[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:19:55.597042+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM4MTcxNjk1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2870203","instructor_name":"Matt Villeneuve","course_label":"HISTORY460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2023-08-17 14:09:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Took History 460 with Professor Villeneuve last fall. While he was engaging, kind, and knowledgeable, the class was not what I expected. Prof has a philosophy background, and it made the class feel more like environmental philosophy than environmental history. Lectures were interesting, but unnecessary; didn't need lecture info for assignments.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2870203","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMjA4MDY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"ENVIRST460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2018-05-30 00:30:35 +0000 UTC","comment":"You. Must. Take. a course with him. Env studies 460 - best course at the UW. It is challenging but I've never learned more from a class. I hadn't given much thought to getting value for the money I put in to taking a class, but it was apparent I received much more in knowledge & thought process growth than I paid for. Awesome experience!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5NTAwMDk0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"ENVIRST460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2018-01-24 21:51:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Course is amazing, but name is misleading. By Am. Environ Hist, what he means is Anglo-Environ Hist. some discus of woodland + plains indians in beginning, but only to contrast to anglo-colonists. What about spanish colonization in south west? Impacts of French exploration? More emphasis on indigenous land use? follows a close anglo narrative","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5MTg2MTkw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"HISTORY460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2017-12-13 20:49:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Probably the best lecturer that I've had in all my years at UW. Each lecture is a specially-crafted story, and Bill is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world at what he does- he practically invented the field. Would definitely recommend if you have an interest in the environment or history!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5MTY2NjY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"ENVIRST460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2017-12-12 23:31:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"Bill is a very good lecturer with a lot of knowledge about the topic but sadly, the topic is really, really boring. Still a pretty easy class and had a fun final paper","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NzcxNzQy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"GEOG460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2015-12-19 12:16:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"Excellent lecturer. I do think that what we as students are supposed to take away from the class (understanding connections, reading landscapes, making good and well supported arguments, complexity of causality etc.) would be better synthesized in papers than exams- I hated having to cram study a bunch of facts that I will never need to know again.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1NTkyNTY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"ENVIRST460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2015-12-08 16:33:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Smart guy, fun to talk to, and really has an interest and investment in the topic but doesn't try to push his own views and research on his students. The notesheets he gives out are killer (and also available online) so class isn't mandatory but you won't want to miss his brilliance. Tough 6 page paper, but you get to choose your own topic.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0OTc5NTYz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"ENVIRST460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2015-06-19 12:16:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"He's the best lecturer I've had so far and an absolute genius.  His lectures are right after lunch time and he turns the lights off so it may be tempting to fall asleep, but his sheer brilliance will keep you awake. Single-handedly inspired me to double major with Environmental Studies. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwMDEyMTU5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"GEOG460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2012-04-07 21:39:20 +0000 UTC","comment":"Extremely interesting. Genuinely committed to students' learning. Lovely language. Wish I could take more of his classes.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4MDQyMjc0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"GEOG460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2010-12-25 20:55:19 +0000 UTC","comment":"First half of the semester is very boring, the second half is somewhat interesting.  Exams are essay-style, which is pretty lame.  Avoid TA Rachel Gross, she's not a very friendly person.  Overall, it was a decent class, but a serious drag at times.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTExNTQ0MTEz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"HISTORY460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2006-03-05 17:48:00 +0000 UTC","comment":"He is brillant. The lectures do start to get a little long after the 1 minute break half way through class. The reading load in this class is havy but the work load is not. He wants everyone to succeed. He tells you what to study for the exams and grades very fairly.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEwNTM1NTA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"HISTORY460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2005-09-21 19:08:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great lecturer.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 15:59:17.062470+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMzYwMzY=","source_instructor_id":"rmp:334109","instructor_name":"William (bill) Cronon","course_label":"HISTORY460","course_id":"ENVIRST/GEOG/HISTORY 460","course_uid":"course_1ec9030d6a6bab15eba6a984","review_date":"2004-12-31 12:50:51 +0000 UTC","comment":"Probably one of the best classes I've taken at this University. The last lecture is really great and makes you reflect about everything you learn in the class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/334109","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0}]