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.Rate My Professors ↗
Historical instructor
Vaneesa Cook
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Quality 2/5Difficulty 1/5
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
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.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Vaneesa Cook
No teaching recorded in Fall 2026.
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Recorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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