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One of the best profs I've had.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/616661","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":4},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:44:43.449081+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI3NTMzNDkx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:616661","instructor_name":"David McDonald","course_label":"HIS418","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2016-12-16 15:42:43 +0000 UTC","comment":"He doesn't really use the board or powerpoints in lecture. He just speaks which can sometimes be difficult to follow. Would recommend following along with the required readings from the textbook, and the additional readings he posted are helpful for the papers. Was graded on 2 papers, 1 midterm paper, an in class final and a final paper.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/616661","quality_rating":3,"difficulty_rating":3},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:44:43.449081+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2MDk0ODA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:616661","instructor_name":"David McDonald","course_label":"HIST417","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2016-02-28 13:19:12 +0000 UTC","comment":"Took this class sometime. Professor McDonald is, hands down, the best lecturer on campus. Easy to approach, eager to help if you demonstrate initiative. His lecture on Rasputin remains the best I heard during my four years in Madison. Highly recommended.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/616661","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":4},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:44:43.449081+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNzkxODMx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:616661","instructor_name":"David McDonald","course_label":"HIST417","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2014-01-25 11:13:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"He's an old-styled lecturer, so you'll have to listen to what he says to take notes in lectures. He is without a doubt an expert in Russian history and an amazing orator. Papers were fair as long as you read and went to lecture. For the final he gives out a very helpful study guide. If you're interested in taking Russian history, take his classes!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/616661","quality_rating":4,"difficulty_rating":3},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:44:43.449081+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyNTc1MDMz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:616661","instructor_name":"David McDonald","course_label":"HISTORY417","course_id":"HISTORY 417","course_uid":"course_11b609e5cd34e9a42dfe7d73","review_date":"2013-12-16 17:25:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor McDonald is super interesting. He knows his material really well and presents it with the competency of someone who's been doing it for  along time. He's extremely helpful, but don't be fool because he grades papers hard. 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