2.8
Quality4.3
Difficulty41%
Would Retake109
Reviews41%
Would Retake
109
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
24
4
21
3
16
2
19
1
29
What Students Say
“This is a GenED yet is treated hardly as such”
HIS110 - 2.0 rating“So you have to read and pay attention in lecture still”
HIS110 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
93%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.41 avg changeRatings by Course
1101
5.0
(1)HST110
5.0
(1)HIS111
5.0
(1)HIS306
5.0
(1)MEDIEVALEUROPE
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HST110
5.0
HIS111
5.0
HST
5.0
AMERSTUD
5.0
RESEARCHMETHOD
5.0
Reviews (109)
Awful teacher. Thinks his job is to get you through his class and give you a grade. COuld care less about anything else. Not helpful outside of class and flunks many students.
Very interested in history. Tries to encourage students to do the same. Be prepared for everyday lectures with long stories. Many small quizzes, but only one final. Fun if you like history.
He runs a tough class. Be prepared for heap loads of reading and lots of pop quizzes. Your grade is determined by the quizzes and one test, the final. The class was very time consuming. My advice: if at all possible, take another prof!
Kennedy rocks. he wants to be involved and if you go talk to him, he will be. he is truly interested in teaching students and finding out what they know, not what they don't know. the class is very, very difficult, but overall one of the best i've taken.
This class is so hard, you hate itwhile your in there but it is so worth it! You will learn so much that will apply to more that just history. He will help so much, as long as you put in the effort on your part. Not reccomended for Freshman!
Won't give you the time of day unless you are a huge history buff. Doesn't care about GE classes and likes to flunk students. Avoid him at all costs.
teacher was very hard, ge class and should be treated as such. his class was impossible.
Kennedy IS tough but you learn so much and feel very accomplished after passing his class. He is also very helpful plus loves when students go sailing with him...so go!
Even though is was super hard...he was the best prof !! He actually taught me something
He's pretty hard. I do appreciate his use of original texts, though-they're hard to read, but good to have read.
A man passionate about the important things in life, enthusiastic teacher. Always ready to help, always ready for questions. Work hard and you do well, don't and you won't. This guy is what you make of him.
Super, Super hard with lots and lots of reading of texts that arent easy to read. Very passionate about history and has been known to take students sailing. Makes you read some pretty amazing texts but youll hate it when you have to read them.
way too much reading: hello!...i have other classes too
He gave me a zero for the day when I attended my aunt funeral. It's his way or the highway. For me, it was the highway.
A FIne Professor!!! He is one of the greatest I have ever had. All classes are hard, but well worth it. Not all of the best classes you take will be easy. Grin and bear it, friends!
he was hard but in the end i learned a lot from him
Incredibly hard. Does not explain what he wants and confuses more and more. Good attempt but not great.
My class still talks about how hard he was! Great guy, but no consistent grading. (If he likes you you'll do fine.)
There is a lot of reading but he is very interesting and knowledgeable.
the hardest class i've ever taken. ever. he's a subjective grader so make sure you show interest and effort. if you work with him, he'll work with you. and he takes into consideration how much time you put into his classes.
I enjoyed this course he has a lot of reading I won't lie, but it easies up a bit toward the second half of the semester. His papers are difficult, but if you talk with him regularly he will help you. I love that I get to read primary sources in his class, text books suck. Great Prof!
dont get him. he is hella hard
HORRIBLE! the only good thing about him is that he is honest: tells u the 1st day that he will try by all means possible to make this class difficult! has quizzes throughout the semester and one single final essay exam! TONS of dumb reading. AVOID HIM!!!
All I hear is people bashing Kennedy, but I learned a lot in his class. True, there is a ton of reading and his quizzes are hard, but if you show up every day and make an effort to figure out what he wants, his class will be easier...
He's very inconsistent with his quiz grades, assigns an @$$ load of reading every night, gives an extremely difficult final, and doesn't appreciate brown-nosers. Enjoy.
He is the reason i have added a History minor onto my plan. He instilled a love for history in me. He may be a bit difficult, but it makes you learn, his eagerness to teach the subject he obviously loves is an attribute that makes attending class worthwhile.
This is World Civ I. Kennedy is hard but he tells you exactly what he wants from you from the beginning and how to get an A if you are willing to work for it. 60% of his class ends with a C.
Definitely energetic and enjoys his classes, but does not always help when he should. Often gets mixed up in his own excitement and forgets about other students. Also often puts students on the spot.
This is one of the hardest classes for history majors. you have three papers to write, and most people either fail his class or do well in his class. i did neither and got a c. it was the hardest c i ever earned.
No Comments
I loved Kennedy's class. I wish I had taken other classes from him. And if he offers to take you sailing, take him up on it!
No Comments
Do not take this class for California History if you are a teachers education major and from out of state. It will not help you learn the things you need to for your credentials.
No Comments
great class, interesting subject, but be ready to work hard
Kennedy is a LOT of reading, so don't take him if you don't want to read. He's a great prof, though, very interesting. He gets really excited during class and he's passionate about what he's teaching.
He is a great guy till you get on his bad side. get to class on time other wise you will miss the quiz. and do the reading even though there is a crap load. but if you fail his class he will disown you. its pretty funny. anyways hes a smart and honest guy but incredibly conceded and if he doesnt like you you are screwed
worst teacher I have ever had
If you take him, you'll get your money's worth (point loma's expensive!). He's extremely hard, but you'll learn a lot.
He is a great teacher! Everything you learn in this class you will remember for a long time. He really knows what he is talking about. Keeping up with the reading and with his notes during class is a must. His class is not easy, but his final is not as bad as many people put it, if one prepares properly. He is passionate. Take this class to l
He has awesome bow ties but then he assigns way too much work and just cuz he is interested in it he maks you read all kinds of books and the books cost alot. sooo moral of the story is if you want a life in college don't take him
Kennedy is a great teacher.True he makes you read a TON a lot of the time, but he really does make the class interesting.If you put in the effort you will do well in this class. He will always grade your quiz right after class if you ask him to, and you can usually explain your answer and you might get a bettter grade.
bad all round...if he doesnt like you you will fail...he is very liberal as well...but if you do the reading its an easy class as long as you attend class and take the quizzes...
daily quizes and a final each 50% of your grade. he says he takes your quizes grades final grade and a picture of you for your final grade. so if your a suck up you get an A. if you dont look at a C. i got a C- never read study little for final, but stopped going to class last few weeks cause his lectures are point less. suck up get an A dont C ish
I loved this class. While he is a little difficult to follow, if you read the material and attempt to speak up, you'll do well. The final though is written essay. Ask Kennedy questions and pop into his office, show a little interest and it'll work in your favor. You can tell that he loves history and that makes class fun.
This class is the most overwhelming swirl of random thoughts and insignificant thoughts Kennedy blurts out into his lectures. Good luck
The problem with reading only primary sources is you have to read a bunch of crap to get to the stuff that actually matters. There is no textbook in Kennedy's class, only original writings that he finds interesting. The Bible, Herodotus, Aristotle, Mencius are your sources, which is enlightening, but way too much reading for a gen ed class.
Very intelligent guy but talks in ten thousand circles at a time. So much reading and very little clarity. Super hard class. Good Luck
Read summeries of the books online and dont bother going to class. WASTE of time
Professor Kennedy is my favorite professor on point loma's campus. The department chair (dr. wood) called him the most brilliant man on campus, and it is true. His classes are hilarious, and he provides incredible insight about history. You have to be willing to personally invest in the course, but he is goofy and inspiring.
Kennedy is awesome; you need to actually read the books. Hello folks, we are in college now, it's not that hard. I learned the most of basically any gen ed class, and he is hilarious!
If you aren't interested in history don't take this class. His grading is 50% midterms and 50% final exam. There is no actual homework all you do is read and take tests.
He is a scholar! He made me change to a history major He knows his stuff, but jumps around in class. Read the books should do fine on test but if you want an A do the reading, talk in class, and get on his good side( go to office and if possible go sailing with him, he loves going out on his boat
well...he gives you a bajillion books to read from (including his own) plus excerpts sent over the internet. you are responsible for every single reading and are expected to know them thoroughly and able to answer a super general question that can be pertained to several readings.he isn't clear AT ALL as to what he wants. he's all over the place
Every test is in essay form and if you don't cite specific passages from the 7 books he assigns you you will get a C- at best. I am one day away from completing his course and if I could go back I would never have taken it. He is a terrible teacher in every form.
one of the hardest classes i have ever taken very difficult professor not very clear on what will be covered on the essay format tests. the key with kennedy is to go into his office outside of class hours and talk to him about the material. get him to like you and to know you. you must know the material thuroughly and the professor must know you!
For GE class it was way too difficult. Required to read 10-50 pages before each class. Not very clear, hard to follow. Make sure you do all reading. Did not learn much since you always are cramming for the test.
The reading for this class is often long and quite boring if you aren't interested. The best thing to do is try and ask questions or write summaries of the reading so studying for the final will be alot easier. Take him if you want a tough class
Way too hard for a GE class. He is extremely unclear and expects students to memorize quotes and scriptures in order to "sound like the text". I did all of the required readings and didn't miss any classes yet I still recieved a D on the first midterm. This class was HORRIBLE. AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Dr. Kennedy is pretty awesome. He tests your ability to think and understand ideas. People that complain about this class are just lazy.
That was the most painful general ed class I have ever taken. He has no direction when he teaches and is just plain odd. Don't take this class.
Absolutely ridiculous of a class. Received A's and B's all through assignments and tests. Gave me a D because I wasn't "participating" in class, which is a lie. Basically you can't get above a C if you don't sail with him or get to know him, which I don't know why anyone would ever want to do so. AVOID. Best wishes.
This class was a long lecture, but he is an awesome guy who truly cares about his students! I would suggest taking the class on the sailboat over summer.
Kennedy is the worst professor I have ever taken. His lectures are meaningless and his tests are ridiculously graded. He gave us a 3 question mid-term without a study guide that was tough on even the poly-sci majors and gives homework every single night that never ceases to annoy. DO NOT TAKE.
He makes absolutely no sense and his class has been the most annoying class that I have ever taken. Not overly hard. Just extremely annoying. I definitely don't recommend taking this professor.
Only take this class if history is your favorite subject and your ready to make a entry level gen ed your main priority. Lots of reading with extremely difficult tests composed of open ended and opinionated questions.
This is a GenED yet is treated hardly as such. This guy gives you one of the hardest finals you will ever take and will laugh as your grade slowly drifts away. Albeit, having an A in the class before the final is not tough because of so many small assignments which are easy. But THE FINAL literally makes the class not worth it. DONT TAKE THIS CLASS
I had Kennedy for World Civ. freshman year so going into California History I was not excited by any means. However, he really surprised me. He was very helpful and inspired us all to be genuinely interested in the class. There is a lot of reading and one research paper, but he works with you to achieve the grade you want. Overall, a great class!
I took this class as an incoming freshman. Yes, I remember reading, class participation was a must, lots of papers demonstrating an understanding of the topics, and I remember Dr. Kennedy working hard to impart his passion for History onto his unappreciative students. Now 20 years later, I can say that he is one of the greats, he's one I remember.
Ridiculous amount of required reading for minimal amount of return. Literally nothing covered in this course pertains for the cset. His grading is unclear and inconsistent. He sometimes takes attendance so if you miss the day he does your grade will suffer. Key to an A; Be a loud mouth and tell him what he wants to hear
Too much reading in this class. He has a super high opinion of history and thinks its the most important subject to study. He gives pop-quizzes and the exams are all essays. The exams are also worth a lot of points. The online homework consists of even more writing. Participate or he'll complain, call you out, or drop your grade a bit.
He's super confusing in lecture and he even says straight up that the tests are on what the book says, not what he says in lecture. So you have to read and pay attention in lecture still. It's confusing. Just try to take it anywhere else.
he awful don't take him worst decision ever he called people out had no respect
HARD class, very unclear. He calls you out in class randomly with hard questions and will stand there until you answer, no help. Not afraid to embarrass students. Day before the midterm he says "Don't use anything I said in class for an answer." Why do we go to lecture then?!! You finish three books, two documentaries, 4 articles before the midterm
Many people give Professor Kennedy a bad rap, but these individuals are being over-dramatic. The class in terms of difficulty is around a 6/10; you have to do the work and show up.A large part of the grade concerns attendance, so you have to go to class though overall this allows you to receive more from the course.
World Civ. I at PLNU: Two tests (midterm&final), both essays. Homework due for each class about assigned reading. The tests are based off of the reading but reading is rarely covered well in class. Very unorganized thoughts. Worst class I have taken at PLNU. Also, forces each person to share bible reading and pray at the beginning of class.
First and foremost: SHOW UP TO CLASS. This could literally make or break your grade. Attendance is worth 25%, which is a lot compared to the rest of the weighting. Also, you need to read the stuff he assigns, no matter how boring. He wants very specific examples. Overall kinda just jumps all over the place and teaches politics more than history.
Doing the work and showing up to class will help immensely. He isn't exactly clear, and can ask difficult questions, but stay on top of the workload.
Worst professor at the school. He is an incredibly hard grader and often shares his extreme progressive liberal point of view. If you are not one of his favorite students that sits in the front row then good luck on getting anything higher than a C if you're lucky. Avoid taking his class at all cost!!!
This professor is so unorganized and all over the place, I had to drop the class because it was way too confusing. He goes on rants about things totally unrelated to what we're supposed to be learning and he is very unstructured. Not to mention he gives you like 6 books for the class and you have to read every single day for homework.
Super excited about history, and super fun! READ READ READ!! Huge part of your grade and super important for tests. Kind of a tough grader but honestly take good notes on what you read and you will do fine. Attend class because its part of your grade but dont take religious notes.
Kennedy is a great teacher if you are the least bit intellectually curious about anything. Class is always engaging- he makes history seem exciting at times and his enthusiasm is contagious. If you read the night before you will get an A and love it and you probably won't need to study much for the tests. If you don't read youll prob hate it.
Worst class I have ever taken. He assigns more reading than you could ever realistically read, embarrasses you in class, has absolutely zero structure, and is in no way encouraging. He acts like the class is going to be an easy A because he never has any assignments to be graded, but then gives an impossible final and tells you you won't pass.
He makes fun of you as you fail. He teaches in a way that makes it so so hard to learn and doesn't care about you. Never ever take him. Avoid at all costs.
I love history and he seriously makes me want to change my major. I want to teach history and when I told him that he laughed and joked about how I'm going to fail. I put more effort into this class than all my other classes combined. Seriously the worst class ever. I wish I would have dropped it when I still could have. He sunk my GPA.
It's like he enjoys failing you. Avoid at all costs.
He constantly belittles you and is NEVER organized or on topic. He doesn't use canvas so you don't know your grade until you already failed.
**He gave us all 8 essay questions for the final and midterm. attendance & participation matters, he grades your notes (sometimes), books are very cheap, no group work just power points and discussion. If u are paying attention or reading u will be lost and it will be a long semester for you. he is a tough grader so he looks for specific answers.
Rick Kennedy is very enthusiastic and loves a good textbook. He is great if you love a super loud passionate and very opinionated guy.
Dr. Kennedy is a fascinating guy with a wealth of knowledge about all kinds of history, but especially California and San Diego's history. The class is challenging but not unreasonable. There's a reason why it's a 4 unit class, but he's really helpful and understanding with homework and the research paper. Don't let the World Civ reviews scare you!
I know a lot of students don't like Dr. Kennedy's class, but I love it! He knows so much and is so excited to teach students. He wants students to invest in their education and broaden their perspectives. There are a lot of ideas talked about in class and sometimes it's hard to follow them, but that is what college is about.
Dr. Kennedy is a great professor. He really cares about you, and he is SO passionate about history. There was one research paper that he lets you fix until you have the grade you want. He gave us the questions for the final and went over them in class. Don't listen to the other reviews, he gives you every opportunity to do well.
assigns homework every class, but is an easy grader. even let us do midterm for homework
Expected to hate him but he turned out much better. Speak up in class and follow through with every suggestion he makes on your research paper. I got 100% because I changed whatever he wanted. Not the best prof but very passionate. Weirdy hates the gold rush lol
KENNEDY IS THE BOMB! literally one of the funniest profs at loma. if you have the chance to take him for world civ please do, hes so passionate about the subject. homework light, only a midterm and final for tests. love this guy
Dr. Kennedy is honestly my favorite professor. He is super caring and you can tell he is really passionate about teaching. I changed my entire major to history just because his class sparked my love for history. Just know your Aristotle and do your reading and you will be just fine. (don't listen to the negative reviews Dr. K is amazing!)
Dr. Kennedy is amazing! He is super funny and he will always take the time to explain things that you don't understand. The work is hard, but the discussions make it worth it!
Kennedy is so funny. You definitely have to have a different perspective to understand his humor. Homework is easy but if you skip class your grade goes down a tad bit.
Professor Kennedy is very passionate about history! He is a nice and chill professor who likes to talk about anything and try to help us understand the bigger picture. Do the readings ahead of time and attend class because it will majorly impact your grade. Come to class with an open mind and it will truly help you learn!
This guy is really aggressive in his speech and all over the place. He does not listen to you and gives homework assignments that consist of over 150 pages of reading. You definitely can slide by in this class, but the three hours a night trying to follow his lectures I would say make it not work taking.
Will belittle you in class.
Interesting guy. He is very passionate about what he teaches which makes it easier to listen but there is homework for each class and it is a lot. In class he randomly calls on people to answer questions and it counts for a grade. Another thing is attendance counts for 35% of your grade and he isn't forgiving. Also, Isn't flexible with athletes.
Lots of reading assignments every night that you DON'T want to miss. Very traditional professor. Lecture every class from start to finish.
Really fun guy and lectures can be interesting. Definitely at least skim all of the reading/find a summary because the content is very important. The ONLY grades are attendance, participation, and the final, but it turns out to be easier than you think. If you stay involved in the class times and study for the final you'll do just fine!
Do not bring tech. He will make fun of you. In fact, tell him you forgot it and you prefer paper and he will love you forever. You will have no idea what you are doing and will hate it, but you will remember it for life.
He is very belittling and will scream at students if they don't know an answer. You also have 3 hours worth of reading before every lecture. Do not take his class.
Terrible professor gave me a zero on research paper when I completed to the best of my ability. Very belittling and tells students they are worth nothing. So rude and also smells bad.
Professor Kennedy is passionate about history and creates an engaging class. Doing the readings and attending lectures are key to success. unstuckstudy was super helpful for study prep.
This professor is absolutely horrible. You will not see your grade until the very end. I took him last semester and it was the worst experience ever. Going to class gave me anxiety.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
93%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.41 avg changeRatings by Course
1101
5.0
(1)HST110
5.0
(1)HIS111
5.0
(1)HIS306
5.0
(1)MEDIEVALEUROPE
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HST110
5.0
HIS111
5.0
HST
5.0
AMERSTUD
5.0
RESEARCHMETHOD
5.0