I do not care what others say. I took her for Russian History last semester and she was fab. Eloquent, helpful, nice. I would take another one of her classes anytime.

So, I felt no need to write a review until I read some others- History 102 is a your basic major class, and is not terribly interesting subject matter. Prof. Vargas works with it, and adds a soviet spin to an otherwise familiar topic. You may be bored and ought to get an A, but I'll take a nice professor over an exciting one any day.

She isn't half as bad as most of these reviews are. The lectures can get boring and slightly confusing, so it really helps to do at least SOME of the reading before lecture. The quizzes and exams are hard if you don't study. However, the exams are all written and she isn't a very hard grader. The same goes with the papers you have to write.

If u want a good grade, U HAVE TO READ THE BOOK! It really helps when u read the chapters before lectures. Quizzes arent that bad, but they arent easy. She takes ur best 4 out of 5 quiz scores. Papers arent that bad. Again, writing papers for her isnt easy, but its not really hard. Go to lecture and do the readings

I like Dr. Harris. She is very knowledgeable and really helpful. Yes, her exams are a bit hard, but you need to study very hard for these western civ courses, anyway, to get an idea of all these European countries.

I like Dr. Harris, too. I think we confuse the professor with the material sometimes. Western Civ is a hard class, but she is very nice and very helpful when you go to see her. She is a bit low-key in class but I kinda like that.

Professor Varga Harris is one of the friendliest and most helpful teachers I have had at ISU. The material is not easy, but come on people this is a 300 level course. Her social approach to history is fascinating and will teach you the real way the period was viewed, not the same old rehashed crap.

I liked her. She is nice.

A great teacher - she's so knowledgeable and really really helpful. I learned a lot about western civilization in this class!

Dr. Harris is probably the best Professor I've ever had. She is passionate about her work and it shows through her lectures. She is very understanding with illness when I had mono for 1/2 the sem. Her course work seems overwhelming at first, but it really is manageable if you put the effort in. You basically will get what you put in.

Professor Varga-Harris is a cool professor and I like her a lot. I learned a lot in her Western Civ class last semester. Challenging class.

She's very knowledgeable, but she uses that to her disadvantage. She lectures pretty fast so when you're trying to write something down, she already has gone on to something else you need to write down. Confusing grader on the essays. I didn't enjoy her that much. If you have to take her, it's not the end of the world, but try and find another.

Had her for two classes. Very knowledgeable, lectures can be difficult to follow at times, but class discussion tends to reign her in a little. If you have a hard time following her lectures talk to her, because she is very helpful one on one. A fairly easy grader on papers and projects. Attendance is 20% of your final grade.

Sometimes hard to spell names because she uses slideshows but only of pictures. She is really helpful if you ask her for help. Tests are not easy but can regain points on papers. Overall have to work for the grade but very nice teacher.

She's a little quirky but she really does want her students to succeed. Yes, there is quite a bit of memorization involved but that's normal for a history class. She really is a great teacher... I'm hoping to take a third class with her if I can. I highly recommend her as long as you're willing to put in some effort.

Very passionate and knowledgeable in her field. Document Discussion days were the biggest portion of the grade, I got a C because I missed two. Tests were based almost entirely on lectures. Gave great note outlines to follow and was very helpful.

Really difficult, but if you put work in and read and take good notes, you can pass. Her grading scale is different than most professors (i.e 62-74 is a C), so it's adjusted for the difficulty. If you go to her office hours, she is very helpful and gives good feedback. Very nice lady, and if you participate and pay attention she will like you a lot

Had her as my first graduate level professor at ISU and she was very helpful. Knows so much and is always keeping the discussion lively and informative. Definitely recommend her for anyone continuing their education in history. 2 papers, a book review and 2 small responses. Do well on those, you get the A.

Dr. V-H is very knowledgable about the course material and gives great lectures. Reading isn't really required for class, but is for the tests. TAKE NOTES. There is info in the lectures that is not included in the book, but may be on tests. Tests were challenging, but not unmanageable if you study a lot.

Professor Varga-Harris is a good teacher and clearly very knowledgable. Grades are based on 3 tests and several reading quizzes. She's a tough grader but if you listen, take notes, and read, its a pretty easy class.

Dr. Varga-Harris was a great professor and I really enjoyed her class. She gives engaging lectures and youll learn a lot from her. She gives tons of information so be prepared to take diligent notes but youll learn a lot from her. I really enjoyed her class and would definitely take another one of hers in the future.

Prof. Varga-Harris is a really good professor and seems to genuinely enjoy her subject. I took her class entirely online, and she still managed to keep it pretty engaging. All of her grading is fair, and she gives good feedback on every assignment she gives.

I enjoyed her lectures and that's all class is. If you're not interested in history you'll hate it. Six "document analysis" assignments, a final and participation/attendance is all that's graded. TAKE THOROUGH NOTES AND ITS NOT THAT BAD. Knows her stuff especially when it comes to Europe and Russia.

Professor Harris was always available and knowledgeable about the topic. - 5 document analysis (answer her 10 questions, 3-4 sentences each) - 2 papers (one is the final -- take home) - Lecture-based -- gives note outlines, if you use them and take notes assignments are easy - Sign-in sheet She lectures the whole time so occasionally boring.

Dr.Varga-Harris is one of the kindest professors ever. She is always willing to help and is super understanding. If you need an extension let her know ahead of time and she will give it to you. The assignments are graded heavily but if you read the material given to you there should be no issue. She so sweet, don't read into the bad reviews.

I absolutely adored CVH and her class. It is so important to go to lectures. She has a book assigned with the course but I never bought it and never needed to use it. She is really understanding and sweet. She is passionate about history and will try to engage you in class. If you show up, take notes, and listen you will pass.

CVH is great. Very passionate and eager to help. She's very accessible outside of class and loves helping her students.

I loved this course. Dr. Varga-Harris is a Soviet historian but is very knowledgeable of Imperial Russia. She is not afraid to tell you when she is unsure of the content she is teaching, particularly wars/battles. Grades included five free-writes, a paper on one of the memoirs she assigned, a podcast report, and the final.

Many on this page are speaking ill of Dr.Varga Harris, so I have decided to defend her. Sure, she expects you to read, and she expects you to write quality essays. But this is good history, guys. This is how history is supposed to be done. She is an excellent history professor, she knows her craft well and expects her students to do history well...

One of the hardest graders ive ever encountered. But she does it for a reason. She is very knowledgeable and very smart. She makes you THINK. I would take her again because she help me develop my writing skills.

Dr. Varga-Harris has been my absolute favorite professor at ISU so far! Many of the reviews on RMP seem to be from non-history majors taking 102, however if you are a HIS or HIS Ed. major, she is an excellent professor to take a class with! She is very kind, knowledgeable, and professional. Looking forward to taking her class on the Soviet era!