Sonnino seems to have convinced himself that only his idiosyncratic approach to historical inquiry and teaching is the legit one. Enough said. Often too scattered and silly to take seriously.
I am a huge medieval history lover, so I thought this would be an enjoyable and challenging class to take. However, his grading on papers was completely insane. You will never reach his standards for writing. Don't take this class if you love history -- arbitrarily gave out A's only to some. Students who worked hard still got no mercy.
He is only accessible by phone, which is his personal phone. You need to call his phone for office hours or extra help. There was no TA and sections are run by the professor. I tried calling him 10+ times about a question regarding my paper and he never answered. Weekly reading and 100 word papers. Reading is difficult.
In online class, the lectures did not matter much. They provide context to the readings, but the majority of the learning is in the reading and writing. He will make you think in ways that you havent before. Read the readings, go to the discussions, and prepare to get harsh feedback. You are not as great a writer as you probably think. Keep trying
This class is incredibly frustrating because the professor does not give any feedback grade wise until the end of the course (he simply gives a letter grade). To top it off, his lectures are repetitive and not memorable. Take any other history course, trust me an interest in the source material will not be enough to get you through this class.
He Is an amazing a thoughtful man. He makes you rethink the way you've always looked at history with his peculiar teaching method and his unconventional approach to history. His way to lecture is unique and really makes you feel what history is all about. He doesn't give insane amounts of assignments. He's gonna make you work and improve yourself.
He is just so confusing. His lectures are all over the place and he invents concepts that he will ask students to write a two page paper on. Make sure you try to understand how this guy thinks if you are going to take a history course with him because he will test you on it. Also he somehow managed to turn interesting material into a boring lecture
A bit rambly during lecture, but exams are straightforward and fair. Exams ask you to analyze how he constructs his argument, not about whether or not you agree with it. Show up to lecture and/or section, and its smooth sailing. Also, no textbooks required, only a course reader for $35.
I should have switched out from this class as soon as I went to the first lecture. He is very much a rambler. He doesn't give you a clear understanding of the course and isn't very easy to understand. Also had to buy a $45 dollar course reader with a bunch of rambling lecture "notes". Just a terrible, really bizarre class. Run away if you can.
Horrible
Multiple prior reviews have stated that Prof. Sonnino asks you to agree with his personal viewpoints on exams. This is NOT TRUE! The prompt asked us to analyze HOW he presents his argument, NOT whether you agree with him! Very fair class as long as you show up to lectures. Exams are short and straightforward. Sections are extra credit!
This class is definitely not recommended. You will be tested on his personal opinion of history and construct your answers in a way that match his views. While the course reader is dense, there isn't an excessive amount of information but you will be tested on small details.