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Don't listen to the other people who posted. While Marwil can be a bit trying at times, he is a satisfactory instructor. He is very lucid and astute, albeit a little too old fashioned for most.

Interesting lectures.

I enjoyed him enormously. The only problem I had with his class had to do with a GSI and not the prof himself. You will work. He is old-school. I think that's a good thing. I got an A.

Marwil is tough, but challenging. He's a surly individual but as a teacher he does a great job. I took two classes with him and found I learned and remembered a lot from those classes.

People complain about his classes because in order to get a good grade one must actually earn it. I'm not sure what exactly is old-school about that - this university needs more professors like him. This was a great class and I really learned a lot from this man and this course.

Good class, boring lectures. He loves to make you read....tons.

An excellent teacher. As others noted, a tough grader, but he takes time to give constructive criticism. Very nice outside the classroom, as well. Knowledgeable, hard-working, always prepared.

This was the best class I have ever taken. Prof. Marwil was extremely demanding, but that is why were at the U of M. I learned so much from this class and it is what pushed me to go into history. Do the readings and go to lecture, and you will do fine.

I enjoyed the class but I think a lot of his assertions have a liberal bias and are flawed. People who complain about workload and tough grading are being whiners

The class was interesting and he can actually be a funny guy, but his sense of humor is not for everyone. Lots of reading. Grades very hard.

The class is amazing, ive never had more interesting lectures!

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Marwil's lectures were absolutely amazing and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this class, especially to someone who hasn't taken a University history course yet.

Class is very difficult on the grading scale, and reading is definitely on the high end. However, the readings are usually intersting, especially the books chosen for the class. Lectures can be long and tedious, definitely a nap needed for 1 1/2 hours. But still interesting.

Class is very informational and interesting. There is reading on a daily basis but it is managable. Marwil knows his material and expresses this in lectures and during films that he shows. Highly recommended.

marwil knows his subject very well. i highly recommend this class. i feel the reading is managable and interesting. marwil works it into lecture also. 2 outside (hollywood) films required, both entertaining. great use of media sources during lecture. extremely intelligent professor. if you go to lecture and do the readings its an easy A

Marwill is an excellent instructor. Knows what he is talking about. The material is pretty interesting too. The only thing is that the tests, papers are graded really hard.

Marwil is a classic professor whom I will remember fondly for a long time. The class is interesting but it is difficult. I'd still recommend it, but don't expect an A.

Marwil is the man! Some people can't handle the classic lecture style, but I loved it! Try going to his office hours and arguing politics with him sometime...

Lucid, well-informed, even-handed, outspoken, old school, and the list goes on. These adjectives can only begin to describe the character of Prof. Marwil. If you're tired of the long-winded, existential BS 90 percent of the Professors at this school spew forth for an entire semester, take a Marwil class. You'll get your money's worth...

He is very helpful, but sometimes his assignments are unclear. Doesn't strike me as an approachable person.

Professor Marwil is a superhero. He is hysterical and genuinely interested in his subject. You will not get bored.

Prf. Marwil is a fantastic lecturer. He is concise, to-the point and refreshingly objective. As a history major, I would certianly reccomend taking this or any of his classes.

This class was one of the few so far during my academic career at Michigan that I didn't mind going to. Professor Marwil is very wise, and to the point. I learned so much, and he makes me think outside the class. His lecture style is very traditional, and the exams are on the hard side, but TAKE THIS CLASS!!

He grades very hard but I would say that his lectures are more interesting than any other class I have ever taken. One of the few classes that I go to with out any dread at all.

His lectures are dreadfully boring and sometimes I feel like he doesnt really know what he's talking about - but over all a really great professor to interact with outside of class.

He just lectures and shows film clips, no power point or anything, but if you listen he's really interesting

I really enjoyed this class. I appreciated Professor Marwil's ability to actually teach the class something without clear bias and anti-American rhetoric. I feel like I acually learned something, unlike in most other classes at U of M. If you are reading this, thank you Professor Marwil!

Marwil's lectures were both informative and fascinating. He brought a unique perspective to the topic of war that really made you think. Though the class was challenging (the tests and paper were graded very hard), it was thought-provoking and definitely worth my time.

Obvious the guy is passionate about what he does. Monotone lecturer but what he's saying is really interesting and will help you on the exam. I took the class for fun and was glad I did. However, there's a lot of reading that can be very tedious so be warned. Overall an interesting course if you like European history.

Passionate lectures. He is pretty intense/intimidating. He makes you view the world from another way. I enjoyed this class a lot, but I would take it pass fail. Not an easy class by any means unless you write like a historian. The reading load is a bit much (6 books and course pack stuff), but I found the work worth it. Good class overall.

Very helpful outside of class. Some of his lectures are the most interesting topics I've ever learned. Some are necessary for the course and not as interesting. But how many classes do you get to watch scenes from Platoon in? Great class, everyone should take it.

Absolutely loved this class. The lectures are extremely informative and encourage you to challenge your own beliefs about war. I actually preferred not having powerpoint slides during lectures, as I find them distracting - there exists a need to just focus on them and copy everything down instead of listening.

Strap in and strap up if you're taking a course with Marwil. The man is a superb teacher, but he does not screw around, and he makes that clear from the very beginning. If you can't handle blunt and honest criticism, find another course. If you don't put in the work or attend class you will fail. Try him for advising, he's excellent for that too.

First day of class told us no laptops or any electronic devices would be allowed; notes must be on paper- my kind of guy. Lectures are long, but interesting. If you don't like to pay attention, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. Lots of reading, 1 paper, 2 exams of essays. Marwil is brilliant.

If you love American History, you should take this class. Marwil is a genius, though he is very blunt. There is a lot of reading, but I found it very interesting. Its a fairly difficult class, but Marwil is a great teacher and if you love history you will enjoy it. Do the readings and go to the lectures and you'll do well

Marwil is incredibly interesting and fun. He isn't easy, so don't take this class if you want a blowoff class, but you will learn A LOT. I have no idea what I'm going to get in his class, but I really don't care because I feel that what he has taught gave me a new appreciation for history and a new perspective on many historical events.

The lectures were very interesting and thought provoking, as well as the GSI led discussions. This is a heavy reading class. Expect at least a few hours of reading per week. This is also a writing intensive class, the midterm and final were both pure essay and there is also one research paper due. It is very difficult to get an A.

Professor Marwil is a brilliant man. His opinions may not be conventional, but they are all extremely informed. I felt honored to be in his presence. This class may have a lot of reading, but if you take the time to do it it will enrich your life and how you see the United States in the world and at home.

Very interesting and thought provoking class. I cried more than once while watching the documentaries. You don't have to write like a historian, just like a college student. I am not a history major and I really enjoyed this course, though the readings do take a while to get through

Not an easy class but a fantastic class. Marwil is a hard personality for everyone to love. His arguments are interesting, he usually has good GSIs working for him, the readings are interesting. I really enjoyed this class. It will challenge you. He will not hold your hand and yes you have to work for your grade. Welcome to college.

Everyone is correct when they say he grades tough and makes you read, but believe that it is absolutely worth it! His lectures make you look at history in such a new and thought expanding way. Take the class, work hard, and get the most rewarding B+ ever.

Professor Marwil is brilliant and the information he presents is extremely interesting. You better pay attention or you will be lost in this class. He does ramble on at times, but if you stay focused you can get a lot out of this class. There are a lot of readings, but as long as you do most of them you can easily participate in discussion.

If you're willing to put in the effort, you'll do well in the class and learn a whole ton in the process. Marwil knows his subject and gives all sorts of interesting information, though you'll often need to read the textbook to get the "big picture", as he often focuses on smaller details. Be ready to participate in discussion, it was 30% for us!

This class was a lot of work but so worth it. Professor Marwil is an amazing lecturer and picked primary sources that were relevant and interesting. He also loved engaging with students.

The whole class is based off of lectures and readings. Nothing is online. Dr. Marwil's lectures are actually really interesting and engaging. The gsi does all the grading though

Personally, I think professor Marwil is a great teacher. He is extremely knowledgable in the subject and inspires his students to look at History in a way that I have never experienced before. There is a lot of reading to do for this class (one course pack plus 3 books) but it is definitely manageable if you put in the time and effort.

I really enjoyed this class, but that's because I like history and think the topic is interesting. Marwil is a cool prof, but if you're not into history/wars don't take the class, it won't be worth your time.

Really enjoyed the class. Lectures and discussions were interesting. A lot reading for a three credit course with a course pack and four books but they were all interesting and relevant to the course. Tests are essay questions that are open-ended and requires knowledge of the readings and lectures. His grading could be a little opaque though.

Professor Marwil is super old school -- doesn't let you use computers during lecture but honestly I didn't mind. At times the lectures could get boring but for the most part they were interesting and easy to follow (the only thing is, he doesn't use slides or any form of online class page, so if you don't go to class you won't know what's going on)

Professor Marwil is exemplary. He can be intense, but if you put in the effort, he will respect you. If you can't take criticism, take a different class. But if you want to actually improve your writing, he is the right professor for you.

I liked him

Professor Marwil is old school. He does not use canvas or slides during his classes. For this class, he assigned 3 short readings (100 pages) and most of the instruction came from printed handouts he would bring to class (poems, essays, speech) and films. He is interesting and loves discussion. He does not berate you, he plays the devil's advocate.

I would reccomend you take it, but beware of a few things. He does not use Canvas, so you can't track your grades or assignments as much. He can be a tough grader but his feedback is always "attack the question," for papers. Nothing is cumulative you take 3 papers just to get the grade on your final, but participation helps boost your grade too.

Marwil doesn't do Canvas or online grades, doesn't provide rubrics for essays, and the class is graded on participation and three essays. The average grade is a B, with a couple As and a couple Cs per class. He's a really interesting man and I always found the class engaging though, and I would recommend as long as you're a strong writer.

I took two of the courses he offered over twenty five years ago. He is the most memorable professor I had. Twenty five years later, I still think about his lectures. I only offer him the highest praise.