3.1
Quality3.6
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake94
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
94
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
20
4
17
3
30
2
22
1
5
What Students Say
“His class was lecture heavy”
HIST015 - 1.0 rating“Worst professor to ever walk campus”
HIS110 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
86%
Textbook Required
33%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.53 avg changeRatings by Course
HIS101
5.0
(1)HIS026
5.0
(1)HISTA
5.0
(1)HIS115
5.0
(1)HIS112
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
WESTERNCIVA
5.0
HIST010
5.0
HIST26
5.0
WORLD101
5.0
WESTERNCIV
4.5
Reviews (94)
Prof. Lea is a pretty good professor. His lectures are very interesting and easy to follow. He tells it like a story, making it interesting to hear. I've only taken 1 test, but I got an 88. :) You do need to study though. But that is with most classes.
Great Teacher. He knows his stuff. I would take him again. His class does aquire work, so if your looking for an easy "A" this is not the course for you.
Tough class, but he definitely knows his stuff. He grades on improvement so you can pull a C out of the class even if you are a bit lost.
he is very straight foward and willing to help. he tells you essay topics in advance and grades on improvement. nice guy and easy to follow in lecture.
He is very helpful. He tells the essay questions before you take the test. The test are kind of hard though. You have to study! The test are mostly what he talks about in class.
He constantly says "uh and um". He is extremely boring. Sitting in his class makes stabbing yourself in the eye sound good. Overall I would not take him again.
Great teacher, class if tough but you learn so much. Go to class and pay attention and do some reading and the test will be easy.
Lea is kinda boring, but knows his stuff. I got a B in his class, and you gotta work for an A. Study, and read read read. He can be an arrogant **** at times. but come on, it's LEA!
Had him twice and I enjoyed both of the classes. He made the lectures interesting and challenged you to do better all the time. Demanding, but in a positive way. You were the best Lea!!!!!!!!
He is a very nice guy, classes might be little boring but it is history class, what do you expect? He is always willing to help out to his students, he is not an very easy teacher but definetely not an hard one. I had fun in his classes...
VERY COCKY! has an attitude like whoa. Constantly saying "uh and um". Never on time leaving class out, I'm constantly late for my next class. Does give good information though, but his personality is sketchy.
Lea thinks he is at Harvard. He is condescending and extremely cocky. he gives alotta notes and you have to be at every class. tests are too bad...if you want a challenge take him
This guy acts like he's very helpful and everything in his class is easy. If you're not into history, don't take it. He lectures for 80minutes straight and gets mad when you go to the bathroom.
Amazing teacher. He lectures for the entire class, but for some reason it ended up being incredibly interesting. Tests are fairly easy for being essay/short answer based. He make really hilarious side comments about things he's teaching as well. Definitely a professor worth taking.
Lea talks to much. He thinks that he teaches at some high class college. He is no understanding at all. He is more like a drill sergeant. DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR'S CLASS
I don't know what some people are complaining about. Lea knows his stuff. His tests aren't easy at all but they're not impossible if you work at them. He's fair and wants to see his us do well. Definately recommend him for a class, but don't take him if you're a slacker or hate history.
Waaaay too much work for a gen ed.
I think he is too opinionated and does not realize that every student is as intelligent as him. If you enjoy trying your hardest in a class and not succeeding, then this the class for you!
I love history but this teacher made it boring. He walks around thinking he is smarter than everyone and puts his students down when they don't answer questions. The tests were hard...and he only spent one day day on egyptians, which is the only interesting part of ancient history.
Pompous, full of himself. He lives in his own little bubble and if you don't like his jokes he gives you a look. He also has a distaste for Catholics. So if you are Catholic and aren't afraid to tell a Teacher he is wrong, don't take him.
If you go to most of his classes, it's an easy A. His tests are 90 percent short answer/essay so those of you who don't like scantrons this is the course to take! The tests were on things that he went over in great detail in class so there are no trick questions. Awesome course.
Very thorough, professional, with a bizzare sense of humor that occasionally comes out. He makes the material interesting. Tests are mostly essay format, might not be ideal for someone who has difficulty with writing.
This was a challenging class. The prof. knew his material well and tried to make history as fun as it gets. Good sense of humor. As long as you go to class and pay attention you should do alright. Tests were difficult since they were mostly essay and short definitions.
very good in-class teacher. liked the class, kept it interesting, very tough grader. expects alot on the essays..
This man is really arrogant. He does not slow down while you try and pull important information from his straight lectures. I do not recommend taking him. Try Rutherford instead.
He's not a bad teacher. He is a tough grader but he gives you the essays you need to write a week ahead of time so that you have time to prepare. He gets really mad when you come in late and he loves to shake his head. He grades on improvement.
dude sucks.... avoid his russian history class AT ALL COSTS!
Dr. Lea has a really big ego! If someone raises their hand, he'll just ramble on and not even acknowledge you.However, the class is pretty interesting and sometimes he does come up with a few good jokes.(Although some of them kinda stink.
he isn't very interesting
he is hard and has a giant ego. he gets really mad if you don't bring your book and he hates it if no one answers his questions right away. he also hates it when one person trys to answer all the questions. i hate his tests, but thats just my opinion.
No Comments
prof lea has a HUGE ego and will berate the class every chance he gets. every class is nearly 100% lecture, so take good notes. book is another essential. test essays aren't hard, but you won't get a good grade without giving a ton of info. teaches as if history is your major. wouldn't recommend him unless you WANT a prick teaching you.
Prof Lea is okay. He does lecture most of the time but at least he gives us the essay questions a week in advance, which is more than I can say for some professors. He is a bit boring but overall, I would say he isn't that bad. Just read the book for his exams. He only has one paper for you to do as well which is a plus.
this guy acts like he should be teaching at harvard, not KU. but overall not a hard teacher. just egotistical
he has a very big ego, he tells us his essay questions a week ahead of time, his tests only have 15 multi-choice questions but its okay, likes to use facts about religions so people who are in those religions get testy but i dont think he hates those people, respects buddhism, lecture class, i dont think he likes people but seems to be okay person
all he does is lecture, he is a very well speaker but he lectures as though we're all history majors...his multiple choice part of the test is impossible....good luck if you take his class
VERY BORING, not willing to help or reexplain. Speaks to class as though we are dumb grade schoolers!!
Knows his stuff very well and makes it interesting. Read the book, go to (don't be late) and participate in class. Gives you the essays before the tests. He is a bit tough, but I learned something. I would take him again, but I love History.
talks a lot. if you read the book and go to class its not too bad. his lectures start to get boring and he just keeps talking. he definately knows what hes talking about. you have to write a short paper but its not too bad. he gives you the essay questions before the tests and the rest is multiple choice.
I'm seriously kinda afraid to talk to this guy. He's very very strict when it comes to his class and doesn't tolerate anyone not prepared for class or lateness or anything like that. Not too bad with exams. He gives you all of the essay questions before hand. He lectures the whole class which is very informative but sometimes boring.
Prof. Lea is an extremely intelligent professor. His humor takes getting used to but if you do the readings and enjoy the topic the jokes are hilarious. If you ever need help with anything his office is open and he will help you out if you need it. If you want to gain knowledge from a history class take Prof. Lea
I've had Lea for 3 different classes and i wish he taught more. hes smart. no other way to say it. hes pretty old school with his teaching style, but i like that. If youre not a total idiot, youll do fine. of course he expects a lot of you. welcome to college.
His lectures contain MANY UH and UMS it was so hard to listen to him talk. I nodded off during almost every class. His tests are a little rough. The essay questions he gives you in advance but he wants VERY DETAILED ANSWERS. I got a C in the class even though i failed every test. I went to every class and participated. Go to class and not late
Great Prof. This is college, read, take notes, go to class and turn in your paper early so you can fix your mistakes. Show your trying and you will do well!!
Very smart professor. I took him for Russian history and got a B. Just go to class and show that you care and you will do fine. I missed 4 classes total and it did no effect my grade. He can seem sarcastic or arrogant in class, but he is very friendly outside of class and will clarify help you out. Just don't skip 20 classes and expect to pass.
I took him last year and the guy knows a lot, but he totally made an ass out of me when I asked where I should sit since my seat disapeared, And he got mad at me when I wasn't in the right seat for roll call.If you got a ? wrong in class, he made you feel dumb. If you study and stay off his radar-you might be safe.
I'll put it simply, I do not recommend him for a class. I have a huge interest in the History of Russia therefore I took the course, I did not however deserve the grade i got, simple as that!
Took him for Russia. He was arrogant, but rightly so because he knew his stuff. You actually have to read too. Good prof if you are willing to put in a little effort.
Very arrogant. lectures for the entire class. VERY BORING! Read the book if you can't pay attention. Tests are short, but semi-difficult. Not good in a Lecture hall setting.
He seems stiff but if you come to him during his office hours hes pleasant and more than willing to help you. Hes pretty Rankean. He speaks...you take notes...you study notes...you get A. Its as simple as that. If youre not a moron youll do fine. If you cant pass this guys class, you need to pack your stuff and go back to high school. Lea Rules
extremely arrogant and monotoned. class is extremely boring. i loved history before this and was going to be a history major but not anymore. avoid him if at all possible.
Lea is a great prof. one of the best in the department. hes not exactly the most fuzzy person, but after all, hes not your mother... hes a professor. straight shooter who really knows his stuff. take it from a history major, take this prof!
I love the comments that say he talks alot... like you expect to come to college and have the professor say nothing? give me a break. Lea is a great professor. Dont show up late though... its a sure way to aggrivate him.
DON'T COME LATE TO CLASS!!!! <- even if it's only by two minutes. Also, don't expect to get out of class early (even by one minute). He's a good guy, but certain things make him mad pretty quick.
Completely boring. Could not even pay attention if i wanted to. I got As in all my other classes except for this one. HE is just THAT boring.
DO NOT BRING A TAPE RECORDER TO CLASS HE WILL BITE YOUR HEAD OFF!!!
I have him for History of Civ. B right now. Did well in all other history classes except this one. Very monotone, gets mad easily, and has such an advanced vocabulary, you can barely understand what he's saying. AVOID THIS PROF. unless you think you handle all the above.
Excellent professor. Come on people we are in college. You need to read the book before class, as stated in the syllabus. Take good notes, read documents he assigns. He give you the test essay questions 1 week prior to tests. Multiple choice are strait from notes. Never tested on anything that was not taught in class. Never show up late.
Very arrogant and full of himself.
Lea is a great teacher.I had him for two classes and I got an A in both of them. I don't know why you people complaine about him. He doesn't like when people are late. That's all. Be on time and be prepared and you will do fine!
Very smart teacher, would have been better outside of a lecture hall setting. I did not deserve the grade I got from him. Multiply choice tests are tough, make sure you study hard and take notes from the book. I would not recommend his lecture classes to anyone who doesn't want to put in the work.
Very Hard Professer, but he definitely acts like he knows what he is talking about. You should go class because he talks about stuff that are on your tests that are not in the book! He also tends to give a little extra credit if he feels the class isnt doing well enough!
Worst professor you'll ever have. So boring and arrogant. Avoid if you possibly can. Not at all helpful and rude to everyone.
Hes a pretty hard teacher if you dont speak up in class and he grades really hard on essays
He's great - had him for Russian History and European and couldn't have been happier.
DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASSES. He is so unbelievably full of himself and shows little to no respect for his students. Tests are short and the multiple choice section is very difficult. KNOW A LOT ABOUT PEOPLE RATHER THAN EVENTS. Would never suggest taking his class.
Professor Lea really enjoys what he teaches, but it's the way he teaches that made me dislike him. He will belittle you if you answer a question wrong. Never come late to class, he will rip you apart.
honestly the worst history class i have taken so far. i am a major history buff and his class made me feel like an idiot. he talks at the front of the classroom the entire time. try not to raise your hand.. you're wasting "his time". ugh. hated this class.
DO NOT Take this guy!!!
He truly is arrogant. He talks as if he's noble, and really..it's boring. He goes off on tangents, and the exams are difficult, even if you study hard. There are only 4 or 5 exams to base your grade off of. I typically get A's, and I'm not doing well in his class.
Dr. Lea is the most professor-like professor you ever had. It made me laugh for the first part of the semester. He just stands at the front of the class and speaks the whole time. He's really picky about people leaving and coming in the middle of class. As far as academics, his tests are HARD, read the book for sure. He's really clear, knows a lot.
Tests are extremely difficult!
Professor Lea is extremely helpful and intelligent. If you take him for an intro course and you hate history you might not like him but in his upper level classes he explains everything so well. He is clear, to the point and not a very hard grader. If you have the opportunity take him for history of england or russia he makes everything interesting
He's really good at lecturing, often sarcastic and funny. However, his tests can be EXTREMELY difficult, considering he does not give out a study guide. I suggest reading the chapters and taking extra notes from the text to study if you want to be successful in his class. Do not take this if you want an easy A. You won't get it.
He is not a bad professor just extremely boring. HIs tests are extremely hard. He lectures the entire time, and I can't follow him because he goes off on another topic. VERY BORING!!! In order to pass his test your have to read the textbook, his lectures and notes aren't very helpful. Stay away if you want an easy A.
He is smart and gorgeous
I had this professor a few years ago for Russian History. He really knows his stuff!! Make sure you do all your readings & write down all your notes. He does sound errogant & if you don't get on his good side right away kiss a good grade good bye. He grades his tests based on quality over quanity & if he likes you or not. Over all..good teacher!!
I had him for western civ.He is a very intelligent man but almost too intelligent.He lectures the whole entire class and I think he expects his students to have more knowledge than they really do. The class is extremely boring and you NEED to read the textbook. There is no homework but the tests are kinda hard. Make sure you study alot.
Very intelligent professor, but can be arrogant at times. Tests are not easy, so study hard. Do not miss a lecture and read the book. NOT an easy A.
enjoyable class
Stay away from this class! It's boring and he isn't helpful at all, he's kind of rude.
Worst professor this semester. He is EXTREMELY ignorant and loves to hear himself talk. His tests are difficult, and his notes don't help. Do not take him!
Negative attitude! He thinks you're stupid if you're too liberal, any kind of conservative, an undergrad, or anyone he doesn't know personally. His multiple choice questions are easy, but half the test is a HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE ESSAY. He doesn't even hand you back a graded test he puts it on the net! The history professors are a joy, EXCEPT FOR HIM!
Honestly not a bad teacher, one of the better ones I've had so far at KU. He explains things very well w/ power points. Tests are not nearly as bad as everyone else has been saying. He gives you the essay topics beforehand, allows you to bring a cheat sheet, and curves grade. Need to study, but not too difficult if you put forth the effort.
He depends a lot on attendance, which really helps your grade if you go to class everyday. He isn't helpful at all, don't bother asking for help. You need to read the book and use your class notes. He drones on and the class is not interesting at all which is disappointing because it could have been a great class. DO NOT TAKE HIM!
Whaaaaat are with these bad reviews? Lea isn't exactly the most personable professor by all means, but come on. Everything is so structured and outlined, he clearly presents all you need to know on power points and gives you the essay questions before the test AND you can bring an outline. Take gambone then try complaining! LOL!
Prof. Lea is really intelligent man and a great professor. He's really passionate about what he teaches, like you can tell he loves what he does, and that makes the class more enjoyable. Lectures can be kind of long but just write notes and read the textbook and tests are easy. He gives the essay topics ahead of time and you can bring a cheat sheet
I had Prof Lea many moons ago for a Russian history class. It was one of the most informative history classes I took as a history major. Lea gets a bad wrap and comes off as gruff but if you are respectful you will never have an issue. Show up on time, don't use your cell phone and try and participate to show you read the material.
He's a great professor and his lectures were pretty nice to sit through. I recommend buying a cheap recorder and taking notes outside of class though. Saved me a lot on the second test.
I feel like a piece of my soul was broken off and consumed by this man. Unless you're extremely serious about history steer clear. It's not worth it. He really makes you work hard, which can be good, but even history majors said that it was too much.
Took his history of holocaust class, however the entire class was politics. We spent maybe a week on the actual holocaust and thats it, he requires 4 books and treats it like this is your only class. Very smart man but bad prof.
This class is more like an English class than a history class. Two essays make up more than half of your exam grade and he grades them so harsh you'd think you're in an upper level composition class. Offers extra credit, but it's all writing intensive. So if you like history, make sure you're also proficient in writing.
I've taken him for two separate history classes. Worst. Idea. Ever. He is a narcissist who will fail you if in his "open ended" responses he gives you aren't the exact criteria he wants. He will treat you like you are a complete idiot if you don't agree with the values and politics that he follows. Worst professor to ever walk campus. BEWARE!!!!
His class was lecture heavy. He expects you to know everything about history off the top of you head and then looks down to you if you don't. Tells you to only use class notes and the textbook for open book essay exam and then take off a lot of points because all the answers sound the same. Not an easy A at all
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
86%
Textbook Required
33%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.53 avg changeRatings by Course
HIS101
5.0
(1)HIS026
5.0
(1)HISTA
5.0
(1)HIS115
5.0
(1)HIS112
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
WESTERNCIVA
5.0
HIST010
5.0
HIST26
5.0
WORLD101
5.0
WESTERNCIV
4.5