I don't get students: people below me are complaining that it was so easy it was a waste of time, so it sucked. Students in difficult courses say their professors suck and should lessen the load. You just can't please some whiny people.

This class was great, because Professor Schwartz was great. He is so knowledgable about American Politics and pretty much everything Political Science-related. He was a funny guy with great historical stories, and because the class was a basic introduction to American politics, it was simple. The one paper we had to write was super easy. The midterm(s) were simple as long as you read his lecture notes (basically summary of the lectures). The final was simple too because it wasn't cumulative. Professor Schwartz connects well with his students, and I personally enjoyed going to his lectures because he's a great speaker. This was a great, simple, typical American politics class. Take it!

Don't go to lecture. Go to the test bank for his old exams. Memorize those exams the night before. Go to discussion and pay attention to what your TA says. Get an A. It's as easy as that!

Professor: I found him funny at times and seems pretty cool. Lecture can get very boring at times, especially if you're not into political/government stuff. A lot of people end up not showing up since everything in lecture is given on the notes he posts on the class website. He has nothing to do with your grades though, that's up to your TA.

Course load: Not bad, I think he changed the class, so unlike the reviews below, now we only have to turn in one essay...but we have to write an in-section midterm essay.

Exams: There are two midterms: one during lecture, which is all short answer; and one during your discussion section, which is an in-class essay. There is one final, which is all short answer as well. Like others have said, the short answer exams are all about memorization. The essay exam is based on your TA's grading, so pay attention in discussion to know what you need to do to ace it.

Grading: Seems easy to get a decent grade, but you do have to put in the right effort to do so.

Overall: I found the class to be very boring and a waste of time, but if all you care about is getting a good grade, then this may be your class. Otherwise, unless you need it for your major, I would recommend finding another more interesting alternative.

This class was ridiculously easy (obvious by the large number of blue backpacks). Midterm I got 100 out of 104 possible points but the test was out of 100. Essay midterm I got a 98. I literally never went to lecture after second week so I can't comment on the quality of the lectures but it's a moot point anyways because as long as you study his lecture notes the day before a test you will get an A. It is simple regurgitation of facts with little analysis needed.

Fall 2010 got an A. Extremely easy class is basically AP Gov. Never went to lectures, and went to discussions. Just cram his lecture notes a couple days before and its a easy A.

Wow, I got an A in the class and I got a 69% on the midterm and 83% on the first paper. On the final paper I actually tried and then on the final I studied more. But still, I got an A at the end. PS40 is a pretty doable class with Schwartz. Just study the lecture notes and talk to you TAs about the 2 papers you have to write.

Extremely easy class. Do not buy the books. You might need the Woll book for one of the papers you write, but I would recommend borrowing it from a friend if you can. Honestly, attending lecture was a waste of my time, and I'm the type of person that feels a need to attend every lecture of every class. I learned way more from his lecture notes than I did from attending any lecture. If you just memorize the notes, you'll get an A.

Note: I passed the AP Government exam with a 5 in high school. The only reason I took this class is because it's required for the major.

That said, you don't have to attend a single lecture and you don't need to waste your money on the textbooks. Just download all the lecture notes he puts up, cram like crazy before the midterm/final, and it's a free A. This class looks and feels like a high school class and was not challenging at all.

If you are looking for an easy A, by all means, take this class. The tests are entirely memorization and regurgitation. I went to the first 20 minutes of the first lecture and never went back aside from the midterm and final. As a third year Poli Sci student, I was extremely frustrated by this class because you learn absolutely nothing and are encouraged to write/study like high school students. You are told not to do any additional research for the papers, rather are expected to BS whatever you feel like. Don't buy the books, don't go to lecture (he posts everything you need to memorize for one day online). It's an easy A, but only take this if you don't mind being evaluated like a middle school student. I got an A without trying, but hated this class because I graduated high school and don't want to be downgraded for writing like an college student and actually comprehending information rather than memorizing the night before.

Very easy class. Almost the exact same thing as AP Government.

Attending lecture is very enjoyable, although it is not at all necessary.