New teacher, very fun to listen to. Class goes by fast but his class is between medium and hard. try not to **** too much, did that on my paper and he gave me a 70%. 2 papers and 2 tests... doesn't grade too hard... but a lot of reading!!! if you do not like reading... this ain't for ya. i'll post another once i'm done w/ class and get grade

Its not that hard of a class, just use the readings in your essay and follow the prompt carefully. If he specifies he wants you to use multiple books, then do so. Many students didn't read and used only 1 book and obviously got pts deducted. Very helpful, enthusiastic, hilarious, and down to earth. The department needs more professors like him.

great teacher, must read to get good grade in his class... do not try to bullsh*t essays too much for he will catch you... if you need help, just go see him in his office hours... very fun class... goes by really fast... oh yea... go to class!

The best professer at SDSU. He is very helpful and loves what he does so his class is really interesting.

Great teacher, funny, fun, cares about subject and students. Hard grader, lots of reading.....can nott get by without the reading

Best professor you will ever have. HILARIOUS!!! Pretty easy class, just do exactly what the requirements say and you CANNOT fail this class. Not a whole lot of effort to get an 'A' either. TAKE EVERY CLASS YOU CAN WITH HIM...your college life will be so much easier for it!

Great teacher, passionate about the subject, and keeps history interesting! Take every class you can with him. Oh and do not be uptight, he is a fun guy...you should be a fun student!

He is definitely the best history professor I've had at SDSU. Class is always fun and we learned tons of stuff. You must do all the readings and go to class to do well on assignments. He wants you to do well and is always willing to help, so don't be afraid to ask!

Dr. Blum is an outstanding professor. He loves and understands history. He involves everybody in the class, and gets you to work hard, but he makes the class fun. He is an accomplished author and teacher, and students love his class. He uses lecture, computers, film and music. Take his class and work hard and you can get an A.

I had the hugest crush on Dr. Blum! But he totally turned me down :( He was the best professor ever and I dug him. I now know more than I'll ever need to about the Civil War.

Blum is a great teacher and really likes what he's teaching! He makes it interesting because it's studying through the eyes of people from our past. I like it! Just be sure to pace yourself with the primary documents so you don't get stuck with them all at the end! Lots of writing and reading! I would take him again!

This was a good class. But we had to read a 200pg+ biography every 2 weeks. I took it as an elective so that was a little ridiculous. But Blum is very entertaining, and the class is never boring. It's a class where your essays should reflect what he thinks, not you necessarily, and you'll get the best grade possible. Give some effort= pretty easy A

Blum is a cool guy. Always had some funny stories to tell. The class had A LOT of work. To be honest, I rarely read any of the books and still passed. Just make sure you do all the assignments

Prof Blum is by far the most helpful, enthusiastic, and energetic professor in the department. He has a geeky love for history and a genuine desire to help his students grow. Even if you do not love history, you'll be interested. His lectures and expectations are clear, occasionally the work load might be alot, but he is always available to help.

Take him! He is enthusiastic, funny, entertaining, and he knows what he is talking about! There is a lot of reading, but I didn't mind it. Make sure to go to class especially on Fridays because that's when he gives quizzes. Two papers, midterm, and final really easy!

REALLY FUNNY!!HE MAKES CLASS FUN AND HIS LECTURES AREN'T BORING AT ALL. MAKE SURE U GO ON FRIDAYS SINCE THAT IS WHEN HE GIVES OUT A QUIZ ON THE READINGS/LECTURES OF THAT WEEK.(ATTENDANCE IS NOT MANDATORY, BUT HELPFUL). ONLY TWO ESSAYS AND A MIDTERM.THE FINAL IS AN ESSAY WHICH IS REALLY EASY. MAKE SURE U BUY THE CORRECT TEXTBOOK,(HE IS THE AUTHOR)

Blum is the best teacher I've had so far. His class was interesting, relevant and often hilarious. 538 had a fair amount of reading and writing but he is incredibly understanding and flexible. The last week of our class was effectively canceled, and despite getting out of another paper, I was actually disappointed.

This Jacksonian Era class was interesting and fun. I learned more than I expected. Great professor who loves teaching and takes great care of his students. Anybody who attends all classes and reads the assignments will get a good grade. Blum is exceptional at using technology to enhance his lessons. His mentoring & teaching are exceptional.

American Religions graduate seminar class. Blum's knowledge of American religions and American history is extensive. He is articulate, knowledgeable, and fun. I enjoyed the class even though I worked hard. Recommended to all. Will take any class he teaches. This is my 4th class with him. Outstanding scholar, teacher and mentor.

If you have to take Hist 409 (for teachers) take it with Blum! He is great! 3 multiple choice exams and one group lesson plan. He is very funny!

I dont like history much, but i have to say blum was a fantastic teacher and definitely increased my interest in american history. Class was not mandatory but it was helpful; lots of reading, but its not that bad. there were 3 tests and a paper, all of which were easy. TAKE THIS CLASS

Here is your chili pepper Blum ya happy now?

He is a very nice and helpful teacher. he gives very clear instructions with what he wants done with an assignment. he also gives u tons of help for the paper& does a review for tests. He's a very interestin teacher!!! He is always happy so it makes the classroom a cheerful place. u do need to read the material tho if u want to do good on tests.

The best teacher I have ever had. I've had him for two classes and I wish I could have him for every class! My writing has gotten better thanks to him! TAKE HIM TAKE HIM TAKE HIM!!! YOU will not regret it!!!

He should be the exemplar for all aspiring Professors. How refreshing to have a Professor encourage and inspire you! Civil War and Recon is not my era but it was an interesting class and he is a fantastic lecturer. Two film/book analysis and a major research paper are the main assignments. Fantastic Professor!

Professor Blum is a good teacher but you really need to read the chapters because the exams are on the lectures, the chapters from the textbook and chapters from another book. Attendance is not mandatory but sometimes, Mr Blum does some quizzes at the beginning of the class to check who was there. So be careful!On the whole easy class

GREAT PROF!!! So fun and helpful! His lectures are actually interesting and he cares about his students. Wonderful class. Highly recommended!! :D

Best History teacher I ever had. He's young, funny, & knows what hes talking about. Has a professional background & great experience. Makes learning fun & easy! READ READ READ! What determines a B from an A is your reading. Exams mainly based on lectures slides so attend! Plays youtube videos to make it more enjoyable too!

Blum is AWESOME. He has found the perfect balance between teaching as much as possible, but in a fun way that does not feel stressful like so many other courses. He is very clear about what he expects and is always happy to help. No question is a stupid question, and he is always perfectly polite and kind to all students.

If you have the slightest bit of interest in history, you need to take Blum. He is a young and innovative professor with a genuine interest in teaching his students. Unlike other professors, he believes in the quality of work over the quantity, which is very helpful for students who are taking upper division courses. You won't be disappointed.

I went into this class with dread because I didn't think Antebellum America was my strength. By the last day of class, it was my favoite! Dr. Blum is passionate about this topic and it shows in his teaching. There's so much more I could say but am limited to a certain number. If you can take any class with Dr. Blum do so, you won't regret it!

Blum is the man.

Take him! He is young, fun, and knows his stuff. Do the work and attend class enough so that he knows your name. Follow these guidelines and you will pass.

Dr. Blum is very intelligent and passionate about history. You will learn a ton & have a good time doing so. He is great to take if you are new to history, or if it is your calling! Dr. Blum had a very difficult summer, so don't be too hard on him- he is never too hard on any of his students.

Favorite teacher I have ever had. Very passionate about history and knows his stuff. 2 papers and 2 tests make up most the grade. Go to office hours before the paper is due and he will help get an A. Every class was interesting. Definitely take him if his class isn't already full you won't regret it

He made what I thought was going to be a really boring class really fun. You HAVE to read 4 novels and write four 5-6 page papers. If you do not read, there is no way to B.S. the papers. He starts off the class with a lot of funny clips from South Park, Family Guy, and random stuff but then uses them to open deep convos. pretty awesome dude, Blum

A sweetheart. And sooooo smart. The subject itself is fascinating, but he makes it doubly so with all his brilliant ideas.

Very kind and easy going professor. He is aware that his subject can get a bit dull at times and he does his best to keep the class intertained and involved. Is verhy passionate about what he teaches. 3 papers and your done but you have to read the textbook daily to stay on pace with the class. Definately recommend.

Blum is a funny guy that keeps class entertaining.However, TA does all the grading (3 essays and 5 quizes) and there is SO much reading for this class that is necessary for a good grade on the quizes and essays. Cool professor vs. Heavy workload. You can weigh that for yourself.

Blum is an awesome professor! He keeps his students engaged in class by being hilarious, and he's a great lecturer. Not mandatory to go to class, but stop by every so often. Though our grade lies in the hands of your TA from your break-out section! Three essays, and five quizzes or so, but you need to read the book pretty often to get an A on them.

Blum makes the class fun and more interesting

BLUM IS AWESOME!! He is very helpful during office hours and genuinely cares about how students are doing. I loved going to his lectures. Coolest teach ever. Thanks for the A!!!

My favourite professor so far. He's hilarious and keeps you interested in his lectures, never boring. Though his TA's gave out the assignments to their sections and did the grading, Blum was helpful in clarifying what the TA's needed. You absolutely need the books.

Hilarious guy I actually wanted to attend his lectures just so I could laugh at his jokes(some were funny, others not so much) shows funny videos at the beginning of class and makes learning the material fun, however the TA' do all the grading.

He doesn't grade you, his TA's do. Lectures twice a week and meet with a TA on the next class meeting. Very good professor, keeps lectures interesting. Barely went to lecture second half of the semester. 3 essays (no midterm/final) is the majority of your grade. A lot of reading but doable. I was lazy. Ended up w/ a C

Blum definitely made this class interesting. The material for the exams come from the online interactive quizzes from each chapter and terms that the TA goes over. Then there are just easy quizzes. There are a few 1 point quizzes in the large lecture but there is no point in going otherwise because none of the information is necessary for the test.

Funny professor and good guy. Midterm/Final and 2 papers with in class quizzes where answers are basically given to you. TA's do most of the grading but class is set up to do good in so I would recommend him.

Blum is a really cool teacher. He thinks he is funny, which makes the class enjoyable. He really knows what he is talking about, but don't ask stupid questions that are already answered in the syllabus or can be answered by your TA. 109: 3 essays and around 6 quizzes that vary by TA. 110: 2 exams, 2 essays, and around 6 quizzes. Easy A if you try.

Great teacher. Really good at putting history in context, and making it alive and engaging. 2 large lectures & 1 small section weekly. Easy and well put-together class, but you gotta do the reading for an A, which isn't hard because the readings are interesting.

Blum's class was awesome. 2hr40min but class went by quick. Broken up into good segments with 2 breaks. Reading is mandatory and there is a lot, but that's a give n in history. Learned a tremendous amount about religion in American history. He is hilarious. Papers were your standard, not too difficult of a grader.

Personally I find history to be boring but he reaches it in a way that is entertaining and he is always cracking a joke! Have large lectures but don't need to take notes because there are no tests or finals. They only thing we had was a discussion group at the end of the week with quizzes and two essays for the whole year, easy A!

Blum makes history lectures fun. He really gets students to connect history to the present. Also, I wanted to write about the TA I had for sections. I had an AWESOME TA! Her name is LINNEA! Try to get her. Her office looks magical! She gives good feedback on essays. See her if you need any help. She made sections simple and has great insight.

Blum was an awesome teacher. Come to class and actually listen, and you'll get an A. He's a funny guy and really understanding and helpful. Book is pricey but you need it

BEST TEACHER EVER THE CLASS WAS SO EASY I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HE MADE HISTORY ENJOYABLE AND INTERESTING BEST HISTORY TEACHER I HAVAE EVER HAD

2 essays NO tests great great great class best teacher ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you can take him then you have to take him for hist 109/110

Professor Blum made class really interesting and funny. As long as you show up and pay attention, you're basically guaranteed an A. The final is a book essay and you don't have any tests besides a midterm. You'll have clicker quizzes almost everyday, but they are strictly based off the lecture. Would definitely recommend him.

good professor, online quizzes every other week but towards the end of the semester they are like once a week. these quizzes are a lot of reading but you can find ways to condense your time and you get used to them, I was a freshman when I took this class and at first it seemed hard but you get the hang of it because he is super straight fwd

If you do the minimum you'll get an A. clicker quizzes are a pain in the ass but they're easy points. Funny teacher but he is clearly there for the money (he makes u buy all the books he wrote). Take him for hist 109 i would recommend him

Blum is a great professor in my opinion. I hate history but he made it manageable. He is clear and a fair grader. The only thing that really sucks is even if you show up to class for the clicker quizzes and get them wrong, you don't receive full credit.

No effort baked to class. Just take notes only bad thing is that you have to pay an extra 150 for his access code which he's getting some nice $$$ for it. 50% of your grade you can do on the first day with easy-to-spot MC Online HW/Quizzes. Easy midterm from previous questions in class (got 90%). Final essay I wrote what he said in class got B+

Professor Blum is truly passionate about history and he inspires students to be the same way. He is very interested in making sure students succeed in his class. He's obviously very smart but he's also down to earth and has a good sense of humor. Yes you will read -- it's history, so that's to be expected. But reading won't kill you!

Mr. Blum so far is one of the best history professors i've had. History is so boring to me but Blum makes it bearable. He knows how to balance out lecture and his funny stories. He's very smart but this class isn't an easy A, so far I feel like you have to read the books to get good grades on the homework . THIS CLASS HAS NO EXAMS!!

Pros: Learn great material. Learn to analyze history like a Pro. Encourages you to team-up for quizzes and assignments. Hard-work can guarantee an A. Cons: 3 Books of information. Open-book quiz questions can require multiple multi-chapter-read-throughs. Reliable teammates are a necessity. Do not Solo this class.

TAKE THIS CLASS. Easy as a high school class. IF u take GOOD notes during lectures, you'll know what to write about for discussion boards and ace quizzes Really do learn in this class from lectures if u PAY ATTENTION As long as u do that, you're golden NO TESTS! Just a final project. Online hw which isn't hard (CTRL F is your firend) TAKE HIM!!!!!

Probably one of my favorite professors at state, class wasn't mandatory but I went anyways because I loved his charisma and stories he told. He's so inspirational even beyond history. He teaches life lessons and how history is intertwined into every decision you make. Truly INSPIRATIONAL! wish this class didn't have to end! super easy GE BTW

Class was pretty easy and attendance was optional. Most assignments are group discussions on blackboard or quizzes. Also no final

Easiest GE class ever. Quizzes are all online, open book, no tests, final is a creative project and super easy. All you have to do is show up to class and take notes and you'll pass the Blackboard quizzes and discussion boards with no problem. Makes his lectures as interesting as they can be. Offers extra credit at the end of the semester as well.

I took this class online with Blum and it was the best choice I could have made. I am not a big fan of history but his online lectures videos really made it interesting and easy to learn. He does quizzes which as timed but a lot comes from his lectures and some from the required readings. Do the work and pay attention and it's an easy A!

Weekly quiz is based on the lectures so make sure you pay attention to it. He's a very chill professor so make sure the class is engaged with him in order to make the class less boring. Try to work on the online homework with a group of friends because that helps you to save a lot of time.

LOVED THIS CLASS his lectures are interesting and love his personality. hes passionate which makes the class fun. no homework except weekly online quizzes you can look up answers to and a few discussion boards which you can easily get info from the textbook, no final just a project that is super easy! take him !!

During history 109 we had 20 minutes timed quizzes on lecture and both textbooks, all the quizzes were online and we were encouraged to take them together or use the book. each of the 3 projects had a historical setting but allowed for a lot of creativity and fun. blum is very fair, funny, and harsh if crossed.

Professor Blum was a really great teacher and so fun to be around! He made history interesting and worthwhile. There are no tests just weekly blackboard quizzes and online projects that are fairly easy if you take the time to do them. Overall, just an awesome, quirky guy and a great class!

Blum is an amazing professor. I hate history but he made me enjoy the class. it is easy to pass if you do all the homework and pay attention in class for the 5 quizzes. He is hilarious and cares about his students. 100% would take again.

Easy A. Graded by 5 projects, a few quizzes, and an end of course review, which is his final. You can't pass the quizzes without going to class, but he does give extra credit at the end of every project so you can still pass the class without going to the lectures. He cancels class half the time too.

The class started off as usual then covid19 happened and the class turned into an online class. Blum was very accommodating given the situation. There's a good amount of writing in this class and a lot of in class participation (before lockdown). Overall, would recommend this class.

I definitely recommend this class. Professor Blum was so easy-going wants his students to get good grades. The assignments had clear directions that were easy to follow and therefore get a good grade on. Attendance was not mandatory but buying the book was. There was not a lot of homework, and only a few quizzes and projects.

I had professor Blum last fall & I enjoyed his class! He was very funny and open to answering questions. However, you have to go at a faster pace when taking this class. He gives several projects worth 500 points of your grade. These projects were quite difficult, but with extra effort, it would be easy to get full pts. Tests are super easy though!

Professor Blum is an excellent and engaging teacher. He has a firm understanding of US history and is ready to answer just about any question one might pose. At least for his online class, the assignments were well structured and easy to understand. There were no big tests with the grade being almost all about completing homework assignments.

Blum is a cool guy. Showing up to class isn't mandatory but helps u create a relationship with him. Assignments are easy and you are given more than enough time to do them so don't forget because he isn't as lenient when u wait till the end to submit stuff.

Blum is a very easy going teacher at state. Does not teach content, so if you are a history major, probably don't take it. If you are taking it for credit, it is the best. Very easy homework assignments and no tests or projects in the class.

Blum is a good teacher. His lectures are entertaining and his assignments are straightforward. He knows his stuff and does a good job teaching. I would definitely take him again.

Way better than any high school history I've taken. Assignments are quick and not time consuming. Attendance isn't mandatory, but he's happy when you show up and pokes fun at those who don't, plus he always ends class within 30-45 mins (for a two time a week class). Zero quizzes the entire course, all multiple choice & written assignments.

Super easy class, there were online assignments every week, but really easy to complete. I went to class for the first week, but then he said how attendance wasn't mandatory so I was outta there. No final, just some assignments worth around 50 points.

Professor Blum is a great teacher and understands not everyone is a history major. Work is easy and just keeps you engaged with the class, Blum is really funny and class is engaging. 10/10

Blum is a very easy teacher. He talks about random stuff during class so you don't even need to go. There are no tests or quizzes either. Easiest class I've taken at SDSU.

Professor Blum is super easy. Attendance is not required (I went to class 3 times and got an A+). Work is simple: a once-a-week online assignment. Very simple and quick. Allows plenty of time to complete them. No quizzes or tests at all. No stress. I did not learn much from this history class, but if you want an easy GE, this is the class for you.

HIGHLY recommend for a easy GE. literally only went to one class and passed with an A. Everything is online and he gives once a week assignments that make your grade, no quizzes or tests. If you feel bad about missing class just refer to lectures which he posts on canvas. The one time I did go to him he made me laugh nonstop.

SUPER EASY, CHILL CLASS! No exams! There are weekly journals that are only 1 paragraph long. There are reading quizzes but you get unlimited tries. Prof Blum is hilarious and so kind! As long as you put in effort, you will get a high grade, probably an A. Everything was graded mainly on completion. Gives out a lot of extra credit too!

was a bit nervous from him on week 1 but im glad i stuck w Prof Blum! Super chill & everything is online. 1 assignment due every week but theyre simple & doable. No papers or presentations! A breath of fresh air compared to every other history class. Def take this course for fun assignments that r so much better than lame essays! Easy A or B class.

He's a cool guy. Only times I ever saw him get mad were if a student interrupted him while he was talking, definitely not grumpy or rude like some other reviews make it seem. His lesson plans are very loose and the assignments are clear but kind of take a while to do. It's not hard to pass or even get an A if you do the work.

Super easy class. Showing up to lecture was optional but he occasionally gave extra credit to those who showed up. Weekly busy work that can be finished pretty quickly. Such an easy A with little work put into it, especially when there's no final to worry about.

This is a great class to take, I usually dont care for history but Professor Blum made it fun to understand and to learn. He genuinely cares about his students. This class is very light on homework and he provides opportunities to revise your work if you complete it before the deadline.

Professor Blum is soooo awesome. I would definitely take him. He is super nice and understanding. There is not a lot of homework in the class. The only thing is that he does not post any instructions for any of the assignments and he just explains them in class so you kinda have to go to class in order to know what to do on the homework.

I took history 135 last semester and it was one of the most easiest classes Ive taken. We watched 3 movies and did a weekly journals and did analyzed his book on perusall. Easy A.

I would say it's an easy A, because there's no test/quizzes, midterm, or final. The class is made up of 3 journals, 2 class discussions, Perusall, his own website of history, and Cengage, which may seem overwhelming, but it's not. However, take into account that his making attendance mandatory for next semester (fall 2025).

This class has no exams or quizzes. You have journals and in-class discussions. There are different platforms you will use for homework assignments. Attendance was not mandatory; I stopped going towards the end of the semester and still got an A. But I know some people said he would be making it mandatory next semester, so keep that in mind.

dude is a crash out but the class is easy. Didn't learn a single thing...

Nice professor who is very enthusiastic about teaching history. He is very understanding and sweet. Topics are super interesting. A good amount of outside homework that is very doable. In class, a one-question quiz for attendance points. No tests, weekly homework, and one final project. I would definitely recommend this class!

I will miss blum a lot. I ended the class with 101% it was the easiest history class ive ever taken. Blum is funny during lectures and loves his kids. There are no tests, but there is a mandatory attedance quiz every class. Do the assignments on time, go to class, it's an easy A. he is very flexible.

Very funny and sweet professor! A lot of his class is teaching how to use resources to create a research project with the Civil War material as a guideline. He lets you pick your project and is very good about feedback.

Overall a solid professor. I can't validate the reviews here saying he's mean, he never showed that in this class. In fact, he gives really good feedback, like better than most professors I've had. Grades generously but you have to put in work. Class was graded by journals, attendance, reading, and a final project on an aspect of the Civil War.

This was the first ever semester of University and I Loved It! His lectures are super in depth and for anyone who is trying to listen to anything interesting that is relevant to everything in our modern world. History repeats itself. Once again if you are a first year I would HIGHLY recommend taking his informative and highly interesting class!