Reviews of professor Benjamin Schaffer

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Lots to memorize and be familiar with in chronological order. This class is basically an "all things piracy" class. Hard to keep up with the readings. Doesn't like when people talk or ask questions while lecturing, but once he asks a questions he expects your understanding and attention. Made me fall asleep some days or get a headache

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
This class is heavily lecture based. There was also a lot of readings that needed to be done each week, and a quiz once a week. If you enjoy lectures and note taking classes, then you'll be fine. He is also a strict grader, so be prepared for tough grading on papers and projects.

Rating: 2.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
This class was way too intense for a entry level history class. There is a quiz every week and they are usually hard. There is one paper that is has such niche prompt it is very hard to get a good grade on not to mention he is a tough grader.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
He assigns a lot of reading assignments. His study guides are very long. Overall the coursework is very heavy. He does give offer plenty of extra credit opportunities. The material is interesting even if you do not like history but it's not an easy pass.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
This is the second time I have taken Prof. Schaffer since freshmen year and I enjoy class. Too many readings/grading can be tough, but he's fair

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
Professor Schaffer is a professor that you either love or hate. Lectures are very heavy on verbal information but not much on the slides. Participation is important as there are discussions every week and are counted toward your final grade, be ready to read. I wouldn't take his class again as a personal preference but overall a good professor.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 5.0/5
Very lecture heavy and very few grades. If you do bad on one assignment you are very likely to fail or barley pass.

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
Super easy if you pay attention. Reading quizzes each week, but they are only 5 questions and unlimited time. Midterm and final takes like 15 mins tops and probs the easiest tests I've taken. One paper - he's a tough grader on how you cite things but not too bad. One group project but also if you try and just do it you'll get a 100.

Rating: 5.0/5, difficulty: 2.0/5
Great professor, very easy if you put in a decent amount of effort.

Rating: 1.0/5, difficulty: 1.0/5
We sat through 40-50 minute lectures. The topics could be violent at times like ship battles and wars. I didn't enjoy it. Maybe good for a military college or something?

Rating: 4.0/5, difficulty: 4.0/5
I took history of Piracy with Schaffer and struggled. If you do not like reading historical books, then good luck because 3/4 of the class was based on two books. he has a great sense of humor and is a little awkward, but you can tell he knows his stuff. lots of writing, reading & a few in person written test. not a bad class if you do the work.