Not so bad. Very enthusiastic about his subject.

I had him a few semesters ago and I thought he was extremely knowledgeable and accessible. You have to like history to appreciate him I guess. Hes easy, gives study guides and works with powerpoints. All around nice guy.

Very entertaining. Has a pretty sarcastic sense of humor and keeps class interesting. Will surprise you with some of the things he says. He is pretty laid back but will call people out if they're being a distraction. Hard class, but do-able if you're willing to put in a little work. For out-of-class essay, he went over exactly what he wants.

He talks so slowly and made me hate 1800-current history more than I already do. However, you do learn a lot in his class if you even half-way pay attention. His tests are moderately difficult and consist of essays with a small multiple choice section. P.S. the online H.W. was 15% of the grade (A.K.A. Why I got a D).

I'm taking him now and he's an awesome professor. Definitely knows what he is talking about and really wants you to do well in the class. The online homework an get annoying but its based on completion so its basically 15% of your grade free. Very sarcastic and can sense when the class is getting bored. I would recommend sitting in the front.

He is a good teacher. Unfortunately, he uses an online homework program, which really doesn't do anything to supplement the class and can cause major problems if you forget to do the assignments. Again, he is a good teacher, but he is not one for weak or lazy students.

He isn't easy, you actually have to go to class and take notes (I recommend a laptop because he talks FAST!) but he does actually know what he is talking about. He swears pretty frequently, and is funny. He wants you to understand the WHY not just the what.

If you're looking for a blow off class, this isn't the class for you. Attendance is mandatory & good notes help a lot. His tests are all essay based: each exam has 7 short essay choices (he gives them out before the day of the test to help study) and you answer 4. Study before, put together some outlines, & memorize bullet points & you'll do fine.

The tests are all in class essays but if you take really good notes and have good study methods you will do fine in his class as long as you show up. He is a great lecturer and made the content interesting. I never liked history before I took his class. He is very helpful and will go over your drafts with you and wants to see you do well.

This is the best professor to have for 1310 and 1320. As long as you do the learnsmart, go to SI sessions, and go to the review sessions it is really easy to do well in this class. Lectures are boring, but the SI sessions cover any information you might need. Best history teacher at TXST!

Great Professor! Very knowledgeable about subject and emphasizes WHY history happened the way it did, not just boring facts. Recording lectures was the best thing for me. Essay tests and online homework, but worth it. Amazing professor.

The only way to receive a good grade is to go to all the SI sessions, and write EXACTLY the information they give you. Attendance is MANDATORY. Online LearnSmart didn't help me with anything except for boosting my grade. Don't buy the book. Attend TA sessions, SI review sessions before the test, and you will do grand!

Helgeson is an extremely bright professor, and a good guy. He never condescends. His approach to history is very "on-the-ground," which helps explain why things happened the way they did. He's not abstracting concepts of history. He talks about heads getting split open. But be warned: his tests are hard, as he expects a high level of comprehension.

These classes changed the way I look at history as well as current events. His lectures are engrossing and based on the "why" of history as opposed to the "what." Essay exams are lecture-based so attend every day and take good notes. He tells you exactly what he expects from you throughout the semester. Also, he's hot. Take his class!

This class is difficult if you arent a good writer (which i am not). but i love dr. helgeson! and hes super cute too. He is passionate about what he teaches and if you come to class you should do just fine. there are lots of ta's to help you. also, he gives out the essay questions in advance which is helpful. you need the book for the online hw!!!

He is one of the best history teachers I have ever had! As long as you keep up with the reading the essays are easy. I wouldn't recommend missing a class, you'll miss quite a bit of info, but I loved his class and I am not into history at all. Plus he's pretty funny.

... Yeah. This guy is cool and all, but his TA's grade incredibly specifically and if you don't mention every one of the points they think should be in the answer, you get it wrong regardless of the argument you make. You use the book for the homework, but that's about it.. He gives a paper in an intro class.. I guess he's kind of funny sometimes..

Never liked history, but he made it interesting and he is funny as well. One of the best teachers I have ever had and that is saying something!!

I thought the course was fairly tough as it was my only C of the semester. Prof. Helgenson was a great teacher and knew the subject matter well. What made it tough was that there were only three grades all semester. They were essays graded pretty hard. Nice professor, tough course.

This professor is a Labor Historian and very knowledgable especially dealing with the city Chicago. This class was one of my favorite classes I have taken at Texas State. The IA's were very helpful and you could send them your essay prompts for the test to see how to make an A. The Professor encourages conversation and reading. You can make an A.

A great teacher. He's incredibly knowledgeable, very approachable, and he taught history in such a way that engrossed the whole class. He shows great perspective, and I learned quite a lot from his class. Not an incredibly easy class, but you can do well by listening and reviewing powerpoints before tests. Would definitely look to take him again.

He was a great professor. He was awkward, but he definitely knew what he was talking about though! For him, the trick is to read and be prepared!

Lectures are fast paced and hard to keep up with so pay attention! If you zone out even for one minute you've already missed important information that he won't retouch upon. Basically just read the book when you're trying to write an essay and go to SI sessions and make appointments with Helgeson for help on an outline

Dr. Helgeson is a really good professor. He made History interesting which is saying a lot from a non history major's perspective. He gives you review questions prior to the test so you know exactly what to study and if you do poorly, it is your own fault. SI sessions were helpful so make it a point to go to them if you can. Highly recommend!

One of the best history teachers I've had. I'm a history major so I really enjoy most history classes but he's really opened my eyes about American history. He's not afraid to talk about the ugly in America's history. The only downside is there are only 4 grades for the whole class. However, the tests are pretty easy just attend lectures.

One of the more difficult classes I've taken. Material is not easy to comprehend if you have no prior knowledge. Professor encourages students to engage in discussion but since material is so technical, he is often left with the sound of crickets which frustrated him. He is a nice guy but I felt this class was run more like a masters class.

He is one of the toughest core-class professors at Texas State, and I mean that in a good way. If you actually care about history and are interested, this class will forever change how you think about America, why we are the way we are, and how we got here. I wish his lectures were available via podcast so I can keep listening to them!

He isn't much help when it comes to mandate (thats where you'll be doing much of your homework) but for the tests he gives you the same thing thats going to be on the test and you have to plan out your essays and you can't take it with you to exam day. Go to SI sessions if you aren't getting much out of lecture.

Has great office hours, TAs are helpful and there are many. Tests are all in class written "short" answer, but you get the 8 questions on every test at the beginning of the powerpoint each day and during the lectures. He'll tell you why each slide is important to the test Q. Homework due basically every class day, maybe 45 minutes per day.

Professor Helgeson is extremely passionate about the American history and knows what he is talking about. The TAs are a big help in that class, so get to know them. The papers are long, but if you take pay attention, take good notes, and read the book you do pretty well on them. This class is difficult, but you learn a lot and better your writing.

All in all, he is a great, passionate teacher. He knows what he is talking about. Attendance is for the most part mandatory. No exams, just essays. Do not take if you dislike writing long essays or dislike deep analyzing of events. Worth taking in the long run though.

I really enjoyed taking his class. He is pretty hilarious and makes class very enjoyable. His exams are all essay questions but he gives you the questions before the exam date. He makes the books available online for free so you can save some money as well!

Dr. Helgeson starts class right on the dot, and attendance is mandatory/part of your overall grade. The class breaks off into discussion groups on Friday's, and there were weekly assignments due in mine. Do the readings, he posts them online!!, and get the essays completed on time to pass. Even if ya feel like skipping- don't. You'll thank me later

Dr. Helgeson was very clear in his lectures and kept everyone engaged. However, there is a lot of reading, and he gives it all in the syllabus. Plus, all the exams are essay. There is also one paper. However, he's available and helpful during office hours, as well as his IAs. Go to do sessions, and make outlines for the exams, and you will pass :)

Awesome professor, but the class was very hard to catch up in. The essays and essay outlines are relatively easy but it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I love history and social studies, but taking this class made me dislike the subject for a while. Very content heavy. I learned a lot but boy do you have to work for it.

1. Read book before lecture to get anything out of it 2. Go to office hours if you have questions he is incredibly helpful and likes it when students go 3. Writing is everything in this class Yes the class is difficult, yes you will read a lot, and yes the grading is not lenient, but I loved the professor, and the class.

Professor Helgeson is the only professor at Texas State who actually challenged the way I think. He actually cares that you learn something. Most of the students at Texas State do not care about learning, and I feel like half of the students at this school have never actually read a book, and these are the students who give him poor ratings.

TAKE HIM! He makes history interesting and easy to understand. You do have to pay attention and ask for help if needed. Highly recommend taking him for history if you can!!!

Totally recommend Dr. Helgesson. He's makes lecture funny and he is very intelligent. His class is not like most history classes, but he teaches even better. Attending lecture and reading the assignments is pretty important if you want to make a good grade, but it is not impossible to do. If you get the opportunity to take him definitely do!

Jeff is so great at challenging a group of students to find their own ideas and defend them. He really cares about his job and works hard for the students who do the same.

Dr. Jeff Helgeson is one of the best professors I have ever had. His lectures are great, he goes over a lot of information at one time but he makes it easy to follow. He makes learning history fun. He knows what he's doing. Follow along in lecture, read the primary sources, and skim through the textbook. READ THE PORT HURON STATEMENT!!! (1st 6 pgs)

Dr Helgeson's class is great. His lectures are rarely boring and he genuinely wants his students to do well. His TAs vary and they do all the grading so hopefully you get a good one. Katie is the one you want- she cares a lot &is pretty funny. She has reasonable expectations which is the most important factor. Take Helgeson & get Katie if you can.

Dr. Helgeson is by far the best teacher/professor I've ever had. I took both of his history's (both writing intensive), and had no problem maintain an A. His lectures are not boring. He teaches with excitement and almost forces you to listen. Drink a coffee, take good notes, write your paper off your notes, and you will be golden. Loved this class!

Lots of reading. This class is easy if you read, if not you will fail. The labs are helpful. you should attend those.

Thats it

Helgeson is one of the best professors I've ever had. He clearly passionate about the class, and his enthusiasm makes you want to learn the material. The only bad thing I could say about the class is the exams are essay and you need to reference material from the textbooks, which are FREE. I will miss this class for sure and would take him again.

I'm honestly not much of a history person but Helgeson made it way easier for me than I expected. His exams are nothing but writing so prepare to take lots of notes so you know what to write. But he posts the exam question prompts on TRACS and I've gotten As on every exam so far just from using that and studying my notes!

Helgeson has a good style of teaching. He focuses more on arguments than just telling you what happened. He doesn't put too much importance on memorising dates and random details. He's also pretty funny. I don't really like history and I still managed to do well in his class. (Even without doing any of the reading he told us to do)

Helgeson is an amazing professor to have. He is super hilarious and passionate about history which makes the class fun to take. His lectures are interesting and he is able to answer all questions asked. His tests are essays but you get the prompts before so you can study. There are online PDF textbooks but I never read them.

Helgeson is a great professor if you're not just trying to take the easy way out. He obviously enjoys being a historian, so his lectures are easy to listen to, not boring. The tests are challenging and it's all very writing intensive, but he gives you the questions beforehand so you have plenty of time to prepare. If you like history, take Helgeson

This class is lecture heavy but Dr. Helgeson makes history interesting. He is funny and very educated in what he is teaching. You have to still put in work outside of class to try and remember information. If you have this class I recommend reviewing your notes almost everyday after his class and shortening them based on his review slides.

Lectures are everyday and Fridays are labs and super helpful. Theres 3 textbooks but readings are a lot and it is possible to pass without doing the readings if you attend every class.

Professor Helgeson gives interesting lectures and genuinely cares about his students. You write 4 papers through out the semester and go to the SI sessions they help so much with the papers. The TAs grads all the papers just try to not get madison as your TA she is a super picky grader. I ended with a high B which most people did or an A.

Attend his office hours early on in the semester, it will be the MOST beneficial thing you could do. I only read the primary sources for this class, use CTRL F to find specific things on the online textbooks. Jeff will be your first professor to nurture individual thought, his lessons are beyond those of just history. Take him if you can.

It was a real honor and a pleasure to have Helgeson as a professor this semester. He's a brilliant guy, and his lectures were my favorite part of the course. Don't listen to the bad ratings, he's a great guy, and it really helps to show up to class. Office hours and SI sessions are essential if you want a good grade. 10/10 would recommend.

He's super qualified and loves his work, and really pretty great, but the course is graded harshly and attendance is mandatory. Also, be ready to read.

Dr. Helgeson is an amazing professor his lectures are interesting and he is good at keeping students engaged. You are graded on 2 papers, an outline, TA sessions, and a final. Attendance and participation in the TA sessions are necessary to be successful in this class. This is a hard class and you will definitely have to work hard for your grade.

A highlight of my first semester at TXST. Passionate lecturer with no in-class exams except for the final. The questions for all the papers (including the final) were in the syllabus from day one, so you can prepare for them weeks in advance. I hate history with a passion but he made it bearable; will be taking his 1320 class next semester.

Goes over the material relatively fast, however if you pay attention and do the readings it's pretty manageable. The lectures were clear and you can tell he's very knowledgeable over the subject. If you have any questions he will happily answer them.

This course is difficult and writing intensive, but you won't find a better professor than Helgeson. Show up, listen, take notes, and show up to lab and you will pass. You have to put forth a lot of effort, but TXST is known for having hard history courses. Helgeson is brilliant and makes history actually interesting.

Took Helgeson freshman year for HIST 1310 and for HIST 1320, he is literally the best professor! He is passionate about History and energized which makes his lectures even better. His Papers are somewhat difficult, I was not the best at writing before but if you pay attention in class and take notes you should do great on essays. Take his course!

The test are writing papers. He gives you 4 topics that will be discussed on the test, and you have to be familiar with all of them because he wont tell you which one hes picking. His lectures were fun to sit through because he kept you engaged. I use to hate history but he made me enjoy it! If you listen to the lectures, you will get an A.