2.2
Quality4.1
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake82
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
82
Reviews
Rating Distribution
5
9
4
13
3
7
2
21
1
32
What Students Say
“if you can handle that much work”
HIS - 2.0 rating“This is the worst class I've ever had in my life”
HIS102 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.38 avg changeRatings by Course
WESTCIV
5.0
(1)PLS110
5.0
(1)PLS136
5.0
(1)PLS241
4.3
(3)PLS295
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HST102
5.0
PLS212
5.0
PLS235
5.0
PLSPLS
5.0
INT101
5.0
Reviews (82)
i had to drop her class because every day we had a major project due and it was entirely to stressful. if you can handle that much work..have fun
This is the worst class I've ever had in my life. I did not learn one thing. A huge waste of my money and time. DO NOT TAKE HER!
No Comments
I liked her but almost no one else did. there are no tests, and only 2-4 papers, and you get to pick which papers you want to do out of a list of 12, so if you want you could have all of the semester's work done in the first month, or wait till the end.
This was a horrible class. Service Learning is required (Even in History she teaches), and is not used effectively in regards to the class work. Willing to help after class, but very mean about it. Take this class somewhere else, or not with her.
Very tough to sit through class. Syllabus has an amazing amount of projects and papers for a 100 level history class. Also did service learning to find out she really doesnt even use it.
Excellent political science teacher. Very passionate about her job. Class diuscusses current events, reading and writing main part of outside work. It was an enormouse amount of work for a 110 level class, though, but worth it!
This woman is pure evil, and if you disagree with her on anything, you are automatically WRONG. Western Civ. turned into the history of women in western civilization. If you want a VERY feminist and nitpicky teacher, go for it. Oh and she HATES men too.
BORING
she knows her information. She is good at "bringing it to life" BUT - she's still insane. She requires much too much work for a freshman class. She loves her textbook! I don't ever want to hear the word Speilvogel again.
She only has papers, but you can make corrections to basically get whatever grade you want. The best part of the class is that there are no formal tests. But the problem with that is it makes the lectures extremely boring and useless. Why sit through a lecture if you don't need to?
too much work for one class.
Horrible teacher. Will not work with you. Has a very confusing sylubus leaving you guessing on assignment requirements. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
HAd her for both classes in one semsester. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! Doesnt clarify about assignments, loves projects and presentations, no notes, didnt learn a damn thing.
I ABSOLUTELY HATE MS. SIMMONS! SHE'S SUCH A **** AND NEEDS TO COME INTO REALITY. SHE'S SO ****ING UNFAIR, SHE DOESN'T CARE WHY YOU MISS A CLASS, EVEN IF YOUR MOTHER IS DYING, SHE'LL STILL GIVE YOU AN UNEXCUSSED ABSENCE HOW ****ED UP IS THAT?! SHE'S SO ****ING BORING AND TREATS US LIKE 6TH GRADERS TOO MUCH SMALL GROUP WORK NOT ENOUGH REAL LESSIONS
Shet gives no tests only papers. she is always there to help you when you need it. lectures are so boring but her class is an easy A if you do all of the papers.
She is mean, attacks you in class for having an opinion, does not grade fairly, and in generally a rotten person
A lot of writing.If you don't like research papers don't take it.
she is full of**** and she will fail even you have good grade in class but she will tell you at the end that u were late in class few times thats why you got ....ing (f)be aware of that b....
I dropped this class before it was too late. I was in this class one day and knew it was too much crap for a elective history class. I don't need to write papers after almost every chapter and I feel as if I wouldn't learn anything from the style of teaching she did. Group learning and "clapping" certainly aren't college behaviors in my opinion!!!!
No Comments
She doesn't lecture and expect the students to do it for her. Her syllabus is confusing . You have to turn in a porfolio at the end of the semester (which means she grades all your work twice) But I really liked her dialogue assignment. I thought it was a creative idea.
good lord stay away...the WORST teacher Ive EVER had. Shes mean, shes not helpful, and it is not worth it. You want to throw yourself off a building after class and i LIKE history! she is a good teacher but mean and completely and insanely unfair...KEEP A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THIS TEACHER!
I tried to take this class two years ago..I have yet to take another PLS class. I am basically scarred for life. This teacher was unfriendly and mean. Gets almost angry over simple things and is not very supportive of helping. I suggest you dont even try her.
VERY unclear, has a hundred rules not written down that she expects you to know. Shes also VERY critical on papers, which she has a lot of. One paper asked you to state your opinion on why to exclude an article for the mid term and she wanted me to give reserch on why I made my opinion. I was like what the F...
To much work for an elective course the the teacher must thing this is the only thing in life. Avoid this class if you have a life.One of the worst teachers ever.
the most confusing teacher i've ever had! she was ok attitude wise but never blames herself when she confuses the crap outta u.
Run! Don't look back! Take any other teacher, any other day, at any other campus! She treats students as children, and has you run around in circles for projects. I can't even look at her in the halls! Slit my wrists and shoot myself in the face! Too terrible to even talk about! JUST SAY NO!!!!
Avoid if you can.
She is difficult! She gives a syllabus but has no idea what it says. You ask her and then she makes something up and then does not remember it later. SHe gives projects that are ridiculous because they take up too much time. You never know if your doing the work right until it is too late.
I hate her
Stay away!!! Hands down worst teacher ever. With the biggest longest most comprhensive projects. I had to drop my 2online classes to keep up with that class.
Dropped her after first class--her syllabus was a freaking manuscript--way too much work!
Great professor!!! miss simmons is a great history professor. If u work good on your research paper u will get A or B.
You need a cipher to decode her syllabus. She seems to have good intentions, but can't understand those who don't have a passion for history. She's a fair grader, but VERY strict on format. It's crucial to read the chapters, or you'll be SO lost in class + not be able to make up for it (her lectures are IN ADDITION to the text).
She adds little to the text book.
HORRIBLE TEACHER.She's mean when you don't understand something. We didn't do anything the whole semester and at the end she piled a ****load of work on us. I'm losing my mind trying to get it done. And the way she grades is ridiculous. I got 16 pts off a paper for stupid little "mistakes" like not including a first name, which wasn't a requirement
She isn't that hard you just have to ACTUALLY DO SOME WORK. No tests just papers. Skim the chapter, answer a Q or 2, act interested & you'll be a favorite. She IS picky on grammar and little things on papers. Be respectful, don't use bad lang even the word crap upsets her. Go to office hours & talk to her. Shes really a nice person given the chance
Very unorganized class. You do A LOT of work at once. We did a book report, seminar paper and civic engagement project all at once. She is a good professor. Helps you whenever you come to her for help. Easy to meet with because she is in her office a lot. Very passionate and knowledgable on what she teaches.
Professor Simmons is a complicated woman. I know that she knows history but I'm not sure that she knows how to teach it. Her assignments are odd and her expectations are not only high but unusual. I don't see how doing community service or writing a diolouge will help me to understand HIS 101 at all
She is one of the most helpful teachers I have ever had. She does grade hard on papers, but we are in college. People should know how to write with correct grammar. Assigns a lot of work outside the class, but if you are confused, she will try to clarify it for you. She's kind of funny.
Not a bad person in general but she talked alot about God knows what at times. Had very strange writing assignments and community service...i didnt get what that was for. Also made things worse when she explained please avoid!
DO NOT TAKE HER! she is rude, does not explain the second time for slow people like me, tons of pointless hard assignments,too much homework, and its all useless, waste of time, she is mean, probably the worst professer you will ever have during your whole college career!
She's a terrible teacher, DO NOT TAKE HER unless you have to. You must use GREAT detail in your blue books, something that seems so simple. She does choose favorites everyone in my class failed except for two people. WORST TEACHER EVER! This is the ONLY class I have EVER failed in.
Simmons is a HORRIBLE teacher! I have been in her class for 3 WEEKS and I have not learned ANYTHING. WTF do 'primary sources' and 'focus questions' have to do with anything about learning? NOTHING! I learned more in my 8th grade history class than this one! She knows history but she has no F***KING idea how to teach it! DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS!!!!!!!
Worthless class you teach yourself the material. There is no tests.
DO NOT TAKE. Always at least one essay due each class but usually two. She grades these essays harder than any English teacher I've ever taken.
She is a HORRIBLE TEACHER. I cannot stand going to that class. She give assignments to write dialogues instead of regular research papers. and there are no tests. and NONE OF HER ASSIGNMENTS MAKE ANY SENSE.
not a very good teacher. doesnt know what shes talking about and work is long and hard
Shes a hard teacher but she always helps you and is always in her office. She basically tells you how to get an A if you spend 20 minutes talking to her. I skipped an entire essay and still got a B. Also she makes your portfolio assignment 40% of your grade and all you have to do is put all your old essays in a folder and type a page about them.
AVOID GETTING INTO HER CLASSES! I've been getting great grades in her class because I'm partially interested but I see other of my classmates struggle. She is the most rude teacher I have ever had. Be an overachiever in her class! And try not to ask her too many questions cause her breath reeks!!!
do not take this class. she is a horrible professor and is so confusing. none of her assignments make any sense. its nice to not have exams but shell fail you if she feels like it.
She's a very rude professor with a snooty attitude. We learned about passive-agressive behavior in another class....that's her!
AVOID AVOID AVOID! she is absoultely awful. she acts like the only thing in the world is government and people going to this college do not have a life other than government. its community college most of us work and have kids. she is confusing and unhelpful. grades harder than anyone. is straight up rude to her students. i hate her with a passion.
she is not a good person. she is mean and disrespectful. she picks favorites and those are the only ones who pass. apparently she has a crazy high failing rate. even the counselors tell you not to take her classes. please do yourself a favor and don't take her class. she should defiantly not be teaching. sole reason I now despise government.
She was a very hard teacher. Her syllabus is confusing, she assigns huge projects (sometimes two in one week!), and she is a tough grader. She would make rude comments, and several classes left me in tears. She gave me my first F grade on an assignment. But she did give me an A at the end, which was a pleasant surprise. Still, avoid if possible.
Shes a very hard teacher and expects alot, but she knows the material very well. She expects you to learn most of the information yourself outside of class, then discuss it in class. Expect lots of work. You only get help or clarification on assingments if you ask. Enjoyable if you know the material well and have alot of patience.I took PLS 136/241
I really don't get why all the people are so upset about her. She gets a little confusing in the outline for the assignments but welcomes questions and once you understand what it is that she wants from you its really easy if you are responsible and punctual. Smart lady, loved her lecture conversations! I am taking her this semester again.
All these reviews seem unfair. She is a great teacher, passionate and very knowledgeable about the subject. Most importantly she respects her students, only asking for your respect in return. However, she does expect a crazy amount of work from her students. I probably did twice as much work as three of my other classes combine in her class.
AVOID !!! I really dropped and lost $1000 for her ........ WORD !!!
She isn't as bad as most think, follow the syllabus and check blackboard daily. She changes things all the time and seems to grade by how much she like you. Check with her or have meetings. The best way to get a good grade with her is to participate in class and do the work she asks. If you make it through without dropping you will be fine!
Prof. Simmons made westeran civ interesting and there was a minimal amount of outside work required. The final was extremely easy, and from what I remember of her course I would definitely recommend it to others. She was also very accomadating with any issues and questions.
In the first three weeks of class over 50% of the students were starting to fail due to her incompetant communication. I stayed after class to ask a question about the syllabus and she was extreamely rude. She is strict about students coming into class late, I don't think it should be apart of the class curriculum for students to recite a poem.
Excellent professor! All the people who are complaining about her should learn how to read plain and simple! Everything she requires IS in the syllabus! I loved her lectures/discussions during class! I have taken her twice and would have taken more if only I needed another course in that area!
A great teacher. She is very intelligent and really cares about her students. Class time was basically long discussions among the students regarding the assigned reading; very intellectually stimulating. However, people tend to drop from her class because of the extreme amount of work required. Expect to write at least 15,000 words in her class.
She doesn't teach in class at all. She doesn't explain her assignments leaving them unclear in the syllabus and on blackboard. She expects you to know what your learning about without her explaining or teaching at all.
I took Ms. Simmon's class as an 18 y.o. back in the Fall of 1996. I did not appreciate her unorthodox teaching style at the time, but in retrospect I think she is a highly intelligent woman who uses a novel innovative approach to teaching history. I think students fresh out of high school need to keep an open mind on how a class should be taught.
I am currently enrolled in her class and it is TERRIBLE. She knows the subject very well but just has everyone debate the whole class. She NEVER explains or clarifies assignments and changes the syllabus weekly. There are no tests and very few graded assignments so grades are up in the air. Probably one of the worst classes I've had at Nova..
Honestly the worst choice I ever made was not listening to the reviews on this teacher. EVERYTHING on this site that is said about her is absolutely 100% true. She is the worst teacher I have ever had, and I highly consider thinking long and hard before you take her class.
While she does have tons of competence given the subject, she is not clear on any of her assignments and what she expects. she sends very nasty emails telling students to check the syllabus (ITS THE BIBLE IN HER CLASS). The assignments are terrible, THE MOST STRESSFUL CLASS I HAVE EVER TAKEN. She ruined my Fall 2012 Semester.
Avoid her. She is extremely rude and wrote "what a disappointment" on my papers that I would turn in. I got a D in her class because she had no interest in helping me. I took took this class with another professor and got an A so clearly, I was capable of passing this class.
I loved this class and this professor. She is very innovative and uses a mix of materials to delve into a topic; including lots of websites in class. She is extremely knowledgeable in her content area. There are no tests, just a lot of writing; I loved how she requires you to think. Most students are just plain lazy and can't handle the work.
She is okay teacher i enjoyed some of it but her grading system is kind of stupid. It is a feminist history course.
Professor Simmons was intimidating at first but, later on she is a sweetheart I loved her. I think people who's comments are negative are just not used to work hard for their grades. Newsflash! you have to study HARD to get an A...Professor Simmons keep up the good work and don't listen to those winos.
Nice lady BUT if I knew this class would be graded like an English class, I would've taken English first. There is a ton of writing and essays which include dialogues. If you're expecting a class based on remembering facts then an exam to follow, this is not the professor for you.
She's very opinionated, which I respect, but she lets her opinions get the best of her in class. She's very unclear with what she expects, her syllabus is hard to understand and she often changes her mind when she tells you to do something. She isn't an awful person but I would avoid taking her class unless you are working on becoming more patient.
She is a bully. Class consists of talking about everyones opinions, great but thats not learning political science. She is mean and bullies the people she disagrees with. Changed majors to avoid her
First of all, I had an A in her class. A lot of my classmates did not get the grade they wanted. A lot of work but if you have the time and effort to do them, you can definitely get 100s on each paper. She was nice to me, I don't know to others though lol. Good luck if you're taking her
This is the worst History professor at NOVA. She doesn't even teach. She has the students read the textbook, then write about it on the discussion board. She treats this class more like an English class than history. For those who are into history, I suggest taking another professor.
Over half of the students in my class dropped out, second of all, all this class is personal opinion and discussion board postings.Be prepared for homework every night with this professor. It is in no way an easy A. Basically, participate and she will like you more. Also be prepared to hear about the constant lack of womens' roles and rights.
Well, for starters everyone on here is right. This is not an easy class, however this is a class you have to actually try in. Everyone on this is probably upset they didn't just get handed an A. I loved Professor Simmons,she's a sweetheart. She helped me so much in this class. She saw I had the potential and helped me raise my grade to an A.
She is not a good professor stay away she is rude and not understanding she will be nice at first but grades unreasonably tough and gives extremely confusing assignments that a hand full of students will understand and then when the rest of the class did not do it right she will say its their fault because a couple students did what she wants
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B-
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.38 avg changeRatings by Course
WESTCIV
5.0
(1)PLS110
5.0
(1)PLS136
5.0
(1)PLS241
4.3
(3)PLS295
4.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HST102
5.0
PLS212
5.0
PLS235
5.0
PLSPLS
5.0
INT101
5.0