POL SCI 20
World Politics
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Required of all students concentrating in Field II. Introduction to problems of world politics. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
Most Helpful Review
This is the worst professor I have ever had. First of all, he is extremely conservative, and his entire class is based around the fact that he is conservative. The first thing he will tell you is that he is a "Republican, which means real American." And if he finds out that you are not conservative, he will give you lower grades because of it. Second of all, he has about 50 slides each class filled with text that he just reads off of during lecture. Thirdly, he lies about the facts in order to make Republican presidents, like Bush and Reagan, look better. Lastly, he is extremely rude to any students who ask him questions or visit him in his office hours. If you have any option at all, do not take this class.
This is the worst professor I have ever had. First of all, he is extremely conservative, and his entire class is based around the fact that he is conservative. The first thing he will tell you is that he is a "Republican, which means real American." And if he finds out that you are not conservative, he will give you lower grades because of it. Second of all, he has about 50 slides each class filled with text that he just reads off of during lecture. Thirdly, he lies about the facts in order to make Republican presidents, like Bush and Reagan, look better. Lastly, he is extremely rude to any students who ask him questions or visit him in his office hours. If you have any option at all, do not take this class.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2025 - While I agree with other reviews that have said some rather unpleasant things about Professor Johns, the class itself is not hard. It is true that the professor does not post lecture slides (if you need them that bad, go to office hours with a TA) or study guides (again, ask your TA to cover things you don't understand in section), the class is pretty straightforward. As long as you do your job as a student and attend class, and read the assigned book, I think you should be fine. You are assigned reading quizzes for every chapter you cover (open note). The midterm/final is MCQ and then SAQ. While she will say to be brief, DO NOT BE BRIEF. She will make you underestimate the exam and reassure you that it is a breeze. ITS NOT it's UCLA, you will need to study. You do not have to write long paragraphs, but ensure you are using the right vocabulary and answering the questions fully. I recommend studying the vocab so you can try your best to hit all the "key terms" she asks TAs to look for. I don't believe that Professor Johns is mean or thrives from watching students fail. She is old school. She believes that her only job is to teach and go home. You definitely have to pull your weight. Go to class, read the book, study, and you will be fine.
Spring 2025 - While I agree with other reviews that have said some rather unpleasant things about Professor Johns, the class itself is not hard. It is true that the professor does not post lecture slides (if you need them that bad, go to office hours with a TA) or study guides (again, ask your TA to cover things you don't understand in section), the class is pretty straightforward. As long as you do your job as a student and attend class, and read the assigned book, I think you should be fine. You are assigned reading quizzes for every chapter you cover (open note). The midterm/final is MCQ and then SAQ. While she will say to be brief, DO NOT BE BRIEF. She will make you underestimate the exam and reassure you that it is a breeze. ITS NOT it's UCLA, you will need to study. You do not have to write long paragraphs, but ensure you are using the right vocabulary and answering the questions fully. I recommend studying the vocab so you can try your best to hit all the "key terms" she asks TAs to look for. I don't believe that Professor Johns is mean or thrives from watching students fail. She is old school. She believes that her only job is to teach and go home. You definitely have to pull your weight. Go to class, read the book, study, and you will be fine.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2016 - Really, really, really strong accent that takes a long time to get used to. Not a standard Israeli accent, like, a strong one and he also yells in this high voice and sounds like a muppet. But actually not a super complex class, pay attention to slides (not super helpful to go to lecture) and you can get by.
Spring 2016 - Really, really, really strong accent that takes a long time to get used to. Not a standard Israeli accent, like, a strong one and he also yells in this high voice and sounds like a muppet. But actually not a super complex class, pay attention to slides (not super helpful to go to lecture) and you can get by.