Barry Preisler - Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Professor: Barry Preisler

Department: Political Science

College: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you want to good in the class complete the study guides thoroughly! He only talks about the essay questions for the exams in class. This class was pretty difficult since the study guides were sooo long. But I learned a lot, by far my favorite class since starting college! This is more of an exposé on US politics.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His study guides accurately reflect what is on the test nearly word for word but you have tests every two weeks. Study guides are anywhere from 12-20 pages long, a lot of work. Definitely other better teachers to take for a POLS class that give smaller tests and only a few tests in the semester.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He's my fav professor in the pols dept. He lectures a lot and I've heard he can be monotone but I didn't think so at all. His lectures were super interesting to me. I took tons of notes. He's super helpful and approachable. He offers lots of extra study opportunities. His study guides are exactly what's on test. 6 tests & 1 final. Essays each test.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Very respectable professor! I love the passion he has because it radiates in his lectures and makes the lectures more interesting. We get an exam every two weeks. The class is structured very well, no surprises. He releases the new study guide the same day after the exam. So it's up to you to put the time and effort to study. Would recommend him!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Not an easy class. Lecture gets boring b/c no visual aids. The exams are often & very long, one portion multiple choice, matching, and then essay portion. Essay portion is graded tough & needs to say exactly what he wants. He is very intelligent and respectable. GO TO THE REVIEW SESSIONS BEFORE THE EXAMS!!! THEY HELP. Get ready to read and listen

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Priesler is most likely my favorite teacher at SSU. Your grade is all tests (MC and essay) and he tests alot, but study guides are very clear. He gives you specific lines to look up in the book. His lectures are very clear and he loves helping and educating his students. He even holds study sessions before each test for the essay questions.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The class is tough since his lectures are boring, he has no visual aids, and the tests are long. Go to the study sessions, they help and he lets you stay in late to finish them if you need more time. I learned a lot. No homework, but a ton of reading for the tests and he tells you exactly what he wants for the essays.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I learned a lot from him, however he's very liberal and he doesn't try to hide it. His lectures were really clear although you have to focus because there are almost no visuals, he just talks. Also he grades the essays really hard. Generally its not that hard if you learn well by listening.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS315
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

As a non-political science major, the hardest class I have ever taken. If you easily understand polisci, you might have a better time than I did. Material is based solely on his ideas. Assumes every one is a polisci major. Tests are longtough. a 22 page test that is NOT the final is pretty ridiculous. Definitely wouldn't recommend this class

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

MOST BORING CLASS AND ESSAYS AFTER EACH EXAM. YOU CAN TOTALLY GET AN A IF YOU READ AND ATTEND THE STUDY SESSIONS. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. HE HAS A MONOTONE VOICE WHICH PUTS YOU TO SLEEP. AND ONLY GIVES 5 MIN BREAKS SOMETIMES 4! INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 10.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is well educated on the subject, presents what you will need to know clearly in lecture. Grades are only based off of tests, no homework. Essays on each test based on lecture, multiple choice based on reading (not taught in lecture). If you complete the study guides and go to his review sessions you will have no problem getting an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Preisler is passionate about his subject (a good thing). No homework, grade based on tests. The study guides are clear and straightforward if you do the reading and fill in the blanks where the "..." are on the study guide. He is there to help you, and he's a nice guy who cares about your grade. I would take his classes again.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor is very passionate, so if your down for that, go for it. Otherwise his tests are long, difficult, and his study guide is vague. He doesnt assign ANY homework but expects you to have read things he didnt tell you to read. soooo ya. im already over it and its only week 3...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is very passionate about political science. But if you don't like exams and an essay every other week then he is not for you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Preisler is a good guy, and definitely very passionate about politics, but his lectures were incredibly difficult to follow even for a 4.0 student. Although he gives study guides(literally are the tests)for the exams we had 6 midterm plus a final and an essay on every one! Put in a good amount of effort and you will do fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Class lectures are not interesting do not have visual aids, and there is a LOT of reading. Study guides are not clear at all. Tests are long and questions are long and unclear, and there are too many possible answers for each question. He does not grade easily.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He's really arrogant you cannot question him or he will pester you. He is rude and overall not here to teach you but to make you think like him. I asked him from where he got his information and he said I din't need to know. I do not like him but you might who knows.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

WOW! Very refreshing to be taught by a professor who is passionate about his subject. But be warned this class is not easy, compared to other Pols200 classes the course load seems to be that of an upper division course. If you like POLS take this course, you learn A LOT! The best advice I can give about this class is attend all of his office hours!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hands down, the best instructor of my academic career. Preisler knows so much about every aspect of political science and gives his students a wholistic approach to the subject. Go to class, do the readings, complete the study guides, and go to his study sessions if you want an A in the course. Phenomenal instructor!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Come to class. Take detailed lecture notes. Write things down exactly as he says them. Memorize the study guide answers. It's not that hard. If you need to make up an exam, Preisler will work with you on that. Preiselr will open your eyes up to a new perspective of major political events you've never seen in that way before.