History Department Response to Student Feedback
HSTY2603 - Cultural Transmissions 1750-1914 (2006)

Unit Coordinator: Professor Richard Waterhouse

The overall student satisfaction was very high with nore than 85% of students registering a highly satisfied response. The students also indicated a high level of satisfaction with the tutorials including the 'normal' tutorials and the 'University of North Carolina teleconferencing' class. A number of students indicated frustration and dissatisfaction that they were not enrolled in the teleconferencing class. The policy of providing quick feedback on an early assessment task and of returning all essays complete with marks and comments within one week of submission drew very strong, positive comments.

Most students liked the broad ranging nature of the lectures, although some found them too general and a little idiosyncratic. One student did not think the lectures were as well organised as they might have been- a perceptive comment. Several students expressed disappointment that both lectures in one week were cancelled (although lecture notes were distributed) because the lecturer was required to attend meetings. Richard Waterhouse regrets that he missed these lectures, but he had no choice in this case.

I have enjoyed teaching this unit of study immensely. It has benefitted the department and the University (It featured in the USYD United States Studies Centre bid) as well as relations between this University and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. But there are good reasons why it will not be taught in future.