This class is easy if you've taken AP Gov. Otherwise, it's a lot of memorizing and if you're not too good at that, I would personally avoid it. However, it still is a pretty easy A since Schwartz tends to recycle questions from past midterms and finals which are all on the testbank. He also transcribes all his lectures into these "hunks" which are basically all you need to do well on the midterm and final. The readings from the book (Reading in American Politics: Analysis and Perspective) are definitely helpful for the midterm essay + paper so I would suggest getting a copy of that. Discussions were pretty good too so I would go to those instead of the lectures. I really didn't understand much of what Schwartz said in lecture and would instead study off the hunks, but ended up fine. Take this class if you need a GPA booster, it's really hard to not do well.

Overall, easy Poli Sci course & GE. No real need to go to lecture because not only are the lecture slides posted on the course website, but Schwartz also posts summaries of the lectures that basically fill in all of the gaps that his bare PowerPoint slides have. The midterm wasn't bad, you can easily attain a previous exam from the SAC test bank which will be 99% like the actual exam. Same thing goes for the final exam. There's one main essay in the whole course that isn't hard either. My TA was Eric Hanson and he was very helpful and easy as well.

I do recommend getting the textbooks, they are tested on. I am selling each in good condition for a minimum of $60 each on ebay (see links below):

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Here's the rundown: This class isn't difficult, however, there is a lot of information and if you're not good at memorizing I probably wouldn't take this course. It's basically a review of AP gov but I definitely would've been lost if I didn't take it in highschool. Schwartz seems like a nice guy but the lectures are incredibly dry and hard to follow, I stopped going to lecture after the midterm and it wasn't an issue. The supplementary readings aren't important, only focus on the 'hunk' notes that he posts online. One or two reading's may be useful for the midterm essay but your TA will give you a general idea of what to focus on. Discussion isn't mandatory but I'd recommend going because your TA reviews topics that will be on the exams. Tips: Take advantage of the test banks, get help with your final essay from your TA, memorize key terms/events/cases using quizlet. Easy class but you definitely have to focus before the exams.

I got an A+ in this class. It’s an easy A if you’re good at teaching yourself. BUT I was not a fan of Shwartzs lectures. He was boring, not really engaging (hence I was always on my phone) and made the class go by slow. You can literally not go to class and just study for the midterm and final for 2 nights and be SET! He reuses the same midterms and finals every year and eventhough he says “i changed it up” it’s a lie haha it’s the same ones. So go to the test bank! Also Nestor de la Torre is an amazing TA (pretty easy grader and very understanding). I say take this class if you need an A bur be conscious that you will need to teach yourself.

This class is a very easy GE and pre req for the poli Sci major. His tests are literally in his slides and the test bank has old tests which he uses for both the midterm and final. Print like 2 of each and you’ll be good. Go to your discussion because an in class essay is based off what your TA talks about.

I took this class as a GE and it was probably my favorite class. No, the material is not super new or interesting, but I showed up to a total of 10 lectures the entire quarter (out of 20). That's because 1) discussions are very helpful, 2) he posts his lectures + lecture notes online. Here's how I scored a 100 in the class (and how you can too): I studied all the first half lecture notes a few days before the first fill in the blank midterm exam and did the same thing for the the final (the final isn't cumulative). I got 1 practice test for each exam from test bank. I went to 2 office hours sessions for my final paper to talk with my TA about ideas. I showed up to discussions to prepare for the essay midterm. Basically, if you do some work the days before the exam and essays, you will perform well for sure. I highly recommend this class; it's not too much of a hassle and it's very fair.

super awesome and easy class. dont take notes, read his hunks. i'm selling the kollman textbook in nearly perfect condition for $30 (its 40 at the ucla book store) text me at **********.

Holy shit this class was hard!! So much reading and memorization. My friends and I honestly had a tough time understanding the confusing articles, so we attended a ton of office hours, which were honestly useless but you pick up maybe 1 helpful thing in the 2 hours each week. This class was dumb af.

**Take this class with Tausanovitch. MUCH better. I don't like Dr. Schwartz. Way too much work and super confusing midterms and finals. Really tricky.**

*** ALSO. OUTDATED REVIEWS SAY TO STUDY HIS OLD TESTS. HE TOTALLY RE-DESIGNED IT BECAUSE SOMEONE SNITCHED. HE DOESN'T USE OLD TESTS, WHICH IS WHY THE AVERAGE FOR MY QUARTER WAS SO LOW. NO CURVE AT ALL. SUCKS. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. MY GPA FELL TO 3.83 BECAUSE I GOT MY FIRST B- (I HAD A 4.0 BEFORE) ***

Literally the most bland and pointless class I have ever taken. Is it easy to get an A? Yes and no. You can chill for a couple of weeks, but when it is time to study you really got to. Utilize the test bank because he literally uses past questions on the midterm and final. As for the final paper, the prompt are based off your t.a and it is easy. If you have any question just go their office hours. Schwartz's lectures are so boring and useless just read and study his hunks that he posts online. Overall this class was boring, half the time I was wondering why Schwartz is allowed to teach this class.

The professor is very nice and explains things very clearly. His tests ask about somewhat specific details from his lectures but repeat many questions from old tests so going to the test bank is very helpful. Also he posts detailed lecture notes which are very helpful especially when studying for the midterm and final. If you go to his office hours once he will love you forever. Basically if you have studied the Constitution before and know some stuff about American History this class is a breeze