Very helpful, difficult class though, with alot of reading. Interesting course with good subject matterial but you have to put in alot of work for it. She rarely misses class and doesn't usually let out early.

if you want to learn, take this class. be prepared to take notes, keep up with readings, and write well rounded essays. attendance is a must. she mixes lecture with discussions and videos. if you put forth effort, you'll do fine.

Good teacher, informative.. Very detailed when it comes to grammar in Essay. Nightly readings though not to much, midterm essay exam, paper, and take home final... good teacher would recommend

Great professor....knows the subject very well...tough essays...highly recommend!!

Very informative but quite difficult. Presents a fair view of difficult issues and related to current events. Lots of reading, talks fast when giving lectures, overall learned a lot!! Knowledge can be applied to recent events!

GReat professor but hard grader. Learn a lot about Islam and current events. She's very very knowledgable about the subject and presents fair views-no assumptions. Definately recommend her

Extremely nice person, but learned little from class because of difficulty of subject. Uses little visual aide, class is 100% discussion, in which you must partcipate in.

Okay, am I the only one here who thinks she is so totally hot? Maybe its because she is so knowledgable. Yes, there is a lot of reading, and she checks for grammar on papers...but she gives the questions before the exam, and offered multiple chances for extra credit. Sometimes she rambles. Mmmmmm

From all the complaints, she's still not in the toughest tier of history profs (Phillips and Eldridge, etc). Yes, you have to read. Yes, you have to write well. That's history. If you don't write well, she helps you write better. Take her, esp. if you are looking at grad school in social science.

she does grade hard, one of the most difficult classes i have taken but she is an awesome teacher dont worry so much as writeing the notes as absorbing the lectures, people who say she is unfair in grading are just plain dumb shes very fair and knowlegeable does have hard tests tho i got a B

Good teacher, helpful. Intimidating at first, you just need to figure out what she is looking for. Great class, very intresting. I am a freshman and have a B right now. 3 pop quizzes, a map quiz and 2 papers. She grades a lot easier than i expected.

Very interesting class and informative. However, can explain things in lengthy rants. She's also a very tough grader. Despite this, you get to learn a lot!

I learned more in Professor Katz? class than in any other course I took in college. She?s very bright and well qualified. The only problem ? she?s a total **** with zero sense of humor.

Knows what she's talking about. If you survive the first week without panicking you'll be okay.

She is ****y. very demanding and self rightious. But she had me determined to beat her at her own game. A- final grade. holler!

she is a very nice lady and really wants to see you succeed. the class isn't what i'd call easy, however, you'll probably do fine. she will challenge you and help you become a better student. if you are a slacker you may not want to take this class, but if you are a serious student... go for it

Great teacher, kinda tough tests and papers. Just take her advice on writing, it will help and pay off. She does have a final test, just a final paper, which I found quite enjoyable. She is very helpful and smart in her field, just ask and she is more than willing to help out... Oh and she is HOT :)

As far as content: the american public recieve a very weak unrealistic perspective on the middle east. This is why she has lengthy/dynamic responses. Hands down, she is very qualified and speaks arabic like indiginous arabs. She demands the death of apathy to the ME and enjoys fine tuning your academic skills in writing and objective thinking.peace

Will make time to explain you're confused during office hours. Really cares that students do well and learn. Does move quickly, there's a lot of material to cover. I recommend her classes to anyone with interest in the Middle East. However, they are not classes designed for slackers, you really have to work your ass off for a good grade.

Very interesting class with a very good professor. She is extremely knowledgable and intelligent. Her classes are a lot easier if you pay attention and work hard. She gives wonderful advice on writing and there are only papers in this class and no tests. Def. take this it will help you grow academically and intellectually.

Great Teacher

If you are a slacker do yourself a favor and pass this professor up...she wants you to actually learn and cares about you passing...doesn't grade too hard but can be alot of information to take in at times...if you try your best and apply yourself you should be fine.

This is the third class I have taken with Dr. Katz. She is a really overall great professor and she teaches a very interesting subject. I highly recommend her courses (Hist 117, 118, and 482) if you have any interest in the topics. You will definitely learn A LOT! However, don't be a slacker if you want to keep up!!!

Only the most fabulous professor EVER! Her classes are fun and interesting. There's a lot of work and you really have to pay attention, but you will learn so much. Take her classes they're awwweesooommeee!!!!! Are you signing up yet??? Do it! In her upper level classes there aren't tests, just papers and a few small quizzes.

What I learned in this class will be used the rest of my life. There are two exams, both essays that have 2 essays and icons. If you take time to read the book and go to class and take notes you will pass. The other complainers on this page are probably too lazy to work. Never thought I would love this class as much as I did. Oh and one final paper

Very informative. Must attend class and do the reading. 2 exams are pretty straight forward, she grades up instead of down (do not start with points, gain points during her grading) . Would not suggest class to someone who does not want to do the reading or attend the class.

she knows her stuff, but can be pretty difficult. great for people who love history

if you are taking this class just to fill a GenEd... DON'T DO IT... drop and find something else

Traditionally rigorous professor. If you don't like to learn, don't go. If you do like to learn: make sure you're there every class. Excellent professor.

Shes knows her material very well and the information is good but a hard grader. MANDATORY attendance. way too tough to be a 100 level Gen ED. to get A you have to make this class your # 1 priority and put in heavy heavy hours

You will learn a lot provided you go to class and read the material. BEWARE: She is a TOUGH grader! Print out the lecture outlines, because she's a fast talker and there are no PowerPoints. That said, I don't think I have had a more interesting or rewarding lower division course. Great Professor!

Very knowledgeable in the subject matter and a top quality professor and teacher. The tests are not very difficult if you do the reading. She grades fairly and is helpful if you are uncertain about the criteria and stuff. Her class isn't easy but you do learn a great deal. I would definitely recommend

I've never worked so hard in a class to only get a 'B'. Other than that Dr.Katz knows lots about the Middle East. She is very helpful and tries to help students do well.We had very insightful discussions and once you get used to the class, its not so bad. Be alarmed: SHE'S TOUGH. The tests are LOTS of WRITING. STUDY, STUDY,STUDY.

I took her Islamic history class a few years ago. We had two marines in our class who had fought in Iraq and she was REALLY careful not to offend them. I studied hard, attended class everyday, and did all of my work and ended up with a B-, my lowest grade in any class I took at Towson. Her tests were pretty brutal.The final paper was very tedious.

Hardest class I've ever taken, hands down. I studied a total of 5 hours the two days prior and got a high B on test where there were no A's.On the other hand, she knows her stuff and is helpful if, and only if, you ask for it. If you're confused, ask. Sometimes she comes off as rude, but she certainly knows what she's talking about.

i worked my ass off for this class and ended up with a c+. if you can avoid it, do so. i probably spent about 8 hours or so a week studying for this class and even more before tests, but still ended up with only a c+.

very interesting class. nice teacher, who knows alot about Islamic history. Even though she is an expert on the Middle East she teaches the class in a way that it is almost impossible to fully understand everything going on. I worked so hard in this class and received a B-. i would avoid it if possible

Professor Katz was one of my first teachers at Towson University. At first I thought her class was made for you to fail. However I came to find it very helpful. The readings and her teaching methods make you a better scholar if you want to put in the work. Her class is challenging but she makes it go by fast. Very knowledgeable and crazy smart.

I have taken three of Dr.Katz's classes. You get out of the class what you put into it.She doesn't like those who are lazy/don't make an attempt at the class. She understands that people take her class as a Gen Ed, but she expects you to put your best work forward. I would recommend her for any classes she offers, especially upper levels.

I took 3 classes with her; she's known for being strict, but doing the reading (which isn't hard) and taking notes makes her courses very engaging. I don't consider her exams difficult like other people did, but I already like history and writing. One of my favorite professors by far

Get that textbook, and do readings. Take notes on everything, but highlight reoccuring themes. extra credit helps. Don't expect an easy A or B, just do the readings on time. She did get me really interested in the subject though!. Chronology is hardest, if one thing is out of order, the whole section is wrong. just take notes early on.

Hardest... Class... Ever...

RUN THE OTHER WAY. I took Arabic first semester, and this class is ten times harder. I don't think she understands this is a TSEM and not a 300 level class. We are only here because its a requirement. Very hard grader. Takes her class way too seriously. I like her outside the class, but If you have no interest in Arab studies DONT take this course.

This class was a lot of work, but overall I liked professor Katz. Definitely a strict grader, but don't let that discourage you and ask for her help. She made sure that everyone was keeping up with the class throughout the semester. Pay attention to your grammar and word usage when doing one of the many written assignments.

Dr. Katz is what you are supposed to expect in collegeuniversity. She prepared me for a real life of academia and I am so grateful. Good is not easy, and I would have rated her even higher in helpfulness because this is helpful in discovering what is needed to prepare for real exams and such.

I've taken a class with Dr. Katz every semester upon transferring. Her lower levels require a lot of work but you will learn about the course material. Now I'm in her upper level and it's much easier because I'm aware of the material. I'm planning on taking her capstone course next semester because she got me hooked on Middle Eastern studies.

Yes she is a tough teacher in a way but she knows what shes doing. Always willing to help when its needed. Be prepared to come to every class because discussion helps

Don't take this class if you are planning on slacking- Katz is an expert on the middle east and can tell if you're BSing. I enjoyed this class despite the workload and I ended up learning a tremendous amount about the middle east.

Dr. Katz is without a doubt one of the best teachers I've ever had in my life. She got me interested in M.E. history. She is incredibly intelligent (even a little intimidating!) but once you talk to her she is very personable. You cannot slack in her class. She makes you work for the grade and expects you to try. Show interest and you'll do well.

Dr. Katz wants everyone to do well. She provides the resources, support, and clarity that make her classes tough but well worth it. She comes to class prepared and expects her students to as well. Dr. Katz knows what she's teaching and is extremely passionate-something that works its way into every lecture and encourages her students to pursue it.

Lots of reading i mean ALOT! other than that her lectures are in depth and quite interesting and she lets you use notes for her test . Test arent that hard as she lets you know the general topics of discussion. Great professor as long as you read and great for extra help in understanding some of the historical events that come off as confusing

Prof. Katz definitely knows her stuff when it comes to ME History. Having read some comments on here I was hesitant to take her HIST 338 course, but I'm glad I did! She makes class interesting. She isn't an overly tough grader, but you do have to actually put in work on the papers. Show up, participate and definitely do the readings!

I took this professor for the intro to human rights class and it was one of my favorite classes at Towson. It consisted of weekly guest speakers who connected their areas of expertise to current human rights topics or historical abuses around the world. theres 3 short papers, weekly discussions, and a final which makes it pretty do-able

I learned a lot from Prof. Katz's class and am happy I took her class. With all the pandemic craziness, Katz was like the only professor of mine to actually understand how stressful it can be learning from home. If you are interested in Middle East history she is a solid choice!!

This class switched to online half way through the semester and she was my only professor that was sympathetic. She was responsive to emails, helped with assignments, and gave us ample time to complete the numerous papers. She was fair and understanding but there was A LOT of reading (3+books) and a number of papers. I learned a lot in this class

Dr. Katz is an expert, she is very serious about her field of study. You will never lose an argument on middle eastern history again after this class. Pretty fun if you like real history, sucks if you are into zionist revisionism. History shows, Palestine will be free!

She is a good lecturer just the lectures itself is a little boring. A fair grader and cares for her students and is passionate about the subject.

Professor Katz' class is not an easy class, but if you are interested in understanding the history of Palestinian oppression and occupation by Israel- take this class! I can genuinely say this class taught me something useful, and anyone taking this class will leave being able to challenge Zionist logic in debate or conversation. Free Palestine!

She is a great professor and really knows her stuff. As long as you pay attention and do all the reading you will be fine. She makes the class more difficult than it needs to be but you just have to read a lot and attend every class. If you miss one class it feels like you are very behind. Her feedback on assignments is clear but sometimes harsh.

This course was great and I highly recommend it and the content that was taught. But the ratings here are not exaggerated, she is an extremely tough grader and does not give good feedback as to what is wrong. I put in way too much effort for a lower-level class to get the grade I did.

There was a lot of reading and writing in this class. She is a tough grader but does give feedback. She is available for office hours and responds to emails. The topic was very interesting and it is clear she is knowledgable in her topic.