2.6

Cindy Gissendanner

History - Towson University

2.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
33%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
2.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
2.6
Helpful
2.5
Clarity

33%

Would Retake

83

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

8

4

11

3

27

2

24

1

13

What Students Say

Class is easy if you're good at writing papers

HIST146 - 2.0 rating

(Midterm was take home)

HIST146 - 3.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

83%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
A (8)
Not sure yet (4)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(9)B(4)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 20 reported grades
A: 8
Not sure yet: 4
B: 2
B-: 2
Common Tags
Get ready to read (9)
Lecture heavy (7)
Graded by few things (5)
So many papers (4)
LECTURE HEAVY (3)
Participation matters (3)
Caring (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.21 avg change
May
Sep
Dec
Nov
Dec
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

WMST603

5.0

(1)

WMST485

5.0

(1)

ADVANCEDWRITIN

4.0

(1)

HIST361

3.8

(4)

WMST383

3.8

(4)
+16 more courses
Difficulty by Course

HST146

5.0

HIST145

4.0

WMST338

4.0

WMST383

3.8

HIST146

3.4

Reviews (83)
3.0
3.0
HIST361
Apr 10, 2002

didn't seem to know what she was talking about. very boring!

4.0
3.0
HIST146
Apr 30, 2002

nice person, boring class. only two tests and reading responses make up grade

3.0
2.0
USHIST
Oct 31, 2002

she's really nice but boring classes. She knows what shes talking about though.

2.0
3.0
HIST100
Nov 5, 2002

terribly dry and boring class. It seems that she has no material to talk about.

2.0
3.0
HIST100
Nov 12, 2002

Really boring, drags on, goes off on tangents, and you really can't follow her.

5.0
2.0
HIST100
Nov 23, 2002

Wonderful and nice person, go after class & she will help u w/ anything!

3.0
3.0
HIST361
Jan 23, 2003

doesn't take attendance, classes boring, but is a nice teacher and fair grader

3.0
3.0
HIST146
Jan 29, 2003

Almost all lecture, fair grader, learned a lot

3.0
4.0
HIST146
Apr 23, 2003

No Comments

3.0
2.0
HIST146
Apr 30, 2003

class lectures are very boring, watch some videos, nice lady, fair grader, must take notes from lectues and read documents then discuss them, journals are only work given...couple tests whole semester that are short answer and essay

2.0
3.0
HIST146
Apr 14, 2004

Boring class, only have like 3 grades the whole semester which includes 1-2 papers. Hard grader, seems to know what she's talking about but will def. put you to sleep, watch a lot of movies. Never takes attendance

1.0
4.0
HIST146
May 16, 2004

STAY AWAY...RUN. Please do yourself a favor and find a way around her. No class particptn; could care less who you are, what you know, or if you need help. Doesn't wanna "teach" you; she doesn't care if you learn or not. Tests are so EFFING RIDI

2.0
4.0
HIST146
May 27, 2004

bring a pillow. buy the book so you can read what you slept through. lots of movies. 2 tests and a paper.

1.0
3.0
HIST146
Oct 5, 2004

Get out while you still can. Out of 20 people in class, I strained myself to stay awake and count that eight people were sleeping through out the whole lesson. If you are not the type to sleep in class, this class will convert you to the type.

3.0
2.0
HISTORY
Oct 20, 2004

This class is fairly easy. There is a midterm a final and 1 paper. Other than that the only assignments are easy 3 paragraph journals. However it is a very boring class. She never takes attendance either. Bring something to keep you occupied during the class! But overall a fair grader and nice lady.

3.0
3.0
HIST146
Nov 11, 2004

very boring but nice woman. but only take this class if you can sleep through it and just read the material. tests are pretty easy cuz she gives you what is going to be on it.

2.0
3.0
HIST146
Nov 15, 2004

Not many assignments. Essay tests know details!! Boring class tests arent about lectures.

5.0
4.0
HIST146
Grade: A
Nov 15, 2004

She's a very nice person and grades fairly. However, her classes are entirely made up of lectures and movies, and it gets really boring at times. The midterm and final are the only tests and they're all on essays, so make sure when she gives you the questions ahead of time, you prepare all of them.

1.0
4.0
HIST146
Nov 30, 2004

terrible teaching style. learned 10x more in high school history. expects you to know copious amounts of info. not covered in her class for midterm/final. Very slow with grading, getting papers back. disappointing college experience- stay away

3.0
3.0
HIST146
Dec 7, 2004

There is one paper and two essay tests. You must prepare the essays or you will do poorly. She is available for help if you talk to her. She will meet with you during her office hours to clear up anything from class that you missed in lecture. Take detailed notes and you're fine. No attendance taken

3.0
4.0
HIST146
Dec 14, 2004

CAUTION: WORST TEACHER EVER! STAY AWAY! SHE IS BORING AND THE MOST INCONSISTENT GRADER EVER! SHE MAKES YOU READ 3 BOOKS, ASIDE FROM THE TEXT BOOK, DO 9 ONLINE JOURNALS, AND MEMORIZE 8 ESSAYS FOR MIDTERM AND FINAL! WAY TOO MUCH WORK FOR A GENED... DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, AND KEEP AWAY!

3.0
4.0
HIST146
Dec 15, 2004

Not the greatest, very boring, lectures and movies-If u want to learn about African Am, women, and lesbians only this is ur class. VERY slow getting papers back and inconsistent grader. If u HAVE to take her, make sure u are a good writer, love to read volumious amounts, and know ALOT already

2.0
4.0
HISTORY
Jan 25, 2005

i've never been so bored by the topic of sexuality in my life. how someone can make sexuality put 4-10 people asleep every day amazes me.

3.0
2.0
HIST146
Apr 19, 2005

Prepare essays for tests and write one good paper and you will get an A. Lectures are extremely boring but she doesn't take attendance so I never went to class. A LOT of reading from text and other books. Cancels class a lot without notice and takes FOREVER to return papers and tests.

3.0
3.0
HIST146
Apr 19, 2005

I slept through almost every class... tests are all essay and you really have to knoow your stuff but she gives the questions ahead of time so you just have to prepare.. no surprises

4.0
2.0
ADVANCEDWRITIN
Aug 31, 2005

No Comments

3.0
1.0
HIST300
Sep 5, 2005

Class was cancelled frequently. Very boring, I think she would forget what class she was teaching. Very nice though.

5.0
2.0
HIST361
Grade: A
Oct 19, 2005

She is very helpful, and gave us a study sheet for our tests which more and more teachers don't like to do. If you do your readings you'll be fine.

2.0
4.0
HIST146
Jan 5, 2006

OH MY LORD...i HATED this class, and she didn't make it interesting at all, notes everyday, the whole class. when she couldnt make it she made some old man teach us instead! She didnt get to know anyones names, and she is very unclear about the ONE assignment we have in the class. The test covered nothing we learned in class..DO NOT TAKE HER!

1.0
5.0
HST146
Apr 5, 2006

i honestly have never had a worse teacher in my life....she has a monotone voice, and none of it is interesting. i never got any of my any of my grades until a month later, she SUCKS

2.0
4.0
HIST146
Apr 9, 2006

She has lectures everyday that are soooo boring. She only gives a midterm and a final and then ONE paper so if u bomb those then the class is over. I could not stand her and she does not help you out at all if you need it.

4.0
3.0
HIST146
May 26, 2006

She give alot of information but there is only 3 grades in the class so you have alot of time to focus on other classes.

3.0
4.0
HIST146
Aug 12, 2006

You don't really realize how hard the class is until the first test. I bombed the first paper-she didn't explain it enough. When I went to her for help, she graded my second paper early and let me turn it in again to her. She gives you sample essay questions for the tests but they are SO hard! Even when you use the book you are confused! Good luck!

3.0
5.0
HIST146
Nov 7, 2006

Hate the class, and hate the professor. She makes the class so overly boring, when people actually show up, they fall asleep. only time we a have a full class is when there is a quiz. She lectures for the entire hour and 15 minutes, and what she talks about isnt on any of the exams. Essay questions in advance, but too hard to answer, good luck!

1.0
5.0
HIST100
Dec 5, 2006

I didn't even take this class, but I had two friends who took it at the same time and by the end, *I* wanted to kill the teacher. My friends are not people who complain about too much work, but she pushed them both over the edge. Seriously, avoid this class with her if at all possible.

2.0
3.0
HIST100
Dec 20, 2006

Ridiculous amount of work for a Using Info Effectively class. A four page paper, a seven page paper, a whole bunch of two page papers. Didn't get a single grade until after the Pass/Fail deadline, despite promises that we would. Do not take this class with her.

2.0
4.0
HIST146
Jan 28, 2007

No Comments

4.0
3.0
HIST361
Apr 10, 2007

dont really need the books. shes very nice just not interesting. give a study guide and tests arent too hard

2.0
3.0
HIST100
Apr 3, 2008

DO NOT TAKE HER!she had no control over the class, and is a terrible teacher. also for the final paper i got marked off because she said i used "too many scholarly sources." every educated person know that you cant state opinions without backing them up. to bad she didnt like my opinions, so i did bad on the paper. unfortunatly she isnt objective.

2.0
4.0
HIST146
Nov 10, 2008

She's a nice lady, but her class is TEDIOUS. She lectures the entire class with a monotone, and it is extremely hard to stay focused. Also, the only grades are the midterm, final, and research paper. I like her, but can't stand the class.

2.0
3.0
HIST306
Dec 18, 2008

Class is easy until you get to the final. Papers are not too difficult but she takes forever to grade them which leaves you high and dry. Complain about too much work and she will drop assignments and number of pages for the papers. all essay tests that cover nothing she ever talked about. Stay away or not. who cares?

3.0
1.0
HIST306
Dec 30, 2008

No Comments

2.0
3.0
HIST146
Mar 31, 2009

Really boring almost always falling asleep in class. Her enunciation on her "o" is very irritating. She made me buy 5 books 1 we use for weekly quizzes. One is for a 5 page paper which is not mandatory but if you don't do it you must do the second 5 page paper. If you do the first one and you fail you have the option to do the second one.

1.0
4.0
HIST146
Apr 13, 2009

This is the worst class I have ever taken! She is a very dry, unorganized, confusing, boring profesor. I have never had a class like this one - I am a very good student but this class drove me insane!!! I am not great in history to begin with but I can not tell you one thing I learned this year! do not take this class!!!!

2.0
4.0
HIST145
Apr 16, 2009

Don't take this class. It's not even an easy A. She talks all class, it's horrendously boring, and what she talks about has little to do with her tests. 1 10? quiz every week (mostly T or F) and she makes them more difficult than they need to be by wording them awkwardly. 1 5 page paper, 1 take-home midterm, and 1 in class final. AVOID IF POSSIBLE!

3.0
4.0
HIST146
May 15, 2009

She knows what she is talking about and is willing to help you outside of class. You have to work extremely hard to get a good grade. There is a 10 question quiz every week on an assigned chapter of reading. If you don't have time to read, avoid this class. One 5 page paper, mid-term and final. If you bomb those, you won't be passing.

2.0
5.0
HIST146
May 19, 2009

Most boring class ever. She doesn't require you to come. But then you miss the quizzes. Paper, quizzes, mid-term, and final make up the grade. AVOID!!!

4.0
3.0
HIST146
Nov 18, 2009

Had her for Fall 2009. She's a nice lady and knows what she's talking about. I never had a quiz in the class like the people before me said.. Pretty much theres a midterm/final and 2 papers. Those are your grades. Class isn't easy and you'll have to earn your grade. Class is a lecture--I feel like there are harder professors than her in History.

5.0
2.0
HIST146
Dec 11, 2009

Nice teacher. Alot of lecturing (not my forte). Attendance not mandatory. & No need to read, only used 1 book 2x to prepare for the tests. Willing to help you out if you ask. Only 4 grades- 2 papers (w/ demanding reqs.) & 2 tests- a final & a midterm. She doesn't pass back papers in time so, you'll never know what you have until after the final. =/

3.0
2.0
HIST146
Jan 30, 2010

1. Don't buy books 2. Don't listen to her lectures 3. She gives a study guide 2 weeks before the mid-term and final. Use internet to fill them out. 4. Write a 3-4 page book report 5. 7 page thesis paper on Notable American. Pretty easy grader, but extremely slow.

1.0
4.0
HIST146
Apr 20, 2010

EXTREMELY BORING.I almost fall aleep every day I have the class. She lectures of random things but doesn't use a poerpoint or write anything down. She talks too fast,and I'm unable to write what she says. Don't buy the books..reading the chapters weekly is useless. She gives a study guide for the midterm and final, so if you study you'll be fine.

3.0
2.0
HIST385
Apr 27, 2010

One 12pg paper, one 3-4pg paper, 1 take-home midterm, and one in-class final, and that's pretty much it. Attendance not mandatory but she takes it sometimes.

5.0
4.0
HIST146
May 8, 2010

Great teacher, yes the class may be a little boring but it is a gen ed history class so what do you expect. Take notes on what she writes down and make sure to study using the study guides. There are a few quizes but she will inform you a week in advance! Personally I recommend this class and professor

3.0
3.0
HIST148
Aug 8, 2010

It was almost funny how much I had no idea was going on in this class. Honors class -had a few papers that I needed to try to go through the books to research. Never was able to stay awake through the assigned readings and used books only for the couple papers and prepartion for midterm/ final. Got very lucky with an A-

3.0
3.0
HIST306
Dec 30, 2011

Just a bad class overall. Lectures are boring, she doesn't use any visual aids and doesn't right anything, just sits at a desk and talks. Only 4 grades (midterm, 15 page paper, 5 page paper, and final) but you have no idea how you are doing in the class because you never get anything back. My interest deminished throughout the semester.

5.0
3.0
WMST603
Jan 3, 2012

Great professor. The lectures are only boring if u're not interested in gender studies or history. She holds onto your papers because she wants to go over them and give you quality feedback. I loved this class because we discussed EVERYTHING and it was a safe space. We had a lot of fun. I encourage her, but you have to attend and participate!

4.0
1.0
HIST148
May 19, 2012

BORING!!!!!!!! Take home midterm AND final. It was super easy. I did not learn a thing. The hardest part is staying awake!!

3.0
1.0
HIST300
Nov 27, 2012

TAKE HER! history 300 was told to be a hard class, take it with her. only like 3 grades bok review a rough draf of your paper then the final 20 page paper. she is very boring, gonna be hard to stay awake. no powerpoints just talks and talks, really slow getting papers back. she took atendence but i don't think it really matters.

3.0
2.0
HIST146
Nov 28, 2012

Professor Gissendanner is a rather boring professor who does not give you much assistance in class. However her class is fairly easy if you are good at writing papers. You have to write two essays and both the final and midterm are essay based as well. (Midterm was take home)

2.0
3.0
HIST146
Dec 11, 2012

She is really boring but doesn't care if you come to class or what you do in class. Class is easy if you're good at writing papers. She doesn't email you back

2.0
4.0
TSEM102
Apr 11, 2014

EXTREMELY boring. Doesn't use powerpoints or notes to guide her lectures, and instead shows films that are completely irrelevant to the class or stands in the front of the room and talks for 50 straight minutes. Extremely disorganized and takes forever to get assignments graded. Isn't interested in class material... not helpful. Never emails back.

3.0
3.0
WMST333
Dec 1, 2014

She's confusing and all she does is talk for an hour and 15 minutes. The essays are on topics not even discussed in class. And the class is super boring.

2.0
3.0
WMST213
Grade: B
Jan 11, 2015

There aren't many assignments but when you do have then she takes forever to give them back. I didn't get my midterm back until the week of finals. You don't know what to expect for a grade. Her class is boring and it is a struggle to go to.

3.0
3.0
WMST333
Nov 2, 2015

3 papers, 2 exams. Attendance counts, but only in that she takes off points for excessive absences. She takes way too long to grade things. The essays don't have anything to do with the reading or with class discussion, they're totally random. Midterm was essay based and was based on the readings. She's okay. Pretty boring, but not awful.

4.0
3.0
WMST333
Grade: B-
Dec 22, 2015

I liked the class but the only suggestion is that she did take a while for returning papers. A few students may find her boring but she's a fair grader when it comes to papers and assignments. I did pass overall.

4.0
3.0
WMST383
Grade: A-
Dec 30, 2016
Would take again

Cindy is very passionate about Animal Rights, but she is also open and aware of the multitude of views humans have on non-human animals' rights. Most of the work is written, but she allows ample time to complete assignments. Due to the length of the assignments grading is a little slow, but if you do your work you will receive a fair grade.

Get ready to read
Hilarious
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
3.0
WMST338
Oct 13, 2017
Wouldn't take again

She rambles and repeats herself a lot. She can be boring, its more interesting when we have group discussion. I don't feel like I'm learning anything.

Get ready to read
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
3.0
WMST383
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 27, 2018
Would take again

Eh. She's a nice lady, but the class is veryyyy boring. She posts the readings online so don't worry about getting books! There are only a few assignments, one midterm, one final but she takes FOREVER to get them back to you. Today is Nov.27 and I still don't know what I got on the midterm. I'm hoping I get an A, cuz the class seems easy but Idk!

Get ready to read
Participation matters
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
1.0
TSEM102
Grade: A
Feb 26, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Had her for my Immigrant Women Experiences TSEM and do not recommend. The class had lots of potential information-wise but she made it unbearable. Sat through an hour and 15 mins of her standing and talking at us every class, while only writing words on the board once in a while. Very dull voice so easy to become bored and tired

Lecture heavy
Caring
5.0
2.0
WMST485
Grade: A
May 15, 2019
Would take again

Dr. Gissendanner was my advisor and also professor on a few occasions. She comes off as quiet but she is actually very funny if you take the time to speak with her outside of class, or even if you just participate in discussion during class. She wants her students to care about what they are studying, keep that in mind and you will pass!

Graded by few things
Caring
So many papers
4.0
2.0
WMST333
Grade: A+
Dec 23, 2019
Would take again

Professor Cindy is an amazing person and though it takes her a long time to return papers, if you use the writing center and understand the questions you should be fine. If you explain to her the need to pass the class with a certain grade and you do the work she will make it easier for you because she know you have lots of classes to think about.

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
So many papers
1.0
5.0
WMST338
Nov 29, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Took her during virtual fall 2020 semester. All you do is write journals and essays. This was a poorly designed course you could tell she just threw together. Attendance was not required. Youre expected to read 3-5 30 page journals every week. Didnt learn anything. Waste of time, take another class.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
So many papers
4.0
5.0
WMST383
Grade: A
Jan 27, 2021
Wouldn't take again

MINIMESTER SCHEDULE WEEK 1:Two 7-10 sentences discussion posts, 2-3 page essay WEEK 2:Research paper paragraph + 5 scholarly articles, 1 midterm (two 5 paragraph essays), two discussion posts WEEK 3:two discussion posts, 1 final (two 5 paragraph essays), 7-8 page paper +150 pages of articles EVERY WEEK Minimester is a lot --you've been warned!!

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
So many papers
5.0
3.0
WMST337
Grade: A
Jul 29, 2021
Would take again

Dr. Gissendanner is a great teacher, she provides feedback for you to be able to improve. She is very clear about her grading criteria and is responsive outside of class. There is a ton of reading however since it wasnt required to attend meetings you could read at your own pace and do the assignments on your own time.

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
4.0
4.0
WMST383
Grade: A
Apr 17, 2023
Would take again

She is great, incredibly knowledgeable and gives amazing and thought provoking lectures. She encourages class discussion so be sure to read the assigned articles and journals to get the most out of class discussion time. Professor Gissendanner gives wonderful feedback on the written exams and research papers

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
LGBT101
Grade: Incomplete
May 8, 2023

The most boring class that I have ever been in. LGBTQ+ history is incredibly interesting, yet she presents everything in the same monotonous tone of disinterest. She also takes forever to grade, and when she does, there is little feedback. She also has not ever answered a single email sent by any of us in the class, making communication harder.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
1.0
WMST337
Grade: Not sure yet
Sep 14, 2023

listen to all of us who are saying how boring this prof is bro. literally had to fight to stay awake. she lectures and her tone never changes. very slow paced, i dreaded sitting through her class twice a week. she doesn't answer emails either so don't bother trying to reach her outside of class. would NOT recommend her if u rlly like this topic.

2.0
2.0
LGBT101
Grade: B
Dec 19, 2023

I thought LGBT studies would be a simple and interesting class, but it was the opposite. The lectures were boring, and she spoke slowly and in a monotone way, making it hard to stay awake. Like others have said, it's hard to communicate with her outside of class. Your grade will be based on three papers and five discussion posts.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
5.0
LGBT101
Grade: B+
Nov 25, 2024

She is a horrible professor. I am a freshman and I took this class in the fall semester. Her class is the reason why I have had so many mental breakdowns this semester. Her class is very boring and I left this class knowing no more than what I came into the class knowing. She doesn't grade fast and she doesn't answer emails. DONT TAKE HER CLASS!!

Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
LGBT101
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 18, 2024

She is ok this class was very lecture heavy but it was very very boring. She just stands at the front and talks every class about the previous chapter we had. The book is free so that's good and you will be graded on five discussion posts and three papers. She's a very slow grader as well and it's very annoying.

Lecture heavy
1.0
3.0
LGBT101
Grade: B-
Dec 26, 2024

She doesn't answer any emails. She automatically thinks everyone in her class is liberal and hates trump so she bashes others political views. would give bad grades cause i didn't agree with her views

2.0
4.0
WMST337
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 2, 2025

She is a rough teacher to have. She is so monotonous, and will spend 1+ hours covering the same 4 slides. She is a horribly slow grader, and claims that attendance and participation is one of the major points of your grade. However, when you try and submit an excuse, she will not answer for at least 1-2 weeks after. Overall so incredibly boring

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
4.0
WMST337
Grade: A
Dec 24, 2025

Not a lot of feedback and took the entire semester to grade assignments even after having multiple conversations with her about it. Her lectures aren't the worst, but they are extremely boring and it's very easy to drift away and stop listening. Slightly higher than average amount of reading for a 300-level. Lots of videos.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

83%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 15 grades
Most common grades:
A (8)
Not sure yet (4)
B (2)
Grade Distribution
A(9)B(4)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 20 reported grades
A: 8
Not sure yet: 4
B: 2
B-: 2
Common Tags
Get ready to read (9)
Lecture heavy (7)
Graded by few things (5)
So many papers (4)
LECTURE HEAVY (3)
Participation matters (3)
Caring (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.21 avg change
May
Sep
Dec
Nov
Dec
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

WMST603

5.0

(1)

WMST485

5.0

(1)

ADVANCEDWRITIN

4.0

(1)

HIST361

3.8

(4)

WMST383

3.8

(4)
+16 more courses
Difficulty by Course

HST146

5.0

HIST145

4.0

WMST338

4.0

WMST383

3.8

HIST146

3.4

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