Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Tended to just read off the slides, but not necessarily "boring". Really nice guy and made topics interesting. Overall, nothing incredibly good or bad about him, just a very average prof. Would take a class with him again :).Rate My Professors ↗
Very easy class. Weekly readings are easy, and Walter is very accommodating for any student needs. I cannot recommend him enough if you have to fill some miscellaneous credits. He is passionate about his work, and wants to share it with others.Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Stern is one of the best professors I've ever had. His passion for the subject matter came across in every lecture and discussion and made me excited to go to class every day. Readings were supplemental every time and the final project had lots of creative freedom.Rate My Professors ↗
The BEST professor I've ever met at UW-Madison. Even though his office hour is full, he will still take time off from his busy schedule to meet with you if you send him an email. He is so nice and PPT used in class is super clear. He will provide specific and inspirational feedback on your paper. Just choose him, and you will not regret it!!!!!!Rate My Professors ↗
Great professor, finds tons of great resources for reading, engaging topics and easy to follow in lecture, a good idea to read as much of the secondary sources as possible but easy to get away with skipping them here and there, lecture isn't required but has pop reflections which are released in class, do reading responses early, great classRate My Professors ↗
One of the best profs I've had at UW, really cares about his students' learning and success and the material itself. Lectures and readings are interesting and discussions are engaging, try to get into his discussion section if you can! Not too much work outside of class, and the work felt like it enhanced learning, not just busywork.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleExamines the historical relationships between metropolitan change, economic transformation, and the construction of race to understand their impact on inequality and marginalized communities.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Walter Stern is praised for his passion and accommodating nature, with one reviewer calling him one of the best professors. However, reviews disagree on difficulty, ranging from easy to moderate, and workloads vary from supplemental readings to creative final projects.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026EDPOL/HISTORY 412 examines the history of education in America from colonization to the present, covering topics like common schools, teacher training, and desegregation.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Walter Stern receives high praise for engaging lectures and genuine care for students, though one reviewer found his teaching style average and noted he read from slides. Most students highlight his passion and helpfulness, while one report describes the course as easy with minimal outside work.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026HISTORY 681 is a mentored independent research and thesis writing course for honors students.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
HISTORY 682 is a mentored independent research and thesis writing course for honors students, requiring concurrent enrollment in HISTORY 680.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleHISTORY 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleHISTORY 990 is a research and thesis course where students conduct independent research and write a thesis under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
HISTORY 999 is an independent work course involving directed study under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL 990 | Research or Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL 999 | Independent Reading |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL/HISTORY 143 | History of Race and Inequality in Urban America |
| Fall 2026 | EDPOL/HISTORY 412 | History of American Education |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | HISTORY 999 | Independent Work |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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