Christopher Bates

School: Cal Poly Pomona
Department: History
Location:Pomona, CA
Overall Rating
rated by 20 students
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Easiness
Rating Comment
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 Pros: no textbook, funny, time flies by
Cons: none
I took him in winter quarter 2015, since there were no textbooks you had to read readings he posts on his online website, which were easy to understand and they were very interesting. There are five writing assignments, the assignments are not hard because the main thing you need to do is provide evidence that support what you are saying and explain it. If you are unsure about your assignment you can ask him. He is very approachable and will help you in any way he can. The lectures are not boring, the clips he shows are very funny and it relates to what he is talking about. You can always send him an email if you have a question, etc. For the final, it is available on his website at the beginning of the quarter on his website and he will explain it in class before it is due, so if you have a question ask him. I believe the best thing about this class is that there is no textbook required because you save money and you get to learn history from a new way and not from a textbook. Also, time seemed to go by fast. Take him!
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 Pros: Good lecturer
Gives out cookies at the end of the quarter
Extra Credits
Warns us about incoming quizzes
Make Up quiz
Has drafts for his written assignments
Cons: Critical thinking of the writing assignments that are his midterms (2)
His gives out lecture topics. You have to pay attention and write notes on the bold topics. The bold topics will be on his quizzes. You have to do online readings of his own articles instead of buying a book. 2 short papers based on the online readings. You can send him drafts and he'll fix it for you. Even after turning mine in, he gave me a chance to rectify my essay after due date. He has 2 midterms based on pictures. You have to write about what the picture is about. Its not rot learning. There is also a final paper. I prefer standard tests however. This is what EVERY COLLEGE CLASS SHOULD BE LIKE. Top tier professor.
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 Pros: Reviews are 100% accurate. I registered for his class solely because of the reviews on here, and the class quality was of no surprise. He is truly a great professor and knows how to effectively lecture in an engaging way for students. History class, for the first time in my life, was actually interesting. It would be nice if he taught a Teaching 101 class on the side for other professors; they'd learn a ton and improve their own reviews!
Cons: none whatsoever
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 Pros: Professor & class are interesting
Workload isn't bad
Professor Chris (nix the professor) is a superb professor. Prior to his class, I wasn't great with history back in high school… or history in general. However, he makes history extremely interesting. He basically puts all of U.S. history into a more understandable sense. Not only that, but he definitely has some jokes up his sleeves. If you're a USC fan, be prepared for his jokes! (Don't take that seriously; he's seriously a cool guy.)
His teaching style is definitely refreshing. He ties in culture from specific time periods and gives the opportunity for his students to paint a picture of the lecture in their heads. He gives enough time to comprehend any important information and makes sure every student is on the same page. Not only that but he makes the information accessible and understandable. If you feel like you lack any knowledge of history whatsoever, don't worry. Bates covers even the more complex moments in history in a comprehensible way.
There are two papers (a.k.a exams), one final project (which is another paper), and four "pop" quizzes. Emphasis on the "pop" because he hints at when the quizzes will take place. Don't fret with the quizzes either; he gives out handouts with bolded terms. As long as you do the assigned readings every weeks along with getting a general understanding of the bolded terms on his handouts, then you'll get a definite A on his quizzes.
In conclusion, Bates is a great guy. He is definitely knowledgable and knows how to make history interesting. Guaranteed, you'll actually enjoy going to every class of his!
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 Pros: Engaging
Funny
Helpful
Cons: Nothing I can think of
Okay let's get one thing straight. I hate history. Like, can not stand it. I understand it's useful for understanding our past and mistakes and everything but it's not my cup of tea. Professor Bates made it so much fun and interesting! The way he teaches is like he's telling you this story and you can't help but pay attention cause he's so funny. He uses these funny accents and everyone was cracking up in his class. I've never been able to understand what happened in WWI or what the Watergate scandal was. However, after his classes I understood immediately and now two years after having taken his class I still remember!
He does give quizzes/homework but just study enough for them and they should be easy and the HW is usually one typed page. It's not bad there is some work, but he's super awesome and helpful and his class is really entertaining!
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 Pros: He is the best professor I have ever had at Cal Poly. Actually, he's the best instructor I have ever had PERIOD. I've learned so much about history it's insane.
1) He has around 4 - 5 quizzes which he calls "pop quizzes" but he warns you the day before.
2) When he's late to class etc, he feels so bad he usually gives you a bunch of extra credit options.
3) He apparently brings Diddy Reese cookies on the last day of class!
4) Very funny. He integrates stories along with the lectures.
5) He NEVER asks you questions about dates. EVER.
6) He is extremely lenient when grading papers and quizzes and NEVER judges you for believes.
You are DEFINITELY missing out if you have not taken his class.
Cons: NOTHING.
Best teacher I HAVE EVER HAD. Take him or it's your loss.
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 Pros: everything
Cons: nothing
BEST TEACHER EVER! He is a funny teacher, gives the best lectures and you actually remember most of it without taking notes. Easy A if you do his work. he doesnt grade harshly. there is only 4 papers and a final that are on interesting topics. i had him for 201 and i am now taking him for 370 and its still a great class. recommend him 100%
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 Pros: You NEED to take this guy! He makes history fun, enjoyable, and educational!
Cons: You are hurting yourself if you don't take him!
History has been quite the boring subject for me, but Bates totally changed my mind of it all. His style of teaching and concern for his students is something that ALL teachers should have. I wish I had more teachers like him. For quizzes, you can survive with just doing the reading once and knowing the BOLD terms. Easy A in other words, but by far one of the BEST teachers ever. TAKE HIM!
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 Bates is a good Professor. He knows how to teach well. We understands the sort of material and the sort of presentation necessary to engage students and keep them interested. The class really is interesting, you’ll end up telling your friends about the guessing-game style of questions he begins each class with. He is really friendly and he thinks he looks like Jack Black, so just humor him. You have to write 4 homework essays throughout the class and a final essay. The 4 essays are out of a possible ten, one he posts each week. The final essay can be written on almost anything as long as it pertains to California in some way. He has a big list of movies you can choose from including: The Grapes of Wrath, Back to the Future, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine… It’s an interesting and fun class. I’d definitely recommend it.
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 Pros: Good Lectures, Keeps you awake, Tells stories that are about the subject.
Cons: NONE
The best teacher that I had at Cal Poly Pomona! His class was fun and always interesting. He challenges you to think about the world around you and how the past reflects the future. I recommend him as a teacher and I am so lucky to have had him as a teacher!
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 He is a great Professor. This guy knows his stuff. You will leave his class loving history like no other. You will learn even if you don't want to learn. This guy makes class fun and enjoyable. His quizzes are given a very different way than most professors. His homework assignments always have feedback and are very rare. He doesn't give much homework. His Final is pretty easy. Key thing is just try to bring up a good argument. Also, try to express interest in his class and he will remember you. He likes to remember faces and names and he keeps them in mind when he gives a grade ;)
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 Pros: Funny
Entertaining
Knows his history
Cons: 5 written assignments (final is the written assignment) That's it
Professor (err Chris) is a great person to take in California History. What makes his class different is that he keeps you awake and in shape to learn about California:
First, he's humorous. He tells jokes and funny stories. These kinds of traits are related to the lecture (the majority of it).
Second, if you're good at writing, you'll love this: 5 written assignments. That's the major part of his criteria (why I put this in cons is because I'm not very good at writing lol).
Third, his quizzes relate to the lectures and the readings that you do on your own. You don't need a book, just his site to get you through.
I recommend this professor. Whether you're majoring in history or not, I'll bet you that you won't regret taking his class.
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 Professor Bates is one of the best teachers I have ever had. I don't want to be one of those students who say I like this class/or take him because it's easy, but it is in fact easy. This is because Professor Bates is so good at what he does. He doesn't lecture, he tells stories. And he makes the class so interesting because he also adds his experiences as well as examples. He's very funny and sarcastic and isn't afraid to make fun of himself. His teaching style helps his students retain the information easily, because of his interesting and animated lectures. I've learned more about California's history in these first 8 weeks then I have in my whole life. honestly. I'm pretty disappointed that he isn't teaching 101, 102 or 103 next quarter, because I would definitely take his class again. If you ever get the opportunity, definitely take him. grade at the moment: A-
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 Probably the best history teacher on campus from what I've heard and experienced as a transfer student. Very good lectures, reasonable grading, and lots of opportunity to get a little extra here and there. He doesn't assign a textbook but, make sure you do his online selected readings. Quizes are fair and easy. Papers are also fair and though he doesn't give out perfect grades often, however if you put in your work you will do well. Final project is from a list of California topics that he assigns but, you can ask him for other topics.
For those wondering about political views, he leans left but, being a conservative Republican I found him to be perfectly fair and for the most part balanced. An excellent teacher and definitely the first choice for any history class.
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 I hated history, had no interest in history, and knew nothing. After this class I wanted to learn more. This professor has a unique way of teaching and I highly recommend you take this class. You'll have to write four short papers and read articles and there is no textbook! If you attend class and take notes you should have no problem passing his pop quizzes. No final, just final paper.Quizzes, short papers, exams (paper) each 20%, final paper is 40% of your grade. This class has seriously changed how I feel about history its not boring its really interesting! Grade Received: B+
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 I was never a big fan of history but he made the class so interesting and I actually looked forward to going to this class. He is a great teacher. You don't need a textbook for this class, you only need to get 2 novels which is a plus. I could highly suggest taking his class Grade Received: A
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 Dude, okay, I thought I was the only person in the whole entire world who would never understand U.S. history. No matter how hard I tried to listen/read in high school, there was no way that I'll remember any war/president/etc...history was my absolute worst subject
}This guy changed EVERYTHING. His lectures were ALL 100% interesting so the only way you'll fall asleep is if you OD'ed on sleeping pills. He explains everything with real-world examples, so there's NO WAY that you will be confused in any part of his lectures. He always says that "oh this is a tricky thing to explain, but I'll do my best, even though I'm not that good at doing it". If you are reading this, every lecture was easy to understand.
}He is also a very funny teacher, lots of jokes against the Raiders.
}He also brings to class lots of media, like songs from the era of his lectures at the beginning of class, or SNL clips depicting presidents, and etc...
The midterms are take home, his website has pretty much everything. He does have pop quizzes but they are usually preceded with hints like "Quiz #3 is imminent". Overall, 4 quizzes + 1 extra credit quiz that are VERY easy, but I failed those since I didn't do the reading. Oh and if you suck at reading, don't worry, he ONLY bases his questions from interesting facts that you'll remember. Some questions come from his lecture as well.
The essays are alright. He gives the option to send drafts over e-mail for tips/review before actually sending in the final draft. You should take advantage of this. And don't worry if you suck at writing, the worst grade you can get is a C, as long as you follow the directions.
The final was a 1000 word essay that was available from day one of class. I suggest get started on it early.
Overall, highly recommended. If you are taking HST202 with anyone else, you have made a big mistake Grade Received: A
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 Its only mid quarter but I just have to say that Bates is a good professor! I highly recommend him for this class. His teaching strategies are very excellent! His class consist of 5 short papers (like 2pgs) and they are opinonated papers. He allows you to email your rough drafts to look over. RECOMMEND that you do so, it really helps your grade on the paper. Very lienent. Seem laid back. Not hard, Not strict, Not mean,.....very nice....very funny. VERY reasonable, VERY fair. If you think you deserved a better grade on something he'll think about. His class also consist of 4 quizzes. REALLY EASY!! You dont need to study hard on them so dont! Just pay attention to the BOLD terms on his outlines. His questions are short answer, mostly one word answer. And if your answers are close or similar to the correct one, you'll get full credit. Example, if you put down Tom Joad is from Grapes of Wrath as your answer and the correct answer is Tom Joad is an Oakie....You'll get it correct! Also, when he lectures, he repeats especially the bold terms, over and over and he waits to make sure everyone gets it. EXCELLENT TEACHER!!!!!!!!
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 I consider him as THE BEST PROFESSOR AT CPP. I really really recommend him. I think that his teaching style should be followed by all professors here at Cal Poly. You don't have to buy a book for his class. He post some reading online(that you can print) and almost every week you have to have a 250 word paper(not even a page long). You have a quiz every once in a while(very very easy) if you attend class. There is no other homework other than the papers. There is no final or midterm. As a final you have a paper which is a topic that YOU pick.
Most important is that he makes History the most interesting topic. If you can, take his class, it really will make history make sence. Grade Received: A
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 Loved this class! Best professor ever, and i'm not joking. He is! His lectures are not only interesting, however, they make you think about the present and how the past affects the present. I love how he starts class off with music and the song or songs will always tie in and introduce the day's lecture. His stories are hilarious and it keeps me on track and i haven't wandered off during lecture. I was wide awake! AMAZING! He is always willing to help you no matter if it's 12 in the afternoon or at midnight. He will always reply to your e-mails even if they are stupid questions. He is willing to edit your papers, your short papers, and answer any question you have in mind. And...he will not forget your question the next week or the following lecture. He always recaps to keep his students on track.
OVERALL...COOLEST AND SMARTEST PROFESSOR IN HISTORY THAT I KNOW! =)
MY SUGGESTION...TAKE HIM! HE'S AWESOME! YOU WON'T REGRET IT! I CAN GURANTEE IT! Grade Received: A

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