3.8
Quality2.4
Difficulty67%
Would Retake119
Reviews67%
Would Retake
119
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
55
4
31
3
10
2
8
1
15
What Students Say
“Teaches opinions as fact”
HIS121 - 1.0 rating“I would never recommend him”
HIS121 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
54%
Textbook Required
52%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.93 avg changeRatings by Course
120
5.0
(1)006L
5.0
(1)HIS125
4.7
(7)141
4.5
(2)HIST111
4.3
(3)Difficulty by Course
HIST111
3.3
HIS231
3.1
121
3.0
280
3.0
HIS101
3.0
Reviews (119)
He was awesome!!!
His class was SIMPLE.. If you're the type of person who wants to go thru a class just for the grade -- this is the guy to go to. He does teach you more about his point of view rather than the white persons point of view. Overall you learn alot in his class but its very simple. No need for a book, assignments are simple and group work.
Class participation is highly encouraged. Will talk about History in a very different manner than you are used to. Truth discovering class. Requires you to do the work or you will have trouble taking the final. I would take is class again.
I was never bored, and that's the best thing you can say about any history class. Just like everybody I hated history in hs. But this teacher knew how to push our buttons on that, get us to figure out why our classes were so dull and learn to make history interesting. Im one of many students who take both 121 and 122 w him. Thanx for the eye opener
Lecture and research based for all work. Class participation required and will be fun if you can get the class involved. You will do A LOT of research on your own for homework/essays/exams. He has a lot of knowledge and will make the material entertaining.
One heckuva prof. He's the exact opposite of every history class you ever took in hs, and that'd good. I was never bored. How many history classes can you say that about?
this guy really knows his stuff... he might come as a jerk but he is a very intellectual guy and he truly know how to make you question everything you have ever been taught.. i loved his class and sad that there was not a second one..
TERRIBLE! I would never recommend him
This was a very interesting class and the professor was a pretty cool guy. Some of the things you learn in this class can be kind of shocking. Easy for the most part- only two exams (mid term and final). Also, you only have one paper to do all semester. You are graded on participation, so it is probably a good idea that you show up for class.
This class was nearly impossible not to fail. Easy grader. One paper, take home midterm and an essay for the final. He expects class participation and is a very interesting teacher. Makes you question a lot what you learned in high school, but not boring and is willing to answer any questions. Most of the class is debate but it's very easy!
He's really easy and will make class interesting, especially with the things you'll be learning. He gives out homework but you don't really have to do it because it ends up just being class discussion. 2 Papers, midterm and final. really easy class, it is good to show up so you can get points for participation. Very easy A
He's super easy and honestly all you have to do is show up. The class topics are always interesting and he's very smart
Absolutely loves "group work," and is not very clear on whether or not the physical assignments are mandatory - he says if you "participate" you don't have to turn them in, but is not clear what level or participation constitutes that. Easy to criticize so don't take if you are sensitive, but if you like a fun challenge you will enjoy his work.
best history teacher ever. entire class graded on 2 exams(midterm and final) and one research paper you do on your own through out the semester. I highly recommend having him as a teacher im signing up for his on 122 class next semester
I was impressed that he wanted people to learn more than just assigning grades. Very good class and I learned alot from this class.
I would definitely recommend taking Prof. Carrol for HIST 121. His class was very interesting and easy to manage. Midterm and final were both easy and homework is light. He is very passionate about the subject and does an excellent job explaining it.
Great teacher, made class discussions interesting. Some of the things he taught us made me look at history in a whole new way. I look forward to having him again for HIS 122 this fall.
He isn't a very personal professor, and didn't want to know anyone in our class, especially their name. If you want a course from the perspective of a Native American, by all means, take this class. He only really discusses Native Americans and their history, so be prepared for that. ALWAYS COME TO CLASS AFTER AN EXAM. It counts on your grade!
He's a great teacher and presents US History in an interesting way. Definitely not how you learned it in high school! There aren't many assignments and he's pretty clear about what he expects from students.
Insanely easy class, I skipped about half the classes and just made sure to do the work & show up at midterm and final. Finished with an A.
awesome teacher, don't wear a redskins shirt or he'll give you guff. very easy exams, easy grader.
Carroll is really insightful and keeps class fun and interesting. Classes are easy and enjoyable. Exams are also easy just make sure you prepare. Definitely recommend taking his classes!!
One of the better professors at NOVA. He is very passionate about history, answers every question you have and is good about responding emails. Its a lecture style class but hes not boring at all.Some professors have it and some dont, swag!
BEST TEACHER IV EVER HAD i just signed up for my 4th class with him! iv always wanted to be a teacher but he inspired me to be a history teacher his121 was the first class i took with him my first semester and i learned so much! i really enjoy his classes i recommend him to everyone!!
Enjoy the class participation and class leisures. Did learn about things not taught in high school. Didn't care for the scratch writing exams based on what-if scenarios, 5 handwritten pages each with and no notes allowed. Thought grading was nit-picky. If class participation or free- form writing is not for you take another class.
Very interesting professor who presents a fresh view on subjects that really make you think.
Professor Carroll is one of if not the best professor I've ever had. He is truly passionate about the subject and is very helpful. I would definitely recommend taking him! The Best!
He is a nice man, he knows what hes talking about. I really liked him because he didn't try to get to know everyone on a personal level we came in sat down and that was it. I honestly don't think he even knew my name. However he's great and is really fair with grading.
easiest class ive ever taken. Only two tests, midterm and final and he's a really easy grader. Class is more interesting than any other history class take this class
Easy grader. Only had two essays to write. Final exam was also an essay(you have different topics to write about). If you're looking for an easy A take his class. Makes history very interesting.
Contrary to what some of the other ratings say, he is very smart and knows what he's talking about. The class is very easy and does not give very many graded assignments. He's funny and doesn't put anyone on the spot when asking questions, which made me feel very comfortable. I would recommend him to any student taking history.
Prof. Carrol is a good prof. Pay attn. in class - his teaching seemed rather unorthodox. 3 exams (essays, won't have to do the third if you get As on the previous 2) and 4-7p paper. Give everything you write a great deal of thought and you will be good to go. Don't be shy, he will help you greatly. Be creative; be smart.
I had both US I and II with him. I was very impressed he's written a couple of books. There's more about him at alcarroll.com. Also teaches Indian and Latin America courses. Very respected, really knows his stuff. Good lectures, lots of discussion.
My best friend and me just took his class. The one class on genocide moved some people to tears almost. My friend blurted out, "This is the best class I've ever had." I think so too. I went out and got his books Medicine Bags and Presidents Body Counts and really enjoyed them. I was really lucky to have him for my professor.
He is very easy. Personally, I didn't learn much because in my country I was never thought US history and I was expecting to learn from zero. He always asks what did you learn in high school about a topic and expects you to know everything before each class I was always lost. I didn't like his method. But he is a good choice if you want an easy A
I wouldn't suggest this professor unless you are ready to wright your first history novel. Very hard to pay attention in class does not teach expects you to read the material and understand.
Three grades plus participation. Two essay exams, one semester paper (you have the entire semester to write roughly 5 pages), and participation. The realest History class you will ever take. Oh, and I also took His 121 with, same exact guidelines.
Most classes you will come in having done the assigned reading and tal about it in class, then he will talk about the next topic and give you assigned reading on that. Participation does matter. He gives a midterm test, a research paper for 4-7 pages, and a final test. He doesn't seem very hard, but it's a lot of work. Get ready to write!
A lot of material but fortunately half of the exams are take home. If you're a good writer will pass. Class exams are completely ridiculous, you have an hour and a half to hand-write 5 pages. Still got an A. Really easy grader and clearly understood. I feel like his other classes could be harder since homework was not graded in the course I took.
His lectures are really interesting. really makes you wonder about US History and what is and may have been. Listen to what he's got to say and think for yourself and you will do really well. Interesting guy
he is the best! I learned so much from his class. he graded papers very easy. his essay topics are so interesting. he makes sure that you learn and understand the materials so the essays become extremely easy. take his class and you will love him like me. he will tell you the exam essay questions in the very beginning. thank you so much professor.
Easy class just prepare and get ready to write and don't wear Redskins gear.
Excellent Native American history class. Not just the US, Latin America and Australian Aboriginals, Pacific Islands. Lots of stuff I never knew. I had him for US history too, and most of the other students did too. One of the best teachers on campus, eye opening, holds nothing back.
taught history different that most teachers, read and be prepared
Best history class to learn real facts.
Professor Carroll is a pretty funny guy that takes himself and his class seriously still. The classes are fun, interactive and very informative. write down notes for slides. STUDY for tests, they're difficult and he grades the essays pretty tough. I got a C and thought I deserved a B. Book for class was used for homework. Changed my history outlook
He is a great teacher. I had him for HIS 121. He makes class interesting, probably because he is a native american teaching US history. Homework was easy, took no longer than 20-30 minutes, plus a small amount of indepndt reading. Only one paper is due. Mid term was easy, final was okay. Overall a great class, even for those who don't like history.
I was hoping for an actual history class. This class was just what he thought students missed in high school, which is good, but this was not a real history class. He likes to talk about what he likes to talk about, not following a textbook. Group assignments are just going to a specific website and reading an article then discuss it in class.
This guy is a hero, his class was pretty life-changing. You learn so much about Native Americans, and he keeps it really interesting and corrects lies taught in high school. All our tests were take home (but that varies). Only three assignments, all essays (no more than 5 pages each). Don't buy the non-Loewen book, he tells you on the first day.
Short, interesting lectures. Teaches the brutally honest facts about the history of the United States. Very few grades in the class.
Professor Carroll is one of the easiest professors you could take at NOVA. Your grade is based solely on your midterm and final which are just some simple (but very long) essays. The purpose of his class is to tell you about all the lies you learned in High School history. If you don't like essays do not take him. Otherwise, it's an easy A.
He's an easy grader. Theres only like 3 grades throughout the whole course. He gives take home final easy but long. I would take him again.
Terrible. Teaches opinions as fact. Easy grade, but still not worth it.
This class was pretty straight-forward and made me wish I'd taken his US history classes. This is not your average history class, he doesn't teach from the book, he just teaches. You are expected to apply what you've learned in a few essays, and as long as you can present a clear argument, he gives you a good grade.
The first part of the semester is all about Native Americans, so just hang in there for eight weeks just learning about that. After you get past that, then the class becomes more enjoyable because you are not constantly talking about the same thing over and over. Overall, great class, AND you get to use cheat sheets on midterm and final!!! TAKE HIM
I really like Dr. Carroll. He is very good and knows his material very well. The course is good and aims to make you know the real facts. The lectures are amazing and suffice to pass the course. Participation matters about 20% of the grade. Extra credits are available but not a lot. Take him, and you won't regret it. Tests are easy (all essays).
Reasonable. As long as you participate and do good on the essays.
Prof. Carrol is really focused that you learn your material and he's really passionate about Native American history. There's two tests and a paper. As long as you're good at writing essay, this class won't be a problem. He's pretty reasonable and always available to talk and discuss ideas. Homework is usually just researching websites.
Good informative lectures. Not at all neccessary to come to class though. Grade was based on midterm essay, final essay, and final paper. Easy, and it is up to you to learn if you want. I got an A and dont feel like I really learned that much, but i do not like history and wasnt in class that often.
An incredibly interesting professor. Encourages discussion during class and also participation is part of your grade, so you need to show up! There is a paper, a midterm, and a final, not very many grades. He is a funny guy and inspirational as well!
So there's a lot of good and bad about Professor Carroll. He does have a tendency to teach opinion as fact, so be wary and do your reading/research so you know which is which, but the lectures are very entertaining and sometimes shocking. My personal peeve about him is he'll make you submit outlines for essays so he can grade your writing process.
Dr. Carroll is very knowledgeable, wants you to think critically and encourages class discussion. 75%total grade essays. Clear guidelines but not a ton of feedback. Teaches from his heart, gives amazing lectures. Assignments are reading links & doing research. This course changed how I look at history. He'll inspire or upset u (that's up to u)
Dr. Carroll is a nice person, he really is. He just teaches way too much opinion. Really turns you away from wanting to be in the class. Really easy class and super understandable, and he is willing to listen to you. Just very opinionated.
Easy class but way too opinionated. Caused him to lose credibility. Talked all the time how Clinton was obviously going to win election and Trump was ridiculous.
Dr. Carroll was an awesome teacher. Attendance matters but not that much, just have to turn in participation points to get credit. The final was take home and the midterm you were allowed notes in the margins of the study guide during the test. Would definitely take again.
Opinion as fact. Carroll is obsessed with advancing his views on Native American issues. A little Internet research shows just how much Alton 'Plastic Shaman' Carroll is full of it. Wish I had seen some of this before taking his class.
I was not looking forward to taking U.S history in college because I hated it during high school, but this ended up being one of my favorite classes! Prof. Carroll is so open-minded and his entire class is about exposing the lies we have learned and teaching us accurate history using reliable sources. So open-minded and helpful. Great class!
The homework each day is a list of topics to briefly research that will be in the next lecture. The only grades are the midterm, final and research paper. Midterm and final have multiple choice sections and then short answer/essay. I didn't use the textbook, he let's you use devices during lectures to look up topics. Attendance wasn't graded.
Professor Carroll is NOT FOR EVERYONE. He teachers more political opinion than fact, but his class is interesting nonetheless. Do not take him if you are a history major because you will learn nothing. For other majors he's a good teacher if you're looking to get an easy A and are a good writer. If you are NOT a good writer DO NOT take his class.
I want to change my major because of this class. The best class I have ever had at NOVA!
Mr. Carrol is an interesting professor, we only have 20 discussions boards for the semester, his exams are easy, and we just have an outline with a research paper and its not hard actually. He may come off as opiniated, but he isnt opinionated on his teaching that differs from actual history, just his thoughts. I would recommend him.
Great teacher learned to think outside the box. Made me a better writer. Homework was reading short articles. Only 2 tests midterm and final (open note) and one essay (4-6 page) due at the end of semester. Make sure to participate and just chime in during the lectures. Barley used the textbook. No need for memorization like a typical history class
Its an easy A! I didn't learn much, but i enjoyed the class. The papers we had to write were easy and were graded fairly. I would definitely take his class again!
Prof. Carroll is an entirely different teacher when it comes to American History. He does not use the textbook at all, but rather uses other books instead. He prefers to focus on history America likes to ignore. While I enjoyed his approach, his essay questions were a lot of "What if's" and his online lectures seemed a bit unorganized.
Be ready to flex victim points for an A! If you don't believe that europeans are the great oppressors of history, then good luck.
He wrote very little feedback on papers, expressed his political opinions, and never sent out any emails. He never posted any grades online, so I never knew what my grade was. As a history major, this class made me despise history. And that's a very hard thing to do.
I have had this professor before, and I hated his class. It was US History (the second half), and he made me hate history. As a history major, that's hard to do. But he made me hate the class and I wanted to drop it. I managed to stay, but I strongly recommend another professor for any history class.
I have never enjoyed a history class until Dr. Carroll taught me. He gives you a lot to think about and the way he explains historical events makes you want to listen. Because you are truly listening, you remember what he says. Great professor. Loved this class.
Professor Carroll made me be interested in history! I never really liked history in HS, but this class is much more interesting. I took this class hybrid, so there was a lot of outside work to be done, but overall EASY A class!
Prof Carroll gives us online lectures to watch while class time is used to review the online lectures and answer a few questions that would be on the midterm and final exam. You are very independent in this class and due dates are set but he doesn't take points off if you miss them. Do the few assignments that you have and answer discussion boards.
This class is an Easy A if you can accommodate his biased opinions of history. Pros: Graded on 2 essays and 2 exams. Exams are written essays but you can bring in your outline. The reading is unnecessary. The class will finish weeks early. Cons: Get ready to record your 20 participation comments! Attendance is checked randomly. He's uncaring.
Terrible, unorganized, no help, is all I have to say about this professor, he gives you basically nothing and then tells you to write a 5 page paper in two hours. I would never recommend him to anyone.
There's no worse feeling than when a teacher makes you feel like an idiot and this professor just talks and talks and then you have a ten-minute break and then it's back to the same stuff. He doesn't make anything interesting, he's very specific and a tough grader, and doesn't use Canvas the same way as my other professors and that threw me off.
Grades arent posted on canvas so you have to guess what youve got. There arent any tests/quizzes so thats nice, but the midterm and final are both a paper answering a question. Lectures are supposed to be on his YT channel but arent actually there. His zoom calls arent really beneficial other than getting the attendance.
The instructor was very disorganized. Until students complained, he did not post dates on which assignments were due. The textbook in his syllabus was out of print. He graded me on an assignment three days before I submitted it. Do not take this guy.
Where to start, he doesnt accept anything through canvas and you have to turn in everything through email, rarely teaches anything, just voices his politics, overall terrible, dont take him
The professor is very unorganized. Lets you turn in work late. Be prepared to do many discussion post. He is also a very tough grader. The midterm is harder than the final exam which is silly. The final consist of a 5 page essay in only 2 hours which is ridiculous.
The class is not bad at all. All of you have to do is listen to the lectures. There are a lot of videos that you should watch. There is a textbook that you should use in order to learn everything. It's going to be written in the syllabus what pages to read. Watch the recorded lectures. It'll help you prepare for the mid term.
Hes a fairly easy class, just say what he wants to hear and youll get a good grade. Problem is, hes terrible about grades as he never has them in your system to be looked at. He also leaves very little in the way of feedback on the 3 main papers, (Midterm, Paper of your choice, final). Overall, his class is fairly easy, but a terrible teacher.
You will have some reading to do, but he is an easy grader! He cares for his students. Also, his style of teaching is amazing because if you ask him a question, he will give you all the details you need; he knows his stuff! There are quite a few discussions but they are easy! Also, you can turn in your work late and your points won't be cut off!
This is my favorite class I've ever taken. Eye opening. Wish my high school classes were like this. Really admire his guts, teaching unwhitewashed history when there are crazies out there wanting to censor and fire men like him.
Finally, World History that isn't white or western history. Great lectures on Africa, Native America, Pacific Islands, Australian Aborigines, genocide, anti Semitism, even gladiators and ninjas.
Taking his class changed my life. He inspired me to think, to analyze. to understand, to be aware and never lazy or apathetic or cynical. That you truly can understand the world and society and figure out how to change it and yourself. I went on to take his other courses. I even looked up his books and read them. Thanks prof.
Learned so much that I never knew before. He really doesn't hold back, gives you the history they don't teach in high school. So much genocide, brutality, and the heroes you were taught about were no heroes at all. Athens was where democracy was born, ha! What a lie and glad I learned the truth. You'll never forget what you learn with him.
About time there was a professor like him. Glad to finally take a course about my own history and culture.
Simply the best. Super interesting, funny, mind blowing. I was never bored. How many history classes can you that about? He changed my life.
Very interesting. One of the best. I looked forward to going to his class.
Wow. Loved going to class hearing everything my high school left out. I took all his other classes too. One of the best teachers I ever had.
A better prof you'll never find. Loved the course. Eye opening and super interesting. just typing more because this review was too short.........................................
Bad to the bone. I loved his approach. Honest, telling it like it was. Critical thinking not just memorizing dates. Would take him again.
He came into a course in chaos. The old course was pretty racist. Changed it, made it all about Latinos, which I really appreciated it. A few people wanted the old course but I'm glad no one listened to them. For Us By Us.
As long as you do the work and do it well you get an A. Funny, interesting, easy to understand, and easy on the eyes. Yummy. What a man. Might be the only time I ever thought an exam or a semester project was fascinating.
If you like writing papers, do this class because he does 4-5 essays around 2-5 pages long each depending on what you choose. DO NOT wait until the last minute to write the papers, PLAN AHEAD! I wrote my papers in advance to get it over with and most people did it last minute and got a lower grade. His lectures arent eurocentric, but i enjoyed it.
The assignment had between a 200 word minimum and a 600 word maximum. There were 18 or a maximum of two each week. The midterm and final were between 2,400-2,500 words, but you had two weeks to complete it and you were given 8-10 questions to choose two from. The semester long final project was a 4-5 page paper. You will be fine if you just write.
He rarely commented on assignments, but he did grade them quickly and was not a tough grader. He extended deadlines. He did not assign a lot of reading, just a textbook chapter mostly and other online sources, given weekly. If writing comes easy to you TAKE THIS CLASS. If it does not consider taking it still since I built on my writing techniques.
I was hesitant to take his class, from the start you can tell his political views and mine are not aligned, but i am glad I took it. The class is easy as long as you do the work, he is an easy grader, only feedback is that he does not tell you what the points were taken off for. He teaches a lot from his worldly view and not really from text book.
The only grades in the class were the midterm, final, and one paper. He records all his lectures and posts them on Canvas. During class he would just go back and forth with one student and it was super uncomfortable.
Dr. Carroll was such a great professor. I took his online accelerated course, so I only had 4 papers, no "exams"/busy work. His class is really lecture based, he typically spends the entire time going over what we learned in our online lecture videos. He answers questions and is flexible with due dates. Overall really great course/professor
First, DO NOT waste your time talking to him. Still in this class so I do not know my grades as of yet He doesn't know how to use Canvas He is unorganized Very strict Rude ( Had to contact the dean) He never replied to emails and this was the only class I ever had to complain about and lost! thank you Professor Alton such a wonderful instructor
All he does is talk. His Canvas page has no assignments because he doesn't know how to use it making it challenging. I will say he is great but take a different professor if you can he should be a second option kind of thing:( 7 out of 10 overall. For the Canvas part 0 but without that and instruction on assignments, you will FAIL.
I took the fast paced 6 week course. Dr Carroll made the info actually interesting, and gave great feedback on essays. Make sure you watch the lectures and come to class with questions.
Enjoyable class and professor. Looked forward to his lectures bc they were always interesting. Class was not extremely hard but you need to read and pay attention. Some choices for the midterm and final were bizarre. He went over each of the questions- that was laborious since some of the questions were fantasy questions. Slow grader. take again
His Native American ancestry is important to him, and he talks about it in a historical context. But, he's skeptical of what we commonly accept as cultural norms. He doesn't filter the gruesomeness or the violence. You read about it, and you write about it. And then, when you do that, you understand how bad it really is.
He was okay overall. There were a lot of discussion boards along with a midterm project and a final 5-6 page research paper. He took very long to respond to emails. if you just read the textbook and put in the work, you can pass.
Professor Carroll makes the material engaging, but his Canvas page can be a bit disorganized. The workload is manageable if you stay on top of the lectures and assignments. unstuck ai was a lifesaver for my exam prep.
Super interesting lectures - coming from someone who is not a history person. Very funny in my opinion. He gives lots of freedom in essay topics which is nice. As long as you follow his rubric and put in effort you should get a solid grade on assignments. Final grade = 3 papers only so make sure to not slack off on them.
Chill professor, just get the work in and you're good. Quick course though so the reading was alot but overall fine.
This was an asynchronous class HIS 280. He is slow to respond to questions. The syllabus and modules rarely matched what the overview for each module said to read. All links did not work in videos. Most didn't work even if you typed them in a new window. Questions were asked about the links on quizzes and exams.
The coursework is 3 papers and doesn't take long to write. Participation matters, so try to ask questions and follow-ups about lectures during class.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
54%
Textbook Required
52%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.93 avg changeRatings by Course
120
5.0
(1)006L
5.0
(1)HIS125
4.7
(7)141
4.5
(2)HIST111
4.3
(3)Difficulty by Course
HIST111
3.3
HIS231
3.1
121
3.0
280
3.0
HIS101
3.0