POL SCI 149
Special Topics in American Government and Politics: Presidential Elections: Stories We Tell About Who Won and Why
Description: Lecture, three or four hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Requisites: course 40, two courses in Field III. Designed for juniors/seniors. Intensive examination of one or more special problems appropriate to American politics. Sections offered on regular basis, with topics announced in preceding term. May be repeated for credit with topic change. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2023 - This class wasn't at all what I was expecting when I enrolled in it. I did read reviews prior but didn't understand how his journalistic perspective or outlook could actually shape the class. There was a ton of reading, much of which had nothing to do with the four writing assignments throughout the quarter. The quantity of readings per class was excessive, but if you like participating in a small class discussion then doing them may be helpful. He does not lecture, and that was something difficult to overcome because I personally love taking notes and learn better through lectures with slides rather than through the views and opinions on what my classmates thought about the reading for the entire class period. The grading for the assignments fluctuates and is really unpredictable, especially because he grades on creativity and accuracy which seems difficult to balance perfectly. Guest speakers were a highlight of this class, and the fact that he is an accomplished journalist himself. Maybe this course just wasn't my cup of tea because I prefer a more struct academic environment and look to lectures to provide more structure. I was initially very interested in this topic before this course, but the more American government courses I seem to take here, the more I regret my major.
Spring 2023 - This class wasn't at all what I was expecting when I enrolled in it. I did read reviews prior but didn't understand how his journalistic perspective or outlook could actually shape the class. There was a ton of reading, much of which had nothing to do with the four writing assignments throughout the quarter. The quantity of readings per class was excessive, but if you like participating in a small class discussion then doing them may be helpful. He does not lecture, and that was something difficult to overcome because I personally love taking notes and learn better through lectures with slides rather than through the views and opinions on what my classmates thought about the reading for the entire class period. The grading for the assignments fluctuates and is really unpredictable, especially because he grades on creativity and accuracy which seems difficult to balance perfectly. Guest speakers were a highlight of this class, and the fact that he is an accomplished journalist himself. Maybe this course just wasn't my cup of tea because I prefer a more struct academic environment and look to lectures to provide more structure. I was initially very interested in this topic before this course, but the more American government courses I seem to take here, the more I regret my major.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Sherrer is such a cool dude and a great teacher. He is engaging and so passionate about American politics. He had great lecture slides and encouraged us to engage in breakout room discussions with our peers every class. This helped us feel a bit more connected to each other during online school. The class was made up of two homework assignments that were full credit if submitted on time, attendance and multiple choice and short answer midterm and final. There was no textbook required and instead, he provided really interesting chapters from books he enjoyed. I would highly recommend taking this class and any class he teaches at UCLA.
Fall 2020 - Professor Sherrer is such a cool dude and a great teacher. He is engaging and so passionate about American politics. He had great lecture slides and encouraged us to engage in breakout room discussions with our peers every class. This helped us feel a bit more connected to each other during online school. The class was made up of two homework assignments that were full credit if submitted on time, attendance and multiple choice and short answer midterm and final. There was no textbook required and instead, he provided really interesting chapters from books he enjoyed. I would highly recommend taking this class and any class he teaches at UCLA.