His final last two classes! It is way to much for gen ed.

Awesome class, brilliant man and teacher, very hard, makes you work

Very difficult class, however it made you think and learn. Excellent teacher.

He knows his subject and makes it interesting. Class is very structured. He is challanging and fair.

Hard, but good. Knows his wars!

He's very organized and efficient in his manner of teaching. He's hard but you learn a lot and in a way that helps you retain what you learn.

EXCELLENT TEACHER. Very thorough and clear. I learned a lot and developed a deep interest in history as a result. Very hard but fair and worth every bit of effort. 4 yrs later, I still vividly remember classes and enjoy rereading notes and texts.

He is tough!! He is also one of the finest instructors I have ever had. If you are willing to work hard you will do fine. If you are looking for a course to sleep through then find a different instructor.

If you think about it, he looks a lot like Teddy Roosevelt. I think that's why he has us write a paper about him.

Love Dr. Fitzpatrick. Brilliant, clear, interesting, knowledgeble.

A GREAT instructor. Challenging. Thoughtful. Provacative. And, contrary to the comment below, he doesn't want us to write "his" paper. Rather, he wants us to write well. As a dual-enrolled student at WCC and EMU, I can say I value his feedback far more than I do my EMU profs!!! A GREAT PERSON

A history teacher who knows what he's talking about and uses the textbooks as a supplement, not the main attraction. He's a little confused when it comes to religion, and sometimes that can have an effect on his teaching. All around, 4.5 out of 5!!

Great teacher! Very organised, very thorough. A hard professor who expects alot, but also makes it easy to pay attention and learn. I'm currently taking my fourth Fitzpatrick class, and I've loved every one of them. I recommend him to anyone, but you have to work for your grade.

Best teacher ever!

Overall I think he is pretty good prof. He knows what he is talking about. I do have 2 problems with him that will keep me from taking another course. The course is about the civil war, but I feel he used the “N” word excessively. His attendance policy is also somewhat unfair.

GIVE ME A BREAK. The guy uses the "N" word only when appropriate. How do you teach about race and racism with talking about the language of both? His classes are great. I intend to take all of the classes he teaches before I'm done at WCC.

He is hard but he is really good

He really has a passion for history and that makes a difference. You have to work in his class but that seems to be the point of college.

No Comments

This was the greatest class I have ever taken. I really feel much more informed about current events after getting a grasp on the events following the Civil War. Be ready to work, this is not a slacker class.

Great Professor. I took his Online Class. Lectures are indepth. Grades very fair.

Don't take him if you are afraid of work. Do take him if you want to be prepared for other real college level classes. My favorite teacher, ever, including everybody from K thru BA. I learned so much. He is rigorous, but very fair.

Awesome teacher!! You will learn and be intrigued with every class. My wife and I took this class together, and we had a great time the whole semester. Never wanted to miss a class as the teacher brought history to life for us. One of the best teachers I had ever! Wife and I are discussing taking the class again because we learned so much, No Joke!

Dr. Fitzpatrick's encyclopedic knowledge of his subject is matched by his zeal for teaching it. He's a captivating speaker and an organized instructor. He demands a great deal of his students and doesn't cater to mediocrity, but he's also very accessible and generous. His appreciation for historical ambiguity might leave something to be desired.

Great lectures, but clarity on papers was not even in the room. Has completely different writing expectations than almost all of the rest of WCC. It was alwasy GREATLY annoying to only give answers HIS way with no room for interpretation.

I took both US History classes online, and he almost made me want to change my major to history! HOWEVER, has little social grace or consideration for student needs. Gave no positive feedback for good performance. You are brilliant, but forget that intelligence is only part of being a good teacher.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is a amazing and no-nonsense teacher who is extremely passionate about history. He expects a lot from his students, but that's what I expected from a 200 level class from a teacher who use to teach at West Point. If you don't mind working hard and taking tests that are essay-only, this is a great class.

GREAT TEACHER. His lectures aren't boring but rather interesting. He covers EVERYTHING he tests on through his lectures. I loved the class. It's tough and he has a few quizzes and the reg. exams but if you listen and take notes he is good. You'll have pages and pages of notes but he tells stories and makes everything fun and easy to listen to!

Great professor. One of the hardest classes I've ever taken, but well worth it. He's strict, tough, and doesn't mess around. That is what college is about. If you want a teacher to stroke your ego, go back to high school!! He expects the best and doesn't accept mediocrity. Will defintely take another class of his.

This teacher tells you what he expects and then is fair about the application of his rules. If you do not like rules you probably will not do well in this class,or in college at all. The textbooks are are fair, there are only two. I have had history classes with dozens of required readings. Get over yourself and take a challenging class.

Incredibly tough, but the only teacher that I felt I really had to earn my grade in. The class will teach you more of history than any other you can possibly take, but procrastinators (like myself) beware...you can't sluff off in this one.

Great teacher. Yes very hard, college was not supposed to be easy. I have taken all the classes he teaches at WCC. His writing assignmentst are hard but if the right research is done you will get a good grade. He brings the best out of good honest students. Getting A's in his class is actually worth it.

He is the best teacher I have ever had. His lectures are VERY interesting...I actually enjoyed going to his class and I never liked history. He does require several papers and essay test. However, Fitzpatrick gives you the essay questions before the test and several weeks to write a paper (which every college student should be able to do)

I have taken all of his classes and I wish he taught more. They were demanding but fair, and I learned more in his classes than I ever thought I would. If you're lazy and looking for an easy A, don't take him. If you're up to a challenge and want to learn a lot, he teaches the best courses at WCC. Be prepared to WRITE!!!

By far the best teacher I have ever had. The quizzes and finals are nightmares, but he MAKES SURE THAT YOU KNOW what you are talking about. Please do yourself a favor and make sure that you are ready for a intense class with a TON of work.

You'll need to read every book assigned and at least 2-3 pages of notes each class. You'll learn the history subject or fail. More than half the class quit by the final. Very hard but he gives you your money's worth and then some. I wish more teachers cared enough to hold the students to such high standards, we'd be a better society if they did.

He was very clear on what he wanted. He doesnt have much empathy. If youre going to miss an exam, dont cause theres no way you can make it up. I dont think he understands that we take other classes and have jobs..we did not have nearly enough time to read the 400 page book assigned in order to write the paper (which was not an easy read)

What a bunch of whiners below. You have to work hard to get a grade, pure and simple. You have to follow instructions. You are expected to act like an adult. If you are willing to work, he is no problem. Best instructor on campus, hands down.

Har but fair. Expects us to achieve college standards. Whiners & the lazy do not want to take his classes. Those who want to learn something should take his classes.

I took this class online, that was my first mistake. It is a lot of work, do not take this unless you are prepared to do it. Too much reading and not enough substance. Avoid this class online if possible.

Interesting class online. A lot of work though and the work wasn't easy either. The online part your only given 45 minutes to write answers and my computer is really good and it was still delayed type time. If your a complete terd and don't take history serious your going to perish like the Confederacy in the South and be gone with the wind!

Easily the best prof at WCC. Makes college a real achievement, instead of invalidating the accomplishment of doing well like many easier profs. If you cant write you shouldn't take his class. Then again, if you can't write, then maybe college is not for you. Treats you as an adult. Children, overly sensitive, lazy or plain stupid need not apply.

hard but great teacher

Dr. Fitzpatrick is a great lecturer. There is a ton of material but he makes very interesting. This is an extremely hard class and requires a ton of time. Write a ton on the finals!! If you don't have a lot of time or you are lazy then definitely avoid this class.

Not an easy class, but not overwhelming either. Fitzpatrick is extremely knowledgeable. He can also be intimidating, but don't let him scare you. Take good notes and spend adequate time on the essay and you should be fine.

Tough but incredibly fair. He clearly outlines his expectations and teaches in a manner that's very easy to understand. As long as you're willing to work, you HAVE to take him! He's the best professor on campus!

Awesome teacher. I didn't even like history prior to this. His lectures are very interesting. He is very clear on expectations and grading. The work is tough, but I have learned a lot. I liked him so much, I am taking him next semester also.

I think your teaching methods are very helpful, you have never been able to not answer one of my questions. Your outlines help alot with your quizzes and I like that.

Hard professor grading wise but you will learn history if you work hard. If you don't like to work then avoid at all cost, because you will work hard or fail.

Fitzpatrick is a quality professor. If you're looking for an easy A, he's not you're type of guy. On the other hand he doesn't expect perfection. If you're a serious student who's interested in the subject I'd take him. His teaching style/notes are most of what you'll need for the test. In my experience his class was almost 100% lecture.

He understands the material, is firm in his style, but extremely fair in his actions and grading. I truly enjoyed taking his class. Be warned, you will work. Be assured, if you do the work, you will learn a lot very quickly.

I received the same comments on my paper as the person below, but then Dr. Fitzpatrick gave me detailed examples of what I needed to do to write a better paper. I learned more about writing in his history class than I did in my English class. He taught a challenging course. His class felt like being in college, not HS like many classes at WCC.

Very good instuctor. He is very knowledgable on the subject area. Amount of work is what college students should have.

This class is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to work.

I LOVE the online course! It's AMAZING. His lectures are detailed and he has a way of lecturing that keeps your attention. I'm not sure how an in-class would be because there is just SO MUCH to remember, so being able to pause is nice. As for difficulty: As long as you read the book, watch the lectures, and use the review questions, you'll ace it!

You need to pay attention and take notes. If you do, you'll be fine. If you don't, you'll need to read the book or be screwed. He expects you to know the content, if that's being difficult, then he's difficult. I think he's a very fair grader.

Prof. Fitzpatrick expects college level work from college students. Yes you do have to write, and there are no multiple choice tests as they are all essay questions, but he actually teaches you something. His classes are not easy A's, but if you go to class, pay attention, and write an essay that you actually put some thought into you will do fine

Definitely not an easy A. Class is based off of 4 quizzes and two exams; all essay questions. Doesn't use the book in class but assigns compulsory readings. If you want an easy pass, do not take him. He's tough and frustrating at times but you do get something out of his class.

This teacher is not an easy teacher but he is very precise in his assignments. If you study and are organized you will do just fine.

He is hard, but fair. The grade you earn is what you deserve. Show up on time for every class and you will do just fine. If you don't understand something, ask.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is AMAZING!!!!! WCC is super lucky to have him. He is BRILLIANT! He's also really helpful to students during his office hours. I learned so much in his class, I'm so glad that I took him! TAKE DR. FITZPATRICK! (And a tip if you do take him: answer all the study questions and try reading primary source docs related to the material)

DO NOT EXPECT AN A IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT 20-30 HOURS/WEEK IN. He is an extremely difficult grader, his quizzes are hard and his exams impossible. On the other hand his lectures are precise, clear and easy to understand. He really knows his stuff and will try to help you as much as possible.His online lectures have not been updated since '05

Professor Fitzpatrick expects a lot of his students so be prepared to work hard for an A. Expects professionalism in his classroom but once all of that is out of the way he is very passionate about the subjects he teaches and is open and willing to help those who are respectful and engaged in class.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is a college-level professor and expects his students to be ready to tackle the difficulty of college classes. If you show up, do your best, and ask for help there is no reason you shouldn't succeed. He has no time for slackers. Wonderful teacher-- very educated and intriguing. Best professor I've ever had. 3 classes taken with him.

I took HST201 (US History pre 1877) my first semester of college. I also happened to be pregnant and have morning sickness, but I still managed a B+. Yes, he's hard on grading, and yes I know this is a community college, but I like the way he teaches because he expects you to have a brain and to use it.

Lectures are online videos - very outdated. All of the questions on testsquizzes are his opinion. If you watch the videos and take good notes all the answers are there though. Exams have essays which can be tricky. Gives you answers after quizzes though... and those are the questions on the exams.

He's a hard professor, but I learned so much from him. His tests are incredibly difficult, but he everything that you needed to know he had lectured on. One of my favorite professors because he made me interested in my one of my least favorite subjects.

I took this class online. I liked how we didn't just learn dates and specific events, but what caused them to happen and what outcomes they started. He does expect a lot; however, and if you don't watch the lecture videos, you will not pass. The study questions are essential, although I feel like the quizzes are based on opinion.

He is NOT an EASY A. You have to work for it but you will learn things from this class. It is not impossible to get an A. Show up on time, every time, you NEED the material covered in lecture to answer the study questions. He takes right from the study questions for the quizzes. Exams are essay questions, prep for them, visit him in office hours

If you want to take this class for an easy A, look elsewhere. If you really want to learn about history in depth, this is a fantastic class to take. This professor's lectures are great and his quizzes and exams are very clearly outlined in the study guides. It's easy to get an A in here but you need to try. I love Civil War Era history now

My first class I ever had at WCC, easily one of my favorite teachers I've ever had. Lectures were great, I absorbed the information well.

Very good lecturer, makes you interested in military history; he says this is not an easy A because you dont learn much in a class thats an easy A

You have to watch the lectures and take notes, here's the thing though... he gives you an outline for every lecture, so just follow the outline while watching and fill it in. Then he gives you practice questions for every module(2 lectures each). Answer those questions after you watch the lectures and fill out the outline and you'll do well.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is a foreshadowing of what a lecture-heavy course looks like. Don't expect the material to be divided into easy-to-digest modules. Dr. Fitzpatrick's knowledge is deep, and you will have to come up to his level. If you are not a fast reader, don't bother. If you intend to transfer, this course is great preparation.

Really great professor. Took his course back in Winter/Spring 22 and I had no complaints. Very lecture heavy course, but he recorded all lectures so we could go back and review them. Grades were decided by a few quizzes and two paper exams. Lectures were very interesting, and he clearly knows his material. Definitely would recommend him.

He is great professor if you truly want to learn. His lecture videos are long and will require note taking. However, the time investment is worth it, he is very knowledgeable. He does give quizzes weekly, but if you took notes during lecture they're an easy A. My only complaint is his lecture videos were filmed in 2005!