2.0
Quality4.1
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake138
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
138
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
138 total ratings5
12
4
16
3
17
2
22
1
71
What Students Say
“This professor is by far the worst I have EVER experienced in my whole three years at this university”
HIST1013 - 1.0 rating“Simply the worst, get off your high horse”
HISTORY2200 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
75%
Textbook Required
95%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
1013
5.0
(1)HIST3747AND2250
5.0
(1)HIST1015
5.0
(1)HIST4253
5.0
(1)NA
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
1101
5.0
3840
5.0
HISTORY38
5.0
HST3840
5.0
HST3747
5.0
Reviews (137)
No Comments
Tearing down students and making them cry in class isn't a sign of intelligence.
very scary and unapproachable...BUT, he will help you if you go talk to him!
Patronizing and egotistical but a fair professor.
I HATE HATE HATE this guy!!!!!!
Gets his kicks by making students feel inferior. Doesn't help if you go see him
He's scary, and hard to understand, and he makes you feel like your nothing
Knows his stuff. Very helpful! No exams, and 20% 4 participation. Great Prof!
Sweetie-pie, not a mean bone in his body!
Mean! Belittles his students, assignment overload
Worst prof I ever had.
No Comments
Terrible Prof. Makes no sense at all. Classes were degrading.
How this guy got into the profession is a mystery
If this guy was teaching the last course I needed to graduate I wouldn't take it
Thinks way to much of himself, makes students feel like crap
Interesting lecturer,makes you think -doesn't tolerate slackards.Recommended.
I would never recommend this guy to anyone, he`s a horrible prof and person
He isn't going to help you, don't bother to ask
No Comments
Dr Sweeny is best prof to teach craft of history. He does not readily suffer foo
The history should be ashamed for having this guy as a prof... A ego-inflated, pretentious, self-serving, narcissistic twit... What a horrible, soul-crushing prof... I wouldn't call him a bad prof, that'd be too nice.... Horrible, Horrible, horrible!!!!!!
No Comments
dr. sweeny is a very demanding professor, but if you follow his directions you'll get a good grade. he is probably one of the best and most intelligent professors that i have had thus far.
This fellow has a terrible ego problem and was the most unhelpful prof I have ever had the misfortune to have. Do yourself a favour and if you see his name attached to a course don't bother.
boring lectures that are all over the place. is of no help to any one. horrible prof and i don't think he's much of a person either
What a horrible snobby prof! His lectures are boring and he is rude to students. The classes and assignments are pointless. Don't waste your money!
explains thing very well has a big ego but really knows what he is talking about
Sweeny has a big ego as well as his favorites in class. He attacked me one day for no good reason. I think he puts students down alot, however is an easy maker. Personally I wouln't recommend him. But to each his own. Right
if i could give this guy a lower rating i would. don't bother wasting your time or money with this guy.
No Comments
this guy is awful.
shameful. simply shameful.
Not easy to talk to at all. If you have questions or concerns don't bother because he will not help you at all. the only good thing was there was no final exam
Yes we get it, you're a seperatist. Now teach the damn course
He is a ok kind of guy. I had worse professors.
The course isn't hard, Dr. Sweeny explains topics well. There are alot of assignments but no mid term or final, more than fair. If you go to class and do actually do the assignments, you will do well in this course. I did. :)
dr.sweeny can be very helpful and understanding, but you have to pull your wait and be a good student for him to take your problem into consideration, which i think is fair. overall he is a good prof.
A cretin. Someone who wouldn't have a clue if he found it in a kitchen with Mr. Mustard holding the candlestick . Absolutely the worst prof in the history of existence! In an alternate universe this guy would still suck!
The worst prof I have ever had.... absolutely horrible. Just a bit of advice... do not take any course with this guy!!
I don't know what his problem is. He is the most difficult prof in the department. He marks extremely hard and makes jackass comments to the students in the class. For example, this is not rocket science and saying we are on another planet.encouraging!
No Comments
So....Very...DRY
I left history because of this guy. Amazing how one prof can turn you off a subject. A bad prof.
How could you not love the course? His lectures are a bit off topic sometimes, but the little assignments make getting marks so easy and no final means you don't have to learn every detail about over 200 years! I'd seriously recommend him. I can't wait to get my CEQ to tell him how much he rocks!
A good course and though it maybe a bit boring he tries his best to keep it interesting and though there is no final he makes up for it with alot of assignments, but if your willing to work you shouldnt do bad in the course.
Sweeney has an excellent format for 2200! No exam, no major papers. There is a lot of small assignments. His lectures are all over the place and hes a bit nuts but that did not effect my grade. (Hint: do the list serve, class participation is important)
He sucks, Is very boring and dry. He also is not very helpfull
the worst prof that I have ever had in my 4 fours years at MUN. he is arrogrant and thinks he is well above all his students, and is an a** when you go see him....very very rude. if you can avoid a course with him then you should.
The most malicious person I have ever encountered. Please avoid at all costs. Enjoys playing with students' futures and causing them tremendous stress and grief. BEWARE.
Absolute worst professor I have ever encountered. This man has zero concern for his students. He will grade terribly hard and give awful marks, but offer no advice to improve. He takes his personal problems out on his students. I would absolutely avoid this man at ALL costs.
The course was interesting and well organized. With regard to the course material and workload, some things could have been made a bit clearer, but there was nothing too difficult to figure out. Dr. Sweeny can be mean sometimes though. Always be prepared for class or else!
Lectures are soooo boring...you barely even need them because there is no final!! felt bad tho cus he tried to make the material interesting even tho he was the only one who did find it interesting!! Not a hard marker as some would say...just knows what he wants...AlsoTalksAboutQuebecMoreThanCanada
If there were to be any reason I left MUN, it would be because of this guy. He gave me absolutely NO drive to attend class, read articles which made little sense, or pay attention when I did show up. One day he handed out notes and screamed at me for taking a sheet off his desk. "Never take paper off my desk!" Never did feel welcome there at all :(
A pointless course, there is no exams or final and absoultly no need to attend class unless you suffer from insomina. His lectures are very dry and boring. He offers little help to students when they ask a question. I would not recommend him.
The greatest professor ever. Demanding and uncompromising: academic rigour at its best. One of the few profs I ever had that I felt challenged me. Be warned, if you're going to go to his class bring game.
Never trust a man with vegetables embroidered on his sleeves. This guy has SERIOUS personal issues.
He knows what he wants and dosen't want, but also knows what he's talking about. He seems genious in the subject area with a rare passion for it,but lectures can be tedious. If you have a true interest in history, go for it, he will challenge you.
I Really liked this class but maybe im just wierd judging by the rst of your opions about him
No Comments
The course subject matter was interesting. The course was challenging. He did seem to want to help. I think he's tough because he wants you to suceed.
His lectures are quite boring and dry.. Really! Although, he does know his history quite well! I have mixed feeling about him, most times he seems okay but then he can just turn into a total ****. Its funny how most history profs @ mun are like that.
No Comments
One of the most malicious people you'll ever encounter. His life's ambition is to ruin students whom he deems inferior to himself, which is pretty well everyone. Was investigated last year and was banned from teaching graduate courses in the future. That speaks for itself. AVOID, unless you are masochistic and like to do worse than you are used to.
Bright, rigorous, concerned with the well-being of his students. Falsely accused of making homophobic remarks last year by students who didn't like their grades, and cleared of all wrong doing. Has NOT been banned from teaching graduate courses. Mature, intelligent students have no problem with his courses. Others should join the Education program.
This course was not well organized, while the topics were set, the prof did not stick to them. Teacher responded in french for parts of the class, leaving English students in the dark. Prof talked a lot about Political Science when it was not in the intended studies. Asigned two text books, one which was pointless. Used very little evaluation.
The quintessence of history profs...his knowledege is undeniable. However, he may sometimes lack coherence of thought so alertness is important. Also, he treats you like you treat him-so bring candies!
Interesting character. Very knowledgable but classes can be boring. Fair marker, positive feedback, lets the class make decisions. Great course format with no exam. Do the reading and assignments and you'll be glad you put the work into it because an A is quite possible, plus not having to write a final makes life easier!
He dislikes anyone who can mount an academic challenge or does not share his politics. Give him what he wants and you will score high, have an original thought and no amount of candies are going to help you!
Horrid, horrid man who is bitter at the world and takes it out on innocent, well-meaning students. Thrives on confrontation, rancor, and humiliation. Play his mind games and kiss his posterior and you MAY do well. But if you have any integrity and self-respect, you won't, and you'll face the consequences. AVOID this arrogant jerk like the plague.
His lectures were dry at times and the articles were difficult but despite what many students think he is EXTREMELY helpful one on one, you just need to show some effort and he'll do what he can for you. He generally wants students to do well and more than that, to leave with a better understanding of the topic.
Ha to the last author. If you want to subject yourself to humiliation, derision, and upset, go visit this guy in his dungeon office in the bowels of the Math building. Not only can you get it one-on-one, you can also subject yourself to his cruelty and lunacy in class too! Ugh.
In my experience with this prof, regardless of your views, he is fair. I did not receive a particularly good mark in this course, but I found the amount of work to be minimal compared to other courses. The lack of a final exam helps. I found that he actually does care about his students and will push you to do your best if he feels it's necessary.
This nut doesn't care about his students, but only about himself and his ego. I don't know why this guy has such an ego, as he is a History professor no one knows about, or even cares about, in the academy. He's a pathetic McGill wannabe who's bitter he's stuck at MUN, and he takes this out on students. Please avoid this cruel, malicious sad sack.
One word: psychotic.
No Comments
Ugh is putting it nicely.
No Comments
This professor is a six dressed up as a nine. Appears to derive some sadistic, pathetic pleasure out of writing malicious comments on students' papers, even when he has given them a good grade. Also has delusions of grandeur about his own self-importance. Non-Marxists don't even bother with his courses. Run don't walk.
BEWARE, students, of registering for courses with this maniac. If you do, you're in for a torturous semester, unless you like being threatened, uncomfortable, and having tons of personal abuse heaped on you. The crazier thing about it is that hard-earned money is paid to be subjected to this sort of inhuman treatment from an arrogant ****. RUN!!!
No Comments
The previous few comments sum him up perfectly.
Tenure is something else. Someone like this should never been in an educational setting. An absolute nightmare, and what he can get away with is truly astounding. To the uninitiated: spare yourself the agony of being in this man's presence and heaven forbid you let him mess with your future, which he gets ****erse joy from. He's truly insufferable.
I read the other comments here and I've taken 3 courses by him, and I found him to be a really good prof. Get to know him right away! Just go to his office, talk about whatever, show some interest in the course, and you'll be fine, seriously. The courses I took with him were some of the highest marks i've had at mun! he really is willing to help!
If you kiss this miserable jerk's ass, then you might fare all right to good. He likes to play games, so play his and you'll fare well. I'd urge students to stay away from him as many have left his dungeon office in tears after he took strips off them. And his seminars and classes are torturous and humiliating. But, if you are into that, go for it.
No Comments
I suggest never taking any courses with this man. assumes that everyone has a high knowledge of History, even though it is a first year course. when grading your paper he writes inapropriate, rude, degrading and discusting side notes. This man should not be allowed in public, let alone in a university. As everyone else commented, Run. Now.
This man is horrible. He stresses me out to the max and I'm a calm person typically. He shouldn't be allowed to teach. He is belittling and ignorant. He looks down upon any questions asked to him, even if they are on topic. No questions seem welcome to this man. I am actually scared to ask any if I get confused.
No Comments
Avoid at all costs. Talks to students as if they are 5 year olds, assumes that we all know everything about history, and his classes are filled with useless statistics from Stats Canada. DO NOT take a course with this prof.
Don't take history with this prof. He is a jerk and enjoys emabaressing students. He makes you feel stupid. The only thing good about him is that he doesn't care about late assignments.
BAD!!!
i think that this man dos not deserve to teach, his methods of teaching are flawed and confuse the jesus out of you, NEVER TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU dont want to come without without pure hate toward another human being
Never in my 5 university years have I encountered a professor as terrible as this man.Lucky for him he has tenure, anyone that treats people like this should be fired.Unhelpful, uninteresting,incredibly rude, belittling... the list goes on.I would never take this prof again, and have encouraged everyone I know to avoid him. Consider yourself warned
Totally agree with the last comments. If it wasn't for tenure, this professor should have been canned, and long ago. DANGEROUS. Enjoys messing with people's heads, emotions and lives. Sick. While one endures agony for a time, the silver lining is that life goes on and it's FAR better than any dealings, let alone sight of this sorry excuse for a man
No Comments
Nuts.
No Comments
I totally disagree with the previous attacks on Sweeny. Yes, he is a difficult marker (that was the lowest mark I got that term) but he just wants his students to succeed. There was a lot of difficult reading for a first year course, but isn't that why we're here?! To learn and push our boundaries!? Give him a chance if you're willing to try.
Sweeney can be described as nothing other than terrible. He's belittling, cynical, and offers no constructive critisim. If he thinks you're wrong, there's no changing his mind. AVOID AT ALL COSTS
This man is a complete and utter nut who has been let to teach simply because he has tenure. He has no interest in his students except to see you fail. If he thinks you are in good with the department, good luck to you because he wiill fail you just for that. Absolutely horrible and not fit to even talk about.
This is the worst prof and person ever. He hates his students and even if you ask for help he doesn't help if he doesnt like you. He is mean and makes fun of cultures and people he knows nothing about. Never take any of his courses. If you talk to the Dean of Arts they will reviewed your complaint and taken appropriate measures.
I found Dr Sweeney to be extremely helpful and his lecuires to be very informative. He forces you to do work, no exams in the class - an assignment every 2 weeks with class attendance manditory. He can be short and sarcastic at times but meh,, it wont kill ya. I loved his class and felt I learned a lot. Made me feel like a real historian.
SWEENY IS AWFUL. if you ever end up in a class with him, never EVER end up in a meeting with him in his office. creepiest experience of my life.
HORRIBLE !! He is mean and should NOT be teaching! Worst experience I have had with any professor! Has no respect for anyone! RUN!
Honestly, the majority of comments I skimmed over on this site concerning Dr. Sweeney in my opinion are extremely unfair. Dr. Sweeney in my experience with him was always nice to me, helpful and constructive. If you attend class and do your work you will get a good mark. However, I wouldn't recommend HIST 2200 as the course material is dry.
This man is downright mean. He uses an entry level course to throw you off into the deep-end. Unless this is the ONLY course you are taking and like getting treated with NO respect, I recommend you seek another prof. Otherwise, this is the man for you! RUN AS FAR AND AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!
Brilliant. His methods are different from most, but also unlike others, he actually teaches you how to 'do' history. Engaging, funny lecturer, solid pedagogy, fair, VERY helpful and kind. He holds his students to high standards, and you will be challenged, but isn't that the point of studying? Wonderful teacher and human being. Thank you Dr Sweeny.
At first I got the wrong impression & was extremely intiminated to discuss material in class. However, he is a great teacher & although he is challenging, he definately perpares you for other courses down the road. He actually encourages you to drop by his office & discuss where you went wrong, very nice and helpful man just got to get used to him!
Dr. Sweeney isn't as horrible as some are saying. He does challenge you and push you to do well. Although I did not have a good experience, he was helpful at times but contradicted himself. He will tell you one thing but expect another. He is good if you want to be challenged, but if you have your own opinions otherwise I would go with another prof
No tests or exam. Work spread out over the semester (though sometimes things were due on the same day). All research materials on reserve, with easy to read, easy to choose choices. Chances to rewrite papers were given to those who needed it. I won't ever do another course with him, nor another history course, but it wasn't as bad as some say.
Lectures have nothing to do with the material he teaches you. Pretty much an online course, work load is brutal for 1st year course. Very unapproachable, mean person. would not reccommend to anybody. I was doing a history minor before this class, he has ruined that for me. You can never do anything to his potential, always puts you down.
After having Sweeney, I TRANSFERED!!!!!
Due to Sweeney, I TRANSFERED to another University!
Many unfair comments here. Lectures can be a bit confusing, but a good prof and an interesting course. No final, but you will do more work overall.
Contrary to a lot of the comments here, Professor Sweeney actually cares very much about his students and his classes. He is in fact very willing to give help when you ask for it. I had a very hard time with this course because of the subject matter but found Sweeney to be an excellent professor.
The class was really dry and intense for a first year course!
horrible proof. Really made me question if I wanted to continue a history degree. Wasn't helpful and very rude. Dropped the course half way though because I could not handle him anymore. seriously.. dont take him!!I wish I would of taken his reviews here more seriously!
This is my second time through a course with Robert, and my opinion of him has only improved. He is considerate, kind, helpful and constructive, he has comprehensive knowledge of his field, and his emphasis on method is invaluable to any student of history. He can be demanding, but is never unreasonable. The definition of a great history professor.
The reviews seem to follow a consistency of favoritism to those who do well in his course. Not necessarily a bad trait were it not for the fact that to do well you have to follow his own opinion to a t! He takes anyones lack of interest or success in his course personally and penalizes students for it. NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL!
worst professor ever, his the poster child for quebec serparation. well if life so better there then why don't you move back!!!!
He easy to get along with.helps his students whenever he can but only help you if he thinks you will fail the course.Hard marker,very cynical,critical of the text, be careful what u say on D2L discussion .He walked out of class one time. take him if you need to nothing else
He loves the textbook and D2L, if you're going to take this course from him might as well take it as a distance course because it's basically the same thing. Hard marker, rude if you don't agree with him and rambles a lot. No exam but lots of quizzes. Wouldn't have taken the course had I known how dull he was.
You know what, this course is a commitment. If you are the type of student that gets lazy half way through the semister, don't take this course. I also don't recommend him to new students, even second year students. If you are willing to do the required work every week he is reasonable and most definitely not horrible!!
I'm in my fourth year at MUN, and he is the worst prof I've ever had to date. I would have never taken this course if I knew how terrible this class was.
Robert has sincerely good intentions and challenges his students to become better historians, often succeeding. However, he's saddled by an intermittent temper and his occasional nasty, excessively personal comments to students can be upsetting. Be prepared to stick up for yourself, but a class with Robert is an experience you'll cherish- trust me!
Avoid him at all costs. His lectures are dull and his assignments extremely unreasonable.. He is not clear with what he wants from you on assignments and I wonder if he even knows what he wants. I am a fourth year history major and had I taken this my first year it would have been enough to turn me off of History for good.
AVOID if possible. Lectures are very dry, there's quizzes every week, and it was NEVER clear what this professor wanted from his students.. Major thumbs down.
Great prof... don't believe everything you read online.
Sweeney is by far the absolute worst prof I have had in my whole undergrad degree. He does not give one concern for his students, he expects way too much from a second year course, and assignments every week is a bit much. This man literally made me contemplate dropping out of university all together. Simply the worst, get off your high horse!
This professor is by far the worst I have EVER experienced in my whole three years at this university. He is VERY unclear of what he wants. If you do not have EXACTLY what he wants in a paper - forget about it. He does not care or help students AT ALL. His lectures are POINTLESS. The online quizzes and discussions are ridiculous . AVOIDDDDD
Not the best teacher I've had. He rambles a lot and when he wants to be mean, he can shoot you down like a pro. Didn't feel he was very supportive at all. I only give him some credit because he gave us wine and cheese during our last class and there was no exam.
Everyone gives Professor Sweeny a hard time, but he actually isn't a bad professor at all. I've had him for three classes, and I find that while he is a challenging marker, he really pushes you to think about history in a different light. I've learned so much from him. Despite what people think he does care about students.
He's really interested in and loves what he does in reference to history, but teaching is a no. One of the worst courses i've taken at mun. He told me specifically what he wanted on a paper and when I got the paper back he told me i should have spoken to him about what he wanted? The man is all over the place. Avoid it if you can
I will admit that there were a couple moments that I did enjoy Sweeny as a prof, but those moments were very few and far apart. Majority of the time I found him rude, condescending and uncaring. Although, he doesn't believe in exams which was a plus, he made up for it by being a hard marker. Take if you have to but be ready to work.
Easily the worst professor I've ever encountered, at Memorial and elsewhere. I was deeply disappointed by Dr. Sweeney. The subject matter was incredible, you couldn't ask for a more original and important history of this country. But him? He is arrogant, condescending, vindictive, and petty. Unbelievable and inexcusable behaviour.
Worst professor I ever had. Only do a course by him if you absolutely have to and even then beware. As others have said, arrogant, patronizing, and petty. Worst experience ever at MUN.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
75%
Textbook Required
95%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
1013
5.0
(1)HIST3747AND2250
5.0
(1)HIST1015
5.0
(1)HIST4253
5.0
(1)NA
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
1101
5.0
3840
5.0
HISTORY38
5.0
HST3840
5.0
HST3747
5.0