2.8

John Rossi

History - Pennsylvania State University - Erie

2.8
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
14%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
2.8
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.7
Clarity

14%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

20

4

13

3

12

2

15

1

24

What Students Say

A waste of a History major's time

HST21001 - 1.0 rating

Avoid him at all costs

HIST173 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

80%

Textbook Required

71%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

68% confidence
Based on 6 grades
Most common grades:
A (2)
C+ (1)
B+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 6 reported grades
A: 2
C+: 1
B+: 1
A-: 1
Common Tags
Get ready to read (5)
Participation matters (4)
Lots of homework (3)
Lecture heavy (3)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (1)
Tough Grader (1)
Tough grader (1)
Accessible outside class (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.93 avg change
Jan
Dec
Mar
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

481

5.0

(1)

HIST013

5.0

(1)

HST400

5.0

(1)

HIST400

5.0

(1)

MANY

4.8

(4)
+20 more courses
Difficulty by Course

HISTHST

5.0

HST21

5.0

HIST20

5.0

WORLDHISTORY

5.0

HIST41

5.0

Reviews (84)
3.0
5.0
HISTHST
Dec 11, 2002

A good man just not very clear with what he expects for class work,difficult too

2.0
5.0
HIST21
Dec 11, 2002

No Comments

1.0
5.0
HST21
Dec 11, 2002

I am sorry you and your kids are sick, but if you can't handle the job STOP!!!!!

5.0
3.0
HIST013
Dec 11, 2002

Expresses interest in the student learning the material

2.0
4.0
HIST173
Dec 13, 2002

Lets his personal life interfere WAY too often. He knows the material, though.

3.0
2.0
HIST021
Dec 20, 2002

No Comments

1.0
4.0
HIST021
Jan 6, 2003

WORST TEACHER EVER!

5.0
2.0
HIST173
Feb 27, 2003

A lot of work, but very informative

1.0
5.0
HIST173
Apr 30, 2003

No Comments

3.0
5.0
HIST173
May 2, 2003

Grades Way too hard. Takes too long to return work.

3.0
4.0
HIST173
May 12, 2003

if you don't like doing work dont take the class. if you are a good student and are willing to be actively engaged in a course Dr. Rossi is the man. work is usually returned late, who cares? a student knows the quality of their work.

3.0
4.0
HIST021
Oct 6, 2003

This course is very reading intensive. If you don't like to read or can't keep up with the class readings it will be very difficult. Also, most of his grades are taken on essay quizes or tests, you have to be very thorough.

3.0
4.0
HIST173
Oct 13, 2003

Way too much work. He cancels class way too much and takes 2 months to return tests and papers. Avoid if possible.

5.0
2.0
HIST021
Oct 14, 2003

People are stupid. Rossi was an awesome teacher, as long as you paid attention somewhat, and showed this intelligent man some respect. Very informative class, basically a class on the history of economics. Rossi is a true **** and a whodie fa sho..,

5.0
2.0
HIST21
Oct 14, 2003

Very smart guy, Takes awhile to get tests back but tests are pretty easy..... Overall Rossi is one of the best professors Behrend has to offer

5.0
4.0
HIST021
Nov 14, 2003

hard grader and does take a while to return papers, but an overall good teacher. very smart

5.0
4.0
HIST021
Dec 1, 2003

This course is based heavily on conceptual knowledge of particular aspects of American History. Dr. Rossi is a excellent professor, but grades very harshly and the class is heavily reading intensive.

1.0
5.0
HIST20
Dec 27, 2003

Never looks at the students, reads right from his notes. God forbid if there is a window in the classroom, he will look out the window before looking at the class

5.0
4.0
MANY
Grade: A
Mar 6, 2004

Courses are reading-intensive, but the books are interesting. Class participation is important. If you are willing to work, you will enjoy his classes.

1.0
5.0
HIST021
Mar 22, 2004

what a joke.

5.0
3.0
481
Apr 14, 2004

hell of a guy, dont take his class if you are lazy, but if you're willing to work a little bit anddont mind thinking, rossi will open your mind, show you the importanceof history in understanding the world today and the implicationsofourgovernmentsactions

5.0
3.0
HST400
Apr 16, 2004

One of the most helpful and supportive professors I ever had. Difficult if you're lazy.

2.0
4.0
HIST175
May 10, 2004

No Comments

2.0
4.0
HIST021
Oct 18, 2004

There is so much reading! It's rediculous! For a gen. ed. class, it's way to much!

4.0
3.0
HISTORY21
Nov 15, 2004

If you are lazy don't take!! If not then you should get at least a B. Dig deep to even think about getting an A in his class!!! Great class if there is no window in the room.

5.0
2.0
HIST21
Nov 18, 2004

He can be hard...but its not impossible...if you go to class..you dont really have to read...just listen and youll be fine...i liked him a lot..and im lazy

1.0
5.0
HIST021
Dec 15, 2004

Trust me, this man is ridiculous. I honestly printed over a ream of paper worth of things to read for his class along with two books and a text book.

5.0
1.0
HIST021
Mar 2, 2005

Awesome, he makes his class very interesting, because he knows alot about what he teaches unlike some professors at this school.

4.0
3.0
HSTRY301W
Mar 3, 2005

Nice, helpful, sometimes sarcastic. Hard for lazy ppl, moderate for those who are willing to work.

4.0
4.0
HSTRY301W
Mar 4, 2005

he's ok..a little difficult but he tries to make it easier for the students..if you don't like a lot of work don't take him!!

4.0
3.0
MANY
Apr 14, 2005

Rossi is awesome! Without a doubt, one of the best to work with.

5.0
2.0
HISTORY
Aug 24, 2005

No Comments

4.0
5.0
WORLDHISTORY
Sep 2, 2005

Do not take any classes with Dr. Rossi unless you are willing to read and willing to participate. Dr. Rossi is one of the smartest professors on campus, and also one of the fairest. If you are lazy, you get a deserving grade... if you work hard, he will re

3.0
4.0
HIST21
Oct 10, 2005

he's a nice guy but he just excpects WAY too much out of his students. its like he's teaching an 18 credit class. he constantly emails you with more work to do. total pain in the A$$

5.0
4.0
HISTORY21
Oct 20, 2005

Dr R is the greatest history prof. here. He is helpful. Just dont take his class if your lazy.

4.0
2.0
HSTRY465
Nov 11, 2005

Very nice and helpful prof. Yes, you have to read a lot, sometimes 1 book a week, but that's life.. nothing is easy..

1.0
5.0
HISTORY
Nov 15, 2005

nice guy, horrible teacher

1.0
3.0
HSTRY465
Dec 20, 2005

His PH.D must be on the back of a Denny's placemat. This man should not be teaching. He doens't grade papers and tests promptly, he doesn't do HIS work for the class. He is a perfect example of why they should not have tenure for teachers. DO NOT take classes with this guy. Where is my semester grade you piece of crap?

2.0
3.0
HIST021
Jan 14, 2006

he doesnt make any sense. He will begin speaking cough and then come back in a completely different place like he was speaking while he coughed...grades participation like a grade school teacher he stops the class everytime anyone talks and writes down their name and gives them a check. Also doesnt seem willing to get deep into a topic.

4.0
4.0
VARIOUS
Jan 24, 2006

Rossi is the best! People who complain about him are lazy twits who are probably more interested in X-Box than college. Try reading if you want a good grade.

1.0
3.0
HIST
Feb 16, 2006

really very bad, missed all kinds of class when i had him(we were there more than him). Get ready to search all over hell for the class material too....what a schmuck!

5.0
5.0
MANY
Feb 17, 2006

Rossi is the best. Ask yourself, are you interested in a grade or in understanding the world? oooooo you have to read? boofreekinhoo! He's like most professors a Behrend, if you have a brain and are willing to use it, he will reward you with lots to think about. Don't settle for being a grade ****, take Rossi and expand your mind.

2.0
3.0
HIST021
Mar 21, 2006

I would rather pay a million dollars to watch Brokeback Mountain 60 times in a row! Pure hell! He's a dork too!!

4.0
3.0
301W
Mar 22, 2006

If you're willng to work hard and dedicate some time to truly understanding what history is, then take Rossi. He won't be easy, but who said college should be? If you're lazy, then you should not be in the class, perhaps even college.

5.0
4.0
MANY
Mar 29, 2006

Rossi is superb. If you're lazy, don't read, don't take notes, then go to a tech school. He's one of the smartest and most helpful profs at Behrend. Two thumbs up!!

4.0
4.0
HIST21
May 31, 2006

GREAT!

5.0
4.0
HIST400
Dec 15, 2006

Simply the best!

1.0
5.0
HIS021
Dec 25, 2006

The absolute worst teacher at Behrend. He misses healf of the classes and expects you to know everything. I could not stand him, I'd rather do anthing else but sit in his awful class.

1.0
4.0
HIST021
Feb 11, 2007

Awful class. I would rather be in the hospital with kidney stones again!

3.0
5.0
HIST21
Nov 12, 2007

This class is horrible! Dr. R is not that horrible of a person, but the way he teaches and assigns work is terrible. You only have 2 exams all semester so if you fail one your screwed. You also have to read at least 100 pages a night(you have to). Our class read the entire book "The Jungle" in 2 classes! I struggled and I didnt missed one class.

5.0
5.0
HIST021
Nov 17, 2007

Hard class...Great teacher...DO NOT TAKE HIM IF YOU ARE LAZY OR YOU WILL END UP COMPLAINING LIKE THE PERSON BELOW!!! If you actually have a brain, take the class you will do fine.

1.0
5.0
HIST021
Dec 6, 2007

Class is impossible. I found out the what my grade was on exam number 2 six weeks after I had taken the exam, which was 3 weeks after late drop. he has an excuse for everything, and each one is more absurd than the last one, ranging from hes sick, to blaming it on is child. stay away from this class, regardless if yor lazy or not.

3.0
5.0
HIST021
Jan 16, 2008

Don't take a class with Rossi, it will without a doubt ruin your entire semester.

5.0
4.0
HIST21
Feb 3, 2008

He is one of the best history profs around in terms of knowledge of the subject. He is very good at getting students to understand the concepts. However, he never returns graded material back on time, and gives out a lame excuse every class that he did not get the exams graded. It actually became insulting after a while. That aside, very good prof

2.0
5.0
HIST21
Mar 18, 2008

This was the worst class I have taken so far. Do not take this class if you want to maintain a good GPA. He does not return your tests until weeks after the test was taken. If you fail one test, good luck bringing your grade back up. Don't take this class.

1.0
5.0
HIST021
Apr 9, 2008

Wow is all I can say. This class/"professor" is impossible/ridiculous/boring. Grade for first exam came exactly 6 weeks later. AT LEAST 15 excuses why it took him so long, including 10 at once. Called a full week off "sick" during that time, and still werent graded "Due to Dr. orders not too do any strenuous activity." Hes horrible, stay away!!

1.0
5.0
HIST41
Jun 20, 2008

Worst teacher ive ever had. Got the only D ive ever gotten after having a B in the class before the final, after trying to contact about my grade i never got a response. DO NOT TAKE HIM

2.0
5.0
HIST173
Oct 14, 2008

oh...my..god... one of the most boring speakers ever and without a doubt does not teach you more than anything you learned about in the first week and just reiterates it throughout the entire rest of the year, yet the tests are on topics you clearly have not learned yet, C-.

2.0
5.0
HIST21
Oct 27, 2008

unbelievable horrible teacher, doesnt teach anything really, DO NOT TAKE HIM if you dont wanna flip out

3.0
4.0
HIST021
Nov 5, 2008

In all honesty, he's a pretty sweet guy. His only flaws are that he's always sick so he's never in class, he coughs a lot, and he grades remotely hard. However, he's a great guy and smart man who likes his booze.

1.0
5.0
HIST173
Nov 6, 2008

He is never in class...we are actually waiting for him to show up to class...has a billion excuses as to why nothing is graded...it is now the 13th week of the semester and no grade?? you can answer every question with "the tao" and be correct. he looks like an oompa loompa... de do.

5.0
2.0
HIST21
May 16, 2009

Great professor...if you put in effort you can get an A no matter how smart you are...if you dont you wont...just go to his office hours

5.0
2.0
HIST21
Jun 25, 2009

Rossi is a great history professor. Most history professors are extremely biased and are there to push a liberal/Godless agenda with no real interest in the cold hard facts. Rossi presents history from a numerical perspective: money, # of immigrants, % unemployed, etc. Rossi is fun and brings up lots of interesting details. Very fair!sincerely,-309

3.0
4.0
HIST21
Nov 16, 2009

Dr. Rossi is a horrible professor with many bad teaching habits. He assigns alot of reading at the last minute and expects it read for the next class period. If you like receiving graded exams back promptly Rossi is not for you. We got our first exam back over a months after taking it. Overall a terrible teacher and has an annoying nonstop cough.

1.0
1.0
HIST021
Dec 8, 2009

end of the semester and STILL no exam grade?! you have got to be kidding me. One excuse after another. Guy is a complete joke

2.0
5.0
HIST020
Apr 30, 2010

Terrible teacher if u like feedback. We got our first exam back a month after taking it and never got our second one back. My final grade was not posted for 3 weeks after the semester. Never used the textbook. Reading assignments were ridiculous and always last minute. Avoid this professor at all costs, especially if u don't like history.

4.0
3.0
HIST021
Nov 29, 2010

Terrible teacher. Haven't had class in a month. Reading assignments are never online but he expects you to read them. He coughs all class and will randomly call on you. Do not take if you have another choice.

1.0
4.0
HIST021
Jan 6, 2011

Horrible professor. He was never in class due to countless excuses. Word is he's an ****, and it shows in his horrible teaching methods.

2.0
3.0
HIST21
Feb 8, 2011

Wouldn't recommend taking this professor. If you do, use your own note taking system...his is very unclear and repetitive. Also, he is very condescending...he treats you like junior high students. I've never written a review for a professor before, but this guy made me feel like I had to. I enjoy history, but I do NOT enjoy his class.

1.0
4.0
HIST21
Mar 20, 2011

Worst professor I have encountered thus far. Like everyone else has said, we didn't get our first test back until a month and a half after we took it. He doesn't post assignments or readings until the night before they are due. He coughs and clears his throught 150+ times during class. Not helpful, arrogant. If you scheduled it drop it, now.

2.0
5.0
HIST021
Mar 21, 2011

Don't expect to know your grade ever. He is usually all over the the place and always cancels class. He grunts a lot too. But if you are struggling, he will help you, but only if you ask him for it. He gives a lot of extra credit though.

2.0
5.0
HIST021
Nov 16, 2011

I have loved History my entire life. Taking this class made me doubt that love on multiple occasions. There is way too much reading for a gen ed. I had to spend more time on this class than I did on the rest, lowering my overall grade. He also seems to think we're all below average students. And I'm pretty sure History is more than Social Mobility.

4.0
5.0
HIST002
Dec 3, 2012

Dr. Rossi is intelligent but somewhat hard to follow in class. He's a difficult professor, but a great guy to talk to. His class requires a lot of reading and note-taking, but getting an A is far from impossible.

1.0
4.0
HST21001
Feb 4, 2013

Rossi is my department head and is the most unorganized human being I've ever seen. His lectures revolve only around social mobility, and he emails readings sometimes an hour before they're due. I read more for this than my 400 level courses, and I walk away with so much less from this stupid course. A waste of a History major's time.

2.0
4.0
HIS021
Dec 7, 2015

Emails long reading assignments/outlines an hour before class with many unused pages for you to print out. Doesn't go in depth more than social mobility of a specific time period. Avoid teacher at all costs.

4.0
1.0
HIST173
Mar 5, 2016

This was an easy class on the Vietnam War. As a teacher, he will often give out assignments before class but otherwise if you participate, come to class, and do the reading's you will pass. He is also absent a lot, which is nice. It's a super easy Gen Ed class and if you have other hard classes and a busy schedule I would recommend Rossi.

2.0
4.0
HIST173
Apr 11, 2016

Class was canceled often which was good for relaxing, but not for learning. His lectures drag on and are hard to follow. His notes are repetitive and all over the place. I barely used the textbook, which was a waste of money, and it took forever for him to hand back our essays. If you have another choice, I would take it.

1.0
4.0
HIST021
Jan 24, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Avoid if possible. Homework is long, boring, and miserable, if you can even figure out what your homework is. Lectures are repetitive but not horrible. Essays and tests are difficult and tedious. You will read and read and read, and when you are done reading, you get to read even more.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
1.0
5.0
HIST173
Grade: C+
Dec 28, 2017
Wouldn't take again

We rarely had class due to his absences, which made it very hard to understand his unorganized lecture notes. Class was long and dragging, and don't expect to know what your grade is until after finals. He openly insults all questions, and never gets us feedback in a timely fashion. Avoid him at all costs.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Participation matters
1.0
3.0
HIST021
Mar 29, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He almost never had class, but when he did all he talked about was Carnegie and social mobility. Then he would give us online quizzes worth 100 points that were impossible to pass, and I ended up getting a C because he never actually taught but still gave us the weekly quizzes. His tests are all essays and he never gives you your grades back.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
1.0
5.0
HIST021
Grade: A
May 20, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Issues are understandable, but this professor does not take his class or himself seriously. The topics he discusses in class do not provide enough information to answer exam questions correctly. His questions feel malicious in that they are made to mislead and confuse students, while also being highly subjective. I could go on. Avoid him if you can

Lots of homework
Participation matters
Tough grader
1.0
2.0
HIS021
Grade: B+
Nov 3, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Good guy, bad professor. He asks very passive aggressive questions and makes students feel bad when they dont have the same political views as him. He cancels class a lot, and his lectures are very long, boring, and repetitive. Easy grade for busy work and can find answers because he doesnt teach what is on the tests.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
3.0
4.0
HIST021
Grade: A-
Dec 18, 2020
Wouldn't take again

The professor is a great person and response to emails in a timely manor. The lectures are interesting and class participation is a must and part of your grade. Class was cancelled often and grades were not updated often. Some information on the exams were topics that were supposed to be covered in the lectures that were cancelled.

Lots of homework
Accessible outside class
Lecture heavy
4.0
2.0
HIST173
Grade: B
Dec 18, 2020
Would take again

Despite the seeming lack of effort to convey during class, he is a genuinely kind soul, and he always responds to emails in a timely manner and he is more than willing to help when you ask for it. The class was canceled several times but he was so apologetic every time. The class really was not that hard, and he was overall very understanding.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

80%

Textbook Required

71%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

68% confidence
Based on 6 grades
Most common grades:
A (2)
C+ (1)
B+ (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(1)C(1)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 6 reported grades
A: 2
C+: 1
B+: 1
A-: 1
Common Tags
Get ready to read (5)
Participation matters (4)
Lots of homework (3)
Lecture heavy (3)
LOTS OF HOMEWORK (1)
Tough Grader (1)
Tough grader (1)
Accessible outside class (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.93 avg change
Jan
Dec
Mar
May
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

481

5.0

(1)

HIST013

5.0

(1)

HST400

5.0

(1)

HIST400

5.0

(1)

MANY

4.8

(4)
+20 more courses
Difficulty by Course

HISTHST

5.0

HST21

5.0

HIST20

5.0

WORLDHISTORY

5.0

HIST41

5.0

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