This prof is tops! Take him before he retires to the Rugby fields of CU!

If only every prof was of Rich's caliber. I miss his lectures but I've taken every class he's offered.

Saunders has a great personality. His lectures are pretty interesting. He pretty much tells you exactly what will be on the test but you do have to study hard.

great prof. He will help you out with material anytime. His papers are basically bookreports, and remember, the longer the paper the better the grade. minimum effort equals minimum grade. tests, just study for them.

Awesome class, he doesnt always teach it but anyone interested in history should take it, its all about assasinations and conspiracy. Saunders is an excelent professor, knows exactly what he's talking about and he is always willing to help.

I never thought that history could be interesting, but he actually makes me want to come to class. He goes off subject sometimes but it is always fun to listen to his rants. Wonderful professor with great stories!

Great prof. Very intersting. Tests are hard..but he gives all of the needed info all you have to do is study. Enjoyed his lectures

Really good professor, very interesting, does go off on tangents alot but he always keeps your attention. The tests can be SUPER hard, but he does provide all of the necessary info to study. Do NOT miss class though. All in all though, wonderful teacher, would DEFINITELY recommend him

Wow, the exams and essays are pretty difficult. He does, however, post comprehensive chapter notes on his website that help tremendously. He is an interesting and knowledgeable professor with a strong grasp on the material. He also has some good stories. I recommend him.

Class is pretty interesting. He is very clear about his expectations and post good notes online. The tests are HARD so study and you will do fine!

He is a very good teacher. Very enthusiastic and tells you what he expects on his test. Essays are hard and you must leaen the material, not memorize.

Great professors, had to work very hard for A. Tests are hard, but he provides study sessions of possible questions, so that makes it easier. Very easy to follow and understand. Take a laptop to class to take notes easier - helped me. Good teacher.

This class seems hard at first, but if you read his notes on the computer it isn't so bad. He keeps it interesting and is really nice!!

He is an excellent professor and he knows his stuff. A lot of train and railroad info. Come to class.

Enthusiastic and knowlageable. Not an easy A but a fun class. Requires work but you will learn.

Makes history really interesting and is very passionate about it...Its hard though...but I liked the class so much it was worth it. Tests are essays...shows videos and gives options for essay questions ahead of time. Nice helpful guy, and he wears pink ties!

He is an awesome professor. He lectures, so be ready to pay attention for 50 straight minutes, and you HAVE to got to class! He makes history interesting and is always available for offic hours. Stop by and get to know him, it will help you out grade wise. Saunders is the best prof Ever!

Very interesting class, very intelligent professor! Read the online notes and you will be set for the tests, but make sure you come to class!

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Sauders tests are all essays and are very hard. But, he will help you if you do bad on the first test and show major improvement. He is a witty one and I learned ALOT from him.

My favorite teacher at Clemson. So smart, englufs the whole class in his lectures and is very willing to get to know you or help you on whatever is needed. You have to go to class but the strict attendance policy really perpares you for the tests (which aren't all that easy).

Not an easy A at all. He only has 3 tests including the final and those are the only assignments for the whole year. So you only have 3 opportunities to make your grade. Attendance is a huge deal.

LOVED HIM AND PLAN TO TAKE HIM AGAIN--SOON, VERY SOON! But I will admit, his classes are no walk in the park. You have to study hard and come to class. Also, the lack of grades might not be a real indicator of a student's intelligence. But nevertheless, he's a great teacher with a wonderful personality. He'd make an awesome grandfather- so witty!!!

Saunders has a love for all things history that shines through in every lecture he gives. You do have to pay attention in class. GO TO REVIEWS before tests - they are highly recommended and a great way to get a feel for how the test will be.

He is an AWESOME teacher but this course is hard due to the fact that the only grades you get are 3 essay tests. I had the flu at the beginning, got a 38 on my first test. If you can prove in the next two tests you are better than that he will give you a better grade. I pulled my 38 up to a C.

Saunders is my favorite teacher at Clemson. His lectures are awesome and he has great stories to tell. His attendance policy is really intense, so def. go to class. He grades hard but he gives you hints as to what essays will be on. Prepare them in advance and study details. Go talk to him in his office, he is awesome!!

HArd,Hard, and harder

very good man yet very hard teacher... make sure to read the notes on his website and know EVERYTHING

You gotta love this guy! He is so enthusiastic and he really knows what he is talking about. He is actually a really easy professor, but attendance is important. Two longish papers, but they were not hard. The only thing is that the final is worth a lot of your grade.

I must have taken at least 5 of his classes and have loved every minute of them. He loves visuals and will probly have a video 90% of the classes. Attendence is only a problem when you miss half the classes. He is really easy to talk to and always up for a beer at ttv if he isnt busy with work. Great man, great teacher, and wish he offered more cls

Saunders is a just a constantly pissed-off, goofy old man. If you think that's funny then you'll like him. If you think that's annoying then you'll hate him. It pretty much explains everything from his mannerisms to his lecture style and in between. If you want to learn anything just read his online notes (AWESOME)! Oh, and the answers is 'Trains.'

One of Clemson's finest Professors. Saunders displays a genuine interest in the fate of his students grades as well as a sincere passion for the material he presents. The material isn't hard but the workload is constant, don't fall behind. If you make the effort to visit him you will see he is not as scary as he comes across. Work hard, go to class

super cool teacher, really enjoys teaching his material. grading and material for his exams and papers are fair but the one thing that will hurt you in this class is attendance. his TA's take it every day and if you miss too many lectures your grade will suffer

Theres a reason I took him for 173 and 391, hes amazing. He really cares about you as a student and the material he presents. Lectures can be boring and the work can be hard. But, he will put as much effort into your success as you put into his class. He seems scary, but he's really not, he's just eccentric, meet with him and he will help you out.

Favorite college professor of all time and I have been to 3 different colleges. He cares about history and his passion for it is always present in his lectures. He made me want to read his notes (no textbook for this class, he personally writes everything you need to know and puts it up online). I am a better student because of him and this class.

This Professor is hilarious. he will catch you off guard and say something outlandish in the middle of his lecture. He enjoys teaching the class and puts a lot of time in detailed notes and power points. I would not consider it easy. A lot of reading and papers.

I took 173 fall of my freshman year and LOVED it! In fact, I just signed up to take another class taught by him. I made an A but it was not easy. Study his notes and go to class and you will do fine. He loves history and that makes all the difference. 3 tests(including final) & 2 papers.

Hardest class I've ever taken. There was no telling what was going to be on the exams...he covers so much material. For the midterm I figured the info he repeated over and over was going to be on the test, but it wasn't so watch out. Take careful notes about as much as you can...especially obscure names and events. He likes to test people on those.

Dr. Saunders is by far my favorite professor! he really knows what he is talking about and is passionate about it. i have never learned so much from one class. His class is somewhat difficult, but if you go to class and take notes you should be ok. and he puts all of his powerpoints and his own notes online, which is really helpful.

Don't listen to people complain about Dr Saunders. He gives you everything you need to at least get a B in his class. Complainers just didn't want to put any ounce of effort in.

Lectures are interesting and he knows his stuff. If you read the notes he gives you online, theres no reason you cant get at least a B. Maximum of 6 absences and hes pretty strict

Nice guy, lectures bored me half to death, so I'm not gunna lie I fell asleep a lot. Tests are mostly essays and sometimes its not clear what he's looking for. Youre not allowed to dispute grades with him. But like I said, nice guy. If I had attended class and stayed awake I most likely would have gotten an A or B, so just be sure to pay attention

Professor Saunders has become one of my favorite teachers here at Clemson. Do not listen to people who give him a bad review. He requires you to come to class and to learn something while you are there...that is why we are here. Tests and papers require a good deal of effort, but you gain a lot from them. He is very helpful with everything!

This is a great class. Dr. Saunders really cares about the material and is very knowledgeable. I liked that we didn't have a textbook - all his notes are online and he presents them in a straightforward manner. This class required effort, but I learned a lot about the world. He explained his liberal views without pushing them on his students.

I took the 409 class on JFK. May be the best/most interesting class I have ever taken. If you get a chance TAKE this class. Saunders really loves History, and he really gets into his lectures. His class was not easy though. You have to STUDY hard for his tests. I would take him again though. Really cool guy.

Knows his materials like the back of his hand, I took his 391 class and I'm currently taking 306. He is great at telling the sides of history you won't hear about. He is a demanding teacher though. His attendance policy is unyielding and he requires in-depth papers. But if you have any interest in the REAL world around you than take him.

Focuses more on if you comprehend things and see their significances rather than on specific dates/people. His online notes are extensive, but worth reading because in them he makes it very obvious what he wants you to write in your essays. If you're a decent writer and read the notes, you'll get a good grade.

He really wants you to take something away from the course and he pours his heart into his lectures. If you like history you're going to find his lectures somewhat interesting. If you want help with a term paper GO TO his office. He will help you find a topic that is relevant to you. I enjoyed his class and his style of teaching!

Good teacher. Some people say the class is hard, but I don't really pay attention and get all the information for tests on his online notes. Two book reports, but both are fairly interesting. Not a bad class to fill a Gen Ed. He REALLY loves history

A very talented and passionate teacher. If you even remotely like history, I would recommend this course. He loves what he is teaching, and he wants you to understand it. You have to put the work in, but if you pay attention and work hard, an A is definitely possible.

I loved this class, and I love the way Saunders teaches it. If you need clarification on a topic go to his office hours and he will explain in further detail. Tests are difficult, but he will help you out if you know what you're talking about.

He is by no means arrogant. He takes his course seriously and his passion for the subject shows in his lectures. The bad reviews are from easily offended/underperforming students. I am religious and respect his opinions even if I disagree on some. Great professor and gives a lot of hints about tests. You will do good if you take the time.

Saunders is a very good teacher. Only problem with it is I can never tell if he is really giving me history or his opinion. He is an atheist. Which would normally not be a problem in a history class except this class goes through the enlightenment thirty years war etc.. Lots of talk on religion and he super quick to give his opinion.

Saunders is a good teacher. He is super interesting and if you are a history buff, you will love him. He wrote his own textbook online and it provides a ton of interesting insight into each area of the course. Bad side: Saunders is about as left-wing as you can get and tends to be really disrespectful toward religion and our generation.

For what it's worth Dr. Saunders was my adviser and professor many years ago. His classes were some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I had at my time at Clemson. I owe that man a lot. If you have the chance to study under him jump at it. He made me want to become a teacher of history. Thank you Rich.

The official position of Dr. Saunders on the Clemson webpage is "master teacher", and this title could not be more fitting. He knows more about history than the people who lived in those times. He wrote the textbook, and gives it to you for free. Yes, he bashes religion; he's a historian and clearly sees the damage irrational beliefs have caused.

I took my last class with Professor Saunders just over ten years ago. He was bar none the best teacher I ever had and had more of an impact on my academic career than any other teachers I had when I attended Clemson. I graduated due to his inspiration. Clemson is a better school because of him and I think he was the best teacher Ive ever had.

Professor Saunders class on the Kennedy Assassination and Watergate was the most interesting course I took through my career at Clemson. Hes extremely knowledgeable and clearly cares a lot about the course material. He definitely makes you work for your grade, but it was one of the most enriching academic experiences Ive ever had.