I love this teacher. He makes powerpoints and then you take notes and a test every couple of weeks. He really knows his stuff too. Not bad on the eyes either. :)

Mr. Bales is probably the best history teacher i have ever had!! he makes the class very interesting. he is always able to answer any questions you have. he really knows his stuff

Awesome teacher. Really hott too. He loves history and knows it like the back of his hand. Very fair grader and very organized...i loved him. I didnt even have to take the class but didnt drop it because it was so interesting!!

Mr. Bales is a great teacher. His lectures directly correlate to the tests,so there are no surprises. One added benefit is the guy is very easy on the eyes!

Wonderful instructor and very easy on the eyes.

Ah..what to say about Mr. Bales. Hes very interested in his subject, you can tell in the way he teaches. Very passionate. Hot too.

He seems to really enjoy teaching and is always available for help. Not only is he the best Professor ever, he is way too hot for words. The total package!!! I want this man!!!

im a married man and I KNOW THIS guy is hot....but besides distracting all the women in class he is super cool and a genuinely interesting person who LOVES what he does...if you hate history like i did but have to take it take this guy...HE WILL MAKE YOU LOVE LEARNING ABOUT HISTORY

I'm not a history lover but Mr. Bales makes it really interesting. He lectures a lot, so get ready to take lots of notes, but he does it in a way so you can follow along and remember. Every test includes 10 extra credit pts. and he's very helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend him to any student!

Mr. Bales is one of the best history teachers to take. Even if your not interested in history you will be before the semester ends.Rarely uses the book, uses powerpoint for instruction, no homework, test are fair and only 1 paper. Ladies, I'm a sista and the man is HOT!!! You will definently enjoy his class and his love for history!!

Mr. Bales is an awesome teacher. All tests are worth 110 points, so you can get up to 10 points off and still get 100. I took him for 111 and 112 and have never had a better history teacher. Also, he drops the lowest test grade so if your grade is high enough you are exempt from taking the final. Great great teacher!!!

Totally awesome teacher. A great asset to the teaching community. I wish every teacher had his passion for teaching. I have taken him for three semesters and wish I could take him for more.

This is my second semester with this guy, and I am planning on taking his class next semester also. He really loves history and he makes it fascinating to pay attention. Great story telling ability and lots of energy. Lectures with power point so there are always artifacts or locations to look at. Take good notes and you'll get an A!

This is one of the best professors at TCC! He really knows his stuff, and he treats all of his students with respect. We barely had to use the textbook at all. He is a little quick, and you will have to take good notes, but he is very patient and will help you if you need it. If you take good notes and study, you will get a good grade :)

AWESOME TEACHER! PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS WORK. WONDERFUL! BUT SAVE YOURSELF THE MONEY, DON'T BUY THE TEXTBOOK. I BOUGHT MINE, $230, DIDN'T USE IT ONCE- AND COULDN'T RETURN IT BECAUSE THERE WAS A NEW EDITION

he's very good. he repeats himself usually 3 times. no problem going over material again so you can understand it. VERY knoweledgeable! im takin him again next semester, for sure!

He is a great teacher, and really cares about history, and making sure that his students get alot from the class. Only complaint is that it is a bit hard to concentrate on the subject with the shameless flirting of some of the younger female students. Girls, I know you think he's cute, but please save it for office hours.

This guy is the best at TCC.

best professor i ever sat in front of...more passion than anyone ive ever met to teach his subject

I used to loath history, but after two weeks in mr. bales's class i had a change of heart. he knows so much and understands so much. he is a walking time line and has no problem taking time to help your understanding. Don't stress about attendance, you will find yourself going to class half dead just to look into his sexy blue eyes. mmmmmmm.

Ok, yes, he's pretty easy on the eyes...but he's also a fantastic teacher - maybe the best I've ever had. He makes sure you learn but doesn't make it painful; it's like storytime :) Fair, very passionate, extremely knowledgeable, and cares about his students. A+!!

Mr. Bales is extremely knowledgable and passionate about history! He gets very excited but makes it very easy to learn. He is helpful and really wants his students to succeed. And, he is extremly handsome also so what could be better??? I found myself staying after class just to talk to him one on one...hmmm!!!

He is the best i could see in all my life...i'll miss him a lot (and his blue eyes) b/c his class is wonderful...he's the best!!! :)

TAKE HIM!!! he's a wonderful teacher...he'll help you if you ask...

This teacher is great! He's really quirky and fun, and knows his stuff. Total history enthusiast. Go to class and take notes (if you take good notes you will do well on his tests) and you're sure to get an A. He's really nice and understanding. History was never a strong subject for me - this teacher made all the difference!

Mr. Bales is wonderful, I was dreading a 75 minute history course, now I look forward to attending class. He is very thorough and makes the material interesting and easy to learn. He's also very understanding and willing to help however he can. I wish he could teach all of my history classes from this point on!

Likeable and knowledgeable prof who'll entertain you with his storytelling lecture style. Took 5 tests with MC, matching, identification and essay (dropped lowest grade) and wrote 3-5 pg. history book review. DO NOT BUY THE BOOK--Just go to class and take good notes instead; Test review days will reveal essay subjects in advance to prepare for.

I've taken three different classes with Michael, and I've loved each and every one. He's an amazing teacher, very enthusiastic and helpful. If you go to class and take good notes, you're pretty much guaranteed an A.

Mr. Bales is the best lecturer I have ever experienced. Sparked an interest in history that I had not realized I had.

Professor Bales is by far the best history teacher I have ever had. With his fun and interesting lectures and his exciting and humorous stories hell have you in laughter and awe for 75 full minutes. Where as remembering dates and names is not easy, he'll relay the course material in a way that is understandable to the weakest of history students.

This instructor is awsome... I was at one time extremely intimidated by history, now I have become highly interested in anything involving history. I even watch the history channel. Professor Bales was able to paint a vivid picture in my mind when he'd lecture. He took me to a different place each time. I loved his class. I hated to be late and mis

He is a great teacher. He knows everything he teaches front to back and his way of lecturing really makes note taking easy. He tells history like an exciting story. Dont buy the text book though;; its a waste of money since he never asks you to open it. I would highly recommend him if your taking history. Plus, hes very nice to look at :)

Keeps the class interesting.. As long as you are there everyday you can easily get an A. Literally didn't open my book once last semester and had over a 100 average in the class

Super interested in his subject which makes it easy to learn and i never even opened the text book, just took notes on lectures

Amazing teacher. Never opened the textbook. Gives great notes and tells you exactly what will/will not be on the tests. Makes class seem exciting and like story time instead of class time. Hated history before now I love it. Favorite teacher/class I've ever taken.

Good teacher, you don't need the textbook. I took him for HIS 121, and 122. Pretty straight forward. You have to be there though, because the notes he gives are from talking. Good Class. Definitely Recommended.

Mr. Bales is passionate & very knowledgeable about his material. He does talk fast, but emphasizes on the board and repeats material you need to know. He never used the text, but did encourage it for clarity. You have to be in class and paying attn. & taking notes is a def need - he covers alot of material. I look fwd to HIS 102 w/him.

Took the class online. There was a large amount of reading involved, but as long as you can memorize the study guides and key figures/concepts, you'll do fine. Slow to get grades/responses back, but it really didn't matter since the class format and study guides were crystal clear. Offered extra credit opportunity as well. Highly recommend.

Mr. Bales is pretty legit! He moves rather fast so I wouldn't recommend for a summer course. If you read the intended pages the night prior to class, the lesson is very clear and easy to follow. That is really the only text book use. 4 tests and 1 book review on a book of your choice. Super easy class if you like Western Civ. Highly recommend!

Mr. Bales is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and makes the subject interesting. Never needed the book, but coming to class and taking good notes was crucial. Tells you what to study for tests, so if you put the work in you'll do well and learn a lot. He's also open to class discussion and answers all questions clearly. I loved the class.

loved him so much. i am no longer at tcc but i had to come back and rate mr. bales and say how awesome he is. i wish he taught at odu!!

He is so good. Does not use a textbook. What he lectures and put on the board is what you review for his tests. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Strongly recommend him for students taking History of Western Civilization. He will be my instructor for part II of this course for Fall 2011. Don't wait for the last minute. Enroll now!!!

Better register on his class FAST. He is such a wonderful smart professor. Do not buy your books. He talks fast but don't worry about it, just ask questions, be present, and take notes and take his easy test. You will either get an A or B grade.:))

He is a great teacher.Very enthusiastic about what he is teaching and very helpful.He does tend go very quickly through his class but overall a great teacher

Makes everything a fun and interesting story. Doesn't use the book. You have to go to class and study your notes but he tells you exactly what will be on the tests.

I love the twinkle he gets in his eyes when he's expressing his love for the subject. He's a great teacher. Before taking his class I found coming to history classes dull, but he kept my attention the entire semester. Not cause he's hot or anything... but he is. His enthusiasm is contagious. <3

Oh boy! Tough hybrid class. It is better to enrol in his traditional class setting coz' the test are easier. He is a good professor.

Amazing teacher!

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Professor Bales? He's truly a fantastic teacher, passionate about his subject and very easy-going. To succeed in his courses, you need to take a lot of notes, but there are never surprises on his exams: he tells you what you need to know. Don't bother buying the textbook...it's wholly unnecessary.

Great teacher! Keeps his students entertained while lecturing by making the lessons interesting! He shows video clips, pictures, and diagrams so the students can thoroughly understand what he's teaching! Very understanding and helpful! I recommend him!

He's an amazing teacher. DO NOT buy the book, the notes he gives will be sufficient. You will need to take a lot of notes and he does speak fast at times but he emphasizes what you need to get down. You can tell he loves the subject and I was never bored in the class. Never had a crush on a teacher before taking this class haha :)

EVERYTHING you need to know is in the text. Gives study guides but they are so detailed and all over the place you should just study the text. Exams are so detailed and he gives a book review using outside sources. Easy class if you do your part as a student

Highly recommend him. He makes everything clear and concise and gives you plenty of time to complete assignments. In his online course only 4 test with 3 discussions for each and only one paper with no work in between. Study guides are very helpful and he responds promptly. Wish i could've taken him in person. So great I'm taking him for west civII

Great Proessor, Really works with you !

Mr. Bales is a great professor, took his for HIS 102. You can tell he is very into history which makes the class interesting. He is very loud so you can hear him even in the back of the class. I could never fall asleep in his class even if I wanted to and hes so gorgeous he makes you want to pay attention.

He was a wonderful teacher. But exams are very very hard. he works with you a lot. not a lot of work at all. extra credit. the exams will make you fail. you have to really study really study. but overall is a great teacher and explains everything. got a grade I didn't want but I will have to take it over to get higher grade.

Great Professor! I had some personal issues which I informed him of and he worked with me. 4 exams (once a month)which are very detailed so reading is a must. 5-7 page book review. As long as you put the effort in you will do fine. Taking for HIS 102.

Easy class. Do the readings, review the study guides, do the DBs, put in effort and you will do well. Tests really do come from study guides and readings...no surprises. He was my favorite teacher out of my 5 classes for summer semester. Don't be afraid of the book review. Super easy.

one of the best

Mr. Bales is a great teacher, he is very straight to the point and works with students. On top of that hes gorgeous, so that made it easy for me to pay attention in class !! Lectures are long. DO NOT MISS CLASS! His powerpoints suck lol ! If you are there every class , write good notes, and study there is no way you can fail his class!

I would not say Mr. Bales was a good or bad teacher for an online course. We had no interaction with him. Posted the work with a study guide and that's the last you heard from him until the next assignment. DB questions could be kinda tough. In order to do the study guide you really have to read the chapter. I wouldn't tell anyone not to take him.

Best teacher

Best history class/teacher. Just pay attention and take notes. He gives you everything for test in his lecture.

Prof Bales' lectures are not long, monotone, or boring. They're the complete opposite. He seems to love the subject he teaches, and he shows it through what he says. He has 4 exams and 1 paper; and if you just take GOOD notes and study, you should be fine. I bought the textbook, never used it. NEVER MISS A CLASS OR YOU'LL BE BEHIND!!!!!!!!

He speaks quickly so record the lectures, everything you need to know is in the lecture. Zero book use. Copy anything he writes on the board and take mucho notes. He sticks to the syllabus and always gives a heads up if something is going to change. If you pay attention and study, you will do well; this is not an easy A. Plus he's a super cutie.

An amazing professor and loves what he does you can tell based on his lectures. Was clear about his expectations and very fair about rescheduling as well as pushing back the exams if he thought we hadn't received enough information. Additionally, he was forthcoming about what areas would be on the exam. AMAZING AMZING AMAZING PROFESSOR.

I took Professor Bales twice. He gives feedback for everything and is always quick to help and answer any questions. As long as you participate he will give you a good grade.

History is usually my least favorite subject but Mr. Bales changed that for me this semester. His lectures are interesting and this has really helped me pay attention (bless him for those power points). Like most classes, passing is easy as long as you study and take notes; so be prepared to do a lot of writing!

LOTS n LOTS of reading but interesting! I took Online Western Civilization. Guidelines are very easy to follow. You will do well if you study and know the material. Don't expect to look up the answers for everything on his tests if you are unprepared. Know the material, use his study guides, participate in discussion boards and you will do well.

I would have done amazing in this class, only I failed to submit my research paper. Instructions were clear and the class is easy. Follow instructions and all will be fine. He gives you the tools and actually makes it easy, just apply yourself and things will be fine. Tests are open book, it's hard to fail.

Listening to his lectures are like youre standing in the midst of history. I almost took the same class twice because I enjoy his lectures. I could actually visualize the events. That really helped me pass his class because I could see in my mind what he taught. I wish he taught all my classes.

I took Professor Bales for HIS101 and I missed a month of class due to a back to back surgery and he was extremely forgiving. I missed chapters I was looking forward to however I was able to recover. I took him again for HIS102 and I'm sitting here in recovery of my surgery and he let me take my final early. HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM, GREAT LECTURES!

I took this professor for an online class. If you do the work you will pass with an A without any difficulty. I would definitely recommend.

His lectures are really interesting and enjoy showing up to class. His tests are straight from whatever he writes on the board during his lectures. Gives plenty of extra credit. Really awesome teacher.

Theres a lot of reading. I did the online class, so thats expected. The tests are kinda hard. The small details in your readings you need to pay attention to. The study guides pretty much saved me. Other than that, its a pretty easy class and hes a laid back professor. Hes professional and responds quick. I would take him a 3rd time if I could

I had Professor Bales for the mini (3 week) semester. 4 discussion boards per unit (three total units) 3 exams. Discussion boards don't have a word count- just be sure to reply to 1 student. Exams were easy and q friendly. He's not a tough grader. Be sure to use your own words and cite from the textbook or elsewhere only occasionally. Easy A

I loved this class and hope to take 102 with him. The lectures were really interesting and he made it a point to emphasize the things that would be on the tests. The tests were open book, open notes, and very easy. There is a book report due at the end of the semester, so listen when he says start sooner rather than later and you'll pass!