Randy Bergstrom

97 reviews
Get ready to read Hilarious Respected Graded by few things Skip class? You won't pass. Amazing lectures Tough grader Participation matters Caring Clear grading criteria Gives good feedback Inspirational Lecture heavy EXTRA CREDIT Group projects Would take again
Past quarters

None

See All
HIST170B . 5 Months Ago

Professor Bergstrom is one of my favorite professors I have had at UCSB. His lectures are informative and well-researched. He encourages the class to interact with the material and each other and is very funny. You can tell that he cares about his students. He expects you to read for class, but it is reasonable and relevant!

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST192 . 6 Months Ago

Professor Bergstrom is a great professor who is always willing to converse with his students about course material, person life, and career goals. I did not do 50% of the readings, so I know that if I did, I could have easily gotten an A+. Not an A, but an A+. He pretty much gives the exam(s) answers on his study guides. Study groups help!

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST192 . 9 Months Ago

hes a good teacher! I was able to pass the class without really doing much of the reading but I attended every lecture (he does short answer group quizzes in class) and I did brief reading to study up and be knowledgable and watched videos and read about the texts that interested me (actually most were pretty int.!) so I wasn't completely lost

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST7 . 2 Years Ago

One paper, midterm, and final. I personally found the readings helpful, but if you just take good notes for the guest lectures which usually summarize the readings, you're fine. The midterm/final have ID terms and essays. Easy A imo.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST007 . 2 Years Ago

Similar to the class itself, Bergstroms lectures can be all over the place at times leaving you stuck with the reading to really grasp whats going onand boy is it a lot of reading. Attending the guest lectures and reading are easily the most important parts of this class. I wouldnt recommend you take this class unless youre required to do so.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST7 . 2 Years Ago

It's a tough course but extremely rewarding. Prof. Bergstrom's own lectures are very broad and hint as to what themes of an event you should pay attention to. Most of what you learn comes from the readings and the guest lecturers. Readings are very long. Graded on midterm, final, a term paper, and participation. TA was unhelpful.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST7 . 2 Years Ago

Bergstom is an amazing dude and I have loved being his student. It's obvious he's passionate about the subject and teaching it to us. However, he's not a good lecturer. It's super disorganized and hard to follow. You don't actually have to do the readings, just pay attention in guest lectures... don't waste your time there.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST007 . 3 Years Ago

Lectures make no sense... rambles on wayyyy too much.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST172B . 4 Years Ago

He is a decent lecturer but at times he would ramble or pause too frequently for questions. The material is really interesting especially if you are interested in possibly working in government later in life. Be sure to study well in advance for the midterm and final since he can be a tough grader.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST7 . 4 Years Ago

Literally the worst professor at UCSB. This class was so unorganized and he expected you to know every detail of every case, even though they were so confusing. His analysis is meaningless, the guest lectures are the only thing you need. He made me seriously consider dropping the history major. Take at your own risk. Hardest class I've taken here

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST007 . 4 Years Ago

Very nice guy, but lectures were most disorganized I've ever seen and there was no continuity between them. He focused too much on big picture stuff and always put a bunch of analytical questions on his slides without answering them. Never really explained the cases we studied had great issues in public policy, which was literally the class title.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
HIST172B . 4 Years Ago

Literally the worst professor in the history department. A complete lack of understanding for student responsibility and careless lectures. Terrible grader and terribly disorganized. Absolutely do not take this professor, no matter how much you need a course in history; save yourself.

0 helpful 1 unhelpful