Western Kentucky University / H / Jennifer A. Hanley

Dr. Hanley is a very knowledgeable and intelligent professor. It is very obvious that she loves history. Prior to this semester I had her for a couple other history courses and really had no complaints about either of her classes. Were they difficult? YES. But were they fair? YES.

This semester has been a totally different story. First off, don't bother to read your syllabus because even though it may tell you to read 3-4 articles on whatever date, on most days she will ignore that and pick out a random document from several weeks prior to the actual date. Nobody in this course ever has any idea what we are doing from one day to the next. On top of that, she has acted like a complete child because the class speaks up and asks for clarification on what needs to be read for class. When she gets challenged about being disorganized and confusing she throws a temper tantrum similar to what you would see out of a 5 year old and sometimes on occasion will decide to simply pick up her things, walk out, and slam the door. What is her excuse for being disorganized? "It is your fault that we are behind." This class has been a joke from day one and I will never be taking another one of her classes again.

As far as the overall structure of the course you are required to have three books (2 novels, 1 monograph) and are also required to read numerous (40-50) articles outside of class. The only way to get 90% of the articles is to go to the library.

You will write one document analysis (3-4 pages), one comparative essay over the two required novels (4-6 pages), complete three in-class writing assignments, and turn in a 15-17 page research paper. The class finishes up with a cumulative final exam. Typical work load for a 400 level class.

My complaints are not about the work. I expect to be challenged and I respect Dr. Hanley for pushing each and every student to present their best work. My problem is her attitude and behavior during class. I am not paying thousands of dollars for that type of treatment. She is supposed to be the professional and I would expect her to act like it.

Dr. Hanley is one of the more difficult and demanding professor's that I have ever had. You are required to have three textbooks for her class and in order to do well in the course, you must keep up with your assigned readings. You will do two document analysis's, book review, term paper proposal, 7-9 page term paper, campus event paper, and the final. She has very high expectations for her students and as she told us, if you can pass this class then she has prepared you for any other history class you may face, including graduate studies. Overall, great professor but you had better get ready to work. Good luck.

Dr. Hanley is one of the smartest and most well-rounded professors whom I have had the pleasure of having. Her class was enjoyable to say the least, and I took a lot more away from the course than I originally anticipated. Her class was difficult at times, but college is meant to challenge you, and Dr. Hanley was sure to fulfill that obligation. My grade hinged on an 89% average, and Dr. Hanley allowed me a second-chance oppurtunity to boost my grade one point, to which I did successfully and am most grateful. She is one of the most brilliant History professors I have met, comparable with Dr. Thacker and Dr. Weigel, and each class was more enjoyable than the last. I would recommend her to anyone for as many History courses as possible.

-The One Who Was Always Wrong

It is obvious that Professor Hanley knows her stuff when it comes to History. Her course, in my opinion, is too hard for a 100 level course. It was BY FAR the hardest class I have had since becoming a student at WKU. You will write two, three pages papers that were graded very hard. I normally make A's on my papers for other courses and I struggled to get a "C" on the papers for her. You then will have three exams that are all essay. She gives you a study guide about a week in advance that has the test on it. It normally includes 6 essays and she normally will use 3-4 of them on the exam as well as several identifications terms. She simply grades very hard and makes the course difficult. I was able to come away with a "C" and I worked harder in her class than any other class I've ever been in. I do, however, feel like she has prepared me for my future History courses because that is my major. Overall she is a great professor when it comes to knowledge of what she is teaching. She just makes the course extremely difficult for her students. If you can survive the class then you will have a feeling of accomplishment when it is over.

I have had Dr. Hanley for eight history classes and have never made below a C in any of her classes. She is very intelligent and knowledgable about every topic we have covered in her classes. Not one time have I felt overwhelmed or behind in one of her classes. There is a lot of reading, but it is history, and how else are you going to learn about history if you don't read? Dr. Hanley takes time to get to know her students, if her students will allow her to. She doesn't play favorites, and truly cares about each and every one of her students. I encourage you to take Dr. Hanley, but, be prepared to read and participate in class. You will learn alot!!!! I am baffled by the reviews of Dr. Hanley. She teaches at a college level and won't just give you an A, you have to earn it!!

This class is pretty difficult and she gives a lot of notes! However you will use the notes on the test, all of them. She gives you like 9 questions to prepare yourself for on the tests and then asks 3 of them. You don't have to do the readings over the chapters becuase she doesn't give quizes or anything and she discusses everything you need to know about in class. Her tests are essay and she expects you to write quite a bit. She seems REALLY crude the first couple classes becuase she wants to get people to withdraw so she has less papers and essay tests to grade. But if you stick with it she's really not that bad. if you need help go to her and ask for it becuase she won't approach you and she really helps those students out that are struggleing and ask for help. DO NOT PLAGERIZE ON YOUR PAPERS! she takes this very seriously and she will take you before the disiplinary board about it, she did it in my class and I think every class she's ever had! The book you have to read is BORING! but you have to write a paper and she nailed everyone that wrote if off of spark notes! Also if you don't come to class she WILL FAIL YOU!

She is really mean and hateful!!!!!!!!!!! And she must have penis envy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to write down EVERYTHING he says, and I do mean everything. Also you don't have to know the histroy for the tests, she grades you more like she is an english teacher. Try to get ANY teacher other than her. She is pretty sucky.

she was so hard she made one kid cry in the middle of a test

This lady was ridiculous. She definitely has favorites within the class. Participation is required and if the class doesn't come prepared she will stand and lecture the entire time. She buys history lessons off the internet and will stand and read it to you the whole time for the lecture. VERY BORING CLASS and DIFFICULT. I have no idea how I pulled a C out in this class. Also the final took the entire 2 hours!! Some didn't even finish the final. Don't take her if you have the choice!

Ms. Hanley is a great teacher. She is an amazing professor who truly cares about her students. Her class is challenging, but she is willing to help students and spend time studying with them. Ms. Hanley gives a study guide that has the same essay as the one on the test. Her test consists of 20 terms (which is only a very small percentage of the test), 5-7 short answers that are worth 35 points, and a essay that is worth 50% of the test. Also she gives you 25 points on the essay if you write anything, including what the weather is like, about your day, or your life. Ms. Hanley has been my best professor at college in the two years that I have been here.

She is a nice teacher... if she likes you. Can be very anal about stupid things when it comes to essays. Treats this course like life or death if you don't know history. doesn't give notes, just stands up and reads like she's reading straight from the book. the only way you will get an A is if you suck up to her. she's not fair to the people who actually try hard and study because if she doesnt know who you are then you get an automatic C. This class is complete B.S. and killed my GPA. her tests are super hard. you have to read 100 pages to answer only 2 questions on them. you also have to memorize 500 terms for a test that consists of only 15-20 of them... DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS UNLESS YOU ARE A HISTORY GENIOUS OR A GREAT SUCK UP!!!! (you've been warned)

Mrs. Hanley is very nice teacher, and is very knowledgeable about the subject but for a 100 level course she is overkill. Sure you will learn a lot but when she gives you a vocab sheet for the quiz it has 200+ terms each time. Her quiz is fill in the blank and only features 20 terms. If you enjoy wasting hours of your time learning stuff you will NEVER need to know than take her. Also, she has her favorites it is extremely obvious. So i suggest getting on her good side if you want to get an A.

Mrs. Hanley is really cool and you can easily get her off topic. She gives a lot of notes and you have to read the book that she assigns for the class. There are two papers they are both very easy. I suggest getting on her good side and stopping by her office to maybe just say "hi" she loves it. It also gives her a chance to get to know you a little better.

Extremely hard course. Mrs. Hanley is a very nice teacher, but is very hard to keep up with in notes and reading.

Mrs. Hanley is a very nice person and a good teacher. Her class involves a lot of reading and writing but you definitely learn a lot.