Frank L. Kidner, Jr.

Alright look, as one of the two students in the past fifteen years who did manage to pull a solid A from Kidner (in the spring 1999 semester of 700), I want to respond to some other evals of him that are way off base. First of all, why is it that grad students belly-ache so much about grades in the first place? Are we not there for the material first and then the grades? If you're there for a good grade and aren't focusing on the joy of the material which Kidner absolutely brings to life and encourages you to explore inside and out, then no wonder you're not getting an A from him. Kidner is somewhat shy...he's very eccentric and very much in love with his subject field...ultimately, he's very human. Sometimes, in order to extract the most you can from a mentor, you have to read between the lines of eccentricity and transcend your individual expectations to move to a higher level of understanding of them and just what in the hell their main point is. That's exactly what I did and that's probably why I received an A. That and I worked my ass off day and night and middle of the night for months. Kidner's 700 course gave me the frameowrk I needed to begin to understand all other seminars in our department and the field of history in general. He is organized, eloquent, and fair. He comes from a scholastic background that does not permit the sort of laziness of the mind that most SFSU professors allow. Bravo for him for sticking to his grading principles in light of much attack from students unwilling to push themselves beyond their lust for a good grade!

I must say that Prof. Kidner was one of my all time favorite professors at State. His lectures were clear and to the point and his exams were always very similar in focus and style. The reading was fairly complex, but suitable for a survey of the ancient church. I would not hesitate to suggest this class to any Ancient history or religion buffs.

Dr. Kidner lectures like a mother. There's not enough time to write down everything that comes out. He knows his stuff and it shows. He is open to questions, but he doesn't encourage them. The reading for the class is overwhelming, but you're ok if you simply take adequate notes and regurgitate the lectures on the exam. He is brutally frank and honest with his grading. I believe that Dr. Kidner has a very fair class.

Professor Kidner lectures in an assured didactic manner that demonstrates his thorough knowledge of his subject. In contrast to some other members of the department, he invites a form of willing student participation that is tolerant of questioning of his positions, and which encourages controversial discussion-- without the risk of being made to feel like an imbecile for having volunteered a point.

I would rate him highly for his content, his delivery and his teaching technique, all of which left me with a good feeling of having accomplished someting worthwhile, having taken two semesters of this course. Tests were fair and were consistently related to the content of his lectures and/ or his reading assignments, which, in general were thorough, but not onerous.