2.3

Helen Feng

History - College of DuPage

2.3
Quality
4.6
Difficulty
100%
Would Retake
86
Reviews
2.3
Quality
4.6
Difficulty
2.3
Helpful
2.4
Clarity

100%

Would Retake

86

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
86 total ratings

5

18

4

6

3

8

2

23

1

31

What Students Say

AVOID THIS INSTRUCTOR AT ALL COSTS

HIST1120 - 2.0 rating

She is makes the work EXTREMELY HARD

HIST1120 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

67%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (3)
Drop/Withdrawal (3)
A (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(0)C(2)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 13 reported grades
A+: 3
Drop/Withdrawal: 3
A: 2
B+: 2
Common Tags
Respected (1)
Get ready to read (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.12 avg change
Dec
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

220

5.0

(1)

HIST111

5.0

(2)

BRITHIST

5.0

(1)

HST111112

5.0

(1)

HISTORY1100

5.0

(1)
+31 more courses
Difficulty by Course

1110

5.0

HST112

5.0

HISTORY

5.0

HIST

5.0

WESTERNCIV

5.0

Reviews (85)
3.0
3.0
HIST112
Feb 23, 2004

Very Tough!

1.0
5.0
HST112
Grade: A
Mar 5, 2004

Terrible teacher; don't take her class.

5.0
3.0
220
Grade: A+
Mar 22, 2004

Dr. Feng is a good professor. Her grading is fair and her lectures are interesting. She makes you think before she just tells you the answer. I recommend her classes

5.0
4.0
HIST111
Mar 29, 2004

Class is very tough. But she is very helpful when you go to her for help. If you pay attention in class and study a bit you'll pass.

2.0
5.0
HST112
Apr 30, 2004

I din't like this teacher at all. She goes on and on about material which may be confusing. Most history teachers I had their tests were not so complicated

5.0
3.0
BRITHIST
Jan 4, 2005

Wonderful! Everyday she passes out an outline for you to follow easily, and her lectures actually are really interesting.I totally hated history before her and now Im reading it for pleasure.She knows her stuff, but more importantly knows how to deliver it so you understand.Enjoy class for once!

3.0
4.0
HISTORY111
Grade: A+
Feb 11, 2005

She is alright. Lectures are pretty easy to follow and her tests are really hard. If your looking to get out of class early, don't take her becuase SHE ALWAYS ENDS LATE! Overall I give her a 4/10!

2.0
5.0
HISTORY111
Mar 12, 2005

She was a terrible teacher. Her lectures covered either too much or too little - not much of which corresponded with the insanly hard tests. There were very high expectations on the essays that she didn't explain well beforehand. In a class of forty, it ended with six. Most people got a C or lower.

5.0
4.0
HIST111
Grade: A
Mar 18, 2005

Run. Do not take the class. Her tests are hard and her grading is ridiculous. I am normally an A/B students and I had to work extremely hard to pull off a B. (I think the average grade that she gives out is a C.) But my recommondation is to find another teacher.

2.0
5.0
HISTORY111
Apr 15, 2005

Hard.

2.0
5.0
HISTORY
Apr 20, 2005

Don't take this woman's course. I'm in it right now and I realize that I have made a huge mistake. There are only three assignments for the entire course. She expects way too much on her exams and her lectures put everyone too sleep.

5.0
4.0
HST111112
May 20, 2005

Pr. Feng is a very interesting preson. Her lectures are very interesting to listen to and the outlines that she gives out for every chapter are very helpful. You'll learn tons of info from her, not just historical facts. She is very hard on grading , but if you attend classes for knowledge and not for an easy grade-she is a perfect teacher for you!

1.0
5.0
HIST
May 31, 2005

If you want an F ...take this class!!

1.0
5.0
HISTORY111
Aug 24, 2005

please drop her

2.0
5.0
WESTERNCIV
Oct 3, 2005

Do not take this class or get this teacher!! she is rediculas.. all she does is talk. the test are term papers that need to be done in 50 minutes and there is no homework to pad your grade...horrible

3.0
5.0
WESTERNCIVI
Nov 9, 2005

The WORST class i have ever taken! Whoever posted that she was interesting is insane. Her class is so0o0o0o boring and hard. I'm a really good student and I can't handle being in her class, it's just ridiculous. She is a nice lady though..but i would NEVER EVER recommend this class to anyone!!!

1.0
5.0
HISTORY111
Grade: A+
Nov 28, 2005

No Comments

1.0
5.0
WESTCIV
Nov 28, 2005

If You Took this teacher RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN INTO ANOTHER CLASS.

1.0
5.0
HIS1110
Grade: A-
Nov 29, 2005

Do not take the class. Her tests are hard and her grading is ridiculous. I am normally an A/B students and I had to work extremely hard to pull off a B. (I think the average grade that she gives out is a C.) But my recommondation is to find another teacher.

1.0
5.0
HIS1110
Grade: B+
Nov 29, 2005

If only I knew about this site before I took this class. Twelve weeks into it there were only 15 out of 35 students left. I should have left with them. You study 3X as hard for this class and she still beats up your test papers. I can only say I wish I read this 4 months ago. Stay away is right!

5.0
3.0
HISTORY1100
Dec 20, 2005

Her essays can be hard to write: she has very high standards, but if you try, you should do fine in the class. She was always there if you needed her help on anything. She makes it clear that she want details in any work. If you're looking for a challenge that's not Mission Impossible, Feng's your teacher.

2.0
5.0
HST111HONORS
Apr 7, 2006

This teacher was unbelievably ridiculous. She taught more philosophy over history. Then she attempts to tie these two together and she fails. She expects you to invest at least 24hrs per week to study. Students spent 12 hrs at least on essays and the majority got a C. She shouldnt be a teacher.

2.0
5.0
WESTERNCIV1
Apr 14, 2006

Wow i can say the same, i wish i would have known...she just might be the hardest grader out there and she gets nothing through to you. How are you sopposed to pass a 40 ? test over 60 pages of history? write two essays without any help for each of the 5 tests that cover three chapters each!!! thats way to much and a bad teach. do not take her

1.0
5.0
HIS100
May 18, 2006

Very difficult and very boring. We spent so much time learning about the literature and songs of ancient Greece and Rome and little on the history of Western Civ. She gave me a D- on a 8 page paper for not being long enough. It's an intro course for crying out loud! Had to drop. Avoid her.

1.0
5.0
HIST1111
May 29, 2006

If you want to work really hard and fail or drop a class, and waste the money this is the class for you. Essay tests that suck and little or no help at all from the insane instructor.

2.0
4.0
HISTORY101
Jun 1, 2006

Lecture format...no discussion.

5.0
2.0
HIS1101
Jul 19, 2006

SHE WAS NOT THAT BAD OF A TEACHER. HER GRADING SCALE WAS REAL EASY 87%+ AND U GET AN A. jUST STUDY ONE NIGHT BEFORE THE TEST AND U WILL DO JUST FINE. JUST WRITE AS MUCH AS U KNOW ABOUT THE WHOLE TEST AND TRY TO MISS QUESTIONS TO MAKE HER THINK U KNOW MOST OF THE STUFF ON THE TEST. AN AVERAGE "A" THAT U CAN GET WITH LITTLE LITTLE EFFORT.

1.0
5.0
HIST1101
Aug 22, 2006

SHE TOLD ALL THE STUDENTS THAT OTHER CLASSES OF HERS TEND TO DROP AFTER FIRST WEEK...HMMM IS THAT A SIGN? I HAD TO DROP CUZ I HAD AN EMERGENCY AND SHE WOULD NOT LET ME MAKE UP A TEST...DONT PLAN ON TURNING ANYTHING IN LATE OR IF YOU DONT SHOW UP...YOUR IN TROUBLE..SHE WAS TERRRIBLE. CAN BARELY UNDERSTAND HER. ODD HUMOR AND very BORING

1.0
5.0
HIS1110
Aug 23, 2006

If you took this teacher I feel sorry for you. Only if a D is an acceptable grade for busting your skull open to take her essay exams. She says use your immagination but nobodys imagination can be as crazy as hers. If you took it DROP IT WHILE YOU CAN. RUN LIKE a jackrabbit to another class.

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Oct 5, 2006

Honors class...do not ever take this professor. Take this advice from a scholar.

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 6, 2006

No one should ever take this professor's classes if you want to succeed in life. Althought she is a nice person, she is a terrible teacher and grader. Her 100 level class has the same amount of work as a 300 or 400 level class should. She does not teach everything clearly and expects you to know the color of Julius Caeser's shirt.

5.0
2.0
HISTO1110
Nov 9, 2006

She is a wondeful professor. She really seems to love history!

2.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 14, 2006

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!! I have always been an "A" student, but I cannot seem to get an "A" in this class. My parents (who have 8 years of college behind them) read my paper, said it was fine, and she still gave me a low-ish grade on it. I dread the class every day. She does love History, and her lectures are easy to follow, but still avoid!

5.0
4.0
HIST101
Dec 9, 2006

Good teacher, you always know what she expects from you. You must read material to understand the subject.

2.0
5.0
HIST1110
Jan 3, 2007

honors. seriously my friends goto much better schools and this class is about 1000 times as much work. clarity is a major problem. she rambles and brings the term socratic seminar back into ancient times. boring, terribly difficult, hardly any chronological ordering, and dumb POINTLESS hypothetical test questions which she grades way too harshly

3.0
3.0
HIST200
May 5, 2007

The History of England was very informative! I liked this class way better than her westernciv 2

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Jul 22, 2007

I would never take this womans class again if she paid me the 500 dollars. Maybe she should so I can retake it through another instructor. If u took her drop it NOW before its too late!!!

2.0
5.0
HIST101
Jul 30, 2007

really hard grader. tests have really hard essay questions and no matter how many hours i studied, i never got above a C on them..and i ALWAYS get A's and B's on papers and tests. stay away, take a different teacher!!

1.0
5.0
HIST1120
Oct 24, 2007

Not a good teacher at all.

1.0
5.0
HIST1120
Oct 31, 2007

She is not helpfull. She is different for the most of the other teacher I seen here at COD. She is makes the work EXTREMELY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't take her class if I was you. Becareful and think twice before you take her class!!!!!

1.0
5.0
HIST1120
Oct 31, 2007

She is not helpfull. She is different from most of the teachers here at COD. She makes the work EXTREMELY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't take her class if I was you. Becareful and think twice before you take her class!!!!!

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 14, 2007

Do not take this class If you want an A.

5.0
4.0
HIST1
Nov 18, 2007

She is a wonderful and inspiring teacher. Obviously loves the subject, and she gave us interesting and challenging assignments. Great Class!

1.0
5.0
HISTO1101
Dec 17, 2007

horrible, this teacher not only expects you to be a professional historian as a student but if u plan on getting even a B or C in her class shell also expect you to be a professional mystery writer, english professor, primary source analyizer, and everything else in the world...

3.0
5.0
HIST1100
May 15, 2008

I studied all the time and did all the extra credit and I could not manage to get an A. Way too much effort for a class that really does not matter in the long run.

5.0
4.0
HIST1110
Aug 21, 2008

It actually is possible to get an A in her class, it just requires you to pay attention during her lectures and to her study guide. Most people seem to approach the class as if nothing needs to be done to earn a decent grade. Always willing to help students and listen to their thoughts on topics.

4.0
5.0
HIST1110
Oct 15, 2008

If you dont like to do work outside of class for credits that dont really matter in the long run, dont take the class. In order to get a decent grade you have to do indevidual studying almost everynight. Also, pay attention to primary sources.. she's obsessed with them. Tests are difficult. Essays are subjectively graded

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 3, 2008

Mrs. Feng is the educational equivalent of a lawn gnome. She sits at the front of the class with a little smile on her face and doesn't really do anything. Her mousey, barely audible voice puts the whole class to sleep, and she has NO energy. She refuses to give out A's, and basically offers no help other than reminding you to study. AVOID!!!!

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 6, 2008

I took History 1110 before 1600, and it was an independent learning class. I gotta say she's a pretty hard teacher,and i speak on behalf of all the average college students out there who arent smarty arties. also shes very strict, expects you to be a historian, brutal in gradin unit essays, tore my paper apart with stupid remarks. FIND SOMEONE ELSE

1.0
5.0
HIST1110
Nov 13, 2008

BAD :(

1.0
5.0
WCIV1110
Nov 15, 2008

if u take her class online or independently. i advice u to not!!!!!!! DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS. it is the hardest class i've ever taken in my entire life. u have to read the chapters blindly and then take a test and u are questioned on random parts throughout all the chapters. its not fun at all. and unless ur a genius dont count on an A or even a B

5.0
4.0
HIST1110
Dec 5, 2008

This goes for HIST 1110 and 1120. She was a very good teacher, she is very hard but FAIR and you will learn a lot. She really knows her stuff. The quality of this class is excellent.

1.0
5.0
HIST1101
Jan 13, 2009

west civilization

3.0
5.0
HISTO1110
Feb 24, 2009

This teacher is not bad, but i recommend not taking this class at ALL if you dont LOVE greek plays, and reading pointless material. I wanted to learn about western civilzation and we ended up reading stories and plays. im actually a really good student but this was the most boring and difficult class ive ever had!!!

1.0
5.0
HIST102
May 4, 2009

BEWARE! She is a very brilliant person, just not the greatest teacher. You must work terribly hard in this class. If you are not prepared to work hard, don't take it.

4.0
5.0
HIST1120
May 15, 2009

I could tell that she really loved her subject. However, her standards are exceptionally high and she is a very hard grader. She seems to expect professional quality history papers from her students which is difficult since we are only learning. Very hard class, don't get me wrong I believe in working hard, but this class load was absolutly crazy.

1.0
5.0
HIST1100
May 22, 2009

DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOTTTTTTT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!!!!!!!!! I Promise you, you will regret it!! I am not a slacker, I put a lot of effort towards my studies but this prof is CRAZYYYY. COO--COOO-COO-COOO!!She is BEYOND hard, her tests are ridiculous and you spend like 3 weeks of just reading greek plays!! I had to drop her at the end and I lost $300.

5.0
5.0
HIST1100
Nov 4, 2009

Prof. Feng is a brilliant person. Her class is well worth it if you are prepared to work for you grade. Her lectures are very informative and her class is challenging. Be prepared to work!! I would definatly recommend her though.

2.0
5.0
HIST1120
Nov 21, 2009

DON'T TAKE. IMPOSSIBLE TESTS. Thinks just because her grading scale is great that she can fail every test.

4.0
5.0
HISTO1100
Dec 14, 2009

Very nice woman, but the class is similar to that of some ivy league History class. The reading is absolutely.ridiculous. Outlines galore, horribly hard tests..just don't take her class.

1.0
5.0
HIST1120
Jan 4, 2010

Disorganized and often irritable ("Did anyone LEARN anything?") First exam was not graded and returned until the sixth week of class. Multiple choice answers never returned. Primary source material and text book materials all very interesting, but lectures very boring. Not hip to the internet. Syllabus contained major errors! Add weekly quiz, plz!

2.0
5.0
HISTO1100
May 9, 2010

HARD HARD HARD. Ask youself this: Do you want to lose money? Cause that is what 20 of the 35 original students did when they dropped the class. She is smart, but so hard. NOT A FLEXIBLE COURSE. Tests are HARD and so is the one paper. AVOID THIS TEACHER. She doesn't use technology, or even the chalkboard. She just talks and talks for 50 mins.

2.0
5.0
HIST1110
Aug 26, 2010

WARNING!!! KEEP ur money and suck it up and take a different class. SHE WILL NOT let you make up an exam. she will not try to do much to help you.there are 3 0r 4 tests and 1 essay and they are effin HARD!!think twice. are you that desperate for this class.please reconsider. that is it YOu have been WArnED do not suffer through it. JUST DO NOT Take

2.0
5.0
HIST101
Oct 6, 2010

Incredibly boring, extremely hard grader. Worst teacher I have ever had

1.0
5.0
HIS1100
Mar 14, 2011

This class was ridicoulus, i took it expecting an normal history course but i didnt look at this site and got screwed she is a nice person bless her heart but her class is VERY HARD!. the reason its so hard is she doesnt give you an outline of what to study and she rambles all period about the deeper meaning of plays and stories.

5.0
4.0
HIST1100
Nov 15, 2011

She is a very nice teacher and she tries to get the class involved. The course work is tough but if you read everything she assigns (which is a lot) and pay attention to her lectures (which sometimes aren't relevant) then you'll do fine. Lots of time required to pass this class though. She DOES offer extra credit and gives 3 personal sick days!

5.0
5.0
HIST1110
Dec 14, 2011

[My Format/Grade: MWF 16wk / A] She is a BRILLIANT professor and I LOVED her lectures. Her tests are very hard compared to most others, but her grading rubric helps (88% A, 70% B, 50% C, 33% D). 3 tests and a 5-6pg paper. If you want to learn history, take this class, but if you want an easy A with little effort, this is not the class for you.

4.0
4.0
HIST1120
Dec 20, 2011

Prof. Feng is a good teacher in the sense that she knows the subject very well. Her tests are graded pretty harshly but her grading curve is helpful [70%=B,88%=A]. Her lectures tend to be monotone and uninteresting. Just read the primary sources and make a timeline for the test to memorize dates and put those dates in the test and you'll do fine.

5.0
4.0
HIST1100
Jan 5, 2012

TONS OF READING! If you don't like reading textbook material, find another teacher. She's very personable and perky, goes over the material during class so attendance is required if you want to pull a C average. Lots of essays on tests, so make sure you read all the sources and can reiterate what you read in your own words. Tough grader.

5.0
4.0
HISTO1110
Jan 12, 2012

Dr. Feng is extremely knowledgeable on the subject of WCiv. I admit that her format is not really for everyone, as your entire grade is based on 3 tests (combined essay and multiple choice) and one paper, but if you read a little every night, listen closely to what she says in class, and take good notes, you should do well. I had to work for my A.

4.0
5.0
1110
May 11, 2013

This is a VERY challenging class and not for lazy students. I usually get all a's but wasn't able to for this class. She is a very strict grader. She expects a lot: you have to memorize everything in the book, plus additional readings she gives you. although it was hard, I learned more in this class than in any class I've ever taken before!

5.0
4.0
HISTO1110008
Nov 15, 2013

If you want a class that is intellectually challenging and interesting at the same then this is the class for you. She is passionate about what she teaches and has A LOT of prsonal experience with the content She has traveled the world and has been to the historical sites she talks abt. Tests are hard-but if you keep up with reading u will do fine.

2.0
5.0
WESTERNCIV
Jan 4, 2014

I really liked her...she explained it well and you can tell she enjoys history...Now what I didn't like was her grading system. I struggled on the test essay and primary source analysis. Bad grade on my paper too. I asked her what was I missing since I got A's on my papers in English. I am surprise I ended up with a B since I was expecting a C.

2.0
5.0
HIST1120
Jan 6, 2014

This class should be listed as an advanced level course!!!The material covered is extensive. Grading is very harsh and there are limited opportunities for obtaining points. Many ended up dropping but I stuck it out all semester even though I felt I should have dropped in hopes of passing. AVOID THIS INSTRUCTOR AT ALL COSTS!

3.0
5.0
HISTO1100
Mar 13, 2014

Very,Very, VERY HARD GRADER!! I MEAN ABSOLUTELY TOUGH! IM TALKING ABOUT WHOLE 50% OFF YOUR PAPER ALL BECAUSE YOU FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT POLIS I MEAN COME ON!!!

3.0
5.0
CLASS
Nov 4, 2014

Most annoying teacher I dealt with. Although she herself is a good person but her tests are extremely hard. She expects you to know every tiny detailed or you fail...O on top of it she has a weird grading system so I don't even know what I am getting in her class. She just gives you a grade at the end of the semester so if ur failing u don't Know..

1.0
5.0
HIST1100
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Nov 11, 2014

Possibly the hardest grader I've ever had. She pins you on every single detail, and expects you to get every date right--you'll get marked off even if it's a couple numbers off. Her tests are actually impossible and covers a lot of things that she doesn't mention. There's no study guides. She talks very quietly and very fast, hard to keep up with.

1.0
5.0
1110
Feb 23, 2015

If you don't like HIST don't take her class!!!!! extremely tough grader, this class is hard which is not relative to other COD classes. Really if you don't like history or putting in a ton of effort skip this prof all together. I most regret taking this class all.

2.0
5.0
HIST1120
Grade: C
Dec 23, 2015

She gives nearly no homework so the 3 tests she does give are very important. The classes are long and she gives a vague outline, where you should fill in the rest as she lectures. It's a hard class to be engaged in especially when they're aren't many class discussions.

2.0
5.0
HIS1110
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jan 7, 2016

Don't get me wrong, she is a very nice professor, but if you're looking for an easy class this is not it. She is an extremely tough grader and she speaks in monotone which makes it hard to actually stay interested in what she is saying. I personally would not take her class again.

2.0
5.0
HIS1110
Grade: C
Mar 7, 2016

This is not a class to take if you're looking for an easy gen ed credit. She is extremely nice, but is very monotone when teaching, and goes off on tangents often. She is an extremely hard grader, and even created her own grading scale. I would not take this class again.

2.0
5.0
HIST1110
Apr 6, 2016

Very disorganzied class. Lectures are almost impossible to follow so you really have to teach yourself the material. On top of that she is the hardest grader I've ever had so not only does she not teach crap, she expects you to be an expert on every little peice of material in the class. Awful class, and awful teacher. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.

2.0
5.0
HIST1110
Apr 6, 2016

Just don't do it man... choose another class

2.0
5.0
HIS1100
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
May 4, 2016

Funny, I was reading the reviews and not much has changed. I had her Western Civ class back in 2003 and 25% of the class dropped by week 2. I dropped at the 8 week mark. She was the reason I did no take another college level history class until 2015 (no joke!) and I am normally an A student. Very nice person, not so much as a teacher.

4.0
3.0
HIS1110
Grade: B+
May 19, 2017
Would take again

Good teacher. Usually history classes get boring after a while, but her lectures are solid and interesting (this may be subjective). The final test wasn't too easy, but if you take this class you should be aware that history didn't start yesterday.

Respected
Get ready to read
Participation matters
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

67%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (3)
Drop/Withdrawal (3)
A (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(0)C(2)D(3)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 13 reported grades
A+: 3
Drop/Withdrawal: 3
A: 2
B+: 2
Common Tags
Respected (1)
Get ready to read (1)
Participation matters (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.12 avg change
Dec
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

220

5.0

(1)

HIST111

5.0

(2)

BRITHIST

5.0

(1)

HST111112

5.0

(1)

HISTORY1100

5.0

(1)
+31 more courses
Difficulty by Course

1110

5.0

HST112

5.0

HISTORY

5.0

HIST

5.0

WESTERNCIV

5.0

Similar Professors