The best prof at the UM - amazing

Kia is hands down the best lecturer EVER. He knows his stuff, and drills it into you. To this day, I still know more about the founding of Iraq than most folks.

I love this man and his class - the best thing about the UM

Probably one of the best professors ever. Hands down.

I only had him for a couple of lectures, but every minute held the audiences attention! Never a dull moment and full of humor, energy and insight! Never heard a negative word, in all my yrs around campus uttered, in the same sentence as Kia.

Took Islamic Civ with him and he is amazing. He is the best teacher at the U. Cant get enough of his Farsi accent and his great suits. He is not only a great lecturer but he is a great guy.

He was very good about showing the split in Islam and how it has affected the world today.

Probably THE best professor I've ever had.

Fantastic Professor! Highly Recommended to anyone who wants to learn Islamic Civ.

I have taken 5 classes from Professor Kia, graduate and undergraduate, and consider him to be an excellent lecturer, very responsive, and a consistent grader. His grasp and knowledge of the Middle East have given me the ability to understand the complexities and the sutlities of the history of the region.

I took classes from him as an undergrad a few years ago. He was amazing. Best History prof. I have ever had!

He changed my world!

Good class; well taught. In the 21st century everybody should have some exposure to the Islamic world. Kia is an excellent prof -- not easy, but helpful and responsive.

One word: Amazing. Prof Kia gives lectures like an epic novel. I can't wait to go to class and hear more. He is probably the best history teacher in the entire department and that is saying something when the department is so great. Do yourself a favor and take this class, it will literally change your life.

KIA- The BEST Professor at the UM!

Don't go through UM without taking one of his classes.

Kia=love He is my favorite prof at the U and every minute of his class was well used and totally worth it. There is a lot of information to take in, but Kia teaches history like it's a story. Easy to pay attention, lessons are easy to follow, information is easy to retain. It's the only class that takes more effort to fail than to pass.

I took Islamic Civilizations from Kia over 10 years ago, and I can still explain to people the origins of Sunni and Shi'a and retell the life of Mohammed from birth to death. That's an amazing teacher.

Dr. Mehrdad Kia is the man. He is responsible for setting me on course to a field of study that I now love. Thank you professor Kia

I still have my notes from the numerous Professor Kia classes I took over ten years ago. He was the best teacher I ever had in my life and recommend him highly. I still remember his lectures and can regurgitate the things I learned to this day.

Absolutely fantastic. Dr. Kia is easily one of the best professors i've had in college and I'll never forget his class on the Iranian Revolutions. It's the only class I've had where the students applauded after the final lecture. If you're at UM you would really miss out not to take a class with Mehrdad.

Kia is easily the best professor I've had so far. His passion for the subject carries through in his lectures, he manages to make history funny, but at the end of the day you get the serious point behind it. I'll never forget when he was lecturing and started meowing like a Persian cat that the king of Jordan loved.

Absolutely the best professor I have ever had. His lectures are completely riveting; his knowledge of the subject matter is encyclopedic. Mehrdad is always delighted to help his students in any way possible, and his TAs are fantastic resources as well. He actually got a standing ovation at the conclusion of this course. TAKE A CLASS FROM MEHRDAD!

He's a great professor and lecturer, and has fascinating stories, but he thinks he's the most important man in the world. For real. If he wants to meet with you, he tells you to schedule an appointment with his assistant. He doesn't call you himself and ask when you are free. He's a jerk. A smart jerk.

Amazing man!! Changed my life and my major!!

very smart man, all things aside i recommend his classes.

Professor Kia is a fantastic professor and man. He was willing to meet with me and talk with me about everything. He helped me understand the world in a better way.

If you have any interest whatsoever in the Middle East or Central Asia, take Islamic Civ with Dr. Kia. He explains content in a clear and deep way, while making his lectures engaging. It was an absolute pleasure to take this class. This class isn't an easy A, so be sure to do the readings and attend lectures.

Bold speaker and funny guy. Sometimes he will literally yell he gets so into the material he is talking about, its awesome to see professors with so much enthusiasm. He's a very kind and helpful professor as well.

Fabulous lecturer! Not only passionate about his subject but also extremely knowledgeable and helpful, too.

He is incredibly passionate about the Middle East. Take his classes and you'll be the most informed person many of your friends know. His tests are a cakewalk, he goes over the exact questions he is going to ask the class before the exam. 10% deduction if you miss more than two classes. Take good notes and you're golden, ponyboy.

An amazing man! A brilliant lecturer, the best professor at the University of Montana, passionate, articulate, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. His courses are the best classes I have taken at UM. They changed my life and gave me a new direction. You can get a good grade if you attend every class, take good notes, and do your reading.

Dr. Kia is classy, intelligent and one of the most brilliant professors ever.

Lectures is a three hour long, once a week night class. Goes til 9pm- which would normally be difficult, but Prof. Mehrdad speaks with this booming accent, the material is interesting, and he fills it with his own anecdotes, video, and humor. Always glad I went.

If you are a history major not taking his course would be a grave mistake. Makes the world much more understandable then complicated like it is.

While his tests are all written exams, if you pay attention in class, you should have no problem. His lectures are wonderful! He tells more of a story rather than dry facts. You'll remember the class for years to come. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Good sense of humor. Would gladly just sit in on any of his classes.

Kia is one of the best profs at UM. His lectures are fun to attend and he makes them entertaining. The grade is made up of three exams(which he gives questions to the class before the test date) and attendance so as long as you show up and vaguely pay attention, you should be good

The best professor I have ever had. The man has a heart of gold and an amazing brain. He can elaborate on any niche subject, and he will. I go out of my way every semester to try and get a course from this man. His lectures are detailed and engaging. He caters to both political sides, and you will learn a ton of material without even realizing

Loved this professor. He knows the subjects he teaches better than most other professors and he has real world experience working with the different Islamic cultures that his classes often discuss. Two classes that I took with him there were 3 tests that made up your grade plus a small attendance percentage.

Super entertaining lectures. Kia is a fantastic and funny storyteller, and very knowledgeable about the topics. Take a class from him at least once -- you will learn a lot and you won't regret it. Kind and helpful during office hours. Tests are blue book but you'll know exactly what you need to write the essay on because he goes over it in class.

Love Professor Kia! Great man, and great teacher. His lectures feel like stories!

Attendance is mandatory as is counts as part of your grade in his class, but his lectures are great. He is very motivated during his lectures and he gets you motivated to learn. One of the best profs at UM.

One of the best professors I've met in a long time. He's funny, and he tells you a story during the lecture more than just dry facts. I've taken every class possible with him, and if he taught more I'd continue to take them. Show up to the lectures, take good notes and passing shouldn't be a problem. Take a class from him once you won't regret it.

Best professor I have ever had. Absolutely take a class with him if you can and talk to him in his office hours. Always so insightful and engaging .

You want to go to his classes! So interesting!

Best professor at UM hands down! The passion Professor Kia has for history is contagious, which is why Ive taken every class I can from him. Textbooks are the best he can find and essential reading. Maybe start with Islamic Civ, but I also recommend Nationalism in the Middle East, and Iran between Two Revolutions.

Professor Kia is great at lectures, very entertaining to listen to. Get ready to read in this class though - he gives out three books for the semester.

Loves a good essay so be prepared to write for your exams. A great person and professor, he is incredibly intelligent and approachable.

just a wonderful professor, i have never learned so much is such a little time he is wonderful.

Kia is one of the best teachers on campus. I'm not studying the middle east but his lectures made want to attend ALL OF HIS COURSES. He is hilarious and rewards good writting. If you want a good story, ask about growing up in Iran.

One of the most engaging and passionate sources of information on the history and foundation of Islam in the world today. I had this professor for Islamic Civiliation some time ago, but have kept up with his work over the years. I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to experience this man's classes.

Professor Kia cares deeply about what he teaches and awakens curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in his students. I loved his lectures because they brought the subject to life and made me want to keep learning. He asks for student questions in class and his answers add even more to the discussion. I wish I could take more classes with him!

Several of my professors and many of my friends have referred to Kia as a "National Treasure" so I took both his classes this semester. He is the best professor at the University of Montana hands down: he is incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, and helpful. His knowledge of the topics we covered is astonishing. Take a class with this brilliant man.

He's hilarious. Take all his classes

Excellent class and outstanding presentations, which cover timely topics, including history and politics of Syria, Iraq, Turkey, the Kurds, etc. I now watch the news, and it makes much more sense! You will leave the class much better informed than when you started it.

I took Kia's course Ancient Persia to Revolutionary Iran and was amazed at what I learned. His lectures bring the history to life and his enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject made me want to learn more. A fabulous teacher. Do not pass up an opportunity to take a class with him!

Exceptional teacher and a superb lecturer! By general consensus, he is the best and most dynamic professor at UM. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the material he covers in the class. He is also very helpful and accessible outside the class, especially if you have questions about the exams. Take a class with him. You will learn a lot.

Amazing lectures! Take a class with him and see for yourself why everyone sings his praises and believes that he is the best professor at UM.

Prof. Kia's classes are by far some of the best within the University. He presents information in an unbiased manner in an old school style. He has a deep wealth of knowledge concerning the Middle East from ancient to current history. Many negative reviews seem to be personal attacks as opposed to actual factual reporting. Prof. Kia is excellent.

Mehrdad Kia is a great professor with a full understanding of the middle east and surrounding countries and cultures. 10/10 would recommend taking his classes.