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lecture and take notes, it is not a hard course. It is one of the most interesting history courses here. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":2},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:27:29.072206+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyNDYxNjE5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:761624","instructor_name":"Karl Shoemaker","course_label":"LEGALST426","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 426","course_uid":"course_3345398ef8c4c3ea2d3d6425","review_date":"2026-01-08 16:35:27 +0000 UTC","comment":"Probably my favorite lecturer at Madison. Shoemaker seems intense but he is very forgiving, understanding, and fun. He sets a clear expectation of what he wants and if you do the work you will succeed in his class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":4},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:27:29.072206+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMTUxODI2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:761624","instructor_name":"Karl Shoemaker","course_label":"HIST426","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2025-12-10 19:16:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"Arguably one of the most pointless classes I've taken here. It is so difficult to follow along and actually retain any information when there are no visuals, just monotonous talking for 75 minutes. Take this class if you want an easy A, not if you want to actually learn about the history of punishment. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":2,"difficulty_rating":1},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:27:29.072206+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMTM4NjIy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:761624","instructor_name":"Karl Shoemaker","course_label":"HIST426","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2025-12-10 03:31:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"I agree that this professor is only lecturing and teaching what he wants to talk about due to his own interests. There is 0 structure to lecture- no slides, visuals. However, if looking for an easy grader with easy assignments and not many reading, this is a good course. The end of the material was way more interesting than the beginning.  ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":3,"difficulty_rating":3},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:27:29.072206+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMTIxNDM2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:761624","instructor_name":"Karl Shoemaker","course_label":"HIST426","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2025-12-09 17:45:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"History 426 with Shoemaker is amazing. I would highly recommend doing the readings and going to lecture since he doesn't have lecture slides and just speaks. This makes all of the homework assignments and exams super easy. Highly recommend to anyone!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":5,"difficulty_rating":2},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:27:29.072206+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMDA2NzMw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:761624","instructor_name":"Karl Shoemaker","course_label":"HIST426","course_id":null,"course_uid":null,"review_date":"2025-12-03 03:37:02 +0000 UTC","comment":"While clearly dedicated to history, Shoemaker's teaching is not up to par. He refused to use anything to accompany his lectures, making them incredibly difficult to follow and to hold attention on. Shoemaker teaches so he can speak about his subject of interest, not to teach students. He's there for him not you. Worst professor I've had at Madison.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/761624","quality_rating":1,"difficulty_rating":3}],"total":48,"page":1,"courses":[{"course_uid":"course_3345398ef8c4c3ea2d3d6425","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 426"},{"course_uid":"course_d4e6d32bb5057443da12d62d","course_id":"LEGALST/SOC 131"}],"matched":true},"socialImage":false}}