Julyana G. Peard

This class is an intresting class. You have to really enjoy history and Professor Peard is a good teacher who really knows her stuff, but lectures the whole class. She gives out quizzes once every two weeks, and if you read the chapters assigned you should do fine. I got burnt out on her lectures because they just got boring. At first I thought the class was really intresing, but damn you can only take so much. If you go to all the classes and take good notes you should do fine. Her midterm was an essay and the final was pretty hard, but nothing too extreme. I have had harder classes. I thought I was going to get a "B", but I ended up with a "C" because I got lazy.

Dr. Peard is nice enough and knows her subject, but her lectures are disjointed. She tends to say "etcetera, etcetera" a lot, leaving you wondering what's behind that etc! Her handwriting is completely illegible, so don't count on being able to read her comments on papers and exams. She is more than willing to meet with you by appointment if you can't make her office hours, but she does all of the talking and you don't get a chance to ask what you went there to ask. She gives two exams, a midterm and a final. For both, you'll get a list of about 12 or 15 questions that she'll whittle to 6 on test day and you'll have to write long essays on 2 (midterm) and 3(final). There is a lot of reading, so be prepared!

I am glad that some students had a positive experience with this instructor. I was not so lucky. Midway through the semester, I lost my job and had to take a position that did not allow me to come to class on time, at 4:10 pm. I approached Prof. Peard and asked for permission to come to class at 5:30 every lecture. I explained that this is my only option save for turning down my position and collecting unemployment. I promised her that I do not expect any other special considerations or favors and will complete the course. She did not seem pleased, but agreed. What she did, however, is treat me as a non-entity from that point on. She was cold and unfriendly when approached in class and did not return my e-mails. My semesters' work -- a 10 page essay -- was returned to me with a grade of 80 (C-) without so much a a pencil mark on it: I am still not sure if she even bothered to read it. My final, the quality of which mirrored my first exam, earned a C-, when my first exam received a B+. If I had any idea I would be treated this way, I would have withdrawn from the class, rather than receive a C and seriously damage my GPA. She obviously took my less than perfect attendance very personally and punished me. So, my advice to anyone considering this teacher: be sure you do not have a personal crisis which will prevent you from giving her class your undivided attention. I suspect you will pay for it as I did.

-Professor Peard is the best choice for History, she is really enthusiastic about the material and she will not put you to sleep. She will lecture and you will learn something from her. I can even remember her lecture like it was yesterday and I took her on Spring 2000, she really does a great job. The class consists of 3 exams and 1 essay related to the subject. The exams are based on the questions and id*s she will announce, so don't expect any surprises, either you studied or you didn't. One of the great aspects of her teaching style is the energy and willingness to teach the subject, this is a good example of how all Professors at SFSU should be!. She is definitely an student's Professor and she is always available to discuss any concerns.

I had a great experience with this class. Professor Peard is interesting in lectures and considerate of her students. However, don't take this class if you want to get a good grade without working hard. There is a large amount of reading assigned, from interesting texts, three in-class essays, a 10 page paper, and a 4 essay final. If you want to do the work it is a rewarding experience. She alternates strait lecture classes with discussion classes, and is very accessable.