HIST285 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Zhongtian Han HIST285 Expecting an A- Anonymous 06/07/2023	I'm pretty sure this was his first semester teaching at UMD but long story short he's great! This was my first college level history class(I'm not too much of a history person I just needed this for my Japanese major) but he made classes incredibly interesting and super low stress. Assignments were made up of: discussion post questions(you post one or two after each reading; super easy), class participation, two short essays(500-600 words), and two longer essay assignments in place of the midterm and final(midterm assignment: two 600-700 word essays, final assignment: two 700-800 word essays). His grading was very lenient as he just wants you to expand your knowledge on East Asian history and improve your critical thinking skills. Professor Han is incredibly personable and well spoken and creates an environment where anyone will feel comfortable asking questions.
James Gao HIST285 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/30/2018	I really liked his class a lot. It's best to read the textbook even if it's dry because all of his lectures are just summaries of the textbooks chapters. Sometimes he adds more information in his PowerPoints so be prepared. He's knowledgeable and very witty too. If you need clarification with anything, it's best to attend his office hours and he can really help you. In addition, this class may be one of your easier classes because Dr. Gao is a very chill professor.
James Gao HIST285 Expecting a B jpnlover 11/14/2014	I took this class Spring 2012, so I can't remember it too clearly. Professor Gao has a heavy accent so it can be difficult to understand him some times, but he is very knowledgeable in his subject. He teaches using power points, which he posts online. However, he says more in lectures that he puts on the power points so you'll need to fill in the gaps with notes. The exams were essay-based, but he gives you a review which is really helpful. At the end of the semester I had to do a 7 page paper on a topic of my choice. The class is East Asian Civilization, but 80% of the class is spent talking about China, with the other 20% spent on the other east asian countries.
James Gao HIST285 jme 05/12/2010	I liked Professor Gao. He is a little hard to understand sometimes, but if you sit near the front it helps a lot. He is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and his review sheets for the exams are great. Also, my TA, Bill, was really good and willing to talk to you.

Zhongtian Han
HIST285

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
06/07/2023

I'm pretty sure this was his first semester teaching at UMD but long story short he's great! This was my first college level history class(I'm not too much of a history person I just needed this for my Japanese major) but he made classes incredibly interesting and super low stress. Assignments were made up of: discussion post questions(you post one or two after each reading; super easy), class participation, two short essays(500-600 words), and two longer essay assignments in place of the midterm and final(midterm assignment: two 600-700 word essays, final assignment: two 700-800 word essays). His grading was very lenient as he just wants you to expand your knowledge on East Asian history and improve your critical thinking skills. Professor Han is incredibly personable and well spoken and creates an environment where anyone will feel comfortable asking questions.

James Gao
HIST285

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/30/2018

I really liked his class a lot. It's best to read the textbook even if it's dry because all of his lectures are just summaries of the textbooks chapters. Sometimes he adds more information in his PowerPoints so be prepared. He's knowledgeable and very witty too. If you need clarification with anything, it's best to attend his office hours and he can really help you. In addition, this class may be one of your easier classes because Dr. Gao is a very chill professor.

James Gao
HIST285

Expecting a B
jpnlover
11/14/2014

I took this class Spring 2012, so I can't remember it too clearly. Professor Gao has a heavy accent so it can be difficult to understand him some times, but he is very knowledgeable in his subject. He teaches using power points, which he posts online. However, he says more in lectures that he puts on the power points so you'll need to fill in the gaps with notes. The exams were essay-based, but he gives you a review which is really helpful. At the end of the semester I had to do a 7 page paper on a topic of my choice. The class is East Asian Civilization, but 80% of the class is spent talking about China, with the other 20% spent on the other east asian countries.

James Gao
HIST285

jme
05/12/2010

I liked Professor Gao. He is a little hard to understand sometimes, but if you sit near the front it helps a lot. He is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and his review sheets for the exams are great. Also, my TA, Bill, was really good and willing to talk to you.

Reviews for HIST285