Good clear lectures. Two papers are 40% of the final grade, they are fairly short. Midterm and final equal other 40% and then participation. Can give some pointless info sometimes, but good teacher

He's a great lecturer and i enjoyed his class very much! He keeps it really interesting.

By far my favorite professor thus far at rutgers. a very knowledgeable man in his subject matter, fairly easy exams, a few papers. It's nice to see a teacher so passionate about his work

great professor. tests are partially open notes. go to class and get extra credit points. interesting lectures. have to do some of the reading in order to keep up.

Fair professor. Loves to tell stories about historical figures. Very knowledgeable and helpful. A bunch of essays, but its not too bad overall.

Lots of work for a 101 course but helpfull in the longrun because there are lots of chances to improve your grade. He gives out an outline before lecture which helps. Overall: Very intelligent guy, not the best course if your not a history major/minor.

attendance taken and good amount of work/papers/quizzes- not hard work though. very interesting class and an easy grader. a bit dry as a lecturer but a very nice guy.

My favorite professor at Rutgers! Great for history majors, but may be difficult or too much work for non majors. He is extremely helpful and wrote me a recommendation for grad school!

I took his over the summer. He gave a lot of work and quizzes/tests but in the end he gave you the choice of whether or not to take the final. He is a good teacher.

Best professor at Rutgers! He is very passionate about his material, and cares about the students. Highly creative in his smaller classes too. We re-enacted the Constitutional Convention this week! Highly recommend taking ANY of his classes!

great professor, knowledgeable and tries to get you engaged with the material, creative in assignments and has high expectations for students

exams/quizzes come from the lectures so it's best to get to class. lectures are great but they're decent. 2 papers 2 exams and little quizzes in the semester. counts attendance. very easy class in my opinion. you learn a lot.

be willing to make a MAJOR time committment to his class

Very great professor. I enjoyed his lectures very much, and also learned a great deal in his classes. I also had a great TA named Daniel McGuire. They were the best!

easy class, even though there is alot of work/material...he literally gives you the exam/quizzes so you know exactly what to study...two papers, and pop quizzes to check attendance.. Ta's very helpful as well

Interesting lecturer and class isn't too hard. but there's a LOT of work for an intro class.

Lectures can be interesting, but it's hard to keep up with taking notes. Work is not hard, but tedious. Clemens always makes sure that you're doing something for every class meeting. He's a nice, geeky father/grandfather type who enjoys his Subway and Au Bon Pain on a daily basis.

has a genuine interst in the class

he was a great teacher...very easy and everything was pretty much laid out. (REINA Is The Best)

Had him for the summer, modified course a bit. Excellent teacher for summer course! Laid back and easy going. Very knowledgeable. Fair grader and interesting. Does skits, videos, group work, and open book essays. Nice guy too! Very helpful! Take him if you are interested in the GSE. :-)

He's a great professor, he's very helpful and class lectures are interesting. He's the best profesor I've had in history classes at rutgers. =+)

In his 100 level courses he's much easier, as he should be. His 300 level courses are much more in depth and he gives you every opportunity to succeed/fail. An A at the 300 level is virtually impossible, but a B isn't that difficult. Keeps class interesting by using different and "fun" methods.

BORING MAN!! he will put you right to sleep.. nice guy tho... I had ALEX as my TA.. She was good.. take her... and go to lectures cuz attendance counts.. over all.. not a bad class.. the books were interesting to read.. did not read the text book at all..

clemens and lawson team taught this class and it was great. they were really helpful in office hours and graded fairly, making sure they each graded something from each student to avoid any bias. an A isn't impossible if you do the review sheets, etc.

Wasn't a bad class, although Clemens could get a little boring during the topics he lectured on. Exam review sheets make the exams a breeze, graded papers a little hard. Counts participation and attendance.

Felt a little cheated in this class as he didn't lecture that much. When he did, he's so fluid, it's like he's telling a story. YOu have to work if you want to do well, but if you do, it's not that hard. Really nice guy too.

Paul Clemens is amazing. He knows (almost) everything about American history and really cares about all of his students.

Prof. Clemens is a great lecturer and a great storyteller. If you are looking to learn about American history, his class should be your #1 stop. Unfort. his classes are usually large, but just take care of your reading and you can go to class, sit back, relax and take in his almost unbelievable depth of knowledge about our country and its history

I actually find him rather entertaining at times. It just depends on the subject he is lecturing on. I wish he would go more in depth with the wars and battles and such. So depending on the subject he is lecturing on he is either very good, or extremely boring.

It's not as much work as some people here make it out to be. Just keep up with readings and you're guaranteed at least a B. His lectures are interesting, but he doesn't talk too fast. If anything the fact that his pacing is very slow is what makes what makes the lectures sleep inducing. Highly recommended.

Very interesting professor. I study the American Revolution in my spare time and I learned a bit from him. Yes, he does include a lot of meaningless details that you have to pick out and has a tendency to go off on tangents. Be sure and define all of the ID's he gives you before the exam- you never know which ones he'll pick.

Honestly Prof. Clemens is an amazing Historian. He can rattle of a story of history in a class period that and add all the details without once looking at an sort of notes in front of him. He may go off on a tangent but nonetheless awesome. But there is a lot of reading and writing that you have to do for the class. Suprised I got a C rather than F

Professor Clemens is an amazing professor, and I really feel that I learned a lot. His lectures are very interesting, and he tell history like he would tell a story. Found the class fascinating and not too difficult.

Professor Clemens is awesome. He makes classes enjoyable, and definately is there to help you out. Those who complain that they get dropped a letter grade for missing 3 classes, its because that is the attendence policy for most classes- stop crying like a baby and grow up. it has nothing to do with the professor, but the attendence system.

Clemens is a great teacher, his lectures are well organized and very well presented. He had 2 papers due this semester, they were challenging and sometimes difficult to understand the directions.

He is a great lecturer. Typical reading a chapter per lecture (that you don't really have to read) and 3 books during the semester that you are required to write papers about. Pretty easy class as far as history goes. And Clemens is just a very interesting guy.

amazing lecturer. He makes history sexy.

NOT A HARD CLASS. You HAVE to go to class and to the recitations which are all sooooo boring. The midterms and finals are all easy. I got an A in the class but there is some work to the class. Overall, not a bad class but Clemens is just a boring professor.

EXTREMELY BORING, but not that hard. Attendance is mandatory and you can not leave early. Lectures seriously put you to sleep but if you take notes you are pretty set for the exams. Id quizzes are ridic he makes you learn 30 words with para. def. with only 3 on the test and only write on 1

LOVE HIM. Boring, but he knows his stuff. Come to all classes and your grade is raised a level. EC quizzes. I wrote papers w/ 0 effort and ended up with B+ (attendance turned to A). Big on combining lecture and book. Paper with info and open book on essay midterm/final. He genuinely cares about his students and loves knowing who you are. TAKE HIM!

This class has lots of homework and reading (5 required books). Don't be deterred, though. Clemens is a really awesome guy who knows his stuff. Lectures can be interesting. Take notes like mad and ID quizzes won't be too hard to study for. Textbook used for midterm/final. I hardly read it if I wasn't studying and got an A in the class anyway.

Most classes we go over landmark supreme court cases. Exams consist of writing your own opinion or dissent on a case he writes himself. Also, you have to participate in a moot court, where you argue specific cases. Finally, there is a 10-15 page research paper. Lots of work, but well worth it! Treated us to pizza at the end of the semester!

He's a little dry, but his lectures are interesting and well organized. He gets to know his students in the smaller classes and takes interest, which can help with your grade. Not an easy A but a good class.

Easy class, just prepare for each quiz, and exam he gives you properly(all take home). Have to read 3 books for the class and write 2 papers on them(which I did not read). Actually go to class go because there is an attendance grade. If you go to every class you get a half a letter grade boost on ur final. Overall easy A if you put the effort.

I've taken Prof. Clemens 4 times and found all his classes very enjoyable. The were all challenging and comprehensive so I would recommend having a strong interest in the class before taking it. Assignments are a mixture of exams, essays, and participation in a mock event-i.e. the Boston Massacre.Overall he was very helpful and I learned a lot.

Clemens was a fantastic professor. He was a really nice guy and all the material that he went over in class was put into good use in the papers, assignments, and extra credit pop quizzes. The class was taught so that you would learn a lot about history regardless of how much work you did but would still have to work to get an A in the class.

hes sometimes a good lecturer, but also sometimes very boring. attendance is mandatory, but his tests a pretty easy.

Initially I was put off by Professor Clemens lecture style but as the class went on I realized how knowledgable he was in regard to the material. If I had questions he answered them promptly (by email or in person). His office hours were super flexible too. Take his advice when he grades exams and/or quizes. I would definitely take him again!!!

SO BORING!!! attendance is mandatory. too many assignments. they take this class way too seriously even though it's only a 100 level. grade rests with your TA. they give outlines of the quizzes/exams beforehand so it's not terrible, but it's still a pain. hated this class so much. never taking another history class at rutgers.

i had him for us I and us II. attendance is mandatory. 3 quizzes, 2 3-5 pg papers, a midterm, and a final. as long as you prepare and study for your quizzes, midterm and final, its not so bad. the TAs do all the grading, so it really depends on them. the lectures can be boring, but its helpful to take notes.

Alright, I'll admit he may be boring. But if you catch on to his lecturing style, you'll appreciate his speeches. He picks one or two people of importance for each time frame and delves into what made them who they are. Attendance is mandatory &there are quizzes &2 papers, but the class is overall easy. I did SO well, I was exempt from the final!

always wears a tie over his suit that represents the subject he is explaining (i.e. indian tie when talking about native americans). The best history teacher in Rutgers based on my opinion, he tells historical accounts like a narrative and keeps you interested till the very end. I didn't use my textbook and he gives quiz questions out beforehand

the class is generally easy. there is a lot of work, writing and reading, but if you keep up with it and try, you'll be fine. depending on the day, his lecture's are dry and you find yourself not paying attention, but on the whole not much relies on lectures

Yes, the class is boring, but I sat in the back row goofing off on my computer every class and got an A. If you attend every class he will increase your overall grade by half a letter grade so I'd suggest going. Make sure to really prepare for exams (80% of it is based on prepared notes) and do all of the essays and you will get an A.

Professor Clemens has been an awesome professor. He goes over my essays with me for clarification and is very clear when he lectures. The reading is tedious but not extremely difficult. QuizzesExams are CLEARLY outlined far beforehand which makes it very easy to pass. Overall a great professor who i recommend to anyone!

Nice guy, but his lectures are painfully boring. Monotone voice, and focuses on pointless minutia instead of teaching anything remotely significant. Do yourself a favor and avoid his class.

Prof. Clemens is a good guy. He actually cares enough to meet with each of his students and have a little chat. His lectures are a bit on the boring side and the required readings are a bit much. (but this is college after all eh?) Not a softball course but not the hardest either.

He's a great professor who goes out of his way to get to know his students. He is fair, and gives many extra credit opportunities to his class. Participation is important. The class is focused more on understanding the cause of historical events and there effects, and also how they can relate to present day.

He is single handedly the best professor in the History Department and is well respected by everyone he meets. He is extremely understanding (gave me 2 extensions!) and wants you to really understand the material. He meets with each student outside of class to get to know them. Research paper, participation, and 3 exams (open book). amazing class.

NOT an easy A but not too hard either. A lot of heavy reading but it can be (rationally) skimmed and he literally tells you the questions to the exams. He really wants to answer your questions and generate discussion and educated opinions. I recommend him if you're interested in history or politics, but not for a core req. Interest is key.

Professor Clemens is very nice and knowledgeable, but his classes are really boring. What he exactly do in his class are entirely verbal talking with monotone voices. Classes are not hard, but require a lot of works.

Any history majors will really enjoy Professor Clemens if you are looking to learn. I have learned more in my American Revolution class than almost every other class I have taken. The reading workload was heavy but I really enjoyed the books he chose. I look forward to taking a class with him again.

he's a good guy, at first there are alot of assignments but nothing too crazy and towards the end not alot of work. Its a easy B or B+ if u just show up to class and participate by reading the assigned notes.

Professor Clemens is the best history professor that I've had here at Rutgers. He is adamant about students participating in the lecture. The workload is moderate, nothing extreme. You will have opportunities for extra credit. His lectures are entertaining and he poses quite a few thought experiments to students.

Professor Clemens is a well respected professor and one of the few good things about Rutgers. He can be a bit of a tough grader at times, but his gradings are fair. Don't go in expecting straight As even if you've taken various heavy writing courses like me. He's definitely passionate about his work, but he's also objective and fair in analysis.

Professor Clemens is the epitome of a college professor: extraordinary knowledge of his subject, respected in his field, experienced as a lecturer and dedicated to delivering a quality education to every student. Do not miss an opportunity to take any history class he teaches. You will work, but you'll enjoy the experience and the take away.

Interesting course that encourages discussion and connecting history to modern day questions about justice

He's really enthusiastic about what he teaches. Hard to keep up with him but he makes himself really easy to reach out to for help. He has open book exams and gives you the essay questions beforehand.

Very kind and understanding, knows that you're a student and sometimes you'll forget to do an assignment, doesn't hold it against you as long as you participate, lectures can be dry but you'll learn a lot

Very understanding and knowledgeable. has open book exams (only on essay portions, mind you). Lectures can be dry but nevertheless the contents in there is pretty interesting. You do have to read though, but honestly that goes for all college classes. Hes also from Maryland so hes got the same accents that I have! Felt a bit like home for me.

An amazing guy. He has such a wealth of knowledge and loves sharing it with all. Lectures are a bit dry and he struggles with technology, but he still finds ways to make class engaging and memorable. He wants to meet you so even in intro lecture courses he will know who you are and what support you will need (not all professors do this).

Overall, Famous Trials was very interesting and Professor Clemens is great at his job. Participation is graded so its important to talk during discussion sections (and lectures, if possible). There were three books required (we used all of them), and there are many opportunities to boost your grade. Put in a little work and you will be fine. 11/10

I read other reviews that said he was boring and hard to follow in lecture. brushed it off, which I'm writing this review... I love the American Revolution, but those lectures were the most boring ones I've ever had. I still learned a lot, but it was hard to stay focused. He knew my name on the first day of class and truly cares about his students!

A really sweet, knowledgeable professor. If you're at least a little bit interested in what he teaches and has to say, his classes will be enjoyable, though not ridiculously easy. The guest lecturers he chooses are God tier, too. Memorization and understanding concepts is important for papers, yeah, but he's worth it. Highly recommend.

Absolute amazing professor and person. He is one of those professors that cares more about you than most people realize. Due to COVID he went of his way to set up one on one meetings just to get to know his students and help guide them on their academic path. Truly amazing class and the lectures are engaging. Take him for your sas or history recs.

Solid professor, very insightful and wants to see his students succeed, class was sometimes monotonous but I learned a lot

He is literally one of the sweetest professor who truly cares about his students! We do have to do a rough draft and revised essay but he was very clear on what he wanted. 2 exams that you should be fine as long as you read and study a bit! Only thing was that at times class may be boring but that's all

Excellent teacher who really knows his stuff.

He honestly was a pretty nice professor, sometimes class got a little boring though but he seems to care about the students. There are mostly discussions and powerpoints during class, there is also extra credit for participation. The discussion posts are required and attendance is mandatory.

He is the nicest, most understanding professor. This class isn't hard if you put the work in. You have to read before every class(nothing crazy), but understandable for a 400-level. He is not a tough grader by any means. The lectures are interesting. He is very smart. He appreciates it if you ask questions during class. Tests aren't too bad.

grade rewards you on the amount of effort you put into the class. professor talks on the quiet side so sit near the front if you can. really informative class and clemens is extremely knowledgeable. class structure is lecture, readings on your own, then discussion on readings. there are many extra credit opportunities.

Great professor! Pretty easy grader, I handed in the final essay 4 days late and he still gave me an A. Not a ton of assignments. He also took the time outside of class to ask each of his students what their plans were which was sweet. Only real downside is that his lectures can get boring at times, and he doesn't use slides most of the time.