Discussions are worth as much as the final (25%), so make sure you attend! Lectures were fascinating and despite the heavy topics of the class, Kantrowitz made sure to leave the last lecture on a hopeful note. This was undoubtedly one of the best courses I've taken as an undergraduate, would highly recommend him for your ethnic studies credit

He is a great professor who is passionate about his work. He gives great lectures, but be prepared to write. He doesn't put much in the slides so rely on your notes. Grading can be difficult, but go to office hours and get feedback as you're given assignments.

Kantrowitz is an extremely talented lecturer, his lectures are super informative and interesting which was a pleasant surprise taking the class to fulfill a requirement. If you simply attend lecture and discussion sections, 154 should be an easy A.

The lectures were great and provided great insights into American history from a different angle, which I found very interesting. Expect to spend a lot of time on readings. There are two essays throughout the semester, but if you can write, you can do well on them.

I took History 154 for an ethnics credit and loved it! Professor Kantrowitz is amazing and really is so interesting to listen to. There is a lot of reading, but there are no exams and the essays are pretty easy if you pay attention in class and keep up on readings. Definitely take if you're looking for an ethnics requirement!

His lectures are very interesting and as long as you somewhat do the readings you will be good. There are two midterm take home exams based on the readings that you have a little over a week to complete using the readings and lecture notes. If you keep up with readings and lecture notes it is a very easy and low commitment class.

Lectures are mandatory, you get random writing assignments in lecture at least once during the week and if you aren't present to get the prompt, you obviously get a zero cause you can't do it. Also he makes you shut off ur wifi during class, the TAs yell at you if ur on you phone or on a random tab during lecture….

I took this class because it was the only thing that fit in my first semester schedule, and I'm so glad I did. Professor Kantrowitz is a fantastic lecturer, and you can tell he is so knowledgeable and cares so much about everything he teaches. Highly recommend!

I am so happy that I took this class. Professor Kantrowitz is such a caring and passionate person. He truly cares about the material in lectures and wants everybody to learn something new each time. There are readings assigned for every lecture and some of them can be fairly long, but the weekly writings on the assigned readings are fairly easy.

Kantrowitz is a phenomenal storyteller and his lectures are super interesting. I just took 393 for ethnic studies, and it is a lot of work, so if you aren't interested in the topic I would stay away. Three papers, weekly assignments, and a TON of reading, but typical of a 300-level. Overall the class was amazing, I learned a ton.

I took this as an ethnic study needed for my degree and was hit with more work than expected; this is fair as it is a 300-level class. Some lectures are interesting but many were very boring. I would recommend only taking this class if you are interested in it. He also assigns ridiculously long readings -written by a non-history major btw

Great lecturer, explains content well, understandable, very nice, good grader, answers questions

Prof Kantrowitz's class was great. Lecturers are truly phenomenal, make sure to participate and attend section/discussion. The class mainly consists of participation and 50 word assignments which are a bit tricky at first but as the semester continues they become easy so much so it helps you get a good grade. Definitely take this course.

He is a great professor and passionate about his content. Lectures seemed pointless during semester but my notes helped HEAVILY in the final paper. Imperative that you do and understand the weekly readings otherwise you will not get an A. Very interesting course.

Prof Kantrowitz is an incredible and engaging lecturer who really cares about the material he's teaching. Every lecture was interesting because he takes a more intimate and valuable approach on U.S. history. Discussion attendance is mandatory, but he picks great TAs. No tests, just short writing assignments and one final essay. 1000% recommend!!

I'm not particularly interested in history so this class wasn't my favorite, but it was an easy credit if that's what you're looking for. Pretty lengthy readings each week but I got by just skimming them. Attendance in discussion is mandatory, lecture is not. Assignments are short and only one per week. No exams or quizzes, just a final paper.

Great professor with no tests or exams, one take home essay as final. He says history shouldn't have to be memorized. Mostly just 50 word assignments which I love. 2-3 articles you have to read each week for these assignments.

Kantrowitz is an excellent lecturer - he always presented complex ideas thoughtfully and eloquently. Readings were not overwhelmingly long or numerous; papers were reasonably graded. Kantrowitz also did a really good job staying in touch with students and teaching remotely during the pandemic-induced transition to online class.

so boring... only take if you are super interested in the topic and are prepared to attend everyyy class. expects you to read a lot and do a lot if interpretation

Best lecturer I've ever taken. Kantrowitz is clearly passionate about the material and the impact he is having on students. Genuinely nice guy who is also funny and extremely intelligent. Lots of readings, but most were interesting. Graded on writing skills, not memorization. Regardless of your major take one of his classes, you won't regret it

Professor Kantrowitz is funny, kind, and extremely knowledgable about what he's teaching. To really take anything away from the course or perform well I would recommend doing the readings. Overall a great Professor and an amazing class that made me want to change to a history major.

Extremely passionate about history and is a terrific lecturer. The course really didn't require much work at all on the students' part which I enjoyed, but was also a little annoying because lectures consisted of a lot of information that we didn't need to know. Felt like I was only there to listen to him talk most days.

Truly the model of a perfect professor. You can clearly tell his love and passion for the subjects and he talks about the subjects with a great balance of conviction and humor. Makes class fun and even if you don't like the subject you will love him as a person. This class makes you a better writer and he makes sure to engage the class.

I took History 109 - Who Is An American. SK is a great lecturer and genuinely cares about the material and students. He isn't rude when people answer questions incorrectly and is always super willing to answer questions. Definitely lots of reading, however, the assignments are short and easy and he puts his lecture powerpoint online.

I loved Kantrowitz, but the class is boring. His heart is really in it though, you can tell how much he cares! You are not graded on a lot of things, and it really depends on your TA. The readings are super long. I would take him again, but it would have to be something that I was actually interested in. It is also A LOT OFNative American history.

One of the best, if not the best professor I've had yet. Even if you're not a history major, he is a must-take. Decent amount of reading, and grades are based on writing assignments, but you'll leave lecture every day feeling like you learned so much. Never found it difficult to stay focused. Great topic and lectures, and fantastic professor!

One of the best history professors at the UW. Really intelligent, passionate guy.

I'm not a history major (actually never taken a college level history class before this one) and he made it very enjoyable.

He is one of the best lecturers I have ever encountered. He gives a lot substance to the material he is teaching and is passionate about it. More than that he tries to represent different histories. There is not much that determines your grade, which kinda sucks if you are a bad writer because your grade is determined a couple writing assignments.

Kantrowitz is very knowledgeable and speaks very well. Only thing is History is extremely boring and he did nothing to change that. Overall, extremely easy class with little actual assingments. Readings are long and boring, but honestly I read like 2 all semester and still got an A.

Good guy, you can tell he's really knowledgable. Reading can be over the top at times but should be done if you want to know whats going on. Lots of writing assignments but no exams. I think he's a great professor

My favorite professor! He inspired me to become a history major. You will learn so much in his class.

Wow, where to begin. Taking this course with Prof. Kantrowitz has been such an honor. I have learned so many things throughout this semester, that reflecting back upon it, a smile appears on my face. His lectures are some of the most amazing speeches I have ever heard in my life. Fun, engaging class and section environment. TAKE PROF. KANTROWITZ!!!

Prof. Kantrowitz is an incredible speaker. HIS393 with him was one of the few classes I have taken where I have been genuinely excited to go to lecture and take notes. Passionate and extremely well-spoken, makes history come alive. Highly recommended.

Professor Kantrowitz was terrific. If you're taking his class as a freshman, you're in for a treat. He does give you a lot to read, but all of his readings are very interesting. All of the assignments he gives you are very short and he likes to stay precise. Great lecturer and very engaging.

Not impressed. Another READ LIKE CRAZY professor who thinks quantity over quality is best. Most professors would suggest p. 1-50, then 110-170 etc. NOPE, this guy makes you read 100s of pages clear through. Spend every waking minute with your nose in a book just to keep up. Lectures Ok, work-load is ridiculous for 3 credits, had a job, never slept!

Best lecturer I've had at Madison. He makes class interesting and worthwhile. Highly recommended.

History 150 was extremely enjoyable with Professor Kantrowitz, as he was an amazing professor! There was a good amount of reading, but assignments weren't too difficult and his outstanding lectures were specific, interesting, and demonstrated knowledge. He genuinely cares about his students, often pausing to gauge interest & share life lessons.

Reconsider your thought of taking this course.

DO NOT take this course if you do not plan on majoring in history or anything of the sort. As an engineering major, I thought History 150 would boost my GPA, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Essays are very unclear and lectures are very bland and boring. I do not recommend this course, nor would I ever take it again

He is one of the best professors I've had. He's very engaging, and loves what he does. Clearly cares about the topic.

One of the best professors I've ever had! Lectures were always interesting and any history majors will certainly enjoy his analysis.

I've taken a lot of history classes at the UW, and Steve Kantrowitz is probably the best professor I have ever had. Every UW history major should take this class. Lots of reading, like every history class, but it is all intersting. He's also the best dressed prof on campus. Highly recommend this class.

Kantrowitz is PHENOMENAL. Best professor I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, and I will probably never have another professor come close to his level. Engaging, dramatic, riveting lectures. Make sure you read the course materials, he has high expectations, but the journey through Civil War history is unparalleled.

Kantrowitz is simply amazing. He is hands down the most inspiring, intellecutaul, cunning, and reasonable professor I have ever had. The course is engaging and even exciting under his instruction. He is a world renound civil war buff but explains terms and concepts easily. He teared up in his last lecture and inspired nearly every kid in class. A++

Prof. Kantrowitz is a great professor! He is super knowledgeable about the civil war era, and his enthusiasm for history makes his lectures really entertaining! You must do the reading assignments, though! Not only is Prof. Kantrowitz good at teaching, but he's also a great person! Give him a shot, you won't regret it!

Prof. K is, as everyone else has said, a very passionate teacher and scholar. He's younger, which always helps in my opinion. Has high expectations, but I took an Honors class with him, so that just comes with the deal. Go to office hours. For real.

Decent professor and fast talker. Unless you are good at BSing, you must read the literature that goes along with the class/discussion. Papers aren't too hard. Overall, I would reccomend it for an easy good grade.

Kantrowitz is a good professor, makes lecture very interesting and will clear up anything needed in lecture. Like said, he never finishes a lecture and gives out free fridays (at times) but you do have to read all the assignments and attend lecture to do well in the class. highly recommended.

Kantrowitz is a great lecturer-he is very clear and makes the material interesting. He never finishes a lecture, but always makes up for it via catch up lectures. Go to lectures: this is what is important for your midterm. Read the books for section and all the writing assignments. This class is really good for incoming freshman. Take it!

Awesome professor! V. passionate and intelligent about slave revolts and 19th Century American History. Go to lecture, as he covers a lot of info. Read...the majority of the list. Some readings were good, but some were really boring and long. Gave Friday off a couple times, which is great. I'd take another class w/ him. Charles Hughes=great TA.

professor was really smart, very approachable, and an interesting lecturer. the readings for the class were for the most part very interesting and the class overall was pretty easy. there was plenty of help if you needed it.

The class was almost so easy that it was hard. Lectures were interesting and very clear, the professor more than willing to take questions. The assignments were very high school to me-basic with no room for analysis. class would be excellent for a freshman wanting to make a smooth transition.