2.7
Quality3.6
Difficulty100%
Would Retake90
Reviews100%
Would Retake
90
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
90 total ratings5
18
4
14
3
17
2
20
1
21
What Students Say
“No need to by the book, just write down whatever he says, and you'll do great”
HI221222 - 4.0 rating“He is the worst teacher I have ever had”
HI131 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.41 avg changeRatings by Course
HST
5.0
(1)NAVALHIST
5.0
(1)HIS221
5.0
(1)USHIST
5.0
(1)WESTERNCIVII
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HI121
5.0
HI
5.0
GERHISTOR
5.0
HIS112
5.0
WCIV
5.0
Reviews (89)
Excellent, organized with his lectures. No need to by the book, just write down whatever he says, and you'll do great!
I hate him. He is the worst teacher I have ever had. His lectures are boring, and its so hard to take notes in his class, he talks too fast and has horrible hand writing. He's a nice guy and all, but a horrible teacher.
No Comments
if you like history its a good class to take.. DONT BUY THE BOOK... his tests are all from lectures.. class drags a little though
This guy is a real tough grader. For one test I remember he asked about something the pope said during some war. The pope said it in Latin, but I put the english translation and I got it wrong. Last I remembered it was a HISTORY class, not a LATIN one!
No Comments
Sucks at life, sucks at teaching!
i am a straight A student and ended up with a D in this guys class. you learn everything only from lecture, and he does not give you the textbook page numbers so you can follow along. much of what was on the test was not in my notes.
he's kind of a hard ass at first, but don't be intimidated by him. just show up, take notes and your all set. he's a picky grader, but i got A's in both classes i took with him. he's a pretty good teacher.
Very hot, he's like Frank Sanatra.... he's a great teacher....
This guy was so hard to follow.I looked back over the notes and they were never in chronicalogal order. he was not accomadating to my learning disability.I handed in my assaingment a day late and he didn't accept it.He Failed me!Talks alot about booz.
Talk about impatience!! he only gives out 3 tests per sem. no other work he accepts. yells at students in class if they have a question. has an attitude with people if they come in late and gives a dirty look. Watch out for Steve-O !!
easy class, just take notes...everything is from the notes.nice guy
i dropped it because he gives 3 tests, puts unimportant crap on them so you end up studying the wrong things, gets mad if you ask questions or do know the answers to what he's supposedly TEACHING you. personally, i'm afraid of the man. run for your life..
He only gives 3 tests and they are all multiple choice and full-ins. He is really boring and the class is all lectures. If you take notes and pay attention you will do fine, if you dont like taking notes find a different class.
Great professor, his class is straight-forward, take notes and know the material and you'll do fine, not very hard if you put in effort. Only 3 tests make up your grade, no material from a book, just oration.
just lectures, quizzes from lectures not book, slips in a joke from time to time and knows his stuff like the back of his hand
No Comments
Classes are ok, just sit and take notes. However, he does not give good guidance for what is on the exams. I was present almost every day, took good notes, and still did terribly on exams. Totally unclear.
Cool teacher! Best class I have ever taken.
2nd class I took with Dr. O'Brien. His class is tough, but if you pay attention he gives all the information in class which is on the tests.
Cool teacher!
Interesting class.
not bad
Ok professor. Knows his stuff, but his exams don't cover any of his class info and the book is pointless. He even says don't bother with it. Get a new book. He's a good guy.
No Comments
exams are not what was covered in class. only three tests...that's it! He has a sign in sheet but I guess that doesn't matter cause I was there for almost every class, took good notes, and studied and still got a D!!!
No Comments
hes a great teacher, funny and interesting.He tells history like its a big story- so TAKE NOTES. and everything that is said in class is on the tests. Its easy. DONT buy the book.
No Comments
Very interesting, easy class if you like history
his class sux dont take him. he doesnt teach from the book and his questions on tests have nothing to do with lectures. its one of the most unfair courses ive ever taken
Well, He is not bad for Genius, but for me that have been studying Englsish for four years only- it doesn't work for me. His test is not easy "NOT EASY" and it's only 3 throughout the semester- NOT GOOD- if you ginius go for it- Good Luck- I am out-
DON'T BUY THE BOOK. tests aren't that hard, only 3 throughout the semester, all multiple choice. however, the class is boring. he reads from notecards for 50 minutes every class, tough to stay awake through. no discussion, just notecards.
I went to every class and I ended up with a 47 and a 52. I had to withdraw from the class. I studied too!!! The tests are just ridiculous. The material was interesting, but the tests were sooo hard.
Cool Guy. Really knows his stuff! If you go to class and take notes his tests are easy. I got an A
if you want to be tested bacsically like its a triva game, be my guest. the man thinks he's in the italian mafia...someone please tell him his last name is irish and that the sopranos arnt related to him becuase they dont actually exist.
Sooo boring very hard to stay awake no matter what time of day the class is at
Miserable class, tests are very difficult. Fill-In questions are impossible. Only three tests so by the time you get ur first test back its already halfway through the semester. I'm normally good with history courses but this one is hard.
The class is very hard. I went to all but 2 classes and I have a 60. Teacher is very unclear... and the test are impossible!
Great teacher, knows how to explain history in a way that brings it to life,easy to follow, his tests are fairly easy if you take really good notes. Always pay attention because he will ask the most random questions on his exams. He made me want to teach history, he's great if u like history
all I have to say is- go to the class and take lots of notes. I think the tests are easy, as slong as you pay attention. Ive also never smelled B.O. I also like his humor.
Horrible class. Sooo boring and practically impossible to stay awake in. Tests are very difficult even though they are multiple choice and fill ins. Don't miss a class, take really good notes, and MAYBE you'll get a C.
dont buy the book just take good notes. He actually makes history interesting and easy to understand. I liked the class and learned a whole lot. take his class if your not afraid to take notes.
I went to him for help and he just dismissed me, he is boring and unwilling to help you...dont take him!
Notes notes and more notes! If you can't take them don't take this class. You won't need a book with this guy. Tests are ALL based on lectures and have questions that you would'nt expect to see and they can be very hard. I never missed a class, took LOTS of notes and got a B. 3 tests 90% of grade.
Take this guy if you love lectures, but not if you can't handle taking notes. HE is the man, but damn he has no sympathy for anyone, you need to pass his tests or you will fail, i got a very very hard earned C+ and i am dang proud if it. Take his classes if you want to put yourself to the test.
Can we say calm down! This guy's name is O'brien but he thinks its Soprano. Idk guys, just take the notes and study. There will be lots of Q's on the test that seem to have nothing to do with the thesis topic and the truth is they dont. Try to figure it out, i couldnt, i got a C
This class was a lot of notes, but I found him to be pretty entertaining and did pretty well. My only beef with O'Brien was that he would not accept the constitution questions on the day of the final. He just refused to accept it. So I got a C instead of a very well deserved A. Pissed me off.
If you want easy exams and dont want to read the boring history books, take this prof..I took it over the summer, missed only 2 lectures but took all the notes and got an A. He makes history so much fun and doenst let you fall asleep. his stories and way of telling stuff is wicked funny.... yeah, that Soprano thing, so true :)I highly recommend him
Steve O'Brien is the man..His lectures just own you..Its like he should be standing at the door before class charging admission...He once stomped on another professor's sunglasses and showed no sympathy when confronted...take O'Brien if you like a true man's man with exciting stories...O'BRIEN FOR PRESIDENT
OB is the man, take his class if you love history. I am not even a history major and i always take him. Tests are hard, but study your notes good and you MIGHT just pass. I just wish i could bring in a bag of popcorn to the class.
I like him, he's a good teacher. He makes the lectures interesting and fun, so you don't even mind taking a bajillion notes lol. You don't need the book at all though...
That O'Brien guy is one bad S.O.B....jk..I mean this guy is a toughguy wannabe... He preys on weak students to intimidate..Its a good class to take but don't let this fake mobster push you around
when students ask for help he tells them to study the notes better. begins every class with "does anyone have any questions from last time"? and when someone asks, he changes the question. do not take him
exams are brutal. nice guy but not worth takin
all he does is lecture. Never any review. He could be talking about a subject for 3 days and none of the info would be on the test. doesnt even point you in the right direction on what to study. good information though about history
NO TELLING ON WHAT HE MIGHT TEST YOU ON.
The worst professor I ever had..he talkes the whole class, you have so many notes to take, and you never get a review for his exams. The questions he puts on his exams have NOTHING to do w/ what he went over in class. If u ask for help he will tell you to study more...NO NOT TAKE HIM.
Wicked easy class, and he knows his material
He lectures the whole class and if you dont take notes your pretty much screwed but he knows history and i thought the class was pretty interesting
He lectures the whole time so you can't miss class. There are 4 tests and the questions are so random so it's hard to study with no study guide. I wouldnt reccomend taking his class although it's interesting stuff.
this class was horrible avoid at all costs
He Lectures the whole class but its not that bad. U can miss a couple of classes becuase he usually reviews past material before he starts the next lecture. he always ask if u have questions. As long as u take notes the test are easy. Every question is something he said.
do yourself a huge favor...NEVER TAKE A CLASS WITH THIS GUY! I studied nearly 10 hours for the final and the questions wore completly irrevelant...we had 3 tests and the final was worth 40% trying your best just does not cut it with this guy...and he is rude to students too
Okay I took this class this past semester (Fall 06). I went to every class but 1, and although attendance isn't mandatory.. GO TO CLASS. If you miss his notes you're totally screwed, because his tests have the most random questions.. like what did doctors use as an anesthetic! I don't think he's as bad ass as he would like to think!
nice guy and very interesting. attendance is not mandatory but youll fall behind if you miss... he lectures the whole time and only gives you 3 or 4 hard tests... if you cant remember EVERYTHING a teacher says- avoid
DO NOT TAKEHIM! If you miss one class you are screwed b/c all he does is lecture. It doesn't matter if you read the text because what he talks about is so random & detailed. There is no homework but then there are only three tests & they are very hard. THERE ARE NO STUDY SHEETS OR GUIDELINES GIVEN! I studied for hours & for nothing!
Nice guy, the class goes by quick cause he lectures the whole time, the tests are pretty tough, and the book yoiu ahve to read for the final is mind numbingly bad
Lectures are interesting, your grades are all based on 3 tests...daunting. Show up because the book is unnecessary, all tests are based on lectures.
I didn't find him helpful... only confusing. Tests were ridiculous, and it was very hard to understand him because it was such a huge class. I advise you not to get him for a professor if you need to take this class. He never reviews or gives review sheets for the tests/final, so you have no clue what to expect...
Absolutely awful teacher. Very rude. Test questions were so completely random. For example some of the fill-in answers would be..chocolate eclair. Nothing to do whatsoever with history. Unwillingly to help just an overall awful teacher. DO NOT TAKE HIM
Very good teacher. If you attend class and take note, you can pass with flying colors. Not much reading because all tests are based on lectures. No assignments besides one essay on the final and he gives you the potential questions. Taking him again because I enjoyed class so much.
There's only lecture,most of whats in the book doesn't correspond to what he says in class.Tests are a huge percentage of your grade.The final is based on a book he assigns for an essay.He looks intimidating,wears weird ties,and doesn't answer your questions about homework and upcoming tests, makes you guess on whats to come.
This guy is the man. He's funny and most days tries to make class interesting. Great guy, attendance isn't mandatory but all 3 tests are on his lectures so don't skip too many of his classes. Don't even bother wasting your money on the text book. Everything on the tests comes straight out of his mouth. I'm taking him again next semester
Absolute awesome guy, loved his class taking him again this semester and history is not even my major-disregard other comments all you have to do is take good notes and if you answer his questions hell love you
So...O'Brien. He's a "character". 3 tests. All lectures and notes. He does wear very strange ties. Looks out at the class with a very blank expression because he doesn't know anyone's name. Paces nervously. He and Keopke are very close friends.
US Constitution since 1865? never once did he speak of the constitution the entire semester. He's rude to his students, usually feel wounded when leaving class. Complete jerk, was scared to ask questions because he mocks students. completely random test questions, don't bother studying. AVOID IF POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!
Doesn't stick with the book, very rude to students. Wont answer questions or return emails. Test questions are random facts he sneaks into his lectures. He tries to stare down students in class and wears ugly Disney ties.
I loved him! Although his ties are wacky, it's pretty easy to understand his flow and how he'll work the class. He lectures all thru class which isn't bad because he makes it interesting w/stories and stuff. Book is never used, I still haven't bought it. He's a nice guy if you learn to like him. Overall decent class and I would take him again.
interesting ties awful teacher 3 tests if u do bad on one you're at a loss never used the book dont bother to buy it he even said i dont follow the book so i dont know why he bothered you to buy it puts small useless facts on tests that u proly dont hav in notes kuz there pointless extreamly unhelpful ask questions he tells u too look in ur notes
This guy is nuts. He is rude, and unhelpful. He does not follow the book or test on it, so it is a waste of your money to purchase it. Don't ask questions because you will get chewed out for it. Save yourself.
DO NOT TAKE HIM! and if you do dont bother buying the book you dont use it once. he ranbles on all class about nothing. im an A student who generally enjoys history and i recieved a C in this class your grade consists of only 3 tests which are nit picky so if you do bad on one your whole grade is ruined.
Best i ever had. Period.
he's unclear, unhelpful, and boring. I had to withdraw from his class due to his tests not being on our notes or our book, they're trick questions..I even got a tutot and went to his office hours which didn't help. Two tests and one final make up your grade. Even my advisor said he's bad.
I thought he was great. A no-BS professor, as long as you actually do all the reading and pay attention in class, you'll do fine. More old-school than most professors, which is why everyone is crying, but I really enjoyed his class.
Retaking this class as a Senior now with a different teacher b/c got a D as a freshman.. He was not helpful. Tests were completely different from notes. No work, just 2 tests and final determine grade.
he takes attendance every day but never specifies if it affects your grade. the notes he gives don't really accommodate for the tests. 2 tests and a final affect your grade, not much else. pretty boring class overall, but he does allow computers. he talks pretty quickly. if i had the option again, i wouldn't have taken the class.
I loved Dr. O'Brien!! He was always very encouraging/supportive of me and my future career. Very knowledgeable of class material . Overall, he was my favorite teacher of all time! He has a great sense of humor and n honor to have around :)
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
100%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.41 avg changeRatings by Course
HST
5.0
(1)NAVALHIST
5.0
(1)HIS221
5.0
(1)USHIST
5.0
(1)WESTERNCIVII
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
HI121
5.0
HI
5.0
GERHISTOR
5.0
HIS112
5.0
WCIV
5.0