Western Kentucky University / H / Robert Haynes

I saw that Dr. Haynes had a few negative comments about his class on profeval.com and ratemyprofessor.com but it sounded mostly like whiny complaints that are common in the history department because of the nature of the subject. When I began his class, I was interested in his lectures as they are humorous and he is animated while presenting them. But as test time came around I realized he hadn't focused on "the important stuff" and instead spent hours rambling on about worthless episodes of history. On the first I got a "D", which was a shock for me, a 4.0 student. So I worked harder and decided to make my grade up on the mandatory 7-10 page paper. After I read a couple books, spent two days in the library, and weeks writing and rewriting my paper, I turned it in 2 weeks early so he could look over it. When he gave it back he told me it was so bad I needed to rewrite it. In fact, it was an elementary style composition.

As it turns out, the rest of the class was in the same boat. I've never been told I could not write, or that I was lazy in my efforts regarding writing. I handed my paper to other teachers, English majors, etc, and all failed to see major problems in my writing.

The moral of this story is, he was a great professor at one time in his life. That time has passed.

DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS. His expectations are not merely unreachable, they are unknowable. I am an A student who is barely able to get a C. I altered how I studied after the second test and still got the same miserable grade. I believe he expects you to have his degree of knowledge on the subject in order to get an A. I am a senior who somehow had not taken this class so I have had other American history classes in which I have received As. In other words, according to other professors, I have a very good understanding of the subject matter and know how to write good essays. This man has unmeetable standards.

Dr. Haynes is an interesting professor who I would highly recommend. I am a graduate student in history, primarily in European history, so a seminar in American history was a bit of a change for me. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the class. He is incredibly bright and sharp (even in his advanced age!) and he tells lots of one-liners in class. So, he certainly is entertaining. My only problem with him were his vague expectations for the class. I was never quite sure what he expected in our research paper, but I earned an "A" with him, so it must not have been so atrocious. I took voluminous notes but he never went too fast and always kept it interesting. We only had to write the one paper but our final was comprehensive. But, even though it was a comprehensive exam, he provided some choice on one of the essays which corresponded with an historical figure we each had been studying, so it was not impossible. Dr. Haynes literally is an American history machine and I would recommend him for any serious history student. If you're looking for an easy class to take which requires minimal effort, then you would be better off with another professor. But remember, you're in college. Professors expect more than the bare minimum from you. Take advantage of professors like Dr. Haynes to better your education. It was a bit of a struggle for me, but I am glad that I took him.

Dr Haynes is older than most rocks. Ergo, he's had a bit of time to become an expert in his field. If you want an easy A, drop his class now. If you want to actually learn in depth the political, social, and international history of America till 1865, then this is the guy. I failed his class the first time because I didn't show up. Attendance is not mandatory, but if you miss too much you'll be woefully behind. Yes he gives lots of lecture notes and expects you to be fully versed in the areas of history he gives you, and yes, he does grade hard on the first test, but if you can stick it out, you'll have a good knowledge of US history and a solid B, because he grades you on your overall class knowledge rather than the set grades you recieve. I got a D on the first test, a B on the paper (this was after the first test, so he lightened up on the grading) and an overall B in the class, because I came prepared and asking questions. Still, I worked my hinder off, and I'm proud of it.

This guy is ridiculous. I am a history major and somewhere in the mix I failed to take this course. I am a Junior and have received A's in all my other history classes til I ran across Dr. Haynes. He is very knowledgable and his lectures are interesting. As far as a teacher he's great. But he expects way too much. Here it is finals week and I will probably be takin this course again. Stay away from him.

I highly recommend this guy if you are a History major, otherwise stay away. His tests where hard, and the quanity of notes you take is quite high (usually 6-8 pages per class), and a 6-10 page research paper is required. However, I have never learned more about history in any other class I have taken, then I did from him. He is very challenging but fair, if you show up for class, take the notes, and study for the tests there is no reason why you shouldn't get a good grade.

Dr. Haynes is a brilliant man who has extensive knowledge in his field. However, if you are looking for an easy A then forget it. His tests are very in depth and his final will have you studying for days. There is a research paper due in the latter half of the semester and if done very well it will raise your grade by a letter(or lower by a letter if done poorly like mine). In his TR classes I usually took 6-7 pages of notes. I found Haynes to be very easy to talk to and would suggest meeting with him to look over you paper. Also, check out the book U.S. History since 1865 college edition from the library. It will help in your studying immensly.

This man is ridiculous when it comes to test grading, even if you have everything correct and covered everything he will find something that you could have added. Plus, the comments that he makes on your tests are very hard to read. It is nearly impossible to get above a C on his tests!! Don't take this man! PERIOD!

Worst professor I have ever had in college and the hardest. No one in our class received above a C for their final grade.

Also is very boring and doses not make class interesting at all.

This man is the most ridiculous professor I have ever had or imagined having. For a 200 level course, this is COMPLETE overkill. He recommends purchasing a textbook, but the book is never correct, according to him. He expects everyone in the class to be a history expert, and if you're not, good luck. I had straight A's this semester, excluding this course. Nothing is good enough for him, and even if you have the correct information, if he doesn't like your writing style, you're screwed. I DO NOT advise taking this man, no matter who the alternative is.

This guy thinks it is 1930s or some shit. Wake up. Hello it is the 1950s calling and we want our sports coat back.

An honors student with a history major, and I worked my ass off for a C. what a Dick.

It doesn't matter how much you know about the subject. It's impossible to get above a C on any test. Haynes is completely unresonable. DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS WITH HIM!

people must think you dont have to work in college. this is a standard college history course. He does give a lot of notes, but its not going to kill someone to write. His first test is hard, to see who will drop the class. I know several people who made 50's on his first test, and got an A out of the class.

I withdrew. His tests are impossible! He tells you to study one thing and he puts something different on the test. There are 3 essays per test and he gives you so many notes, you don't know what to study. He's an old man who needs to retire and rambles in his lectures (sometimes giving incorrect dates). I must say in my 4 years at Western, he is the WORST teacher I've ever had. Plus, he's not approachable nor does he a fun personality. He's one of those teachers you'd see in National Lampoon movie, where the kids have all failed his course!

this was one of the hardest classes i have ever taken. it is much too hard for a 200-level class. Dr. Haynes is very smart, but all he does is lecture the whole time and never narrows down anything for the tests, which are all essay. I would suggest to anyone who finds themselves in his class to drop it immediately, especially if you are below the senior or junior level. if you can't get out of it, all you can do is read, read, and reread your notes and try to memorize them all.

I love history, so the material was interesting. However, he gives SO MANY NOTES! He rambles on and on about things that make no sense whatsoever. I do not reccommend this class.

This was the hardest class I've ever taken!!!! If I had to describe it in one word it would be "Impossible." His test are all essay questions. If you don't answer the way he thinks you should have, then you don't get any points. There is no extra credit. My class started out with 32 people in it and ended up with 9!!! As you can see I'm not the only one that thinks this man doesn't know how to teach. I would tell any one not to take this class.

It's hard, he's boring, and he yells A LOT! Don't take this class. He grades incredibly hard and he is not easy to talk to

DO NOT take this man for any history course. I am a history major and will never set foot in one of his classrooms again. He tests cover about 2 months worth of notes(about 5 pages a day). Final is comprehensive and worth 40% of your grade. You also have to do a 10 page research paper. The tests are the main reason not to take him. People get up and leave because they are so hard-- DON'T TAKE HIM!

I have had better History teachers in Middle School than Dr. Haynes.

For a lower division course, Dr. Haynes expects way too much from students. I'm a junior and a history major, and this is the first history class I've had problems with. He grades ridiculously hard. The tests are pretty much