Historical instructor

VANEESA COOK

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 3.14/5 from 7 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

What students say

Original student reviews · all captured dates

HIST201 · course not matched
Quality 2/5Difficulty 1/5
It is unfortunate that Professor Cook teaches an introductory course for the history department. She very obviously does not like to teach undergrads. Her lack of enthusiasm is contagious. Expectations are clear, but there is NO leniency for failing to follow through. An easy course, but disappointing if you're actually hoping to learn something.
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GENED120 · course not matched
Quality 3/5Difficulty 3/5
She is very knowledgeable about history. She is very intimidating but she seems cool. There is a book you have to read for one of the papers. There are two papers, one group project, 3 tests, and one test you can use your notes. If you show up, pay attention, and do what youre supposed to do youll pass.
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GENED120 · course not matched
Quality 4/5Difficulty 2/5
I HATE history, but she made me enjoy it. While her style of teaching is simply lecturing, I was forced to take my own notes but that forced me to listen! She always ended class early and it usually went by pretty fast. Tests were like middle school tests. (EASY) couple papers tho. Shes intimidating at first, but cool once u get to know her.
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HIS102 · course not matched
Quality 4/5Difficulty 1/5
An interesting survey of US history, The material is easy and straightforward, but presented in an interesting fashion, with music and videos. She is defenitely interested and knowledgeable. The textbooks are really not used much and the tests are all pretty easy.
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HIST103 · course not matched
Quality 3/5Difficulty 1/5
This "professor" (grad student) seems exasperated by teaching and impatient with student requests (ie exam clarity). The lectures are okay albeit disappointing. Also awkward. She fails to expand or teach anything outside of the tired grand narrative of the US. Her failure to do so perpetuates the privilege and ignorance on this campus.
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HIST102 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
Great lecturer; clear and engaging; likes to be interactive and fun with the class. Ties in good texts to complement the lecture material. Exams are fair. Really good as far as history lecturers go. I should know, I'm a history major. Please ignore the other very negative review--they obviously don't know what they're talking about.
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Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.

Classes with VANEESA COOK

THE HISTORIAN'S CRAFT teaches students to conduct original historical research and convey results through archival engagement and communication.

No offering record · Spring 2026

with this instructor · course overall, matching historical terms

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2021–Spring 2026

PUBLIC HISTORY WORKSHOP introduces the practice of public history through collaborative, research-based projects like exhibits and podcasts.

No offering record · Spring 2026

with this instructor · course overall, matching historical terms

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2021–Spring 2026

Recorded teaching history

Distinct courses recorded per term

Explore courses taught by this instructor →
Browse recorded courses
TermCourseTitle
Spring 2026HISTORY 201The Historian's Craft
Spring 2026HISTORY 401Public History Workshop
Fall 2025HISTORY 201The Historian's Craft
Fall 2025HISTORY 401Public History Workshop
Fall 2023HISTORY 200Historical Studies
Fall 2023HISTORY 699Directed Study
Fall 2022HISTORY 200Historical Studies
Fall 2022HISTORY 699Directed Study
Spring 2022HISTORY 200Historical Studies
Spring 2020HISTORY 428The American Military Experience Since 1899
Fall 2019HISTORY 201The Historian's Craft
Spring 2019HISTORY 600Advanced Seminar in History
Fall 2012HISTORY 102American History, Civil War Era to the Present
Spring 2012HISTORY 434American Foreign Relations, 1901 to the Present

Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.

Instructor identity & provenance
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