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I really enjoyed this class-- the guy is young and way more engaging than my other art history classes. He's humorous and actually talks about the slides and the history, rather than a straight lecture. Easy exams, just know the slides!

he manages to keep me entertained at 8:30 am which is NOT easy to do, and his tests are short and simple.

Aweome teacher, he is funny - tests are easy all multiple choice no fill-in-the-blank BS. Awesome especially when he gives answers to the exams. Young guy, so def. understands thats 1/2 the class won't show up a day before T-Giving break... So far the best teacher I've had. And I'm taking him for 104 too.. Woop Woop

I loved his class. He was really sarcastic, but interesting to listen to. Definitely knows what he is talking about. I am hoping to have him for ARTH 104

He's great! Very funny, keeps the class interested. He has an "entertaining" personality and teaches the information in a way that is easy to learn and remember. Tests are really easy if you study.

Michael Shaffer is the most wonderful man to walk this earth. He knows what he is talking about, and he is witty as well. Plus he likes Public Image Limited. I really enjoyed his class and never once lost interest in the subject matter. He has a great personality and will never bore you. I was blessed to have him.

He is amazing. I never found Art History to be so exciting.. he really makes it come alive. He is hilarious, as well..very funny and keeps your attention. I miss him so much.. I hate life without his class. Do not take him for granted. I am suffering now with a horribly dry professor for ARTH104. :-( MR. SHAFFER PLEASE TEACH ME ART HISTORY AGAIN!!!

Michael Shaffer is easily one of the best teachers I've ever had. He knows how to joke around, but still get the facts across to you. most classes i want to skip, but that was a class i made sure i attended. make sure you get his class, its the best. hands down. IM SERIOUS TAKE HIM! oh yeah, i barely ever opened my book. i wish still had him.

the first day of class i thought he was going to be mean because of his sarcastic and bitter sounding tone but...he ended up being really funny. it is obvious that he is very well informed in this area and is able to hold your interest for a full class. listen and class and go over the images and terms list and you're golden. hes kinda cute too.

Taking this class with Michael Shaffer was way awesome. I want to marry him.

so, shaffer is pretty much kind of sorta absolutely amazing. great class. never minded going to it. He does get pissy when he sees people get up and leave his after signing the attendance but usually he's really funny and crazy. easy class, doesnt ask for much on the exams. simple multiple choice questions. he's ballin. take him if you can. :D

He made art history interesting. Study the terms and lecture notes and know the images, then you'll do well on the tests.

he's cute in a nerdy way and really funny. explains the artwork while still making the class interesting. don't leave in the middle of class though, he doesn't like that.

made art history interesting... and he's cute in a dorky way

I seriously can't imagine any other professor being better than Michael Shaffer. He's very funny, no one EVER sleeps. He explains things very clearly and his tests are very easy and just general info. The previous semester, I had to drop art hist. and i thot it was b/c i suck at studying but no, I got all A's from this class.

Yummy! If he wasn't married I'd...Totally fascinating guy, tells great stories and greatly added to my appreciation of art. Super easy exams!

Best teacher ever. I wish he could teach me every class I'm going to have for the rest of my life. Witty, funny, entertaining, and intelligent. His tests are easy, but somehow I still learn so much in his class. Just pay attention to his lectures and study the images/terms list. I haven't gotten anything lower than an A.

Shaffer was awesome. Really. Best art history class ever.

Very interesting teacher, witty cynical, just my kind of dark humor. It's not a cake walk, but it's pretty easy as long as you take your notes and pay attention. Comes off a little intimidating first class, at least he did for me, i was terrified but he's way cool.

Awesome, flat out. Very witty and keeps you entertained even if the subject matter isn't your thing.

GREAT GREAT GREAT!! thought to take survey of western art history as a boring, fill up my credit class, but was really interesting. he's really funny, and definitely keeps you entertained. attendance is mandatory, but no worries, no one complains. tests arent that bad either, just make sure you study the paintings, and EASY A...and hes cute

I struggled a little at first, but it gets easier once you know how he test. Take notes on the history parts, not just the art. Also tells jokes, def makes the class entertaining- and thats not easy when talking about art history. i recommend him!

Great art history teacher. This is the first time I have taken a class on art history, and he has really made the material "come alive". His exam's are really great as well!

very good

YOU MUST ATTEND LECTURE. Great class, held my interest even though I am nothing close to artsy. Makes the material fascinating, gave me a respect for art. Study closely, because some of the questions can be tricky.

Took the summer course (3 weeks) and made an A. Two tests (midterm and final). Lectures are a must if you expect to make an A (his notes are very helpful and some information is not in the textbook). Make notecards and MEMORIZEEEE!

great teacher, personality makes him hottttttttttttt

Shaffer makes a boring subject interesting! He's funny, engaging, and informative, and his tests aren't too hard if you study the material. I can't stress enough how great his lecture style is. As far as lecture-style classes go, it doesn't get better.

Really chill, but he definitely gets his swag on. Easy class. Sometimes has misinformation. Highly recomended

easily the best art history professor. HILARIOUS & down to earth

I took the 4-week summer course. Only took this because my advisor recommended it, but it turned out to be such a treat that I didn't mind having to memorize zillions of dates. Shaffer is endlessly entertaining and the work wasn't hard (I kept up in the text and always came to class). The summer course did not involve any writing or projects.

I love his teaching style! I can honesty say that this was the only interesting night class i've had. he makes 7-940 go by really fast. Test are easy if you come to class and take notes. I hope he teaches here for all long time:):) There need to be more teachers like him:):)

he is extreme passionate about his teaching. he knows a lot about his art. the class was very fun and interesting. calls is easy as long as you study for the exams. no quizzes or homework!!!!!... and he gives a study guide for his exams. TAKE HIM !!!!!!!!!

very passionate about what he teaches. he knows a lot about his art and gives indepth details about them. NO quizzes or homework. his exams are easy if you use his study guide and show up to class. sometimes he gives extra credits. TAKE HIm. he is really easy and fun.

Mr. Shaffer is the man! He may come off as strict and sarcastic at first, but he's actually hilarious. He definitely knows what he's talking about, and he talks about Art History in a way that makes it interesting. No homework or quizzes, just 4 tests. Take him!

Take his class. Awesome lecturer. Before I took this class I thought it was gonna blow (especially because i had that 2hr and 50 minute class) but he keeps your attention and makes the class fun. Class is very mandatory though.

BEST PROFESSOR EVER. His class is so entertaining and he makes funny jokes in class. I have never been so interested in a core class before but i love going to his! He only gives you four exams a semester and that's it, they aren't accumulative, all you have to do is pay attention to his lectures, which isnt hard because his lectures are great!

He's cool and kinda on the chill side and let us leave class early most of the time (it was a 4-6:40 class) but he lost favor from me when he openly said he didn't at all care if we passed his class or not. And to be honest he may have many good ratings but if you don't care about this material NOTHING will make the material appealing to you.

Dr. Shaffer is awesome! I had ZERO intrest in taking this course, but he makes it as fun and as interesting as possible. Although he says attendance is mandatory, it isn't - although, his exams rely heavily on his lectures. If you must take ARTH 103, you definitely want to sign up for his class!

Dr. Shaffer is an excellent professor who is passionate about what he teaches. All information is from the lectures so if you go to class and take good notes, the exams aren't hard. I'm sure the bad reviews came from people who passed notes or texted during class. Shaffer is very passionate about art history so he understandably finds this rude.

What an awesome professor. Teaches art history through stories and always puts a touch of humor in. If you actually take the time to listen in class, you won't have to put much time in at all outside of class, and no need to buy the textbook. Kept me engaged almost the entire time.

Michael Shaffer is an amazing professor. He lectures for three hours at night and it's art history.. But he makes it exciting and interesting by adding stories and humor to his lectures. Really nice guy and will repeat what he wants you to know so you can write it down correctly because there are no notes on his power points. Take ARTH with him!!

Shaffer's sarcastic with his humor and can get tired of noisy students, but I love him. Warning: all of the grades rely solely on your exams, which are solely in lecture, so be prepared to take good notes and study hard! The textbooks are listed as required, but I never even opened mine. I'm taking him again for ARTH 104 in the spring.

I LOVE this professor. He's hilarious, engaging, helpful and gives incredible lectures - basically, everything you could hope for in a professor. If you need to take art history, take this guy. I could not recommend him enough. Definitely go to class - everything on the test is taken directly from lecture.

He was my favorite professor last year. I took him for both semesters. His lectures are 3 hours long but he is so engaging and funny you don't even notice. You do need to show up to class and study to do well on the exams however. I would say he is without a doubt the best Art History professor at VCU and I would highly recommend him!

Shaffer is the absolute BEST when it comes to art history. He makes lectures bearable and has some pretty funny jokes from time to time. Every assignment is online and if you pay attention to lecture/readings, you'll ace every single one. Attendance isn't really mandatory as he usually reiterates the online textbook. Great class. Great Prof. Easy A

I LOVE THIS PROF (and I'm a psych major so that says something). Read and take notes on the textbook and in class and you'll do well on the online tests. Definitely not the easiest class but it's interesting and the lectures are entertaining.

Grade is 4 tests and there are small quizzes online that you can do anytime. He makes class fun to be in by making jokes and explains the content very well. Easy to follow and listen. Take notes because the tests are based off lecture. Very good teacher. Highly Recommend

Love this prof! He's so personable and makes Art History fun. I looked forward to going to his class. Online tests and quizzes. Take him, you will enjoy it!

Prof. Shaffer is pretty quirky and has a lot of art history dad jokes lol. This class and ARTH 103 was so easy. Biggest advice is make sure you have a hard copy of the textbook, it makes it SO much easier to take the quizzes. I never attended lectures or read any chapters and got an A in ARTH 103 and I'm pretty sure I'll get an A in 104 too.

He's got a very dad sense of humor, which I found enjoyable. He clearly genuinely cares about art history and is maybe a little frustrated by the fact that most of us do Not. I often struggled with knowing what we were going to be tested on (specific dates/titles/artists) but it was never too hard, as long as I made handwritten notes.

He mainly taught through lectures which were long but he spiced them up with his sense of humor. Take good notes and the tests should be fine. 4% of the grade was from Cengage quizzes which was annoying (costs $80). He also only told me the tests were open note bc I asked? Which I feel is kinda unfair.

I really enjoyed art history with Shaffer his lectures are clear and he makes sure to repeat the important things a few times. I would recommend him!

Very straightforward class. Do the quizzes and exams and you're good. He gives really good lectures and emphasizes what you should remember and take notes on. Cracks jokes in lectures too.

Honestly, the class setup is perfect. Show up for your lectures, do your reading quizzes, and you'll do fine on the exams. Lectures are interesting (though I'm biased since I like art history), and he cracks jokes. He also talks at a good rate that you can get all the notes you need and not be bored. Exams are straight from the lectures.

The most straightforward class, which I love. Lecture heavy but interesting, funny, and I learned a good amount. Take good notes and you'll be 100% set.

I will go out of my way to take him over another prof. LOTS of lectures, and you will not do well if you don't watch/pay attention. All the test questions come from the lectures, and the tests are worth 95% of your final grade! However, the lectures aren't terribly boring, and he makes it obvious if he's speaking about a future test question.

Shaffer's the sweetest! It's clear he really cares about art history- and you can tell he cares about people as a whole. He was going through a lot this semester but made the effort to keep us in the loop with class scheduling (cancellations, etc.) and his dedication to helping students really showed. Dad jokes are frequent, but in a cute way.

He's just amazing. His classes are fun to go to and I stay easily entertained and interested because of how well he does his lectures.

This is such a great class! His lectures are super interesting, easy to follow, and shows that he knows and lot and loves it. Be sure to take lots of notes in class bc the tests are all based off those. There is a quiz for each unit through the textbook but are very easy and are all just due by end of semester. Thats all there is! (NO PAPERS!!)

Good person, long lectures but it's not bad, very interesting, you only have quizzes just study hard take the quiz and you're good. Quizzes are your whole grade so do your best. Not a lot of work, an easy class if you study.

Engaging and interesting lectures, I had no issues paying attention in this class. Your grade is based on timed tests, so just make sure to take notes or follow along with the lectures enough.

The lectures were actually interesting to listen to, didn't think I'd become interested in art history by the end of the course but I am. Make sure to take notes, as your grade is based on 4 exams. It is odd that we have to spend $90 on a textbook to do quizzes that are worth a very small percentage of our grade.

Prof. Shaffer is very entertaining and funny in his lectures, while also covering a lot of material. I took him for two semesters (Survey of Art I & II) once online and once in person, both had exams online. His tests are challenging, but if you take good notes and listen to lectures you'll do fine.

Good guy and fun class