His lectures actually made sense

the best history teacher at COC

The lectures are the best. The tests require some study, notes usually.

Mr. Branch was a great teacher. His lectures are excellent and usually fun. However the testa are very difficult. Make sure you take excellent notes and pay attention. Try not to miss too many classes. Trust me!!

I had Branch for Am Indian History and it was intense. Overall, he expects the best out of anyone that has a brain. I respect him, and would love to take any of the classes he teaches.

I had him for two classes. His lectures are interesting and informative. He is approachable and helpful. I would take another of his classes if necessary. He expects effort and attempt to engauge the material. Not too much to ask I don't think.

I would recommend this teacher in a second; he is so professional, so smart, trust me; take this teacher if you want to enjoy history....

Great instructor who challenges his students' assumptions and beliefs in a stimulating way that does not intimidate or indoctrinate. Prof. Branch has a great sense of humor and is an engaging lecturer who truly wants his students to succeed.

Had him twice cause I liked him the first time. Excellent teacher, knows the subject, makes it fun, tests are challenging but not overwhelming. The book reading is boring, but informative. Great way to learn.

this guy is the best-i would love to take more classes from him! He is an awesome teacher- he teaches well and his lectures are the best-great guy and knows his history-Excellent teacher -Take any of his classes and you will not regret it!

Great lecturer, knows what he's talking about. You'll learn alot. His test are challenging since their all essays. But if you know your stuff you'll do well.

He is GREAT! He really knows what he's talking about. I loved his lectures and actually stayed focused for 3 straight hrs. Listen to the lecture, taking copious notes, and u will get do well!

Great teacher! Very smart and passionate about teaching, lets the student be independent, but still learn! TAKE HIM!

good teacher, lectures but there always interesting and fun to listen to even. his test on the other hard are hard because thee all essays, if a good writter you'll do fine, but no hw and no classwork it's cool but study foir the test and know the stuff..you'll do fine. harder for 1st yr students !

Branch is tough but is an amazing prof Very intellectual and xcred and class is about broadening your culture and understanding of the world. I did poorly on the first test and wanted to blame him but now I am getting an A and love the challenge.He makes me work harder and makes me care about hist

Mr. Branch is a wonderful teacher, he teaches you the facts just how you would read them in a magazine, but his tests are rather hard. I would suggest studying a lot before the test and show up for the group study sessions cause he drops a lot of hints as to what is going to be on the test.

great guy! hes an awesome teacher but i would get really bored...and i wasnt really payin all the attention i should have..so i droppped it...theres no HW no real classwork, BUT his test r seriously a ****...STUDY FOR THEM and u will have no worries

Tries to scare you on the first day, but he's not an ogre. Very knowledgable, but won't tell you anything about the test other than to think of connections between a few topics. Intelligent and funny in his own way, a three hour class with him isn't so bad. Tough, but fair.

His is NOT a "softball" class. Awesome for history majors or those interested in history. You better know your material for tests though! You will learn history in his class, but be ready to be a serious student. He does a lot of group work in classes and his test review sessions help immmensly.

I hated history until I took this class. He tells it like an interesting story and doesn't focus on mundane details on tests but wants to know that you get the big picture.

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love her

great teacher...he knows what he is tlaking about, and teaches from a politically unbiased point of view, which is a relief. the first test is hard, but after you figure out his expectations, it gets a little easier, especially if you're interested in history. great teacher, glad i got him.

Don't take this class if you're in search of an easy A, since you won't find it here. Professor Branch, despite being difficult, was the best professor I had at COC. If you're interested in History take his classes.

If you cannot spell hard perhaps you do not belong in college. Branch is great.

Branch is tough, but fair. He is very clear at the start of class of what is expected and how to do well. Gives a study guide 1 week before tests, and a group review before every test. There's alot of notes to take, be prepared to write fast and cover alot of material. He is fair and I learned alot. Highly recommend.

Very good teacher. I would highly suggest taking him, but if you are looking for an easy "A" then this is the wrong class. Challenging, but fun...

Not an easy class, but well worth taking. He is very clear at the start of class what is expected, and makes it easy to do well. There are alot of notes to take, but he's not a stickler on dates. Always willing to help, gives study guides and review session before tests. Very knowledgeable in history, and makes lectures interesting.

He was hard! But I learned everything... My advise, is get the phone numbers of your class mates because you're going to need them, especially if you have to skip a class. This is an enjoyable class, if you're willing to learn and work hard.

Branch was a tough teacher but he knows his stuff. If you pay attention, do the reading, and take notes you should do alright. Definately not an easy A, at least not for me bu you will learn a lot.

Branch is a very good teacher, but be prepared for A LOT of note-taking and reading. If you don't like doing either of these, consider taking someone else. Your knowledge of the events is crucial for exams and pop quizzes. He's a fair teacher, too, though, and his tests are in essay format. He recognizes your effort, too.

Great instructor

AWESOME GUY AND EASY TO PASS!

Great teacher. Great guy. I loved this class.

Without a doubt- one of the best teachers I have ever had. Take him. You will work for your grade, but if you actually want to learn...Take him!

best history teacher I've ever had. He comes off hard in the begining but you'll find that he's very helpful and kind. not an easy"A" but it can be done.

I LOVED this teacher. He was awesome. Really nice, down to earth kind of guy. Tests were in essay format so it wasnt a walk in the park but I would absolutley recommend him to anyone even those who hate history, this is the class for you. He made class very enjoyable. Take notes everyday and come to study sessions they REALLY help!

great teacher, very interesting and knowledgeable. looking forward to his classes again. gave me a new appreciation for us history!

Excellent style of teaching. Wish he could teach more classes other than US History

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branch is a m a z i n g! i had him for two semesters ( hist111&112).He was not the easiest but really makes you put a lot of effort into the grade you want.Tests>are in essay form, if you study and prepare well and take notes daily you should not do too bad! he is very knowledgeable .so if your looking for an opportunity to learn then take him!!!!!

PRofessor Branch is extremely nice, and he is willing to help you. I took the hybrid class, and I failed this class the first time, and passed with a B. Watch the movies, take notes(used on tests) and review the essay questions ahead of time. Totally recommend!

a lot of work, i took a winter class and he didnt ease up at all. watch the videos and take notes, you can use them, brush up on your essay writing skills! just wish he would ctually lecture, but maybe he didnt since it was a hybrid class. take him if you love history, he knows his stuff!

He is a great teacher. He definitely knows his history. I have had him for His 111 and 112 and he is a great teacher.

Branch is great. I wish he could teach all of my classes. He's very intelligent and interesting. Class is based on 100 points, most of which come from three tests (meaning if you blow a test, it's tough to come back). But if you go to class and listen carefully to his lectures, you should be fine. Like I said, he's really interesting.

Really great. He really makes you work for your grade but hes very knowledgeable. When he lectured I actually wanted to listen! Really keep up with the reading and dont rely on strictly notes he really combines both for the tests. Get involved and make an effort he notices!

good teacher, doesn't give any home work but only has 3 test you must get an A on all of them to get an A and so forth, no extra credit. Stickler when it comes to grading. if you have the chance to get another teacher then do it!

This class is not a easy one. He gives only 3 test and then ac couple in class assignments. if u fail 1 test you are screwed and are gonna fail the course.But i learned alot in the class. about 3 pages of notes from lecture a day. he tells u what u need to read in the book but mostly every thing is from notes.

Overall: Very interesting & challenging class! I can say that he is very knowledgeable with what his teaching. Gives 3 quizzes, few assignments and couple of exercises. Take down notes. Qs comes from lecture and textbook. GREAT TEACHER!

if you arent good at history, FIND A DIFFERENT TEACHER. his grades are based solely on quiz/test grades. long interesting and informational lectures. requires a lot of studying. he gives a study guide for tests, but doesnt let you use it (spring sem). tests are extremely difficult unless you are good at history. recommended for over-achievers only.

Awesome teacher. Very difficult and challenging but wants students to do well. Relays historical information just like it was storytime. Really smart... don't slack off if you take him!

He grades on a point system (out of 100 points). Every point you lose equals one percent. Ex: lose 3 points, you're down to a 97%. His tests are essay style but he tells you exactly what will be on each one. Study! Classes are lectures (or videos) but he's very easy to listen to. RECOMMENDED!

Teacher was really cool, easy to understand. IF you don't show up to class you miss a lot. Grades are based out of points (100). He gives lectures like stories, so they are really interesting

Hybrid class lots of reading, but it was very interesting. You can't get behind. Overall a very good teacher. He is fair,and I learned alot! Took both classes with him

I just finished his History 112 class with a "B." He used movies as a way to study history. I thought it was a cool way to teach. He is big on analysis and expects you to write at a college level. Plus, if you want to pass you will have to read and study the textbook. It was different but I liked it alot.

Overall an easy class. Watched a movie related to the chapter every week. Lectured for about 5 minutes before the movie, then you were left on your own to read the book for homework. A quiz based on the chapter every week. 3 papers, 2 on your own, 1 in class. Nice guy. Would recommend if you enjoy watching movies and don't mind reading on your own!

Good class. You have to write and think on your own. He uses film to show how history is used in society. Caution: You must read/study the text to pass and you must be prepared to write two papers and take a mid-term.

I like his class.. all we did was watch movies.. you have to be on time or you will miss the quiz.. but there is a lot of opportunity to make up for lost points.. I think the movies were relevant and you cant complain... over all good teacher

Professor Branch does not spoon feed you the material. He wants you to think. People who complain want high school history where memorizaton is the only thing they do. Take some personal responsibility people.

Great teacher! If you want a professor to hold your hand through the class, this is not the teacher for you, but if your self-motivated then you'll do great. I really appreciated his unique approach to teaching history.

Professor Branch's class is not an easy one. Prepare to study a lot and do much reading. He makes the class fun with all the videos he shows.

All you do is watch movies in class that he thinks teachs us the material. At the begining of the semester we had quizes every class but people didnt do good on them so he stopped giving them completely. Our grade was determined on how well we could write on the films. I didnt learn anything in his class and how the essays were graded was confusing

His class is ridiculously easy. All you do is watch movies for whatever subject you're talking about and take quizzes on them the next day, so you do have to show up to every class. You get 2 or 3 papers to write, but they're only a few pages long and the subject is related to the movies. You don't need the book. Take him if you want an easy A.

Nice teacher. All we did was watch movies, we had a few easy quizes on them. Only two essays about 5 pages each. I didn't understand his jokes. He would let the class leave when the movie is over and have a break in the middle of the movie. Read the book! you take a quiz on the chapters but its only 5 questions multiple choice and true or false

Watching movies gets old, yet shows some really great ones, the papers are a bit testy though, highly suggest using the tlc lab for them

Branch was fantastic. You have to be a complete idiot not to have an A or B. Very helpful and lectures are relatively short and to the point. Focuses on broad historical perspective and the relationships between historical eras (isn't bogged down in minute details and dates). I HIGHLY recommend him.

grade=quizzes & essay exams.watch video units online & that's what the quizzes are based on. watch a film every class & that's what the essay exams are based on. You can use your notes for all of these tests, even the final. Attendance is mandatory. no book required. He lectures in the beginning 15-30 mins tops to explain films/what to look for.

He is great! Just show up and listen to his short lectures in the beginning of class because there always relevant and on the test. Take good notes and you'll be set. He really is a great teacher and helps to make the class criteria easy :]

I really enjoy Branch's class! He gives us great perspective and knowledge on the subjects and you can tell he really loves what he is teaching. I will be taking 112 with him for sure!! The class is very easy and fun to take. No homework no text books. Just movies and short lectures.

I took Branches History 111 summer class and his class consisted of 3 quizs and 3 essays. When you watch movies listen for what he wants you to look for and then just re write it on the essay and you'll be fine. The quizes just write a lot of notes from videos and hope he makes them take home. He is very nice so enjoy!

I would rate this as an EASY class. The 3 quizzes are open note, so are the 3 essay exams. The essays are based on films shown in class. He tells you exactly what to look for before the film begins, so you shouldn't have any problems as long as you pay attention.

Easy class. Dont get scared after the first test, because everybody does bad on it. Make sure you put some effort in the essays and youll be fine.

He is super easy. for the essays, i would just go home and look up analysis for the movies shown in class and write tons of notes and i got 100% on his essays by doing this. everything is open note so just copy what you can and you will be set for the class. I passed with an "A"

Easy A! As long as you show up and take notes on EXACALLy what he says in his notes and take notes on the videos, you will recieve an A in this course. Hard grader on essays make sure you are decriptive. very nice man. Take this oucrse if looking for an esay A. Im taking his HIST 112 course in the fall

Professor keeps it very simple! 3 essays and 2 m/c exams!! No textbook reqd so saves money!!! Recommend this class :)

Easy teacher

I LOVED Branch. Had him for 111 and 112, easily earned A's in both. He doesn't hold your hand, but if you listen, pay attention to what he tells you and take notes, and apply a little thought, the class is at the very least an easy B. Awesome movies. I enjoyed the quizzes and essays, and his short lectures were always very interesting.

Branch is a great teacher. Listen to his lectures and take notes (most tests are open book). This was the best history class I have ever taken. Super interesting and enjoyable. If you have a chance to take any of his classes I recommend him highly!

Took this class during the Winter, we ended up watching movies almost every other days. We had to write essays regarding these movies. Overall the course was fairly straight forward, the professor was also helpful and kept his lectures interesting. I would definitely recommend to anyone in need of a history course.

Mr. Branch is a phenomenal teacher. I don't know what any of these negative comments are talking about. I took all of his courses - not just 111. He's extremely intellectual, funny, and helpful. I wish he taught all of my classes. Ideal teacher, in my opinion.

I took this class my first year at COC and this has by far been the easiest class I have ever taken. His lectures were interesting and straight forward. Tests are in essay format but they are very easy considering he pretty much tells you exactly what is going to be on the test. All we do is watch movies and we on stayed the whole 3 hours twice!

Mr. Branch is an ideal teacher. He is hilarious and his lectures are entertaining and insightful. He shows an eclectic and historically appropriate assortment of films. Pay attention to his lectures and the films and take thorough notes and you'll do well.

Professor Branch is great!!! He made History class fun, exciting, and informative. The lectures are amazing!!! Take this class!!! You will enjoy it, and get an A!!!

Great teacher. Unlike most professors, Mr. Branch makes learning fun. Although there are quite a few long written exams, they are impossible to fail if you simply pay attention and take notes. He's also very kind and funny. Easily one of my favorite teachers.

Prof. Branch was the best professor I had while at COC. He presented the material in a very professional style/manner, he was clear as to what would be on the test, and a man of respect. Prof. Branch was fair and his class was quite easy. Attendance matters, so show up to class. I wish he were my professor for all my classes.

History is my worst subject, but I managed to get an 'A' in his class. The exams are essays, so you are free to write what you know with the prompt (he grades fairly). You will watch films (in his 3 hour class), read 2 books, watch some video units and be lectured, being tested on all of it(sounds worse than it is). Also, bring a sweater w/ you!

Professor Branch was a great teacher. Does lots of lectures, LOTS of films, and a fairly big amount of essays. They aren't that bad though you just talk about lectures and the film watched that week. Good long lectures, take lots of notes. Couple of quizzes that aren't that bad too. Do your work and you will pass.

Mr. Branch was awesome! Take good notes while he lectures. He allows you to bring a page of notes for the essay exams! There are 2 take home exams, 2 exams on books you must read, and 4 essay exams including the final. If you are a good note taker than you should have no problem getting an A in this class!

Super easy class but I learned a lot. Make sure to take notes during his lectures and stay for the movies because it is what you are tested over. All you have to do is take two take-home quizzes, read two books, and take some tests. There were five tests in total, two over the books and three over his lectures. Simple essay questions. Great Class!

Professor Branch is an incredible educator. His lectures are heavy and exams are slightly difficult, but only if you dont read the novels and attend every lecture. Overall, he provides you with constructive criticism in order to improve test scores when you ask. I learned a lot from both 111-112. Very knowledgeable educator! Enjoyed his class.

If you attend class every day(which is only once per week) and you take notes on every lecture(basically write down everything he says) you'll get an A easy. He allows a single page of lined paper front and back to fill with notes on lecture exam days. There are two novels, but the exams are easy if you read the books. Great teacher.

Professor Branch teaches his lectures from his memory, everything is memorized, dates, names, events, etc. Just take notes from his lectures, be prepared to read two books during the semester and the rest is a piece of pie. He's a very kind Professor and always in a cheerful mood. Take his class, it's an easy A.