Excellent professor who knows his stuff. However, you need to attend class as much as possible to get all the notes for final exam, else you may be in trouble when you write your essays and identifications. Be prepared to read a lot.

Dr. McKiven is a very good professor who expects his students to be diligent. He is very thorough and challenges you to think about the issues at hand. He is not a lax instructor, but he is a fair instructor.

He might pick on you, but he's just playing-nothing serious like previous poster said. Class is hard, but if you go to class and listen you'll do just fine.

Believes that students should be challenged. Unlike other professors does not think South Alabama can do little more than high school work.

Professor Mckiven is one of the best professors at South Alabama. He does not accept history as a defined or preordained series of events that happened just as historians say they did. He is the only professor I've had, at South AL, who will openly challenge the left-winger marxist approach to hist

I think he is a bad a$$ teacher. Gratned he might not always be on topic but who likes going to class and just hearing about history. His tests are not that hard and everyone in his class just needs to go to class(like i need to do) and suck it up. Dont Bit*h and whine

Fine Ass

For those people who have claimed to lose money because you dropped the class, that is your own fault. McKiven is only responsible for giving you the information you will be tested on. It is not in his job description to make sure you study. This is not high school, it takes actual effort to pass

Granted he does go off topic sometimes but usually its a welcomed break from note taking. He makes class interesting and but at the same time delivers the information you need. He is fair and flexible. The people who don't do well are the ones who expect good grades for doing NOTHING.

McKiven makes you think the class will be hard. If youlet what he says get to you, then you won't do well. But if you quickly learn to ignore his nonsense and just pay attention the important stuff you'll do great! Write every piece of information he has given & any other information you have found when writing essays for him and you WILL get an A!

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Very interesting and informative. He knows his subject very well and is fair in his test preparation and grading.

If you are taking a 100 level class come on... he is not bad.Upper levels watch out. He is crazy and will pull you into a conversation that will never end

He is a wonderful teacher, he just needs to find a different way to simplify the material so the students don't have to hear unrelated info. The tests are wonderful because they are only on two chapers at a time. Go talk to him if you have problems, we is a wonderful listener and he will help you the best he can. Go in with an open mind.

I tutor for this man, and I can personaly say that this man is a great teacher. The only reason people don't like him is the fact that he makes his work for their grades. Perhaps they get bad grades because they don't bother showing up for class 40% of the time. I think that much ofthe biase he recives on this form is totally unfair.

This dude cares, he doesn't just slap an A on your paper because he took his meds, or an F if he didnt get much sleep. Work hard, study, and pay attention in class, and you'll ace his class. He's not out to get you. Plus he listens to the students. the main thing i didnt like about his class a book we read about evolution was to hard to understand.

He is actually a good teacher. If you just come to class(which most people don't do) you will do good on the essays. He is not so boring that its impossible to stay up in class and listen. I would definitely take him again for another level of History.

Knowledgable on subject, always well prepared.

Dr. McKiven is a good teacher. Many mistake him trying to challenge his students to think for themselves as him being a jerk. His class is not hard if you just show up and do the assignments. I have taken him three times.

If you think McKiven is hard, then you probably shouldnt be in college. He gave the class a million different ways to get an A. The only problem is the questioning asked on multiple choice. They dont complement what the student has learned. Other than that, the essays are graded easily and the class is interesting. Welcome to college freshman.

Dr. McKiven makes you earn your grade as he should. I struggled with his tests, but came out of his class having learned alot and I commend him! Thank you Dr. McKiven!

He is a good teacher and a nice guy I will say one thing He is waay too concerned with what other ppl think thing :).Word of advice fom someone living in a world of peer pressure Dr McKiven:Don't worry about what everyone thinks so much. If you never express your opinion (even if it means offending someone) then you arent being YOU and thats a sham

Dr. McKiven is a great professor. If you find him to be difficult or rude and offensive then you should go ahead and drop out because you'll just be whining for the rest of your college experience.

McKiven is one of the best teachers that I have ever had. He knows just what he is talking about. And I NEVER miss a class of his. His tests are simple if you listen in class, and he makes me want to learn more about US history. I can't wait to take more classes of his!

He has got to be the easiest teacher I've had. He explains things, and tells you whats going to be on the tests... he's easy to talk to. Can explain anything you need. Just an all around easy teacher, and you learn what you need to learn. but you have to go to class to learn it.

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Don't buy the book. If you go to class, it is the easiest A you can get. I didn't go to class everyday, but I still made 100 on 2 of his tests. His tests come straight from his lectures. So, take good notes. He tells you the essay exam questions before the test. I am no 4.0 student. This class was easy!!!

great

He's a good teacher! You just have to pay attention.

he's pretty cool, and grades fair.

I have had Dr. McKiven for three classes and have done well in all three. He might get off the subject during lectures but if he doesn't state something in class then he doesn't expect you to know it on the test. I would suggest people to take him who are ready to learn and be tested and treated like college students!

Here's the deal with Dr. McKiven. If you show up to class, take good notes, and do all of your work on time, you won't have any problems.

Good professor. Could jump around a little, but knew what he was talking about and made it exciting.

Dr. McKiven is an extremely smart man who knows his subject matter. His teaching is inductive, so if you don't want to be made to think, then don't take him. I like this guy. He's more than willing to help the student. Test are essay. Be ready to back up your opinion. He's one of the few professors who likes for you to share your opinion.

McKiven is an okay guy..You have to take notes so going to class is a must but he pretty much gives you the questions that will be on the exam

All you need to do is go to class and take notes. He gives you the questions before the test. But you have to have notes the book will not help

One of the best in the History department, Very fun class, impossible to fail!

Mckiven is a good guy he gives you the questions before the exam whatmore could you ask for? take good notes he doesn't use the text book

He is a great teacher and make history fun and exciting in the same breath. He tells stories that are not just in history but in the world around us, so we as students have something to relate to. He takes a different route to teach student and it work, I love this teacher for his methods, he is truly an innovator!!

We had all essay tests which were perfect for me. You have to memorize all of your notes from 2 different topics and turn them into an essay. The only part I didnt like was the long book we had to read and write a paper on. I'm pretty sure I will get an A though.

I love Dr. McKiven! If you want to learn and be interested in learning then take his class. Don't worry about what everyone else is saying about him because if you come to class and take all his notes you will do fine! I have had four classes with him and every class just reaffirms my want to study more history and educate others on it!

I love Dr. McKiven! I have taken him for four classes and I have always done well. His lectures are not impossible and if you attend class everyday and write down what he says you will ace everything! However, if you can't handle his 135/136 courses then don't take his upper level courses because you won't make it b/c they involve a lot more!

I really like him,...he has a great sense of humor,...very sarcastic, and definitely knows what he's talking about. I went away to Arkansas and missed a back to back semester but came back and i had to take him again for my HIST 136.

I love this man! If you can't make a B in his class, then you should rethink yourself!

He is a wonderful and inspiring professor. He is extremely intelligent and shares a wealth of knowledge with his students. I guess this is what some students mean when they say he "rambles," because they are not really paying attention anyway. If you really are serious and want to learn, everything he says is useful.

Great. Very funny to watch.

I love this professor! His class is so easy and he keeps your attention. Gives great review before test!

I personally think that he is a great teacher, he works with you going above and beyond his call of duty. His lectures are fun and he actually tries to get to know you as well. I would definatley take him as a teacher again.

Excellent professor. As long as you come to class and take notes his class is too easy!! He gives great study guides and he is very funny..There's something about his laugh that cracks me up...But he's the best professor that I've taken so far.

Great professor. I will absolutely take him again. He gives great study guides and is clear and easy to understand.

easy, easy teacher. if you come in class, take some notes, you will be fine. a few days before the tests, he gives you the test questions. All you have to do is go through your notes, go through every topic he talked about and write an essay about it. Memorize the essay, and you will make a 100 on the test. There is a book review at the end.

Great professor! He knows his history. Lectures are easy to understand, taking notes is a must.Tests are essay format. He provides great insightful information and grades your essays on your understanding of the subject matter. Ignore negative postings, those people have no business in an adult university setting.

NICK SABAN.

I loved Dr. McKivens class. he is very simple and not hard at all. He gives study guides before every test, and the study guide is the test. he sayd "um" and "you know" all the time, but grades very easy. I would recommend him to anyone. He doesnt count off for missing class but will help you out if you have good attendence.

I loved this class! I don't know why anyone would not want to take him. You do HAVE to go to class to pass. Don't think you wont have to work for it but an A is do-able!

love this guy! hes so funny. he seems intimidated when giving lectures by saying um and ya know a whole lot when i was bored i counted how many times he said it loves conversating on outside topics but not too much essay type tests but its easy no textbook loved his class

I love this guy. He tells you what he wants in your essays. You do need to go to class to be able to pass but an A is very doable! He hates wikipedia don't even try it. I wouldn't even bother buying books check them out from the library.

Awesome teacher!

Tests are rather simple and laid out. He does not trick you. Very nice guy.

You will get whatever you put into the class. You can learn a lot or nothing at all. Either way you will most likely pass.

Great teacher, great class. The study guide that he gives you is EXACTLY what will be on the test. He is a very fair grader and the paper at the end of the term is not as hard as you think it will be. I would recommend this class to any history major.

So the worst people can say about this professor is he says ummm too much that in itself should tell you this guy is a great professor! He does take attendance but if you aren't there it won't count against you. Power Point projects were time consuming but an easy A. Only test are a midterm and final. Gives a study guide, use it and you're good.

Good teacher. REALLY knows his stuff, and is always willing to help. Comes off as rather pompous, though.

A large majority of my class did not attend every class meeting, or even a few of them for that matter. He does have somewhat of a "higher difficulty level" but he doesn't want students to simply memorize facts, he wants critical thinking to take place. He didn't use a textbook, but he knew his information. Good teacher if you want to learn.

Dr. McKiven is a wonderful professor. If you are insulted by things he says get over yourself. His classes are full of Civil War topics including slavery. If some people can't handle that topic then don't take his class. He knows his subject very well.

All you do is write down whats on the power point and listen.. the test is very easy if you go to the class. great teacher, knows what he is talking about! He talks about rate my professor every day, he says he dosnt care but he really dose..

Great instructor and stays on the subject. New South was the best!!! The book on "Up From History" the life of Booker T. Washington was great read I read the entire book! I've had him 3xs and all have been very good.

Dr.McKiven was a awesome!I havent been in school in 7yrs at first I was really scared bt as I learned wht he expctd & did wht he expctd the class wasnt hard.He made hstry vry intrstng & I loved his persnlty.I did wht was rqurd & as a result I did Great. Thanks for the best expereince of returning to college & for not taking off for bad handwriting!

He was one of the best history professors I have had at South Alabama. He takes a real interest in the students that pay attention and helps the ones that do not pay to much attention in his class. I just got done with his summer The Old South course and it was a lot of reading and very tough but I got through the course fine. Great Teacher.

He uses no texts books so if you don't go to class you will not pass because on his tests you need to explain your essays the way he described the events in history.

Yes he is easy but he doesn't act in a professional manner. He doesn't represent south alabama in a respectable light.

i took this professor twice, he teaches the 1st and the 2nd part of US history. he is great! All his notes come from him talking, he does not use a text book. He uses 2 books for his 1st history class and have small quizzes. he make you do power points for his 2nd US history.you need to pay attention or use a recorder!

he is awesome. my favorite professor at south.he is funny and intelligent. he is lenient and is a easy grader. Take him if you need history! but remember to pay attention or use a recorder because he does not use a text book and his notes come straight from him talking.no homework and your grades will come from tests and quizzes or by doing pp.

Dr. McKiven is an interesting man. He does go off and random tangents so it is sometimes hard to understand exactly what he is teaching about some days. If you copy his power point slides and actually pay attention to him, you should easily get an "A" or a "B". He will not just give you a good grade so work for it. GREAT TEACHER!!!!!

Took him for his Old South course. He does not use a text book so you must attend class every day to make a decent grade but he also grades leniently. He does act some what pretentious but all in all a very good teacher if you like history.

I'm John felschow he is great the best teacher so far I have had in history . He does have faults but so do I . I would love to take him again south is lucky to have him .

McKiven is certainly a master at his craft. I enjoy lecture time because there is so much going on in his brain and he attempts to get it all out. He is big on misconceptions and sets them straight. All readings for this class are amazing. Pay attention, attend class, take random notes and you will end up taking McKiven twice.

He gives essay questions and two books, which one has multiple quizzes on it and the other has one big test. ts pretty easy, but there's no textbook. He teaches his material very well and you must attend the majority of not all his lectures or you will fall behind on the material and lose track of the topic. Overall, he is a good teacher.

Had him for old south and new south. He is a great teacher and the class is easy as long as you can make it to class and the work requires minimal effort. His classes are very interesting so it isn't hard to listen to his lectures. The tests are easy and he is very helpful. I enjoyed his classes.

Strays off topic and is very opinionated but overall a very good teacher. Tests are in essay form but he gives you everything you need to be prepared. No textbooks for his class, either.

Mckiven is the best professor I have taken at South. I am going into my junior year and I took him my first semester. I am waiting for him to teach 136 so I can take it. He is VERY intriguing to listen to. NOT monotone. Ex marine, no books, all powerpoint. Teaches you REAL history and the things they keep hidden from you. LOVE him!!!!

Dr. McKiven is a wonderful teacher who is truly passionate about history! Class can be boring sometimes, but he tries to make it interesting. He is an extremely fair grader! I really enjoyed his class I recommend him! I know I will be taking him again!

4 online test. 3 in class exams. he gets off tract during lecture sometimes but overall great professor

Dr. McKiven is a fabulous teacher. He is very fair and wants you to do good in his class. He had 200 points of extra credit this semester so it was very easy to receive an A if you just kept up with the work. I would recommend this teacher to ANY of my friends!!

He is not very clear at times, but if you record his lectures and attend the reviews, you'll be fine. Overall, he is a good teacher and you will learn a lot. I recommend him for this class.

Excellent Professor. He gave us 200 points in extra credit. All you have to do is come to class and you'll pass. I got an 91.

Excellent professor. He gives really easy assignments with a lot of points. I received 600/600 for making a power point.

He is very helpful if you ask or need it. The class was a lot of work, it is not necessarily hard just a lot of work. I needed more time and he allowed it, once I explained my situation he is very understanding. I was just going to let things go but decided to explain and I am glad I did. Very helpful, just ask if you need it

Honestly one of the best professor I've had so far. It's the first class that I can actually sit in and take notes of everything that is said. He is not the monotone type professors that you would doze off. He gives a reasonable amount of work that's not overloading my other courses. I currently have a high A. 12 out of 10, would take again.

Dr. McKiven is one of the most knowledgeable teacher at South Alabama. He lectures go the entire length of class and can be boring at times, but he is an energetic speaker. Not to much work outside of class just a few quizzes and a discussion, which does not take long each week.

You have to write a lot, but it's a 400 level history class so it's not surprising. Book chapter quizzes were easy and you could take them as many times as you wanted. You had to do two book reports and a bunch of online lecture summaries along with three research reports on newspaper articles. None of them were longer than 3 pages though.

He lectures every single class and then you have little journals that you have to do after every single lecture. He checks it twice a semester. As long as you know what you're talking about in each answer he gives you full credit. He's a really understanding professor and is helpful if his students need him. Best history teacher I've ever had.

Loved HY477 with McKiven, I reccomend him if you're a history major/minor becuase you have to be interested in what he is teaching to put in the work required to benefit from this class. Also if you have the chance to take his 477 class over the summer I highly reccomend it.

He's funny at times. He's not very understanding. I was sick & had an excuse but didn't get credit. Lectures are pretty boring & he doesn't follow his PowerPoints. All of his tests & quizzes are on quizlet. His mid-term & final are very hard & he grades crucial on them. His class is pretty easy but if you aren't a history major I wouldn't take him.

He is a real solid professor. He does not show favoritism or treat anyone unfairly. The midterm and final exams are not hard at all if you pay attention. (they are take home exams/essays). He gives good lectures and does a good job of explaining what hes talking about. He is a pretty funny guy as well. Very good professor.

A lot (lot) of assignments, but if you do them all it's not really hard to get an A. Just tedious, if anything. I always found his lectures to be particularly interesting and he's funny. I'd recommend him.

This professor is fair and there are a lot of chances to improve your grade. The course was interesting and I learned a lot. I liked the blended class because the lectures were online and that allows you to go back through them as needed. Everything is clear about what is expected and stated up front. Really good class.

Dr. McKiven is a very nice professor. He speaks kind of monotone and his blended course is mostly lectures in and out of class, so it gets boring. Taking notes is vital, but there aren't too many at once. Quizzes and Tests (Midterm and Final) are all online. He's very understanding and willing to help. His feedback on discussions is great too!

I have taken Dr. McKiven for the Old South (477), New South (478), and Civil War and Reconstruction (435). I see such negative reviews from a bunch of 18-year-old freshmen who are just flat lazy. There is a reason I have taken him three times. He is passionate about history, he is engaging, and you learn so much. Dr. McKiven is an absolute gem.

I've taken Professor McKiven's classes multiple times, and he is the reason I feel engaged in my studies now. If you actually sit down and listen to his lectures, rather than try to scramble a lazy summary together with just the notes on his presentations, you will make a great grade. Would not recommend this class to a lazy/uninspired student.

Many of the negative reviews on Dr.Mckiven I've noticed come from people who are "LAZY." I'm taking him for a 400 level history course and sure it's demanding but compared to the other high level history courses at South he's easy. Basically do summaries most of the time.

I've taken two of his classes. Both were easy for a 400 level but still informative. Mostly you watch lectures or read books and then complete a summary. A lot of the negative things are from the lower level history courses he teaches but for upper level he is one of my favorites.