he is a good prof and knows his stuff..but hard

Very knowledgable, clear lectures but a little demanding. All essays exams.

Great professor, really appreciated his jokes although I felt like I was the only one who got them. Knew his stuff, and I even learned a few new things. A positive experience

Had him in '96. Although he is demanding............guess what? - YOU ARE IN COLLEGE NOW! If you take your education seriously, you will learn from him. His tests are demanding.......no easy A here. I would recomeend him ONLY if you want to learn

he's very energetic and repeats the same jokes over and over again...tests aren't so hard if you study, just a lot to study..about 20 pages of typed notes per test

expects people to work-if your not into working for your education don't take him. He really does give a lot of detail and covers alot of ground. But if you pay attention and take good notes-its not too bad. Essay test-gives questions ahead of time

he is an okay guy, but he expects a lot from people even though history isn't ur major - he gives the essay questions ahead of time and attendance isn't required but he is pretty boring :/

great teacher, very active. he knows his stuff!

I got an A, most people got below a C. Most people hated him. His lectures are a little dull, but he knows his stuff and you will learn something. To do well you have to be good at writing papers, and you must do all reading. Attendance required

everyone hated this guy but i found him easy. i got an A-. he knows his stuff really well and is not as boring as most MSU hist professors. no papers just gotta read 3 books.

As a gen ed class this is alot, but for any history majors like myself, this is a great class.

three words: to much reading 700+ pages for a gen ed

Dr. Cray's a good teacher. He expects a lot but he does care about the students. If you go to class and read the books he assigns you should be fine.

Dr. Cray is a great professor. However, if you miss one class you are so screwed.. TAKE GOOD NOTES..if you're a history major you'll like him.

He is a good teacher and excellent speaker. His tests are hard but this was a very good class.

Make sure you take good notes or you are soooo screwed, but if you show up for class there should be no problems because all the answers to his test are in the notes.

Dr. Cray is a good teacher. He knows what he teaches and it is on the tests. He likes to talk but is not to boring because he jokes around. Make sure you read those books because there will be quizzes.

He knows his history. The jokes help ease the intense information being given. But Dr. Cray is very clear and helpful. Just go to his office hours and you will be fine. I think he is a very good professor.

SHOW UP, TAKE GOOD NOTES, ASK QUESTIONS, AND YOU WILL PASS THIS CLASS.

note to previous messenger: He is the department head, and an exceptional one at that. I took him for my first masters class and it was excellent. hard teachers don't equal bad ones.

The class is easy but the tests are a real pain. The lecture is boring and you have to read bboks just for a five questions quiz. I had to take, not a choice, but if I could I would have taken other class.

I think that professor Cray was an excellent teacher..Most history classes are so boring..and this one wasn't at all because he makes it interesting...Definately take him for history...

A response to the rating on 1-16-05. I took him for my first masters class also and he is a great professor. He makes it interesting and much is learned from him. If you are an honor roll student and took great notes maybe you aren't the student you think you are and sould consider changing majors.

Horrible. unless you want a 'C' classes aren't bad but he is a hard grader, u have to know dates and everything

Definitely not an awful professor. Very nice and easy to talk to if you're confused. Attempts to give you chances with his tests, take good notes and improve if you fail one and he'll drop the bad one. Lots of reading involved, but he usually goes over what you'll need to know so you can at least concentrate on the topics he gives.

if u took good notes ull be fine, he will help anyone and he basically gives u the test when u review all u have to do is pay attention bc he does it on the sly.. great guy

nice man, but hard grader.. need to know dates on tests and read three books on your own.. tells you what sections of your notes to study for the tests, but its still a lot of information. particular with answers on tests, he really needs them to include everything.

he is a very tough grader, and there is a lot of reading, but he is a funny, nice guy and if you approach him he will help you. So far I've learned the most in his class than any other

Extremely dynamic professor. Interesting lectures. Keeps you interested. Gives you plenty of opportunitties to do well. Tells you whats on exams, a lot of reading though. If you pay attenetion to lectures in class, you will do just fine.

demanding, but very clear and interesting. if you want to learn something about history take his class. you'll have to work but no reason why you cant get a B or better

I love Dr. Cray! I find his lectures informative and funny! He is very entertaining and knowledgeable. He will stop talking and let u ask a question the second you raise your hand. Howewer, he is not a pushover. You must do the readings and add in good, clear facts on the essay exams. You cant BS him. Read, take good notes and dont BS on the essay!

LOVED Dr. Cray! Doesn't take attendance but sets up his class so that if you miss a single class your missing out on alot of notes and thats his entire test. Two blue book exams. TOUGH GRADER. Final exam is also a blue blook. He gives you the possibilities of questions before every test. 3 Novel quizes to help boost your final grade. Lectures were

I loved the way Dr. Cray taught this class. He doesn't take attendance, but you really need to go to class to do well. There are 3 essay tests, which aren't hard, but they're not easy. He is not the guy to take if you don't like history and are just filling a GenEd. History majors, on the other, MUST take a class with this guy, he's great.

Excellent teacher for all Masters level classes. Very smart and keeps the classes interesting. Dr. Cray has definately done his homework when it comes to Colonial and early American History. He helps you with your paper and really seems concerned with helping each student become better at writing papers. All around a great class. Thanks Dr. Cray!!!

Dr. Cray is extremely funny. He really cares about what he is teaching. Class is not mandatory, but if you miss you seriously miss SOOO much. His tests are impossible. You need to go to class, take notes and study. I would totally recomend him though. Even if it is for a GEN ED like me!

Very picky.Knows subject but acts in a snobbish and sarcastic manner. Seems like a frustrated English teacher the way he critiques papers. Spent much time in class reviewing outlines for papers week after week and gives grades based upon his writing style. I attended two of his graduate history classes and don't recommend him if one has a choice.

I disagree with the previous comments about Cray being tough for graduate classes and that his classes are designed for PhD students. These statemants I feel are not true at all. When you are in a graduate class you need to work hard and read, this is not basket weaving. Cray was very helpful on papers and is trying to strengthen peoples writing.

Listen, going in if you aren't ready to work, drop the class. I took him in the Grad Program and I can tell you that I worked my tail off. He is brilliant. Kinda House-esque (watch the TV show for reference). He will not coddle you, but if you can pique his interest you are golden and will be held to a higher standard.

Enjoyed the class! It's alot of work! If you do the readings, you'll be fine.

Dr. Cray is a wealth of information, he enjoys what he does. Although his teaching style might not be for everyone he is very easy going. He is a difficult grader but if you attend class, do your reading (which there is a lot of but then again that should be expected at the 400 level)and participate with well thought out ideas you should be fine.

if youre a history major or just love the subject, you MUST take him. you can tell this man has a passion for the subject and teaches it very well. gives 3 essay tests that can be annoying but tells you topics beforehand. attendance isnt mandartory but you should definitely go. if you dont like the subject, find someone else bc youll find it hard

If you're looking for an Easy A, this class isn't it. One of the hardest classes (test-wise) that I've taken so far, but I would take it again. The majority of your grade is 3 big tests. Take the best notes of your life, do the readings, pay attention, and really study for the tests. He knows his subject well and you can't fool him on the tests.

I took the class at 8:30AM, when I'm hardly paying attention and still managed a B. He has a specific format for his exams (of which there are three) that he explains to you. Follow it and you'll pass. Going to class is key though. The biggest portion of his exams (the Essay) is based solely on the lecture so take good notes and go to class.

If you hate history, do not take Professor Cray. 1. you can't even hear him so you have to sit in the front. 2. he is a really tough grader when it comes to exams. 3. you take about 4-5 pages of notes front to back everyday. He gives 5 question quizzes to help get you grade up.

This class was easy. If you're willing to take lots of notes, read certain chapters in the textbook and study for exams you'll have no problem with getting an A.

If you actually go to class and you pay attention and write good notes, he will tell you exactly what is on the tests. If you make a study guide and study what you have from your notes, his tests are not hard at all and he is not a harsh grader. I enjoyed this class.

Overall, Professor Cray is a great guy but his class is quite difficult. You should be good if you pay attention, take good notes, and actually study. His tests are basically essay based with 60% towards the essay, 20% towards "American portraits"(you'll see what I mean if you take the class), and 20% to 10 m/c questions. You'll take LOTS of notes.

As long as you take notes and read the book, this is the easiest history class you will take! He's very passionate about what he teaches, and only wants to see his students succeed. Always in a good mood and reminded me of my grandpa (references Jeopardy and Alec Trebek a lot). Best history class I've ever taken!

He's overall a good professor, as long as you show up to class and take notes from his lectures you'll do fine! In my case, it was through zoom, but you'll be taking alot of notes but, it's worth it to use for the midterms and final exams. He gives you the options of taking a quiz as well to boost your grade.

everything that is in the lecture is on the quizzes/tests. He makes the lectures interesting and tells you everything that will be on the tests.

If you put effort into class you WILL pass. He tells you the dates of the extra credit quizzes/tests on the syllabus and few classes before you take them he will tell you what is EXACTLY on them. 4/5 or 5/5 on quizzes you will get a 1/3 letter grade boost up. Dont miss classes, 60% of each 3 tests are on lectures so pay attention and take notes.

one of my fav professors at msu. teaches history like he's telling a story. i learned a lot. grades are 3 essay style exams and two extra credit quizzes. you'll do fine as long as you take good notes.

Professor Cray is the nicest. His classes consist of lectures, but he constantly cracks jokes. If you take good notes, then you'll be fine on the test and quiz. He doesn't let you make up test but if you don't do good, he won't count it. I really do recommend him. Just make sure to take good notes.

Professor Cray was great! His lectures are interesting like he's telling a story (only if you pay attention from the start of the lecture throughout, or you will get lost. Be prepared to TAKE NOTES. The test is mostly based on the lecture so you have to listen and take notes in class. (Most people don't like him b/c they don't pay attention.)

Professor Cray is Great. If you pay attention and take notes you will do fine. He gives out a lot of notes but it is doable. He is really nice and tries his best to make the lecture interesting and tells funny stories! I would take him again!

Dr. Cray is very engaging. You get 5 absences & there isn't any real homework. His tests are all essay based, so it's important to take good notes. Nothing is posted on Canvas, but I didn't mind because he is a nice guy who wants to help you pass. If you doze off, you will get lost. Three tests and one to three quizzes depending on your score.

I really liked this class, sure the tests were a lot(BELIEVE ME, STUDY THIS), but there wasn't any homework so this class never made me lose time outside of class, just take notes and study and you will be good.

Cray is a great professor but you need to put in the work, no half assing. Reading can be a bit intense but he also gives very good feedback on papers. If you actually listen to what he has to say when he sends back your paper you will be more than capable of getting your grade up on your next paper.

Professor Cray is great! He is such a nice guy and I like the way he lectures. He is a tough grader but if you read and take notes you will be fine!

He's a nice guy, but you really have to lock in and take notes/understand the powerpoints. Those are what will help you. He kind of talks fast so you really have to pay attention. If you miss a class you might be lost. There is no homeworks but there are a few quizzes. personally i think this class is a little harder than it should be for gen ed

Very nice, quizes are followed with tests, not much work besides that!

Professor Cray is a good teacher. He gives out no hw (0). 3, 5 multiple choice, quizzes - all you have to do is get 4 to 5 right on 1 of them and it will boost your overall grade by a 1/3 of a letter grade. 3 tests - 1 5-6 paragraph essay, 1 - 2-3 paragraph summary of what was needed to be read in the text book and 5 multiple choice. alot of notes

Professor Cray's lectures can be challenging, but engaging if you stay focused. Taking detailed notes is key. While tests are tough, using study tools like unstuckstudy can help prepare. Overall, it's a rewarding class if you put in the effort.