Boot Camp

He actually made me work & study! And he calls on recalcitrant students!!

so very very difficult. Interesting lecutres. Difficult quizes and very difficult exams. No study guides.

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for all you lame freshmen/other college tards, sefton is one of the BEST professors in the history department. yes, he makes you work hard...but he makes you learn!! if you actually want to learn anything, TAKE HIM!!! isn't that what college is for?&#

dr. sefton is a very hard professor but one of the best there is. it's a lot of work and many days you will say that you hate him, but in the end you'll be glad you learned so much!

I LOVE DR. SEFTON!!!! HE IS THE BEST!

Dr. Sefton expects a lot from his students and rewards those willing to work hard. He is of the best professors at CSUN.

His classes are tough, but if you do your homework and come prepared, then there is nothing to worry about.

Sefton was hard, but oh well. He forced me to get off my butt and actually do the reading etc. He takes a little to much pride in being difficult, but I learned a lot in his class. Honestly, his class is about as difficult as a college course should be.

Sefton is an ideal teacher for the student who wants to be challenged and actually learn something. He has a vast amount of knowledge, and wants to communicate this to his students. I found myself to be highly educated on the subject when class finished.

A very challenging professor who understands the value of both teaching and learning. Well-worth taking his classes if you want to really learn. Detail-oriented, well-organized. Take him if you want to learn something!

Thank god there are professors like this who push and challenge students. I tok three of his classes and got 2 A's and a B. I'm not even a history major. For all of you who can berely get a D, what's up with you? Go back to high school. Thanks, Doc.

Yes he's a ball breaker... if you break the rules. Just follow the rules, do the work, go to class and MAKE AN EFFORT -- that's all it takes and you got an A. He's got a rough exterior with a heart of gold, really.

Challenging, but I learned more from this class than most others combined

He pushes you to do the work and rewards you if you do. I actually like this guy, despite what everyone else says. If you've got lots of spare time (which I don't anymore) to do all the reading and note outlines, then you'll do well.

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Seften kicks ass!!! Yes, he is difficult, but that's what he's about.

he is one of the best teachers i have ever had. All you have to do is read. I learned more from him than any other teacher ever. I am a slacker normally but i enjoyed all of his classes i took all but one

Listen people. Very tough class. Very passionate teacher. Will WAKE you up if you'r a slacker. ZERO room for B.S. You can learn a LOT, if you decide to bear through it. VERY traditional. But, beneath is a man wishing to make better students and he will help you trememdously. Give your all, do the work, and you'll be fine-- and a much better student

Seriously difficult class, but he's a great professor for upper division. I've heard to avoid him in Lower Division, but he seems to love what he's doing in the higher level classes.

He loves this class and makes it pretty easy to pass, as long as you follow his rules. Don't even think of using your cellphone or laptop, he's old school and dislikes technology. Study the packets he gives you for the midterm, no final. Two photo essays and a couple written assignments here and there. Always use the active voice and cite sources!

Sefton is passionate about students and history. He may be condescending but it is funny. Sit in the front row and know all information covered that week by Discussion/Quiz day. Grading is fair but the tests are hard. He wants students to understand *geographical, economic, political, and social relationships relevant from 1607-1865. NO CELL PHONES

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PREPARE FOR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CLASS, THIS class is very hard, it requires 3 pages of notes for every chapter... total 10 chapters. must read all 4 books to understand concepts. almost every other friday there is a quiz. THIS CLASS IS HARD! BUT IF YOU DO ALL THE WORK, and PASS THIS CLASS... YOU ARE READY FOR GRAD SCHOOL.

Dr. Sefton is very hard teacher, but really good with class material. If you are a History major and want to learn about US history take his class. He is the best history teacher, but really demanding.

This class is diffucult and may not be a good choice for a non-history major. However, if you are a history major this is the professor to take for 270. His lectures can be a bit dry (and yes is is an older guy) but the information you'll gain from this class will be very valuable. Read the books and be in class for the tests you should be ok.

Dr. Sefton is sooo brilliant!! He is not as hard as everyone makes him out to be, it's just that he expects nothing less than 110%, and because of that he makes you a better student. If any history majors want to know what it's really like to be in this discipline, then definitly take Sefton!!

Hardest clas i've had, and it made the rest of my time at CSUN much easier. I respect the hell out of Sefton, you'll hate him at first but will appreciate him tremendously if you pass.

I took his World War 2 class and it is without doubt he knows his stuff. If you wish to learn, I highly recommend his class. If you're nit-picky about your GPA, don't. He is the toughest profesor I have ever had in 4 years of college. You will have no study guides for the midterms nor finals. You will learn many things about World War 2. Read a lot

Dr. Sefton is one of the best professors at CSUN. As it's been said before, he seems abrasive because he expects you to - oh the horror - act like a college student and won't put up with nonsense or lame excuses. Be prepared, do the assignments, and show up for class. You'll find that he's a very fair individual.

All you negatives are nuts. Sefton was a great prof in Fall, 1974 for Const. History. Loved his bible quotes on the tests. I'm now a civ. lib prof at San Jose State and still love the guy. Way awesome!!

His WWII class taught me more than any other class so far at CSUN. Anyone that insults him probably did not try for their grade, and if you are blaming gender you're just making excuses. I tried very hard and only got a B. To me it is worth the time rather than some of the newer much easier hippie liberal teachers of 2day. 2daysteachers dumb usdown

The only thing that makes his elongated fact based lectures fun is his constant harrassment of anyone that isn't up to par intelligence wise, read the assignment if you don't want to look stupid!

Well, the horrible rumors you hear are true. Hes tough, hes mean, he wears black on test days, and will fail you without one iota of thought. Thats all true, but you know what, he tought me how to REALLY LEARN, I owe my high GPA to this guy and i graduated with a finance degree. Trust me, hes hard, but, if you make it work for you, you can do well

If you like challenges in life and if you enjoy History, then take Sefton. His class was the hardest class that I have ever taken, in 4+ years at CSUN. He does not use +/-. Take him if you want to become a better/smarter student and be disciplined. Don't if you want to raise your GPA. He knows his material! You will learn! Got a B. Proud of it.

Excellent professor! If you still have your diapers changed by mommy, this is not the class for you! He expects college work from college students. Treats students as adults. Not an "it's only ok if you only attend, you will still pass" type of guy. Very helpful during question/answer time, he will explain. We pay to be taught, not get handouts.

I took the History of WW2 with Dr. Sefton, and I was extremely pleased with his knowledge of the subject. He is very strict and runs a tight class, but if you keep up with the reading, ask and answer questions, and express an interest in the class, then a student should do very well.

I heard the horror stories and almost didn't take the class. I've decided for myself that Sefton's class is challenging but well worth it. I learned so much, and I'm glad that my hard work means something. Follow syllabus & directions exactly & you can't go wrong. I wish other teachers gave such precise directions.

I took 473A (Civil War) and 441 (WWII) from Dr. Sefton at the same time. He is extremely challenging but if you read and take the class seriously, you will do fine. He is a very fair grader. I did not ace all the tests or quizzes (B's and C's) but aced both finals and received an A in both classes! If you are a weak student, don't bother.

Hero.

Professor Sefton is the hardest teacher I have ever taken, but I am better off for it. If you keep up with the reading the class will be easier. Contrary to popular rumor he does not lock the door at the start of class. The room locks when the door closes but if you knock a student will let you in and he will not comment just not record you as the

Prof. Sefton is old school. He will help you if you ask. He knows his subject inside and out. It's only a tough class because the rest of the school system has lowered it's standards to make it easy for everyone. Read the books, know who did what to which events and when and you'll do fine.

Professor Sefton is tough. He really expects you to work for your grade. He has a unique way of teaching which is very difficult to adjust to. You MUST do the reading. He is also one of the best professors I have ever had. He is not rude or mean, and he really does care.He is old school and as such perfect for teaching history. Great professor

Show up to the first day of class having read the first 3 chapters! I loved his lectures& the book.Quizzes are timed(14 min), on obscure id's from reading. He is fair. Simply a great teacher.Makes me want to be a better student. If you do your work you will get the grade you deserve. I'm taking him again in spring for 2 classes!

An excellent professor, he really makes you work for his grade. Don't expect to waltz through his class because he doesn't tolerate b.s. from students. Just read, take notes, and ask questions. You'll do well to read each chapter twice and note events or people which may seem obscure but are not. To him (and you!), it is all equally important.

I am going to make it very plain and simple for everyone. If you like History and want a challenge TAKE THIS CLASS. If you are lazy, do not like history, hate reading, bad at memorizing (names, ranks, dates, events, EVERYTHING), want an easy A DO NOT take this class. Lectures are very interesting! Old school, knowledgeable, GREAT professor!

Do not expect to get an A even if you work really hard. Keep up with the readings religiously and memorize every detail. He is an expert in the subject and at least appreciate that if you take anything from him. Do not expect an easy time and keep pulling through even when you feel you've been unfairly evaluated, which will happen.

Read everything and memorize all the names and events for the quiz and exams. The essays are hard because you have to tie subjects together, but this is not a class you can avoid doing the reading. He is a hard professor.

Yes his class is hard but his job is to teach, not just to pass lazy students. Do the readings, study, and participate in discussions. He grades by performance, not by points, so make the effort by reading, participate,and office visits. This class will be as easy or as hard as you make it.

He is very demanding professor requiring college level work. You will be challenged, but in the end he will make you a better student. There are no easy grades and you will have to really work for a good grade. Accepted the challenge and you will be better for it. He is old school and has not lowered his standards like so many other professors.

"I know I'm intimidating" he said to me once, "I practice everyday to make sure I am doing it right-- but I do it to make you intellectually tough". These were the exact words he told me when my performance in class began to slip. If you can survive the first few weeks I'm sure he'll grow on you. He certainly is tough, but he will make you better.

The other reviews are right, he is hard. There are 5 books you read; essay-type quiz every single day; 1 essay-type midterm; 1 "pre-final" mult-choice; & 1 essay-type final. He will make you work, but it is possible to pass. I worked my butt off and got a B-. He's old school, no phones, no back talk. He can be funny though. Not for lazy students.

Everything you read on here is correct. Dr. Sefton is the hardest professor at CSUN. I've never felt more pressure as a student. I am a history major and he has improved my study and writing habits dramatically. Visit him in his office and talk to him about coursework and about life. He is happy to guide any student in the right direction.

Sefton is old school, and I'm okay with that. Went into this class thinking, "another easy GE course." The rude awakening came on the first weekly quiz, when, after reading 100 pages we were expected to know everything!. I realized I had to crack down and study in a way I never had before. I'm better for it. Thank you Dr. Sefton.

For the record, I am a "Sefton Recidivist!" Doc is as "old-school" as we need him to be! You wont find someone who you will feel the honor and pride, as well as gratitude for EARNING his respect. But, you will have to be a model student, not a slob who feels compelled to enter and leave at will, and distract yourself with your "smart phone!"

Awesome. The man has lived history, has high standards, knows what he is talking about to the nth degree, and won't take crap from lazy slackers. What's not to love?

I took Sefton for his World War II history course, Hist441 for the Fall 2015 semester. I already had an interest in WW2 and military history but found I was reading 150-300 pages a weekend. He is a tough teacher though rewarding in the sense that he will respect you if you put the work in. The papers are superbly in-depth, be ready to source!

Hardest class I've ever taken. Sefton is a relic of an older time when an undergrad education seemed to have more weight. Sefton respects his students and treats them like academic adults - and he takes them all out for breakfast at the end of semester. I feel privileged to have learned from him (even if I don't know if I'm going to pass yet!).

They do not make History professors like Dr Sefton anymore. That is a shame. I am forever thankful to have endured the difficulty of his Civil War/Reconstruction course, his WWII course, and his eclectic Historical Photography course. I became a better student because of his toughness and his brilliance. A Great man.