge. She's willing to help as well.

Awesome

One of the smartest professors. Lectures are interesting and full of information. Class is hard though. You need your A game because she doesnt take fluff answers. She is helpful and sympathetic but don't think she wont get tough on you. Take her class if you are a hard worker.

Poska is one of the best lecturers I've ever had. Very interesting and knows her stuff. Class is very straightforward. All lectures, except once a week when the class becomes a forum. You MUST participate in those forums to pull an A in the class. Do the readings and you'll be fine.

Shes a good teacher and knows her stuff. She can answer most questions and seems to genuinely love what she does. The main problem I have is that she assumes you are no where near as smart as her and will not dodge insulting your intelligence if it makes her look superior by comparison. English essay fluff is actually not accepted. For once.

She is tough but totally hot!

She is really cool. Sometimes the assignments can seem hard but if you talk to her she will help you through anything and give you all need to write papers or do well on the test.

Dr. Poska is so amusing, and a definite fount of knowledge--the woman knows her stuff about peasants and sex, that's for sure. Her papers aren't too bad unless you have no idea what you're talking about, but her exams are difficult--not because you don't know the answers, but because you don't have enough time to write it all down. Take a class with her, you'll learn a lot. But you WILL work your butt off.

There's two sides to Poska: the tough, professorial Dr. Poska, and the funny, engaging Allyson with the cute smile. You will meet both. Do not anger Allyson, or Dr. Poska will come out and rip your head off. Both sides are incredibly smart and fantastic teachers. Dr. Poska can be tough on the GPA, but (usually) only if you don't follow directions.

She's difficult, but I appreciate her because she has organized lectures, plans down to the smallest detail... makes class worth your while. I haven't always done the best in her classes-- but participate, come to class, study hard- you'll do fine. Don't take this expecting it to be a GPA booster.. haha.

Okay, so Dr. Poska definitely knows her stuff. She knows when you don't read too, so do it. Put a valiant effort forth. Don't expect a good grade. I don't take her classes for GPA boosters, but you WILL learn some really cool things.

Even though she is tough, I love Dr. Poska's classes! She knows her stuff and makes it interesting. The thing about her being against guys is totally off. As long as you read and make an educated comment or question during discussions, take good notes you will be fine. Don't expect A's for 300 level,possible in 100 level.

awesome, just plain awesome. She really made me rethink my hate for the major.

She is a very hard professor. A person learns so much, but she is an extremly hard grader. Have to write like she wants or else she will deduct points. I never worked so hard a "B' in my life. She is difficult to take when she goes over rough drafts of papers. She is very blunt, and either says your on tract, or you are totally off.

amazing teacher. she's a great lecturer she teaches a lot. Obviously loves her subject. Grades hard though, but it is helpful

First off, if you want an easy class, look elsewhere. Dr. Poska's class is tough! However, she is a teacher that will get you to learn. She was extremely helpful in any and all questions. She answered her emails fast most of the time. She is fun and exciting and knows her material! She was an AWESOME professor!!

No Comments

PARTICIPATE on discussion days!! also go talk to her about papers so she can get to know you better.

If you care about your GPA, avoid like the plague. Getting an A in her class might just kill you. But if you want really great class discussions, interesting insights into historical periods, and thoughtful writing, I definitely recommend her class. But be ready to do a lot of work.

Do the readings (we had seven books), speak up during discussion days, make thoughtful comments. One mid-term, one final, one paper written in three parts, and weekly newspaper analyses. You better know how to read, think and write critically, because she has high expectations. Be ready to work, but I think it's worth it.

not actually more work than other history classes, just likes everything a certain way. tells you how she wants everything done, so just follow instructions exactly. can unexpectedly get pretty mean. I don't think she realizes that she is doing it, so just try to ignore it. She is always willing to help with papers.

Do the readings, speak up during discussion days, make thoughtful comments. Get to know her, she will help you anyway she can. One mid-term, one final, one paper written in three parts, and weekly newspaper analysis. You better know how to read, think and write, because she has high expectations. Be ready to work, but I think it's worth it.

One of the best professors I have ever had. You will think, really think. Amazing.

I have had her for two classes and am taking a third. If you really want to learn, then definitely take her as a teacher. Great lecturer and very knowledgeable. A lot of writing and reading, but if you actually do your work (not half-way), then you'll do fine. NOT an easy A.

I love Dr. Poska. this was my first semester with her and she's definitely one of my favorite professors at Mary Wash, but she is SO much harder than a 2.3. I'd give her a 1.2 difficulty-it is PAINFUL how hard you work and still get B's and C's. But she's FASCINATING and knows her stuff! Take her, but only if you won't be sunk by one B. (Or C...D?)

I've taken Dr. Poska two semester in a row. I can definitely say that she is one of my favorite professors at Mary Wash. She's a social historian and is very passionate. If you want to learn something from a different point of view, take her classes. Great professor. I do have to say that her classes are a bit hard but are worth taking.

I really loved Dr. Poska. The research methods class is very hard and time consuming, but she was very helpful in her feedback and her expectations for papers were very clear. As long as you are willing to put in the work, you should do fine in her class.

I liked Dr. Poska and definitely found her class to be interesting. But, her class is very hard, so unless you're a history major or have a genuine interest in the subject, I would not recommend taking her class. It's very research intensive, so you need to enjoy the material or it's going to be some what tedious.

She's hard but you will learn so much. She is clear about what she expects and makes class very interesting. She is never dull and has great earrings. As long as you do the readings and attend class you'll be ok.

She is very knowledgeable but tough, she knows what she's talking about, work hard and attend class and participate. Midterms are and finals are tough but study hard and at least do the readings and you're guaranteed a B

Her classes are hard, you have to do the work to do well and she will be honest and upfront on any feedback or her attitude with you. She will not sugar coat things, which in college she should not have to. Amazing teacher, heck I even picked her to be my thesis adviser as well as taking several of her classes. Great if you want honest feedback.

I took Dr. Poska's Early Modern Europe Seminar, and it was one of the best classes I have ever taken. The class was totally discussion based, so readings were mandatory, but it was not unmanageable. When it came to the written assignments, she was very helpful, and her honesty was most helpful. I would highly recommend her as a professor.

Dr Poska has such a bad rep on this site, and I can tell you why: the people that don't do well don't go to class enough and don't take her instructions seriously. She means everything she says. I took 4 classes with her and every time she pushed me to write better papers. She's a no-nonsense feminist who doesn't hold back, which is why I love her.

Dr Poska was one of my favorite professors that I took at the University of Mary Washington. She gave me incredible feedback & she pushed me to write better. When I got a bad grade & talked to her she gave me clear advice to help me improve, and I never got below a 95 on any other essay. I'm at her alma mater for my PhD now!

I really enjoyed taking the class, I felt like I was learning something new each day. Also, my class was very passionate about the subjects and discussions would go on past class time. However, there are lots of readings, and discussions in class and on Canvas, plus an essay due every 2-3 weeks. Not talking in class enough drops your grade!