While Prof Johns' lectures do get a little dry sometimes, I feel she did a commendable job of summarizing endless pages of reading in her lectures. For the exams I felt well prepped just skimming through the textbook after reading lecture notes. One thing though, she doesn't put up lecture slides or have audio recordings, so if you're someone who skips lecture you might struggle.

Johns was very straightforward. The midterm was pretty easy if you go to the test bank and get the exams from past years. It's all very definition based, and follow the book closely because she's looking for exact things in your answers (the exams are all short answers) aka the three rationalist causes for war, the two requirements for a public good, etc. Her slides are very clear, lectures are easy to follow. The notes took a while to do but I recommend reading and doing the notes. There's also a case study every week with a quiz, but I never got less than 100% on the quizzes just by reading through the case study once and taking down important notes. Both midterm and final are curved.

I really liked this class. There is an ENORMOUS law textbook that she requires, but I bought it and didn't open it once and did fine. The only books you need are the one she writes, which is pretty cheap on amazon, and the casebook from the UCLA store which is $10. The class is organized, her slides are clear and easy to follow, and she is a very engaging lecturer. The section quizzes are simple if you read; I would usually read them about an hour before section. If reading cases seems daunting, the casebook is edited by her so only the relevant parts are left, and the longest one is maybe 8 pages. She doesn't post her slides or record her lectures, so if you miss class you're kinda screwed. I didn't find the exams overly difficult, but they definitely require a moderate studying. Just make sure you take good notes during lecture. She also has an adorable puppy that she has at her office hours most weeks. I would recommend this class to most PS majors, especially if you are considering law school.

Boring lectures, I often fell asleep. She doesnt post slides online, so you definetly need to go to class every day. Other than that, the material was interesting, Professor Johns was really nice and informative, and I'd probably take the class again.

Literally never opened the textbook and got an A. Just go to lecture and section and study what is taught in class because that's what you're tested on. Johns reuses test questions so definitely go to the test bank. Tests are hard, but curved really well, definitely would take again.

Professor is very kind, engaging, and clear about expectations. Tests are straightforward, there are weekly case studies and quizzes in section. Participation in section is important. Easy to do well if you attend lecture and study for the Midterm and Final exams.

First off, don't read the Shaw text book. Don't even buy it. It's a waste of time and money. I went into this class hearing it was the hardest class in the PS Major and talking to a guy who apparently worked at Bloomberg fresh out of undergrad and he said he got a B-. So I went into this class full tilt, read everything, etc. It's really not that hard. (Though obviously you are going to have to work)

Professor Johns is SUPER clear on everything, her power points are very straight forward, and her curve in the exams is beyond generous. Pay attention to lectures and read the case studies and know them really well. The final is cumulative so it's a ton of memorization, but if you work hard and know the material you won't get killed, and her curve will save you.

I recommend taking this political science class, it was my first upper division and I thought it would be hard but it was manageable. The textbook is unnecessary but read the cases in the course readers since there are quizzes in discussion each week on the cases which are easy. The test is also straightforward and based on the lectures. Therefore, if you miss one lecture it will be bad since she does not post slides or podcasts the class. You need to go to every lecture to understand the materials. Going to her office hours is helpful as well. Super nice professor and I would take another class with her

I have never bothered to submit a rating, but I feel obligated to share this with future students who might suffer her the way I and 349 other students had to.

You never need to go to lecture. Her lectures are summaries of the books. I recommend the latter. Her method of lecturing is incredibly annoying. Every other word that comes out of her mouth is. "mkay?" or "right?" This sounds absurd, that a professor of her supposed caliber has a tick like this. You never know if she's teaching you something or unsure of herself. And she bounces, literally bounces when she talks. Most professors might pace a little, but she bounces. If you are a student who cannot pay attention to professors who have irritating teaching habits, you will not learn from her.

She is utterly unwilling to help her students. On Finals week, after ignoring her students' emails, she sent an e-mail saying
"I'm very sorry, but I simply can't provide each of you with... answers that you want. This class is just way too large for me... As you prepare for the exam, my best advice is just to study your lecture notes and the course readings. I know that this must be frustrating, but it's the inevitable consequence of being in an intro-level class with over 350 fellow students"

In other words,I don't care about your questions, just read the book. I know it sucks, but it's your fault for taking this course.

She sent out an email and canceled one of her lectures 3 hours prior to when the lecture should have started because she "had a migraine". She spent 5 minutes on the skipped lecture's material at the next lecture.

All of the classmates I have interacted and/or studied with have said that the TA's never know what professor Johns has planned. When we asked them how we should plan for the midterm and final, they all gave the same answer: a shrug and an "I honestly have no idea, she doesn't tell us anything."
Needless to say, we all went into the exam blind and armed with only what the textbook had to teach us.

My Conclusion, Do not take her course if you can help it.

I loved this class and highly recommend it for those interested in law! Her class is very organized and you know what to expect when studying for the exams. She is very clear and thorough during lecture and does not overcomplicate things! Reading the casebook is essential to the class since this is what the weekly quizzes are on. Her textbook chapters are also on the denser side but they are helpful as they identify important terms that show up on the exams!