Bob Grafstein - University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Professor: Bob Grafstein

Department: Political Science

College: University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS4072
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If economics and social security are not your strong subject areas, do not take this class. You are graded on two tests at five questions each, and one paper. Im am usually a straight A student and struggled to pass this class. Seniors if you want an anxiety free semester (or at least less anxiety) take a different theory class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS4072
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The content in the class is not very difficult nor are the tests actually hard. you simply will not have any idea what the test is about. the difficulty comes in the stress of not knowing how to prepare. if you can handle that, class is optional, borderline pointless if you read. the class overall feels like a wasted major credit

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS4060
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't give you a clear idea of what he wants, there are only 2 tests and 1 small paper. No review for them - you go in having NO clue what to do. There isn't attendance so he doesn't post his slides online, but then the slides/book are very minimal compared to his test questions - A LOT of math/equations/economics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS4190
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took his course on the China study abroad. He knew a lot about the content, but it was difficult to know what he really expected from us for the test. The program itself is awesome, but his class was a little tough. There was a book he assigned to read while we were there, but it wasn't extremely helpful. Try to do a study session with others.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS4060
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was awful. If you don't like economics, don't take his class! He puts it where it doesn't need to be and makes stuff confusing. His tests are 5 out of 7 questions so they're hard to do well on because he's a tough grader. Avoid if not necessary

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS4072
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This course was somewhat challenging since there were only three grades (two tests and a paper), but it was valuable. It was difficult to study for exams since you only have notes from his lectures. This class focuses on basic economic models, but don't let that scare you away if you're a POLS major looking for a valuable theory course.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The material for this class is quite interesting and I feel like I will use it later in my career. Grafstein knows his stuff and is a great teacher. There are 2 tests and a paper for this class. The tests are very straightforward. My one complaint is that I did not feel like there was enough direction for the paper or what to study for the tests.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS7000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He elevates dry material with a good sense of humor and a thorough and diverse knowledge of the discipline. And he is very helpful and enthusiastic about pretty much any topic you can think of.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• 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:

Grafstein is an exceptional professor. I was very impressed with his clear, methodical approach. On top of that, he is down to earth. He is a progessive but he's one of the most balanced teachers I've ever had. He separates fact from myth and legend from reality when it comes to tax policy. If you want to understand tax policy, take his class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID HIS 4070 AT ALL COSTS. The class is entirely economics based so if you are unfamiliar with such principles or they confuse you in the slightest then do not take this class. He does not explain anything well whatsoever and in the Summer we only had 2 grades: midterm & final. People were crying during the final. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT listen to his rants that go off topic for up to an hour. A majority of things he says or that are on his slides are not on tests. He rarely sites the book and contradicts it a ton. Worst teacher I've had ever, not good at explaining the topics at hand.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS7000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He would contradict the text book when grading and refuse to listen to student explanations as to why certain responses were appropriate and should be counted correct. Not recommended for Research Methods type courses.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The books were very clear, but I felt like class was him reading the books to the class. Tests weren't that bad, but could be difficult. Read the books and you should be fine... taking notes can prove to be not helpful. He has an attendance policy, but so do most POLS teachers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS4070
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Grafstein understands his material. He just doesn't know how teach it in a way that's clear, comprehensible, and likely to prepare us for tests. Good luck trying to figure out what to take notes on and what NOT to take notes on when he opens his mouth. He's also a bit of a cynical old man who likes to force his pessimistic views on the class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS2000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a terribly good teacher. Gives horrid notes and nearly incomprehensible lectures that drone on and on. Reviews for exams are often unclear too. Grafstein tries to come off as humble and says there are no "easy" solutions but you can tell he thinks his opinions should be the be-all-end-all of policymaking. Overall, a mediocre teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS2000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

most boring hour and fifteen minutes of my day. tests were really hard. i had the "multiple" pols2000 class and he was definately my least favorite part. they're right, he is woody allen though...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS2000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was in the same class as the person who gave him the negative rating. Disagreement over 1 test question lead to half of the class hating him. He was actually a very good prof, and head of the POLS department. Plus, He's Woody Allen.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS4
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nebbish

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Yep, he is Woody Allen.