Hiltpold, Paul  

I enjoyed his class a lot. He is an excellent professor. The lecture can be very long (he lectures the whole time) but he is interesting and very open to questions. He also is flexible about office hours so you can always get help. The quizzes are easy, but midterm and final are essays and very hard! You MUST study, but an A is very possible.

Prof. Hiltpold is a great teacher. He had a quiz a week, but was very easy if you studied. Mid-terms & Finals difficult but very possible to get an "A". He made class go by very fast and made class more enjoyable.

Hiltpold is a great teacher. Even though I got a pretty bad grade, I still learned alot in the class. His Map Quizes are easy as long as you study for them, the reading quizes are difficult to figure out what you'll be quizzed on, and the midterm and final require alot of studying, but he's an excellent teacher.

Dr. Hiltpold is a great teacher. He has a lot of quizes but if you study for them you will get good grades on them. I found the mid-terms & finals hard. A lot of reading. I would recommend taking Dr. Hiltpold to everyone.

Hiltpold was an amazing teacher. His lectures were clear and to the point, and obviously well thought out. I took this class originally because I thought it was a GE but it ended up that it didn't count for me. So you think I would be chapped about that but I'm actually pretty that I took it. 2 essay exams make up the tests. I didn't read on word out of the book but I did pay close attention to the lectures. Study for the reading quizes and the map quizes which are 10% or your grade.

He has very specific requirements for what he wants on exams, but his lectures are very entertaining and thought-provoking. It's like going to storytime, only you get college credit. Excellent x3, take this guy if you can. Only good things, basically.

I took a very similar class before I transferred, so I was not pleased when I found out I had to take it again. However, I still learned a lot during the quarter. He presents the material in a fun and interesting way, and certianly keeps his students attention. But if you are looking for an easy 100 level course, don't expect this class to be a cake walk. He grades hard on the exams, which are in-class essay and short answer (his weekly quizzes and 2 map tests are easy). I barely got an A-, but it felt good because I know I really earned it. So if you want a great teacher take this class, but expect to know the material come exam time and be able to communicate what you know really well. If you're good at in class essays, you should be fine.

Just because this is a freshman level class, don't let it fool you! Dr. Hiltpold is going to require that you memorize all those esoteric details of history that you'll soon forget anyway. It's all about memorization, and there are hundreds of years of history to memorize. Gee, what fun. That said, he's a cool guy and an excellent lecturer, but he's running this class at a 400 level.

This class is very interesting and well organized. I really enjoyed the enthusiasm Dr. Hiltpold has for this subject. I definately recommend this class and this teacher!

Dr. Hiltpold is a great teacher and an awesome lecturer!!!! He really makes history easy and he makes you want to understand!!! Make SURE that you listen to him when he says to start studying right aways, also, go to his office and get the essay outlines for the midterm and the final, they really help you. Also, if you do not know what is going on or need help, go and talk to him, he really will help you out and give you insight!!! This is a class worth taking even though you have to work hard, it is worth it and rewarding.

He is very good teacher and made western civ intresting, which is hard to do, the midterm and final are very difficult and require ALOT of studying the reading quizes are easy as long as you read, i learned alot and found it intresting, for the most part i recommend taking hiltpold.

Dr. Hiltpold's class was difficult but really really interesting. I learned a lot in his class and never found myself bored. He's nice and pretty funny so that also keeps you awake. The map quizzes and reading quizzes are pretty easy and the reading for the reading quizzes is usually pretty interesting. He is a very very good lecturer and incredibly organized which helps when studying for his midterm and final. The midterm and final are pretty difficult cause you have to memorize a whole bunch of stuff. But what's good about his lectures is that you really don't need to read the text since he's very thorough in his lecture. I only read the text if I needed clarification on something. Before the midterm and final, go to his office hours!! He will help you with anything you aren't clear on and he'll give the the outlines for the tests- these are crucial! If you know and study the outlines, you'll ace the class.

Hiltpold is by far, the best teacher I've ever had. His lectures are profound. He forces students to LEARN. I can't say enough about this man...he's brilliant. His class is not easy though...you HAVE to go and study, but its not a class that you will dread. I am taking his witch hunt class right now and he's just as amazing. I recommend taking hiltpold while at Cal Poly. You'll really feel like you've walked away knowing much more than you did 3 months earlier.

I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Hiltpold! His class is very interesting--you'll never find yourself bored by his lectures. He's a riot and a half--probably the funniest teacher I've had (or will have) at Cal Poly! He keeps your interest using humor, but he also expects you to learn a lot. His tests are entirely essay-based, and demand a lot of study time. I made the mistake of not reading the textbook, and I got a B-as a result. But he concentrates on helping students see how everything fit together to produce a truly "Western" civilization through to the Reformation period. I really enjoyed this class!

OH MY GOSH!!! It is rare that I, or any Cal Poly student for that matter would actually be excited to get up at 7am and listen to a two hour lecture, but Dr. Hiltpold gives you a reason to. HE IS THE BEST!!! He expects a lot, but you will feel so good about yourself if you work hard and pull off an A. Beleive me, I am not usually an A student and I usually could care less about a history lecture, but this man is the kind of proffessor a college student dreams of. He is passionate about his job, but seems asthough he is passionate about everything in his life. Listen to his stories- they are funny. Go to his lectures- they are important. Stop by office hours- he is cool. Seriously, people, take any class that Dr. Hiltpold offers...HE IS THE BEST PROFESSOR YOU'LL EVER HAVE!!!

Dr. Hiltpold is one of the best teachers I have this quarter. He keeps his lectures entertaining, while providing you with information rellevant to the class. If you do take him, make sure you know when the quiz days are, and read the material. Also, if you have any questions Dr. Hiltpold makes time to stop and help you. He is also interested in what you are doing or want to do. If you have the chance, Take Dr. Hiltpold. It will be one of the best classes you take here at Cal Poly.

Dr. Hiltpold was by far the best teacher I have had at Cal Poly. He knows his material, is extremely organized, and by God, he has a sense of humor. Being a History major, I cannot stress how much better it is to have an instructor who cares about the students understanding more than listening to himself use big words in his lectures. The tests are hard and demanding, but if you go to his office hour before the midterm (at least a week) he will show how to get a good grade. You don't even need to buy the text book, just the documents set.

Best lecturer and teacher at Poly.The class seems easy, but you HAVE TO GO TO CLASS to get a good grade. The midterm and final are taken straight out of the class notes. The readings are more like support for what he lectures. To get an A, GO TO ALL HIS CLASSES AND TAKE ALL THE QUIZES!!!

Professor Hiltpold expects increadible memerization skills from his students while the quizes count for very little towards your grade.

Awesome teacher. Take this class if you want to learn about history and are willing to study hard and go to class every day. Getting an A on each test is very difficult, but the amount we covered in class added to his historical insight makes this class invaluable. Study for the tests the way he tells you to or else you will fail. Make sure you go to his office hours and copy down the essay outlines and make sure you have the "historical importance" down pat come time for midterms. Hiltpold has a great sense of humor and I hope you enjoy him as much as I did.

If I were you, I would ignore the person below this (I don't know what he is talkign about). Hiltpold is the best teacher I think I have ever had. He is clear, concise, and very well organized! Everything in his class is very fair and wonderfully interesting (and I think most other people on here agree with me). I really loved learning from him, and he made me want to know more! Take him if you want to ENJOY coming to class for a change.

Fabulous teacher! He reminds me of a bald Jon Stewart. Take his class.

Dr. Hiltpold is a wonderful teacher! He made class interesting every day and had visual aides, a sense of humor, and outlines to follow while taking notes. He is kind of a hard grader-- you must have the information down for the midterm and final-- no b/s-ing. But, he was always helpful in office hours and explained the material clearly. I loved his class and definitely would recommend him! Take him if you get a chance-- he will give a positive outlook on history!

Without a question one of the best professors at Cal Poly. He is interesting, easy to talk to and he will work with you on issues that you have. He is one hard grader though. This is easily the hardest class that i've had at Poly. He adds points up on exams instead of taking them off. I know this sounds the same but it isn't. It means that you have to memorize everything from the lectures and especially the reading in order to have enough facts in your essays to get a good grade. I recommened Hiltpold, but you better do your reading, and read everything more than once (I did the reading for the first mideterm, which was 6 chapters or about 200 pages, five times before the test and i only got an 85%).

This guy is the best. I love the way that he presents the material, its very clear and precise. What he tests on comes straight from the notes, the book is not necessary. But this makes attending class necessary. Hiltpold is also an incredibly funny and intelligent man. The class is NOT very difficult if you can figure out his midterm format. Its unusual but in the end not too bad. GO to his office hours when midterms come around and get him to explain what he wants, and then youll be on easy street.

I like Hiltpold because I thought he was good to look at. People probably think I'm crazy, but he's great.

Wow! Professor Hiltpold was an amazing professor. It is important to keep in mind, however, that he expects a lot from his students. I think I went into his class with the wrong mindset... I expected an A, and though I poured my life into that class this quarter my grade didn't seem to show for it. If you take him, work your face off. Even if you don't get the best grade, you will at least walk away from that class with an incredible love of history, and a LOT of knowledge.

this teacher is amazing!! his material in terms of the leture is not as interesting as you would hope- but the way he presents it is extremely interesting. his test setup is Very complicated. GO TO OFFICE HOURS FOR THE TEST STUDYGUIDE/WORKSHEETS seriously that determines your grade. overall he is just really sick- my fav sooo far by far!!

BEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD. His tests are so hard but i loved studying for them. He is so good at putting the material into a context that is understandable and easy to remember. Take him!

Hiltpold was a great professor! His reading quizzes/map quizzes were very straightforward and easy to do well on. You can also drop your 3 lowest grades. The midterm and final are tricky because its only short answer and an essay, but once again if you know the information and study his lectures you'll be fine. Also, the book is only useful for studying maps and for definitions, so I suggest splitting a book with someone else you know in the class. Overall a great class, definitely worth taking with Hiltpold, he makes history bearable, and entertaining even

I took History 110 thinking it would be one of my easier classes, however it ended up being the biggest headache/ nightmare. Professor Hiltpold's lectures are impossible to follow, and its really difficult to know whats actually historically important and what is straight up his opinion. On his tests he just wants you to spit back his thoughts and wants no margin of original thought. Don't take this class if you have a choice!!!!

Dr. Hiltpold is very knowledgable about European and Western history. his lectures are pretty light and definately geared for a freshmen level course, however, sometimes they get a little confusing. He is a pretty strict grader on his tests and it is essentially just spitting back what you learned in the lectures. The book is almost pointless except to look up terms especially since he disagrees with it on a regular basis. He isnt really interested in personal thoughts on the subject but dont let that dissuade you..He is a nice guy, very approachable and very helpful when it comes to difficulties...plus, its a 100 level course, save the personal thoughts for when it counts in the 300 level courses.

Hiltpold is AWESOME! Yes, he may be a more difficult grader than others, but he is explicit on conveying HOW he will grade, and if you listen to him and follow his direction, you will be very prepared for the midterm and final. GO TO Office hours, he is VERY helpful and it will make the difference in your grade. I looked foward to going to his class everyday because of his great sense of humor and warm personality! YOU WILL learn more than any other history class because he focuses on the main theme and is an outstanding teacher.

Honestly, Hiltpold is my favorite professor that I have had since being at Cal Poly. He presents the material in a way that relates to us--you\'ll actually understand what he is talking about. He is also hilarious. I don\'t typically laugh in my classes...but he is a professor that just cracks me up. He basically tells you what the midterm and the final are...if you fail that it\'s because you just didn\'t study. You\'ll know everything that is going to be on the midterm/final. Best part is that the final is not cumulative. He\'s also very approachable and will help you out...if you don\'t think you deserve a certain grade (you obviously have to have reasons)...he will look it over. He\'s such a great guy--I would take his class again if i could!!

Hiltpold is a great instructor. He provides the class information in a clear and concise way with very structured powerpoints. Every week there are reading quizzes which are very manageable and he only takes the top six out of nine. In addition to reading quizzes, he gives two map quizzes which are easy too. As for the midterm and final, they are all writing. Hiltpold is very clear on what he wants and is not joking around. As long as you do what asks on the midterm/final, you\'ll be fine.

I would avoid this professor as much as possible! At the beginning I thought that this class was very enjoyable until I had to start studying for the midterm. His quizzes are very easy multiple choice questions that you should get an A on if you do the reading. However, his midterm is the most ridiculous grading system I have ever experienced. He wants you to evaluate 5 of 8 different people/things from history... by giving an identification and the historical importance and as essay. Although this may not seem so bad, he does not give ANY examples or help regarding what the historical importance of a person is. The only help he gives is \"use the big themes.\" Therefore his grading is 100% subjective and you walk away from the test feeling really well about it, but then receive a C on it. For some people, a C may be a good grade, but I am a straight A student (obviously not anymore) and it is not right that I and many other fellow students have to spend more time studying for this class which is freshman level than any other 300-400 level classes. For me to work as hard as I did for that class and receive a C+, while receiving all A\'s in my other 300-400 level classes, I definitely believe that his grading system is flawed. So... be warned!

Hiltpold is a very likeable person and he is very funny. Class was enjoyable and I thought this class was going to be a blast. I took good notes and studied moderately BUT HE GRADES VERY HARD. And his method of wording the test tests was ridiculous. DONT TAKE THIS CLASS. I have a solid B average at poly and dont fail classes every but this was just ridiculous. This guy is a great person, but an idiot in the classroom

Not to rip on this professor; he has semi-dry humor and is approachable, but the way he structures his lectures makes it extremely difficult to do well in this class. He wastes a lot of time on trivial tangents, which you would THINK are important for the midterm when really, the stuff you need to know to do well on the exams are things he mentions in two seconds during class or never at all (and you would have to go to his office hours to talk to him about \"historical importance\"). He has very specific expectations in terms of how you should answer the exam questions, but he doesn\'t do a good job at actually teaching what you need to know to do well on the midterm. The good thing, I suppose, about Hiltpold is that he is fairly approachable and will clarify anything if you ask him. It\'s just a hassle to talk to him about every little bit of the material. He expects you to regurgitate his arguments on the exams, with some support from the textbook. If you\'re willing to work hard for an A, it\'s definitely doable. But if you\'re only taking this class for a GE and want an easy A, I wouldn\'t recommend taking his class. Hope this helps.

Before the midterm, I thought Professor Hiltpold\'s lectures were a little scattered and confusing, but I still found his class to be somewhat enjoyable, for I thought he presented interesting material. Then the midterm came around... the study guide was pretty rediculous, considering I had gone to class every day and I still couldn\'t find half of the \"ID\'s\" and literally none of the \"Historical Importances.\" Still have half way to go... but my suggestion would be to NOT DO IT.

If you go to Dr. Hiltpold's office, he has about a dozen teaching awards displayed on his window. The guy is good at teaching. He definitely grades harder than other professors I've had, but he makes a great effort to ensure students are well prepared to get good grades on the exams. TAke his class. It's not the easiest freshman-level class, but it's worth it.

everyone who complains about professor hiltpold is probably just a bad student. ya he might go off on tangents sometimes but his lectures cover directly what the midterm is on. i never and i repeat never read a page of the book and did fine, his study guides tell you what is exactly on the test and that is why he is a strict grader because you have a week to basically memorize exactly what you want to write, oh and guys if you want to know what the historical significance of something is, go to office hours and ask because he will tell you, he isnt trying to trick you or hide anything just make an effort, a little effort, and get a B and stop bitching.

In the very first class lecture, Hiltpold asks the class what it means that history is a liberal art, and he proceeds to discuss how liberal arts enable students to think independently. This was great, and I was excited; however, I have been disappointed since then. The class involves absolutely no independent thinking. We are evaluated based on how well we can regurgitate Hiltpold's specific thoughts back to him. I earned all A's last quarter, and I just got a C- on this midterm. The book does not help at all--in fact, it is irrelevant to the course (Do not buy it!), and there are very few opportunities on the midterm to even earn points. If you have not gone to office hours to ask the historical importance of everything on the study guide, whatever you say (no matter how valid) will earn partial credit at best. Hiltpold is an amusing instructor and has a unique sense of humor, but it's almost as if the material is so clear in his own mind that he forgets to mention it aloud. He does a terrible job of communicating what we need to KNOW over what he thinks is cool. Also, his humor is detrimental to students who do not understand it. I have seen students write things in their notes that Hiltpold said sarcastically, as a joke. Lastly, this professor feels some kind of incessant need to rip on the movie Gladiator. If you are a fan of the movie, this will bother you. (It is my favorite movie.) Basically, if the subject matter really gets you, go for it, but I recommend avoiding the class. You will only get to be an independent thinker in HIST 110 if your "independent thoughts" are exactly the same as Hiltpold's.

Hiltpold is a very amusing professor and makes every attempt to provide comedy to the subject matter. However, his grading system is one of the most biased I've experienced in any class. His class is graded 10% Map Quizzes, 20% Reading Quizzes, 30% Midterm, and a 40% Final. The map quizzes are basic geography tests and if you study its an easy A. The reading quizzes are easy to get A's on as well as long as you read and comprehend the 2-3 page readings that are assigned each week. The Midterm and Final are where his grading system becomes incredibly biased. Both these tests are divided into two parts: Short Answer and Essay. The short answer section has about 30-40 items you're supposed to know and he puts 8 on the test, of which you answer 5. You're required to know the ID of something as well as it's historical importance, which is where you lose all your points. The historical importance of the item is the specific importance that he may or may not tell you and unless you go into office hours, its impossible to get the right answer. You pretty much just get partial credit for every answer you put and using information from the book only makes it worse. The essay isn't any better as you get marked down for not including the most trivial details. Hiltpold is honestly one of the smartest professors I've met and knows an incredible amount about history, but his tests aren't based on how well you know the information so the class becomes much harder than it should be. I'd recommend this class if you're taking it pass/fail but not for a grade because getting an A or a B is extremely difficult when 70% of your grade is based on the Midterm and Final.

This is a good class, but it didn't blow me away. Do the readings. Go to class. You should get an A. His tests are straightforward and easy, and the material I'm sure most people have heard a million times. He's an interesting person, knowledgeable, and really enjoys his job. He also works really hard to get his students interested, which is a noteworthy attribute.

Professor Hiltpold is very entertaining during lectures and he keeps students engaged. He is unclear at times with what he wants you to know for his exams. He expects you to know what he is thinking with out explaining it. This course will require a good amount of your focus, but if you are willing you should take this class. Classes go by very quickly, the only downfall is that he is vague in his teaching.

I LOVED THIS CLASS. Most people hate history classes because of all the memorization involved, but Professor Hiltpold's class wasn't like that at all. While we did learn about various events throughout the history of western civilization, the class was much more about on how human nature evolved through the ages. It was much more focused on why things happened, rather than what happened. As long as you go to lecture and pay attention (which isn't hard; Hiltpold has a very entertaining sense of humor) you'll do fine in the class.

Professor Hiltpold is an incredible professor. He's very caring towards the students and extremely passionate about his subject. I felt far more motivated to study, learn, and succeed in his class. His office hours around midterms remind me of my first thoughts about what college was. It includes group discussion as well as individual question and answer. He's simply one of the greatest professors I've had. Ever. TAKE HIS CLASSES!

I'm just waiting until I can take another history class with prof. hiltpold. Class was so interesting and he really makes history come alive. WARNING: it's hard. Don't take him if you want an easy A. Take him if you are in college to learn and want to have a good time doing it. I slacked off at the beginning of the quarter, and when the midterm came around I definitely wasn't ready and it showed (ie. a big fat F). I went to his office hours and asked him what I could do to do well in the class... he told me exactly how to study for the final.. I went into the final after bombaring his office hours for the past 3 weeks and got an A on the final... Instead of averaging the grades and giving me a C, he gave me a B because I proved I knew the material. GOOD GUY... he wants you to LEARN!

If you can take him, TAKE HIM. He is the best professor I've had at cal poly. Dr. Hiltpoldt is one of the few professors I've had at cal poly who genuinely enjoys TEACHING. He wants you to think, not repeat what he said in class. He's helpful in office hours, and generally acts like that awesome teacher you had in high school who wasn't just trying to get tenure and a pension.

I enjoyed his class a lot. He is an excellent professor. His lectures are interesting and he is very open to questions. He also is flexible about office hours so you can always get help. The quizzes are easy, but midterm and final required quite a bit of studying. In all honesty there is no reason why you shouldn't get at least a B or better. Just do the requred reading and study.

I have been using polyratings for all my teachers for a few quaters now and Holtpold has been the only one who was grossly overrated. His lectures are not very informative and when the class is over, you have not retained many historical facts other than "How China is amazing at everything". His quizzes are easy, but tests are hard to follow and understand what he wants. I took Wilson for History 207, best class I've ever had. Hiltpold's was one I wish I could forget.

Hands down one of the best professors on campus. Demanding for the exams, which there are two of, but explains the material perfectly. There are a bunch of reading quizzes, but the reading for the quizzes is incredibly interesting. Didn't even open the book, so I don't recommend it, you can get most of what you need from lecture of minimal outside research. He really did an amazing job and I learned a lot about history and why it is important, really understanding guy, take his class. If you get behind, go to office hours and he will make you understand, great class.

Dr. Hiltpold is a really cool guy. He loves history and tries really hard to make it interesting. His lectures aren't bad at all, but you need to go to all of them and take good notes, because pretty much everything that is on the midterm and the final is in your lecture notes. I didn't buy any of the books and ended up with a B. Study for the quizzes they really end up helping your final grade, even though they seem pointless. Also the map quizzes are really important! Other then that this class was pretty fun,even though it was everyday, I didn't mind going to it. I definitely recommend Dr. Hiltpold for this course, don't take it with anyone else!

How does this guy have such a good rating? It's preposterous.

Use his office hours, he will outline the essays for the midterm and finals with you. Midterm and final are directly from class lectures, write down everything he says!

Hiltpold is the best teacher i've had here at poly. he is funny in class and he cares about his students. office hours are helpful especially on the midterm and final which are not to be taken lightly. but if you talk to him, you are pretty much guaranteed a B in the class. he teaches the class in a way that makes you want to ask questions and find out more. Hiltpold rocks! definately take him!!

This was the second class I've taken from Dr. Hiltpold, and again, the man has greatly impressed me with his teaching ability. He is a brilliant lecturer--he's funny, conveys material clearly, and encourages student input. Although he was able to keep the class' attention most of the time, if he noticed the class was starting to drift off and lose focus toward the end, he'd just stop lecturing and let everyone "go sleep or do whatever it is you college kids do." Although his class is demanding, Hiltpold knows when to quit. The grade was based in this class on two map quizzes, the midterm, and the final (both of which were essay-based). The essay questions were broad enough to be relatively easy to answer sufficiently (provided one studied enough to do so), yet specific enough that students knew exactly what the teacher wanted in their responses. The best advice to follow when taking a class from Dr. Hiltpold is STUDY. Other than that, enjoy the class!

What can I say? Hiltpold is by far the best prof. I have had here. He is hilarious during lectures and his is the only class I have actually wanted to go to. He can be a tough grader, and almost half of your grade is comprised of two essay questions (one on the midterm and one on the final) but they are pretty easy because if you go to the lectures, you really do learn the material. I am dying to take another class with him, because he makes history enjoyable. I will probably take his witch-hunt class even though it doesn't fulfill any grad. requirements, just because of the great things I have heard about it. Again, what can I say? Take Hiltpold.

hiltpold is a funny teacher..makes class amusing. He puts an outline on the board and just starts talking, not really THAT organized, it was confusing at some points because you don't know what to write down. He explains it so you can understand..i understood, but the tests brought me down. 10% was the map quizes..WHICH I GOT 100 ON BOTH OF THEM! 40% was 1 midterm and 50% was 1 final..kind of sucks..but oh well. i recommend you going to his office hours.

Dr. Hiltpold is the best! I have learned more in one class from him than I have learned in the whole quarter, maybe even year. He will require a lot of work on your part, and if you slack off then you will fail. Stay on top of it and always go to leactures. I didn't do any of the reading except for test review. I would recommend that if you have the time you definetly take him for the witch hunt in europe.

I have several courses with Professor Hiltpold over the past couple years. He has completely changed my perspective on learning and studying. I actually enjoyed going to his lectures, studying, and doing the outside readings (when I had time). Every student at Cal Poly should take at least one class with him, especially the witch hunt class, which was the best class I've taken at Poly. He is an excellent lecturer- funny, interesting, relatable, and involving the class (but tries not to let discussions go too far off topic). His content is brilliant AND he actually takes student's opinions into account (if they're credible). He takes his material from his own research and other experts. If nothing else, you realize how worthwhile it is to learn in general when presented in the way he does. Hiltpold could take a computer science course and make it one of the most interesting and informative classes you've ever taken. The class is not as time consuming as people think- attend class (very important), go to his office hours before the test (he is VERY particular about what he wants, but you should get the hang of it if you try), do the readings if you can, and you should easily get a B. He's one of those teachers where it's hard (but not impossible) to get an A, but also hard to get a C or D unless you just totally blow off the class.

This teacher just rocks. He makes history fun and easy to understand. He is very systematic with presenting his material! He has you write a paper worth 20% of the grade, a map test 10%, midterm 30% and final 40%. This is probably the best history class you can take because of the teacher and the material it covers. I didnt read any of the assigned readings just went to class and got an A. But studied for both tests. He is very specific with what he wants so just go to class and it should guarantee a B.

This was the best class that I've taken at Cal Poly thus far. The witch hunts was just a fascinating topic to begin with, and with a professor like Dr. Hiltpold teaching it, the quarter just seemed to fly by. I loved going to class, and even though he may rush through his lectures a bit, I think it was because we were all so excited to get to the "good" stuff and just wanted to get there as quickly as possible. He does slow down and review if someone doesn't understand something, and his office door is always open. I didn't think that his midterm and final were difficult, but that's just me. The worksheets he gives you as study guides are extremely important. Nothing on the test is a surprise if you've done the work. He's very specific in what he's looking for, so if you go to class and do the reading, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Like I said, this was just a great class so I loved going to class everyday. There is a paper, and he breaks it down into "steps" with certain due dates, so the paper doesn't seem so overwhelming. Everyone should take the witch hunt class with Dr. Hiltpold. It was definitely worth using a priority. That may be the only way you can actually get in because it's very difficult to crash this class. He only lets in maybe 3 or 4 graduating seniors. But like I said, definitely worth taking!!!

Dr. Hiltpold is SO AWESOME. Seriously, this guy is one of the best teachers that I have ever had. This class is super interesting, and even though there is a lot of reading and work to be done, it is totally worth it. The two tests are kind of hard (5 short answer essay questions & 1 full essay) but the quizzes are pretty easy as long as you read the material beforehand. There is also a paper due, but it wasn't a big deal. This class is the best GEs there is, and the only history class that I have ever enjoyed going to.

I've taken three classes now from Dr. Hiltpold, and each one gets better and better. He is extremely knowledgeable about his subject area, and he presents it in a clear, provocative, and entertaining way. This was definitely my favorite class of the quarter. HIST 306 is the class to take for GE. The subject matter is interesting, and the teacher makes it fun, even in a night class (like my class was).

Dr. Hiltpold is VERY disorganized and would often skip over his own outlines!!

Hiltpold is by far one of the best professors here at Cal Poly. He made the class incredibly interesting and provided clear outlines for all of his lectures as well as study guides for his tests. Though, he does require you to review a lot of material for the midterm and final, he grades fairly and is always willing to let you know why you got your grade and how to improve. He's extremely easy to talk to and just an all around fun person. The research paper is a large part of your grade but as long as you touch base with him and keep up with the deadlines, you'll do fine. I cant recommend this professor enough.

I found nothing special about this professor. He was very unhelpful and very disorganzied. He often skipped around his own outlines which were on the overhead as it was! HE would get side tracked with random pointless stories that were often amusing but just a waste of time. You never knew what was important in his lectures until after the first test's outline was handed out then you knew what kinda things he would focus on. I decided to attend his office hours for extra help but he would tell me to come back another day because he was not ready to discus the information. Then that evening in class he would preceed to tell the class he is a little worried because no one has come to his office hours for help! I was just there 4 hours earlier and he turned me away. I was able to talk to him about the outline of my essay and he just looked it over and said it looked great (wouldnt discuss it) so when i got my essay back he said it was disorganzied.... well if he took time to revew my outline and rough draft I would have known how he would have prefered my essay! So all in all he was very unhelpful!

Hiltpold is the kind of teacher you dream of getting in college. He makes you think! He is so intelligent, and his knowledge of history is amazing. You feel smarter for having been in his class. I don't understand any of the comments about him being a football coach, or only paying attention to "stacked" girls. That's bull! He treats everyone with respect, and he brings a sense of humor to the classroom. I highly encourage you to take any of his classes!

Hiltpold is the man for sure. His lectures on the Witch Hunts are interesting and the manner in which he teaches it is easy to follow. He grades very fairly, and as long as you put in a little bit of time you will succeed in his course. This is by far the coolest elective class offered at Cal Poly, and it is no wonder it fills up so quickly. If you have the opportunity to enroll in this class, you would be a fool not to take it.

To the fool below. Completely disregard that statement. He is a very challenging professor however he, along with the class is worth the time in effort. If you have the opportunity to take his class, do it. Dont be a fool, go to school. And take him!

hello scholars

I was excited to take this class because so many people said that this teacher is awesome and the material is interesting. The material is interesting, but the class isn't. It takes an incredible amount of work. The cummulative GPA for last quarter was a 1.5 and I don't think he curved. Not only does he set unrealistically high expectations, but he also critiques you very harshly on the midterm and probably the paper. The comments he makes are both unprofessional and unnecessary. Even if you did well, his comments make you feel crappy. You can tell that he is a jerk on a power trip. If you take him, good luck!

I completely agree with the statement below. I came into this class because I heard it was one of the easier D5's and that the teacher is great. Well.. if you want to get D's on your midterm when you are an A student.. then ya, take this class. Prof. Hiltpold is a great lecturer yet he does not know how to properly evaluate his students. I am posting this because I read some comments saying he was great and grades fairly but found out the hard way that it wasn't true. Don't take this for a GE class. It is way too much work and the way he conducts his class is for students to go home and read about witch-hunts every night. Sorry, we have other classes too. Also, the midterm is graded based on SPECIFIC format, not GENERAL knowledge of the material. (I also dislike some of the sexual comments made in his class about pornography, at times it makes me uncomfortable).

I may be an atheist, but with God as my witness I would never take this class again even if you gave me two penises and a new vagina each and everyday for the rest of my life...ok I might do it then, but it'd be close - it'd be damn close. -JJ

I was intimidated by this professor, but he ended up being pretty good. Good sense of humor and interesting lectures.

"Worst Class Imaginable" Dr. Hiltpold doesn't even know what he's talking about half the time: we talk about episodes of friends, if whales have allergies, his hatred for sheep, and he is an exact replica of a troll from that old school Ernest movie. Apparently he thinks torture isn't a form of punishment witch is just pure bull shit. Also he believes there is actually a thin layer of oxygen under ice that if you fall through you can actually breathe and survive - witch is physically impossible. He claims all these precise theories and students actually correct him on the information he presents and then he shuts them down, probably because he's writing his own book on witchcraft. He is just straight up a fucking liar, he told us that 23/30 already turned in their papers one day and I asked at least 5 people around me and they said they hadn't even started yet. This man is not a teacher he’s just a balding freak who doesn't know his left nut from something, I don't know something stupid, whatever you can think of will be better than what he is. AVADA KEDAVRA BITCH

The only reason this class is interesting is because of the subject matter, not the professor. Every "lecture" consists of slides that he basically reads off of, and there is barely any class discussion so nearly the entire class time is spent listening to him and only him. Hiltpold's grading policies are extremely unclear, so you can spend hours studying for a test or writing a paper only to receive a failing grade. Also, he is an extremely unapproachable teacher and it is nearly impossible to get any real help during office hours. I would not recommend this class to anyone.

People who think this guy is a hard grader are pretty just not that smart. He gives you a detailed study guide before the midterm and final with EVERYTHING that will be on the test. If you received anything below a B then you are just mentally challenged. He's really nice, slightly funny, and explains things in the easiest way possible. You dont have to read unless its for a quiz and its usually only 3 pages or so from the book. Take him for your D5. I hate history and I got an A.

Its simple. DO NOT TAKE HIM. He is an arrogant professor who uses his power over his students, but he doesn't even know his own material well. He wants you to spit back information he wants, not your own opinion. So, unless you say exactly what he wants your grade suffers. I cannot stand him and will never take him for another class again. I felt disrespected, intimidated and that my opinion was worthless unless it was the same as his.

Any class with Dr. Hiltpold is, I'm sure, very entertaining. He is witty and has a very sarcastic sense of humor. His upbeat personality makes it easy to sit through class. He is a tough grader, but as long as you take notes and study THOROUGHLY, you'll do fine.

I just can\'t believe that there are bad reviews about this specific class...for both the midterm and the final he gives you a study guide detailing EXACTLY what you need to know. And yes, pretty much everything he teaches you is his opinion (actually others\' opinions as well, but he also explains why he disagrees with them). But considering it\'s a class on a rather obscure subject (witchcraft), what kind of opinions do you students have anyway--I seriously doubt any of you know more then him. He lays out everything he wants to know super clearly. Furthermore, he makes a good grade on the final paper accessible for all by relating it to each students\' major. Do the readings and go to class--which isn\'t even bad because he\'s actually funny and sarcastic. Anyone who was intimidated should stop criticizing him and examine their own self esteem.

Hiltpold's witch hunts class is literally a high school (or maybe even middle school) class all over again. You have quizzes every single week, a map quiz, and a significant amount of essays. The quizzes are pretty easy if you read. Th essays are manageable but he asks about six questions per essay and you have to answer all of the questions in the paper while still having a coherent thesis. Not as easy as it sounds. Also, I HATE the structure of the midterms. Hiltpold essentially gives you multiple essay options with the thesis and data that you must use. Sounds easy but it's actually not because he alters the data points for the actual exam and it's a lot of memorization. Unlike other classes where you can formulate your own argument and use data that makes sense to you, for Hiltpold you have to memorize his thesis and memorize his data and the progression of his data points. Maybe this is good for some people, but I didn't like it at all. I've also heard from friends that he is not helpful in office hours. He is definitely very engaging in class though and the quizzes are not hard.

I loved this class. I would take it again if I could. Hiltpold is very interesting and his classes fly by. All of the information is well presented in a clear and organized manner. He does have a ton of busy work, he assigns weekly papers and quizzes, and neither of these assignments are very hard if you prepare for the quizzes. He does grade hard on the papers, but only 5 of the 8 count so you can improve your score. I did very little of the reading other than the reading for the quizzes, and I have an A going into the final unfortunately I am taking it cr/nc because I thought the class would be harder. I will be keeping the books because I think they are very interesting. The number one thing new students should be wary of is the map quiz in the second week. This quiz is very hard and you need to be very specific with the locations. As another reviewer wrote Hiltpold does have weird midterms and finals where he expects you to memorize his arguments. I enjoy tests with more freedom to show your knowledge and develop a thesis, but you can do well with a bit of studying.

I did not expect too much going into a witch-hunting class, but whatever expectations I had Hiltpold blew away. He is charismatic, knowledgeable, to-the-point, and all around a great professor. His expectations for you in the class are clearly stated, the work load is not much but very consistent. The class is a lot of rote memorization and the tests are pretty much just factoid regurgitation, but I would take the class again if I could. Hiltpold presents the material in a way that is engaging and interesting.

Hiltpold is hands down my favorite professor at Cal Poly!! He is hilarious, sarcastic, knowledgable and worldly. Lectures go by quick. You have a reading quiz about once a week, but its only out of one book the readings range from 3 to 10 pages usually. You have 8 essays, but only 5 count (only 350 words each). I've discovered he likes very to the point essays, not flowery. Midterm and final are pretty standard: identify terms and an essay question. Over-all the subject matter is great and Hiltpold is amazingggg!!!! Ps I find it comical that others have quoted him as believing or teaching idiotic ideas....that's his sarcastic sense of humor you goons!!!! You figure out what are jokes and what's real, if it sounds fishy IT IS. Ask him!!! That's his point. Never just believe, always ask more questions(: 5 stars for Hiltpold!

I would definitely recommend Dr Hiltpold as a teacher. His classes go by extremely quickly and I found him to be an extremely accommodating teacher who bends over backwards to assist you when needed. Very fair. Classes are funny. He encourages participation. Often lets you out early because its a nice day. I'm sure I could have achieved an A quite easily had a tried a little harder.

You know a professor is going to be annoying when their syllabus is nearly 100 pages long (ok so it was about 10 pages, still, that's ridiculous...what a waste of trees!). Seriously, though, this guy is not the greatest teacher at all. His lectures aren't extremely boring but he doesn't actually teach much of anything which is clear once it comes down to test time and you're confused about what you've learned all quarter. Reading quizzes every week which are straight-forward. Other than that, there's a map quiz (which is lame because you have to remember the very exact location on the map, not just the general location, otherwise it's marked wrong), a midterm, a major research paper (5+ pages), and a final. His study guides for the exams are ridiculous. He gives you a super long list of terms you're supposed to study for so you can identify (as well as noting historical importance) but only puts 5 on the actual test (needless to say, the ones you have trouble remembering will most likely haunt you by being on the test). And the essay questions are super confusing and just odd. He doesn't want you to write an intro or conclusion (huh? I STILL don't get it even after visiting office hours...). Basically, don't take this class unless you have taken this professor before and liked him. Otherwise, you will regret it.

Looks and acts like Principal McVicker on Beavis and Butthead.

Best professor I have had so far at Poly. He gets straight to the point, cuts out the unnecessary points from his lectures, and gets you out early ALL while making sure he delivered the information clearly and effectively. Respectful, professional, and so, so knowledgeable. If you're not a history major and are looking for an interesting elective or GE, I 100% recommend the witch hunt class with Hiltpold. I loved his teaching style so much that I am now planning on studying with him in Spain next fall. I had a long stream of lousy professors this past year, so I was so happy that I decided to enroll in this class.

So I thought Hiltpold was pretty cool from the first day--I guess some people are kinda intimidated by him but I always found him to be quite friendly. I really enjoyed his humor and it made the class period really fun. Not to mention, History of the Witch-Hunt is just a super interesting topic (in my opinion). Little-to-no homework, easy straightforward quizzes (with some lowest scores dropped!), flexible absence policy, and HE LET US OUT OF CLASS EARLY EVERY TIME which was awesome since I was in the nighttime section. Unlike most professors at Cal Poly who are always in a rush to get through their curriculum and always fall behind on their lesson plan, and who also always take a century to return papers: Hiltpold had a clear, attainable amount of info to get through each lecture, and he returned our essays faster than any other professor I've had at Poly. I had some doubt for a while because I bombed the midterm (I'm a pretty good student, bombing a test isn't something I do) and I didn't think I'd be able to bounce back--it was making me question whether to minor in History. But a quick chat at office hours and he made me feel better, saying "I'm not worried--now you know how to study for my test and you can just ace the final, simple as that." And you know what? That's exactly how things went down at the end of the year. I was worried about whether I'd even pull off a B in the class and I ended up getting an A- :)

Anyone complaining about the structure of the class is obviously unfamiliar with how some history classes are set up - lower and upper division alike. Dr. Hiltpold is an AMAZING man and professor, and he is such an efficient facilitator that I just have to write this review mid-quarter before I forget during the summer. He wants his students to be interested and active participants, and he gets a little testy/sarcastic when everyone just sits there not responding to his lecture, which is understandable. The material is very interesting in my opinion, which makes it easy to study for the tests. Overall, I would absolutely recommend taking this class because Dr. Hiltpold is truly a joy to learn from and he presents the material in a way that makes it easy to succeed in the class.

Hiltpold is a great Professor. His class is very engaging and he treats students as he would graduate students. He takes your ideas seriously and will always answer your questions to the best of his ability. I highly recommend speaking in class when you can and never be afraid to blurt shit out, he always answers. He's very good about responding to emails quickly. GO TO HIS OFFICE HOURS. He's cool and will help A LOT with your essay.

If you're only taking these with a grain of salt heed this warning, people that get straight As can fail the midterm even if you stu. I have never failed a midterm until this class and this is my last quarter here. He is very picky for both short and essay questions on exams. Quizzes are easy as long as you read. Do not take this class unless it's the only class available to settle this GE and its your last quarter here.

Decent enough at teaching. Lecture structure is good. His essay grading, however, is strange. You have no idea what grade to expect when turning something in, only you can be sure it'll be lower than you think. How does an essay where he comments "excellent argument" and "very well written" get a B-? It really seems arbitrary.

Good lectures, entertaining and does decent job presenting material. He gives you all the stuff that will be on the midterm so he can fail you and justify it. I'd rather get hooked up to the strappado then have to deal with this old professor! Good luck!

Professor Hiltpold is an incredible professor who teaches what has so far been my favorite course at Cal Poly. His lectures are always super interesting and he gives you A LOT of examples. He also tries to relate what he teaches to contemporary society for better understanding. His slideshows could be better since most information you'll need is said during lecture and not found on the slides. However, he is super approachable and if you ask him for help at office hours he'll explain anything and give you useful information for the exams. The exams are pretty hard, but he judges you more on your improvement at the end of the course than your actual letter grades. Also, say what you mean on the test essays! He will knock of points for poorly explained or half-answered questions. Overall, I really enjoyed the class and would definitely recommend it to a friend!

Dr. Hiltpold is a tough instructor, but probably the best instructor of my life in any subject. He can make a 1.5 hour lecture go by quickly, while having the attention of every student the entire time. He makes history easier to understand, and is very un-biased. I HIGHLY recommend him for any course.

Hiltpold was a bit intimidating because he talked very fast and went through material also at a quick rate. I thought I wouldn't do that well in the class but if you make an effort to go to his office and get to know him, he will most likely notice your effort. Tests are hard but study with flashcards to help out. I was worried I was not going to pass the class but I believe he curved very much because I came out with a solid B. Overall, a good teacher, extremely knowledgable and inspiring, also may seem tough at first. Definitely takes some time to get used to.

Professor Hiltpold is great. He makes the subject matter very engaging and makes a student actually want to learn more about the people, events, and places he discusses in class. At the same time, he's very down to earth, he jokes, he's not dull or boring. Clearly, he knows what he's talking about, and communicates it very effectively. The only thing that I picked up on that I didn't like was that he tended to favor the history majors in the class, probably because he recognized a lot of them; I'm a history minor and kind of felt brushed off the few times I tried to participate. But, beyond that, the professor is great, he's not excessively demanding, and really makes learning fun.

Hiltpold is a great teacher and guy. This is how history was meant to be taught. says he wishes he could teach it over a beer and pizza. VERY organized, you'll know exactly what he's looking for on all tests, he gives all the material to you beforehand. there's a decent sized paper 8-10 pages on what you want. it's a great class, you study everything in the time period of the long 17th cent, it's incredibly interesting despite what it might sound like. hiltpold is basically the man; funny, great teacher, and very very very enthusiastic about the subject. you will learn a lot and get a great experience.

I learned that if I were to take up hunting, I should shoot deer, not bears, because a bear will hunt me back if I successfully wound it. Fascinating! I didnt know that the key to production and operations management was so brutally simple!

There are many things that one can say about Mr. Hiltpold. The first is that he is exactly what he denigrates: a high school football coach. His actions, arrogance, and testosterone level all cream

READ, READ, READ! That's it. The reading wasn't hard and it was actually quite entertaining a nd interesting. His class lecture is stand up comedy. Drew Carey is a perfect nickname for him. Proof your writing or he will rip your shit! Grading was both tough but fair. There are certain things he won'ts you to PROVE to him that your getting what he is teaching you. The best part about that is that he gives you the possible questions to the mid-term and final in advanced! TAKE THIS MAN!

Religious Wars and Absolutism. Under any circumstances, do not take this class. It is only offered every three years and no matter how hard you try, how much energy you put into class, papers, and readings, it will ruin your GPA. I put as much energy into this class as all of my other classes combined, was able to pull mostly C's through this midterm and quizzes, and somehow ended up with a D. First D ever and I'm about to graduate. This course is only offered every once in a while, so I don't have a chance to redeem my grade. Most of the students in this class were repeating it. Yikes.

Hiltpold was probably a great teacher back in the eighties. All I know is he is rude, unprofessional, and actively creates hindrances in class in order to complicate student lives. He gives nasty, rude admonishments in a weekly email. He requires reading and book lists that contain books that are vastly out of print or have not even been published yet, so have fun going on wild searches for source material that does not exist. He is an overtly opinionated slacker who refuses to properly teach his own classes but then vehemently criticizes the students he forces to do it for him. How about pay us next time since we are doing your job for you, and of course we get verbally reprimanded when we dont do it to his levels of perfection, what a lazy slob. He is one more major disappointment to what is already a sorry and hackneyed history program at cal poly.

This guy is great. He has a great sense of humor and he is brilliant. But he is a tough grader. Show up to class every day, do all of the reading, and visit him for extra help. You really have to work hard for him but you will learn a lot in the process. If you want an easy A take someone else.

Hiltpold sends out bizarre and incoherent emails using all caps and explanation points. He does not discuss his expectations with students and then becomes upset when he is inevitably misunderstood. This guy sucks dick.

Dr. Hiltpold is the best because he's my uncle and I just love him. (If you're a student reading this, I am a junior in college and haven't actually taken a class from him because I go to school at Texas A&M University. Really this is a biased post, but at least you all can know he's a family man.) You should take a class from him because he's intelligent, creative, amusing, and IN LOVE with his job (something that won't happen often with a professor. Most are only around for research). So put on some pants and take his class. I've learned so much from my uncle and I was only visiting California for a few days. I only hope to have the chance at sitting in on one of his lectures. Dr. Hiltpold is timeless. (Cal Poly, you make it too easy to post a comment on here!)

Nepotism. Clearly judges his students harshly and picks favorites. Even though I did well, Dr. Hiltpold was intimidating, inaccessible and unfair to his students. The worst professor I have ever had.