Robert Cross is an International Affairs professor at Northeastern University rated 4.11/5 by 362 students, with 3.87/5 difficulty and 78.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Robert Cross professor reviews and ratings: 4.11/5 from 362 student reviews at Northeastern (78.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
He mostly bases his teaching in talking to the class rather than slides. There were many many readings.HONR1310 2025-12-05 03:08:11 +0000 UTC
This is the first time I've enjoyed a history class. There's a lot of reading, but it's always interesting and he makes the work manageable. Lectures are extremely engaging, he can answer just about any question, and is always available for office hours. Tests are difficult and papers can be hard, but overall enjoyed the class and learned so much!HIST2370 2025-12-04 00:47:18 +0000 UTC
Great professor and person. Loves teaching and cares deeply about both his students and the materialHIST2330 2025-07-02 21:48:30 +0000 UTC
Prof. Cross provided the tools to succeed while being flexible in times of need. He relates to his students as human beings, which made this process, though painful, much more enjoyable. Prof. Cross is skilled in his academic writing, and as a witty historian, "retired musician," and photography hobbyist, his knowledge spans multiple IA disciplinesINTL4700 2024-04-30 17:16:08 +0000 UTC
This was easily one of my favorite classes I've taken so far due to Professor Cross' passion for the subject and his interesting lectures. If you're at all into history beyond what he discusses, he will have a detailed answer for your questions. Highly recommend this course and this professor.HIST2311 2024-04-27 14:23:55 +0000 UTC
Cross is one of the smartest people I have ever had the privilege of learning from. He is incredibly passionate and well-researched, and truly cares about the success of his students. His lectures are engaging and thought provoking, though are often fast-paced. He holds his students to a high standard and grades you as such, but it's worth it.HIST2375 2024-04-18 00:44:41 +0000 UTC
Professor Cross is so passionate about the subject of Of Princes and Utopias, making lectures extremely interesting. Only take this course if you love to read and write, the reading assignments are pretty lengthy but definitely manageable. This course is a great way to study philosophy.HONR1310 2024-08-26 18:44:06 +0000 UTC
Took 2 HIST courses to round out my minor. Assigns too many readings, the content of which is not necessarily tested on exams nor required to write the papers. (You do not NEED to read everything, but should get a good sense of what the course is about.) I struggled to keep up (Econ major.) Great lecturer and kind man; +readings shld be optional.HIST2370 2023-12-06 20:54:31 +0000 UTC
Very nice person! Talkative and inspiring.INTL4700 2024-04-22 16:47:14 +0000 UTC
I am so glad that I took this class. Professor Cross is easily accessible outside of class, incredibly easy to talk to, and his lectures are genuinely very interesting. His lectures are fascinating, informative, and they consist of theories from both Western and non-Western authors. Overall, if you have a chance to take this class, do so. 10/10!HIST2311 2024-04-25 09:40:53 +0000 UTC
Can't lie this was the most work I put in for any class last semester. It's really reading intensive especially at the beginning. The reading can be dull sometimes but it's made a lot better by Cross' lectures. His lectures are really engaging and he's really knowledgeable. Plenty of room for discussion and really interesting class.HONR1310 2023-01-20 22:17:38 +0000 UTC
Great lecturer and reasonable grader. If you attend class frequently and do the readings you will be well prepared for the papers and tests. Definitely one of the better professors at Northeastern, who illuminates the nuance and complexity of history rather than force a distinct narrative.HIST2370 2022-04-27 18:48:35 +0000 UTC
Prof. Cross's lectures were incredible and just a joy to listen to. The first textbook we used was enjoyable to read as well. There are a lot of readings and it is very difficult to make up work if you miss a class, and the entire course is graded on a midterm, a final, and two big papers. It was still definitely worth it for his lectures.HIST2311 2023-09-07 01:01:40 +0000 UTC
Overall, Prof. Cross's lectures were very interesting. It was often a combination of him teaching the historical context of each reading and a discussion about the readings. Course graded only on two papers, a midterm, and final. It is evident that he is passionate about the topic!HONR1310 2022-12-07 18:25:59 +0000 UTC
Professor Cross is one of my favorite professors. He's so clearly passionate about the subjects he teaches, and he always happy to talk to students after class regarding any questions they may have about the class content (or even about history in general). The papers and exams are difficult, but if you put in the work, you'll be fine.HIST2370 2020-07-22 19:31:16 +0000 UTC
Robert Cross has an average rating of 4.11/5 from 362 student reviews. 78.0% of students said they would take them again.
Robert Cross's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.87/5 based on student reviews.
Robert Cross has taught HIST2370, HONR1310, INTL4700, HIST1272, HIST2330, HIST2311, HIST2375, HIST7314, HIST2376 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.