The best lecturer I've experienced. He's extremely knowledgable and passionate about his work, and he's approachable for questions/feedback about assignments. His grading policies are firm but fair - overall a fantastic professor!

This class is an insane amount of work, but professor McDonald goes out of his way to make himself accessible to you and will go above and beyond to help you succeed if you take the initiative. I learned and grew so much from this class. He shows genuine interest in your life and really cares about his students. One of the best profs I've had.

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.

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.

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!

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. So put a lot of time and effort into writing them.

Kept lectures interesting, though difficult to follow at times. Weekly reading out of multiple textbooks almost required in order to understand what is going on in lecture. Fair grader who is helpful with emails and office hours.

One of my favorite professors at Madison. I have taken three classes from him and a seminar and he is so knowledgeable. If you enjoy in the least bit history you will enjoy his class but you must attend lecture to obtain all the information. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys analyzing just why a historical event played out like it did.

First time the class, Comm B requirement, was taught at Madison. His lectures were not organized and were not really helpful with the class. Professor was great, sense of humor really brightened up lectures, along with his random stories about Canada and his Russian history friends. Helpful beyond belief, best professor I have had in college.

Tough to follow during lecture, but he is helpful outside of class. Very interesting stuff if you like the subject. All writing stuff, but not too difficult. 15 page paper sucks, but overall managebale.

He teaches in the "classic" sense, no digital notes, or words on the chalkboard. Because of that, if you want to learn anything from his classes, go to the lectures! This style is fine for him anyway, as he's a awesome orator. Exams and papers were generous, consistent, and directly related to what was lectured.

Lectures are very interesting and the class isn't hard as long as you go to class. Two 5-7 page essays, a take-home midterm and final

Very knowledgeable and interesting. His tangents in lectures can be infuriating ~ sit near the TA and check her notes for what is important. Lecture is more important than reading, but always do the discussion-only reading. Papers weren't too tough, and his grading (and the TA's) was fair.

I am not a history major and do not care about Russia at all, but he made me care. He was easy to listen too even though he goes on tangents (he warns you the first day). I didn't think the papers or exams were hard at all as long as you went to lecture and read the material. Made a topic I had no interest in something I could tolerate.

Definitely overrated. Came into the class with high expectations, left disappointed. If you take it for 4 credits, he'll grade it; the ta only grades for 3 credits. Not any easy grader; you're far better off with the TA

Funny and nice dude. Lectures are unorganized. But he is certainly fair.

I took pre revolution Russian history in the spring of 2006. He wanders a bit in lectures, but hes one of the smartest profs I've had. He chairs the history department. I enjoyed the class, although the papers were relatively difficult.

when i signed up for "social and intellectual russian history" i was excited but simultaneously afraid for my life. professor mcdonald was a tremendous help in making this course not only palpable, but thoroughly enjoyable and easy to follow. excellent class, excellent prof.

great prof. just great. clear lectures, funny jokes.

Knows his stuff incredibly well and packs lectures to overflowing with information, but is also very accessible and quite funny. Seems very dedicated to helping students learn well. The assignments aren't that light, but he's still reasonable about the workload and grading.

I enjoyed History of Imperial Russia with Prof. McDonald. Very smart dude, knows his stuff so well its mind-boggling. Of course, you can say that for any professor, but this guy is just insane. He's very helpful, and a fair grader.