3.9
Quality3.1
Difficulty46%
Would Retake90
Reviews46%
Would Retake
90
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
54
4
11
3
6
2
10
1
9
What Students Say
“He's best for traditional classes, and not great helping students succeed in Internet or blended Internet classes”
AMH2010 - 1.0 rating“His tests are almost impossible to pass”
AMH2010 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
98%
Textbook Required
66%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.40 avg changeRatings by Course
HIST2012
5.0
(1)AMH201N
5.0
(1)HIST2020
5.0
(1)WOH2012
4.9
(17)EUH2000
4.8
(8)Difficulty by Course
AMH2020
3.6
AMH2010
3.2
HIST2020
3.0
EUH2000
2.4
WOH2012
2.4
Reviews (90)
awesome! One of the best profs you can have but u have to take notes because the tests are straight from them. he makes sure u know the material and u will learn more than a book or something. dont be late cuz he watches the clock and stuff.
Mr. Efinger is a great teacher. He is constantly giving you asides that supplement the material he is teaching. If you take notes in his class you will do well. He writes his tests from the students notes, and usually posts a study guide for the test beforehand. I don't know his normal procedure as I had him for summer, but overall very effective
Best professor i have had so far @ irsc, had him in HS and he was great then. if you take good notes, you can easily pass this course because his test's are straight from the students notes. he has a great sense of humor & is very understanding to students needs. overall he is a terrific teacher!
Taught american history in the spring. He is one of the best there and i would take him again. Like the other poster said thoguh you have to take notes, but he is very fair with everything and knows more than anyone i know.
GOOD PROF. JUST FINISHED WORLD HISTORY. YOU CAN PASS WITHOUT THE NOTES AND GET AN A LIKE ONE KID DID, BUT NOT ME. I WOULD TAKE HIM AGAIN BECAUSE HE IS VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND.
Had Mr. Efinger back in high school and by far he is my favorite history teacher. and he was great teaching world history too. If you take good notes, you will pass the class. he is very helpful and makes sure you understand. plus he helps out with extra credict and he knows his stuff. smart guy and very passionate about history!
Professor Efinger, is a great professor. First off, the test comes from your own notes, so if you take good notes and review them then you'll get an "A". He is personable, funny, and so helpful. You can tell he loves to teach and talk about History. It showed that he wanted us to learn, he did give Extra Credit. He should be the head of his depart.
I had Professor E before, and I am going to take him again. He speaks very clearly, and is VERY easy to understand. He also goes over things until everyone understands.
I had him for summer 2. My only complaint is that he does not put him notes on the board so you can copy as he goes along. He does talk a bit fast but he will repeat himself. You do have to study for his class it isn't an "easy A" class but I did find him interesting and a good teacher. Good job Mr. Efinger!
Mr. Efinger made history interesting. I am an adult returning to college and even though I worked a full day at work and left work exhausted, when I got to class,I really enjoyed it! Be ready to take notes and avoid missing any classes as his lectures are primarily on the test. If you miss a class, you miss a lot.
Awesome teacher very precise and clear . would love to take another class with him.
So far Prof. E is my fav professor. He's energetic and keeps the class lively. He covers the material in great detail. Just make sure you show up for class.
He is probably the best history teacher at IRSC. His class is interesting and easy if you take notes and pay attention. You dont need to buy the textbook because he does not teach out of the book--it is just a reference.
The BEST teacher at IRSC!!! Very helpful and understanding, loved his class...wish I would have known about him when i started my history courses.overall great teacher and the good thing is he actually cares about you learning the material! highly recommended =)
He is a great professor. He doesnt really use the textbook. He teaches from notes and as long as you listen and take notes you'll be fine. He keeps the class lively and intresting and he relates things to modern times. We didn't have assignments, only exams. As long as you study, they aren't bad. It will also help you out if you don't miss any days
Efinger is the man. If you put in even a little effort you'll pass. If you put in a decent amount you'll get an A or B. The secret of the class is to write stuff down when he repeats himself and listen. if you do that you'll be fine.
Loved this teacher!!! Take notes it is exactly what is on the test and his study guides are helpful. He actually cares about his students willing to work with you if you're will to ask for help. Attendence is a must but keeps class very interesting. Would DEF take him again!! <3
Great teacher and super funny.
Easy class! A lot of notetaking, tests based on notes only. Textbook not required. Funny and HOT! :)
This professor is great. As long as you take good notes, which isn't difficult because he emphasis what you need to know. You don't need to book and exams are easy as long as you study your notes. Don't expect to pass without studying. Wish I could take him again. LOTS of extra credit opportunities.
Awesome professor! I hated history before this class and now I truly enjoy it. I walked away with knowledge. It is not an easy A because you do have to study but Professor Efinger makes everything very clear and understandable. He enjoys questions and enjoys giving you guidance. Attendance is key. I can't wait to text my other history class!
He is the man!! Not only is he helpful, but he gives you a good amount of extra credit for perfect attendance. tests are directly from the notes, no book necessary. He's very smart and def loves to teach. He's my favorite teacher so far! Recommend him to anyone! just don't miss class and write down ALL of his notes. EASY A!!!
He is a marvelous teacher. Keeps your interest every class. He is very helpful whenever you ask for it. He teaches through a combination of humor and facts and opinion. I would recommend any of his classes for everyone. The tests are straight from the notes, it is definitely not an easy A but quite enjoyable.
Great teacher!the class nicknamed him the silver fox. I had a lot of fun in his class. Highly recommend.
If you go to class and follow his directions you will do fine. Need help ask him! Participate too! I recommend him! Attendance bonus is sweet too!
Great teacher. Material on tests are directly from his lecture, but you have to pay attention and really read through the question and all the answers in order to get a good grade. He gives extra credit for attendance and participation but you have to put in the effort in this class to do well. Awesome teacher, would recommend!
Efinger is the BEST!!! He keeps you informed while making cute little jokes. You will never not want to go to that class!!! His tests are directly from his notes and he stresses what he wants you to know!
Efinger is one of the best professors I have ever had, I definitely recommend taking his class, you won't regret it.
Excellent teacher. Does not use power points, only lectures but they're easy to listen to. He's humorous and easy going. Extra credit for perfect attendance. His tests have no dates but are directly from the notes. Gives a study guide. Drops lowest test score. Very eccentric. Talks a lot but you won't lose interest. Take good notes. Don't buy the book he does not use it.
Seriously the best teacher I have ever had. He's eccentric, interesting, and he's so enthusiastic about everything that he's saying. Just take a lot of notes and listen to what he's saying. I'm not all that interested in history, but I wish I could take this class over and over again. Seriously great teacher.
Efinger is the best professor I have ever had. He is very interesting and engaging. He does not use the book or power points but is very clear about what notes need to be written down. He drops the lowest test score and gives extra credit for perfect attendance. I enjoy history but he made me love it even more. I recommend him 100%.
Probably one of the best professors I've ever had. Very engaging, very funny. Don't bother buying the book; tests are taken directly from the notes. But be prepared to take A LOT of notes. I mean...a lot. There were many students in the class who had already taken him before, that's a testament to how good he is. I'll probably take him again, too.
Efinger is a nice , straigh forward man . He knows his stuff. If you want to pass listen to his lectures and take notes AND STUDY. His lectures are exactly whatsnon the test. Do not buy the book , it was not used at all . I ENDED UP WITH AN "A" but I had to work for it ... I would definitely recommend him to any college student .
I am a very good test taker, but Efinger's tests were impossible to pass! Extremely difficult. You have to research the material in order to do well in each chapter. Would not recommend if you are not passionate about history!
Straightforward online class. Took it through Summer 1 which is only a 6 week course so it was a little rough. Read the book, do the Study guides and you will pass. I had a hard time focusing on my text book because I was reviewing four chapters a week but if you do the work YOU WILL PASS
Took this as an online class during Summer 1. If you do the study guides for each of the 4 tests you will get an A on the exams. On the 2 discussion posts and the one essay you have to write he does grade kind of harshly but I still got a 95/A in the class. Also, if you email him he can be semi-rude and abrasive but it's not personal.
Tough class, didn't like his style of teaching all he did was read from his notes, draw pictures on a chalk board of what he is saying, then ask questions all while you write almost everything he throws out at you. Had about 5pages front and back after each class and still wasn't helpful. Test where also tricky. Good luck!
grades only test, takes attendence befor class and after break,no book, write everything he says (the best way you can)no extra credit, 5 pts for perfect attendence lost if you missed 1day, test are hard depending on ur note writting. Everything off desk at all times,no phone,move ppl around for test,not an easy "A" or "B". my addvice work hard :-)
Awesome teacher! He jokes with the class and makes the course very interesting. He is very knowledgeable about the subject and answers any questions you have.
Be prepared to do some writing. Wish he gave extra credit and is totally not forgiving if you missed a day NO MATTER WHAT.forced you to ask questions. No power points, no books just his fast talking voice without recording. Cool personality, and forget about leaving early he keeps you to the last second take him and you'll see what I mean.
This is my 2nd time taking Efinger. He's very good. Tests are worded very differently than other tests, but once you get used to his style, it's very easy to pass. As long as you take notes (there are a TON of notes) and listen to what he emphasizes, I don't know how anyone could fail. His personality and fun stories make the class a lot of fun.
I enjoyed his class, but often found myself a little tired and bored. He only lectures and that is what his tests are based off of. He talks a bit fast sometimes, which makes note taking sometimes difficult. Overall, a funny guy and a good teacher. His test are a bit tricky and I found myself joining a study group to improve my grades in his class.
Professor Efinger is awesome! I learned more from him in four months than I did in any other class at IRSC. He's funny, a little eccentric, and very smart. I was entertained each week. His exams were tough, but I made it through two courses with an A. You will learn, but don't think its an easy grade.
Professor Efinger was one of my favorite teachers at IRSC. I only got a C in the class but I would have had a d if he didnt offer the extra credit or come to me and treat me with respect. I learned a lot even though I was never into history. I have changed my mind and Professor E is the reason.
His tests are almost impossible to pass. I took him online summer 2014 and read every chapter word for word twice and still could not pass his exams with anything higher than an 80. Would not recommend him.
The lectures are pretty interesting, and long. Hardly ever lets you out early. Posts notes and study guide but they're never available before you start a new chapter. For the last exam, there was no study guide. Has an extended response learning outcome essay, but he gives you the questions beforehand. I'm not into history, but I liked the course.
His lectures are long, however he gives you the real college experience. There discussion based and no power-points in sight. You must work for grade and show you care about school. Miss class and you'll miss the best bonus of your college career. Loved him, super funny, quirky, and so very intelligent!
Professor Efinger is very fair. I highly recommend his class if you like lectures and want to learn. He is wicked smart and has a sick memory. I had him in high school fourteen year ago and he remembered what period and where I sat. He is very honest and does not make you feel stupid.
I wish more professors were like him! Passion and good lectures is what make a professor and his class interesting to students. He makes history fun! Tells the stories as if he lived them so that you can also be there. He makes funny jokes and establishes friendships with his students. It's one of those classes that makes you want to attend.
Didn't need the book for this class at all. Great professor, comes off as strict at first but is an understanding guy. He offers extra credit to those who don't miss his classes. I will admit the tests were seemingly tough, I read my notes thoroughly, which by the way are going to be essential. Do not miss a class or you will probably fall behind.
I took Efinger for EUH2000 & AMH2020 and thought he was amazing! If you ask, he'll meet with you prior to exams to make sure you know what is needed to pass his tests. I highly recommend him!
Took him online and it was tedious. other comments said you don't need the book and to write down what he tells you and you'll pass, maybe hes a great professor to take in class but i WOULD NOT recommend him for an online class. i used his study guides, power points & read the chapters and still maintained low exam scores. Glad for extra credit
Efinger is your common old soul, lecturing professor. You do nothing but listen to him talk for two and a half hours and take notes, LOTS of notes. But many prefer his method because there are no essays, no homework, no classwork, etc. He is very witty and you will enjoy listening to him tell history as if he was there.
Definitely do not miss a class because he will give you 5 points to your average if you have perfect attendance. I wouldn't recommend him if you learn from PowerPoints or any visuals. I enjoyed his class and his lectures and I would definitely recommend because he made learning history very easy for me.
Professor Efinger was by far my favorite history teacher. He doesn't bore students to memorize straight facts/dates, but rather understand the material. He is open to answer any question or reply to any email or text. Prof. Efinger made every topic covered interesting and intriguing. Basic rules: DON'T be late, PAY attention, WORK for grade.
Lectures the entire class and kept my attention the entire time. Very interesting, good sense of humor. Book is optional but will help. Tests are challenging but fair. Would definitely take one of his classes again. Advice go to class, be on time, pay attention and enjoy.
Kurt Efinger was an AMAZING professor! He is so into what he is teaching and makes his students want to learn. I took the class in the summer so we only had 3 tests. He puts study guides and notes online and if you study you will pass! If you go to every single one of his classes, he will put five extra points to your final grade. Great guy!
Efinger doesn't use his digital and campus resources well. He's best for traditional classes, and not great helping students succeed in Internet or blended Internet classes. Treats his students like high schoolers. Tests are confusing, and written from lectures. Four weeks of classes devoted to testing, use online or lab for blended? Disappointed!
Professor Efinger told history like a story. For notes, you have to write what he says. He takes attendance twice in one class period. He was funny and made history interesting. He provides study guides. His tests are not hard if you come to every class and take attentive notes. There are only 4 tests. He drops the lowest score. Class was amazing.
Very tough grader for online class and doesn't give much feedback at all. No late assignments accepted even if you have an emergency. And he doesn't respond to emails and doesn't let you use graded quizzes to study for exams. This class was kind of difficult the online lessons say use the textbook but none of the book material was on the quizzes
Mr. Efinger was the best history teacher that I have ever had. He was funny during lectures, which made participation easy. He is more than generous with grading on tests, but those are the only grades you have so you do need to study for them. He tells you clearly during lecture what is important. His class is about the concepts, not dates/names.
Very difficult class. Lectures the whole period. He also provides unsufficient notes and are difficult to understand.
Professor Efinger is hilarious and an amazing professor. He is passionate about history and makes it enjoyable to learn. He has been one of my all time favorite professors. His tests require studying but he provides study guides with everything that could be potentially on the test. EXTRA CREDIT FOR ATTENDING EVERY CLASS
The tests for me were extremely difficult. The questions on the tests weren't relevant to his lectures. He tells you to write stuff down that's not on the study guides. You have to fill the study guide yourself based on your notes. He only offers extra credit to those with perfect attendance, so try to attend every class. I wouldn't take him again.
I loved this class. This professor has amazing lectures that are engaging and interesting. I would take this professor for all of my history classes. I will say though, if you are not good at taking notes or do not like lectures, you should not take this teacher.
For online class he is a tough grader and does not give any feedback. I emailed him for feedback on a grade and he was very vague and unhelpful. he does not allow to use quizzes taken to study for exam which would have been a huge help. This class could be enjoyable but he is unclear and grades way to tough. Even for discussion boards!
I have always had a sort of dislike for history but this teacher solidified it. Only grades are test and the final is a test with an essay. Goes until the very last second of class and is all lecture all the time. Takes attendance at the beginning of class and at break. Lecture is all he does and his online resources have nothing to do with tests.
This man could teach about dirt and it would be interesting. Show up to class, read the study guides he gives and you'll do fine.
He is the most strict teacher I had ever have. If you are a minute late to class he will mark you tardy literally. Your grade is only by test, and they are so hard that you have to study a lot. His lectures are so boring and makes you stay until the last minute. If you sadly decide to take him, study the guides extremely (only way to pass)
Good luck understanding a thing that is being discussed during class. Not only are his lectures all over the place, they are not clear and give no context for your exams. The supplements to study with for exams are pages of his own book , I had to create my own notes for this class.
I have a special hate in my heart for history but this guy made the course a breeze. Normally I have to work super hard to get okay grades but his lectures were so interesting it clicked immediately. He cracks dad jokes often and honestly I miss him lol. Show up and pay attention and you'll get a good grade.
He is truly an inspiration. There have been times where in the car ride home I'd call my friends and tell them about the entire lecture because it was so interesting. His tests are difficult but fair. You NEED to go to class, that is non-negotiable. The whole course is graded upon four exams, that's it. Fantastic extra credit opportunity as well.
He is not happy about teaching online and it shows! He does not care about your grade or time you spend to complete his work. He considers citing articles about a topic plagiarism, even when citing was clearly stated. I would not recommend taking this professor to anyone. 0 stars
Terrible professor, probably the worst Ive ever had. Grades so tough even if the paper was good. Its basically like an english class you read then write a summary & even with citing he gives you a terrible grade. DO NOT TAKE!!
My class with Prof. Efinger was the highlight of my weeks. His lectures are very entertaining and i dont know for online, but in person classes are so easy. Attendance is important to him so it is mandatory, but you get credit for perfect attendance. Tests are easy to study for because he has study guides and tests are based on notes he gives.
This teacher is no/little help. Don't rely on his feedback, I managed to be successful mostly by going through each lesson and carefully picking out all the information and using it for the assignments. As long as you fill out the study guides, and stay true to the lessons he is a good teacher.
Professor Efinger is a nice person and can be funny but majorly of his lectures are boring. There are not many assignments so each assignment is worth a lot. He is also a tough grader and will deduct points for every mistake.
SO you chose this route. Well all i CAN say is good luck. He talks alot, on random subjexts. Gives much hw. not too bad so dont worry. But again good luck. You could need it?
He was okay, would I take him again, freak no. I don't even know how I managed to pass. He is a tough grader and he talks too fast. you basically have to write down whatever he says because it's all gonna be on the test. He does tell you what to write though but that's all. He doesn't give lots of hw, just reads a passage and answers 5 questions
As a class this is a fairly simple course; come in, listen and do the work. As a person and professor however is a different matter. He is a very self righteous person who wont even give you the decency to look you in the eyes when you're asking him a question before class. Almost as if he couldn't stand teaching the course. Wouldn't take again
Professor Efinger was probably one of the best professors I've had. He made the lectures super engaging. If you want to do well, literally just take notes and use the supplements that he provides online. The supplements are very similar to the test. Extra 5% added to final grade for perfect attendance and extra credit for passing the FCLE test.
You're either going to struggle in his class with 1) strict grading or 2) loooooots of talking. He seems to love listening to himself talk. He is pretty nice, though, so you can ask for help, and he will absolutely support you. He also gives a lot of extra credit opportunities, at least in AMH2020.
If you stumbled upon this review, it was fate because YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS PROFESSOR!!! You are going to see a lot of people bad mouthing this him, but that's because they all got bad grades and this was the way they used their anger. They got bad grades for not even coming to class. Anyway, Professor Kurt Efinger is the best history you'll have!
This was the best professor I've had! Professor Kurt Efinger will 100% be on your side as long as you do the work. He just wants to be respected as a professor by the students not being late and turning in their work. You are making a mistake if you don't choose professor Kurt Efinger!!!
This guy is the best professor you'll meet! You need to stop reading this and sign up for him right this second. You won't regret it!!! You got this!
GOOD LUCK if you get stuck with him like i did, his lectures are all over the place, they are not clear and give no context for your exams. The supplements he gives out to study for exams and the notes are all over the place. He doesn't use a textbook so it's not like you can read it and fill out/complete the study supplements.
Honestly very funny guy and his study guides match up with what is on the exam. Very hard to not pass as well. Just be sure you pay attention to his lectures.
This class will take a toll on your mental health. The only way you are passing is if you are very passionate about history and know the material beforehand. The professor lectures are long and boring (you'll probably fall asleep). Extra credit? Nonexistent. No matter how much you study the packets, when the test comes you'll be lost.
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR! Look you're not doing yourself a favor by taking this professor and for sure not your gpa. He treats his class as if you're in high school. No electronics, attendance mandatory. Don't miss an exam date you won't get the chance to retake it.
I see why there were so many bad and ok-ish reviews. I should've listened. I'll tell you assignments are 20% of your grade while exams are 80%. 3 essay written assignments and 4 exams (lowest score dropped). 50 questions each time. The reason I got the grade that I got was because of how much the exams count to your final grade.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
98%
Textbook Required
66%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.40 avg changeRatings by Course
HIST2012
5.0
(1)AMH201N
5.0
(1)HIST2020
5.0
(1)WOH2012
4.9
(17)EUH2000
4.8
(8)Difficulty by Course
AMH2020
3.6
AMH2010
3.2
HIST2020
3.0
EUH2000
2.4
WOH2012
2.4