Here are the things you need to get an A in this class:

1) Do the readings because they are critical for the paper
2) Don't need to go to class cause you can get an A by just doing the readings
3) Write very formulaic essays (ie make sure thesis is at the end of the first paragraph, which needs to be to the point, and make sure each intro sentence relates back to the thesis)

I got a B+ on the first paper because I was too involved in my argument and therefore didn't write a very formulaic paper. I learned from my mistake and wrote an extremely formulaic final paper and got a 100% on it despite the fact that I thought it was crap, argument-wise.

He is very rude, very boring, and very conservative but the readings are interesting and if you stick to formulaic papers you will get an A.

I have no idea how anyone can complain about the difficulty of Hager's courses. His class is super easy and straightforward and you don't really have to do the reading and definitely don't have to go to lecture to get an A. All you have to read is what you plan to write on your midterm or final exam and he pretty much gives the class outlines for each potential essay question during the midterm and final review sessions. The fact that he holds review sessions speaks at the ease of this course, how many professors baby us like that? Yes, his lectures are mind numbingly boring but this class is definitely an easy A, anyone who says otherwise probably has delusional expectations about college. Also his conservative crap isn't as in your face as others claim, suck it up and get your A.

In my opinion,he has one of the lowest ratings for the "caring for student's learning" category.
He's very rude. I have never said that or even felt that about a professor at UCLA.
And you can tell by the other reviews that all of the learning is through the powerpoint slides and books-- which you need for writing the papers.
The good thing about his classes are the CNN documentary videos he shows once about every 2 weeks. And there are only 2 papers, so you have downtime in between them.
If you want an A -- you gotta use the books. that's the only way.
payce, i'm officially done with this guy.

I cannot believe UCLA has someone like this teaching their students. First of all, he is very awkward. I have caught him at least twice talking and laughing to himself. Second, he is very rude to students or at lest to those he thinks are not conservative ( meaning not a white republican). Third, I think he grades unfairly. He says, he has a curve in his class, but I think he knows who he wants to give the "A" to and whom not to give it to. So unless you can show this guy any conservative characteristics, avoid him at all costs. There are so many good poli sci professors here at UCLA. Take any of the other ones instead of this one.

What the others say about his lecture is true. He does say everything in lecture that is on his slide. However, he also adds a lot of information. That said, if you do the reading you probably don't have to go to class. He selects his readings pretty well. I go to class and I have gotten an A of A- in all the classes I have taken with him: 120 A and B and 128 A and B. His reviews are also really good. He writes out outlines for you exactly how HE would answer each question. If you don't get the hint then you don't deserve the A. Take Professor Hager for every class you can.