I wish I could have taken this class in person because Prof. Nelson tried his hardest to make lectures interesting and engaging but sometimes the information was still kind of dry. Two essays, a final exam, and weekly discussion posts assignments are graded by TAs.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Adam Nelson
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
His lectures were always super engaging and kept me interested! Funny storytelling like lectures which was easy to follow. I wish more professors were like himRate My Professors ↗
I had him during the COVID-19 closings and he was awesome. Very flexible, funny narrative-style lectures, and very clearly organized. 10/10 would recommend :))Rate My Professors ↗
The grade was based on; 20% participation 50% 2 papers and 30% Final. Had very high expectations for the papers, not the kind of thing you could BS at the last minute. Recommend meeting with him or your TA to discuss papers beforehand. 2-hour final involved needing to know about 100 terms in depth. Good solid lectures. Interesting class overall.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Nelson was a tough teacher, but a great one. It certainly wasn't an easy A, but I definitely learned a lot. Attend his discussion section if you can--he is very specific about how he wants papers done and it absolutely helps to have him as a resource in discussion. Head in for office hours, too. He's a cool dude and very passionateRate My Professors ↗
Professor Nelson is without a doubt my favorite professor. His lectures are so interesting, clear and targeted that the class goes by extremely fast. The TA's who lead discussion don't even compare to how fantastic Prof Nelson is. He's super available to meet up outside of class and genuinely cares about the topic. Best class I've takenRate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Adam Nelson
Independent Reading
1–3 creditsEDPOL 399 is an independent reading course allowing students to design and explore a subject in depth.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Research or Thesis
1–12 creditsOffering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Independent Reading
1–3 creditsOffering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleExamines the comparative history of radical and experimental education in the US and UK since 1800, focusing on social, cultural, and intellectual contexts of diverse educational experiments.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2010: 3.25 GPA, 58.3% A/AB (n=12 letter grades); Spring 2015: 3.88 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=12 letter grades); Fall 2020: 3.86 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=11 letter grades).
No recorded grade history
Examines the history of federal aid to education from 1776 to the present, focusing on policy evolution and the federal role in public schooling.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2010: 3.56 GPA, 75.0% A/AB (n=8 letter grades); Spring 2013: 3.27 GPA, 76.9% A/AB (n=13 letter grades); Spring 2018: 3.68 GPA, 81.8% A/AB (n=11 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
1–4 creditsHISTORY 698 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Directed Study
1–4 creditsHISTORY 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleResearch and Thesis
1–9 creditsHISTORY 990 is a research and thesis course where students conduct independent research and write a thesis under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Independent Work
1–6 creditsHISTORY 999 is an independent work course involving directed study under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleRecorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL 399 | Independent Reading |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL 990 | Research or Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL 999 | Independent Reading |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL/HISTORY 622 | History of Radical and Experimental Education in the US and Uk |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL/HISTORY 665 | History of the Federal Role in American Education |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 698 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 999 | Independent Work |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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