This guy is the best professor i have ever had and probably will have. When he is lecturing, it feels like your listening to one of your friends talking to you as a pose to listening to a proffessor. He also has great stories and is very funny.

He is so funny. Makes class so much fun. Not bad looking either.

I wish I could take him for more courses-you learn a ton in his class and it is the quickest 3 hours you will ever sit through (hilarious). It's like he's Robin Williams or something. He's very enthusiastic about his subject and I highly recommend him.

Best professor I have had at UofM-D. In class you learn a ton, and have a great time. Anything he teaches will be wonderful.

The best Professor you will ever have guaranteed. He makes you laugh for the entire semester, and he becomes a good freind to all his students. Most intelligent and greatest personality of anyone I've EVER met in my life. Nis you tha man.

The best teacher I've ever had, hands down. His classes are knowledge and stand-up comedy in one. He is also a wonderful conductor and composer and his piano playing is amazing!

NOT ONLY IS HE THE BEST PROFESSOR AND A WONDERFUL PERSON, NISSEN IS A VERY, VERY ATTRACTIVE PERSON (CANT KEEP MY EYES OFF HIM),. THIS CLASS WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND NISSEN MAKES YOU WANT TO NOT MISS A CLASS. WOULD RECOMMEND TO ALL.(RF)

He is funny, helpful, and everything everybody has said. However, his final is a bit tough. He lets you have a clue what is on it, but I do not feel I could have prepared enough for all of the info on it. And don't take the class if you hate classic mus

THE BEST OF THE BEST. I NEVER ENJOYED A CLASS AS MUCH AS THIS ONE. NOT ONLY DID I LEARN SO MUCH BUT I HAD A BLAST.I COULDN'T MISS A CLASS IF I HAD TO.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU TAKE NISSEN.HE'S HOT TOO.ESPECIALLY WHEN HE MOVES HIS PECKS.HE GETS MY TEMP GOING.

Nissen is the best prof. He makes you want to change your major to music so you can take him for all your classes! The class is so interesting you don't want to miss and there's only 2 tests! You won't be sorry!

awesome teacher, made a boring subject very interesting

A wonderful teacher. He knows a LOT about just about everything. Very impressive. I wish I had known he taught here earlier.

The most interesting and exciting professor I've ever had...and I think he probably knows more than anybody I've ever met...extremely funny!

Professor Nissen is wonderful! He will keep you laughin through the entire class, every day. He'll probably offer to take the class to the bar too. He reminded me of Robin Williams. I really looked forward to class, and HATED when the art portion ended

BEST professor ever! He's fun, interesting, helpful, exciting, friendly, funny. Just all around what you WANT in a prof. Interesting class. MUST pay attn and take good notes. Tests are from book and lecture but you can get away with knowing definitions

THE BEST TEACHER AT UofM. Tells great jokes to make class VERY interesting. You HAVE to take at least one class from this professor. A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hands down the best teacher I've ever had. He made a three hour night class something to look forward to. Midterm and Final are challenging but fair, Overall he's outstanding

One of the funniest people I've ever met! He'll make it a little interesting. One hard midterm and final & 2 concert evaluations. Take lots of notes, pay attention, and don't skip. It will hurt you. Book helps on his study guides he gives you for them

Great teacher very funny.He's very knowlegeable about the arts, music,art etc.He's huge UofM fan. He's one of the smartest professors i've seen in his field. His mid-term/final is easy if you study and take good notes everyday, don't skip it will hurt u

a truly excellent class. no reason not to get an A and u will have a great time in class. just come to class and study the notes.

one of my favorite profs! easy on the eyes, makes it a plus to come to class. made learning fun. all around does a great job.

The best teacher period! I honestly loved coming to class. It was a great time. YOu will need to study a little before the exams but everyone in the class ends up with an A or a B.

Still the best teacher at UofM. Lectures and fun and interesting. Exams based just on the lectures, so you don't need to read the book (or even buy it). The best class out of the semester! A+

One of the best I've ever had. He makes class so interesting and so easy. Even though there was only one test, I learned so much. He didn't need to give us quizzes to make us learn because we WANTED to learn. I came out of that class with so much even though I had him for only 9 weeks.

Professor Niseen is the best professor I've ever had by far! He is so hilarious and kept the boring subject of music history very interesting. Whoever wrote the last two comments probably never studied and have no sense of humor. Definatley recommend his classes!

He is not easy, maybe he's changed since when the other people took the class,butif u miss a class then u miss a lot of tedious info that will be on the exam so u must take perfect notes and study. There is a lot of info (50 definitions) and about 20 songs u need to memorize for each "tricky" exam.

Amazing professor. This guy is very knowledgeable and his lectures are very interesting. He made the 3 hour class fun and always gave at least a 10-15 minute break. He would never keep us the whole three hours, either...great guy. Easy A...take him!

These people who said he's hard must be really really dumb. If you go to all his classes, take good notes, study and memorize the beat of 20 songs...u got an A. And his concert evaluations are 100 percent for everyone. Nissen is better then a comedian. I recommend him.

3 hrs of laughing jokes and he does a great job of keeping his students occupied and engaged. Take him but study hard you will need it!

Take this professor! you will no regret it!

Excellent prof. although not extremely easy. Requires some work. Makes a terribly boring subject an excellent experience.

Professor Nissen is one of my favorite professors-he's incredibly funny and very knowledgable on all things music. He does keep you for most of the 3 hours, but makes it interesting and tells you everything that'll be on the final, plus he's hott!

This class was awesome. I was already into music before it began, but much more so now. And Dr. Nissen (swoon)...one of the best instructors I've ever had. I wish he taught more subjects. I wouldn't call the class easy, but if you take notes and study you'll be fine. There are only two exams. I leave this class truly inspired.

I loved this class! There was never a dull moment in lecture. He covers everything that will be on the exam in class, so if you show up to take notes you should be fine. You can tell that he loves the subject he teaches.

Great professor, I highly recommend taking him. He is a blast, once in class he made his chest pecs bounce and it was the funniest thing ever. He goes to Baileys every thursday so met him there, great guy. Total blast!

Cutest&funniest professor ever! he's amazing and easy-defintely recommend him!!

LOVE THIS PROF. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY ME

Take this Professor for your own good:) I've never learned so much and had so much fun at the same time in any class I've taken at UMD. He's hot too! Makes it easier to pay attention. His classes are not hard if you take notes and study.

ok I seriously LOVE prof. Nissen he's sooo hott!

great professor, keeps lectures fun, very nice, tests easy

best professor ever..anyone who gave him a bad rating either hates humanities, or did not go to class. If you go to class and take notes you're all set..i hardly had to study because i paid so much attention in class..hes amazing

Nissen is the best professor I've had in college. He's absolutely hilarious and makes class very interesting. As long as you make flash cards for the selected terms, read the specific material he tells you to read, and do your listenings, you'll do great on his tests. He asks no trick questions whatsoever on tests. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!.

Prof Nisson is one of the best prof's i have had at dearborn, he makes the material very interesting...the only bad thing is you have to go to 2 concerts and evaluate them, not too cool when you live in BFE...but overall an excellent teacher, and i would give an A+

What a great class with a great proffesor. Would recommend him to anyone. Alot of memorization to do, but tests are not that hard. Makes learning about music fun.

Professor Nissen is a great professor when it comes to music. He really has a knack for making music history come to life. If you can take a class with him then do it.

He's HILARIOUS and makes class a lot more interesting by cracking jokes and what not. Puts a few silly questions on the exams to relax the student. Very clear and precise. Lectures are important and overall, an easy course. Take MHIS 100 with him.

Best teacher ever. Nice, funny, organized, interesting, clear, hilerious, just great in all aspects.

Professor Nissen is a great teacher... He loves teaching the class and he is so funny..The material is not easy but he hands out a study guide for every test and the exam is just like the study guide.

Extremely funny, knowlegable and smart person. You learn a lot. Not that hard but you need to study.

He is so hilarious, it is like stand up comedy in his class and he makes music seem interesting. However, the essays on the tests are kind of hard. He expects you to write a book for each one.

Nissen is the greatest professor of all time. He's hilarious and hott. His class is not necessarily easy, nor is it hard, but you will have to read and study. But I've had 3 classes with him all together and hes passionate and brilliant so you love listening to him and that's how I remembered a lot of the material. Take him, you won't regret it!

easy a

very good man. knows his music. can play all the classics on that piyany.

I loved this class. He knows his music and teaches it really well. It's easy to understand and if you attend lectures, the tests are a piece of cake. If he taught enough MHIST classes, i'd make it my second major. His class does take some work, but if you know your stuff it's really fun.

The class is pretty easy once you figure out exactly how he formats the tests. What he emphasizes in class is exactly what he puts on the test. Overall, I thought he was just an okay professor.

I think he's a great professor. I HATE history of any type, and I actually enjoyed going to his class. He made it fun to learn the material, instead of the boring standard way. Personally, I learn better in a less serious environment, and I think his sense of humor really contributed to the class.

Great professor! Loves teaching and you can tell! Makes you love the subject even if you hate it! Would recommend!

He is easily the best teacher you can take. He makes the class interesting, and he keeps you laughing. He looks like Robbin Williams and is just as funny. Don't miss out on a chance to take his class, cuz you'll love it. I usually skip once and awhile in classes, but I couldn't in his class cause he was that good and hilarious.

lol robin williams-but he knows what hes taliking about-he adds info thats not in the book and that is the sort of teaching i like-very good

Hilarious

Take him for this class, he is so funny! Its also easy if you study whats on the study guides for tests. I got an A on all the papers and tests!

TAKE HIM TAKE HIM TAKE HIM!!! Funniest proff on campus hands down! I loved his class so much I had to bring a friend along who doesnt even go to UMD just to see how amazing this guy is. Tests are easy if you study.

Probably the best professor on campus. Highly recommended for newly freshman's that are required to take Music History. 4 test somewhat easy and 2 concert evaluation papers. He is also the funniest guy i know. Overall take this guy or you'll regret it.

Grew up taking formal music lessons, so i figured i'd never even need to show up. and i was correct. I didn't NEED to. But i did anyway. Because this guy was awesome. This was my earliest class all week and i still showed up. He covered what i learned pre-middle school, but he other side facts are what fascinated me. That, and he's hilarious

Definitely my favorite prof at UMD. You'll definitely have to take notes and keep up with readings/music, but the lectures are fun and he's hilarious! One of the only classes I actually looked forward to going to! Seriously, if you can, TAKE A CLASS WITH HIM.

Best teacher I've ever had, though he's tough to get a good grade in. Hilarious, really knows what he's talking about, but you'll have to study to do well.

Love love love this guy. I hate history but he's so enthusiastic and funny that it doesn't matter what he teaches, you're going to enjoy it. Everyday is worth attending, definitely take a class with him!

Great professor!! Very funny and I learned a lot about music from him. Very intelligent.

GREAT! TAKE HIM! On the first day of class he told everyone they're getting an 'A'. He's such a fun guy and talks and acts kinda like robin williams. U WONT REGRET IT!

Best teacher I've ever taken.

Best teacher!! Nissen is so funny and makes class super enjoyable. If you can, take his class! One of my favorite teachers of all time!

This guy is a G! always fun to have, very reasonable with grading, never left without a class long of laughing!

The best professor you will ever take a class with. You would want to go to his class just to listen to him fascinating you of all he knows. Very knowlegable and knows what he is talking about. 4 tests, not that hard if you study what he tells you. The listening part can be a bit hard. His sense of humor makes the class worth attending and fun..

BEST PROFESSOR EVER! TAKE HIM! HE IS WHAT UMD IS ALL ABOUT!

Good prof, but he keeps stopping his lectures to tell some fat chick to turn off her cell phone.

Easy class and great, funny prof. Two papers, both credit or no. Do the listening, read the book, you'll be fine.

This professor is excellent. I had a great experience in his class. He is very helpful. His exams are cake as long as you put in a little effort. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Dr. Nissen is the model professor; he is extremely knowledgeable and funny. In addition to being a composer and musician, he is an actor and is hilarious! I was laughing the whole time every class.

Incredibly enjoyable to be with. Very funny and makes the ordinarily dry subject of music history very fun.

He is very funny, knows his music history very well. I felt he took this class to a level most of the students in there did not really care about but that is ok.

Loves music and keeps class interesting. Very funny and wants students to share his love for music. Highly recommend.

Take this Class! Professor Nissen is an awesome and extremely interesting guy. Super funny but also full of fun facts and interesting information. Also, the class is really easy as long as you attend class.

This was an excellent class. Nissen is very clear in lecture and with course requirements. Just show up to class and take notes, maybe do some of the reading and you'll be absolutely fine. He's very personable and funny, too.

Before I took this course, I was extremely nervous from the different performances we had to present. Dr. Nissen made all of that go away. He made me feel comfortable and at ease. I had fun and learned so much from him. He is a very funny and kind hearted professor. I would always look forward to coming to class. I Highly recommend him!!

Nissen is seriously amazing. I was unable to study due to a whole string if bizarre circumstances, so he let me take the test late, without penalty. He is smart, engaging, funny, and very interesting. Easily one of the best at UM-D.

Nissen is the bomb. Just take his class. Do it right now. Go sign up. He's the best.

Nissen is an amazing teacher! He's really funny, loves to connect with students, and makes the environment fun! Make sure to participate and study! Also, make sure your spelling and grammar is correct; he looks for that!

He's a funny guy! I always enjoyed his lectures. Don't miss any lectures though because he tests on information that isn't in the book. I took the class expecting it to be a blow-off, easy A. It's not. There's a lot of information to remember. He'll say stuff in lecture one time and it'll be on the test. Write down EVERYTHING. I got a B. Loved him!

Jim is great. He's funny and wants to make sure that you learn something more than just come to class. The test material is almost directly from the slides and he puts those online a couple days before the test. I skipped maybe 4 times and im getting an A. I never bought the textbook. Take this guy!

Dr. Nissen is great professor and very helpful. The exams are very hard, so be ready.

Knowledgable, passionate and has a good sense of humor 4 exams (study guides) + 2 papers (concert evaluations) Tips for exams 1)read descriptions while listening to music 2) take class notes 3) use summary and index for help with essays and write well

He's the best lecturer. Intellectual and passionate about the work. Keeps the class light with jokes. However, I found the exams very confusing. Get ready to read.

Professor Nissen makes you want to go to class! I was dreading finding a class to fill my humanities requirement, but this class was amazing. There are 4 exams, and they are not blow off. You have to study! He is hilarious, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable of the topic. Not an easy A, but worth taking in my opinion!

The best college class I have taken thus far. He is such a clown and knows so much about jazz and more. Grab a notebook and write down everything on his slideshows, because it is where he grabs the exam material. Don't buy the textbook, it's expensive and I barely used it. I loved coming to class because it was such a great environment. Incredible.