Brian Adams - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Brian Adams

Department: Political Science

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS335
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was a bit hesitant to take him after reading other reviews, but honestly I think this class is pretty well set up and straight forward. Adams goes over the material with just enough broad ideas and details so that I (not a politically educated person or polisci major) am able to get a good grasp on the concepts and always engages the class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were kinda boring unless you are really engaged and into politics but they were important for writing the essays. He was a pretty tough grader on the essays. Final exam questions came word-for-word from the study guide.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS422
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Only take urban politics if you are actually interested in the subject. Lectures are long and can be dull if you don't find the subject interesting. Adams expects a lot from his students and that is reflected by his grading. He is a tough but fair professor. I found this to be a worthwhile and informative class. Readings/Participation is mandatory.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL422
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It's possible to pass this class with minimal effort. If you want an A, expect to be dedicating alot of time on top of class for reading, studying, & the papers. He's a tough grader with high expectations and his lectures are boring but content heavy- so attendance isn't mandatory but necessary to get a B or above. I wouldn't recommend this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL533
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brains,nice guy, but tons of reading. You need to read most of the weekly readings, as everyone is expected to participate in the discussion. He's very patient and helpful in facilitating discussion for students who might be a little shy. Overall- nice guy, class is boring, be ready to read! Very difficult to earn an A in this class. SKIP him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL422
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Adams has high expectations for his students. If you decide to take a class with him prepare to read as there is lots of reading assignments. His lectures are engaging and gives students the opportunity to participate. He is a tough grader but he outlines very clearly what he expects.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS422
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Adams is very smart and knows what he's talking about. The class has one final exam which is over all course material. You will not pass this exam if you don't attend lectures. Rest of grade is from 3 papers which are challenging but he gives feedback. Great guy, would definitely take another class with him again! Cares about his students

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS601
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pretty much just in class discussion of the readings. Interesting discussions, but may be hard to take much from classes.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He lectures for the entire class and it can be boring, but interesting if you like politics. You have to write two essays based off the reading and lectures. Then there is one group budgeting project that can be pretty challenging. The final is a blue book exam that isn't too hard because the study guide helps. Pretty tough grader.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It's a challenging class and not many students get A's. However, if you pay attention in lecture and use his office hours it's doable. He's pretty engaging in his lectures and relies on student participation. There's 2 essays and a group assignment that combine with your short answeressay final to form your grade. GO TO OFFICE HOURS!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POSC422
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Extremely smart, gave me the best advice on my future career. He will read rough drafts and always makes time to help.I only got a b+ but I could've done better if I had more time. Extra credit for participation

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting subject, knows alot but can be a bit boring. He grades too harsh so don't expect anything about a B. 3 papers and one cumulative test. Avoid if you can.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS422
• 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:

Professor Adams is hands down the nicest and most caring professor I've had at State. He is really understanding and if you go see him during his office hours he will be glad to listen and be as helpful as he can be. It is not an easy class and frankly, the subject is boring but if you try do well you will earn at least a B.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS422
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Heavy reliance on readings, lecture notes only cover a portion of what he expects students to know. He grades very critically on essays and the research paper. It is very difficult to earn an A in this course. Expect a C, and if you keep up with the readings and pay attention in class, a B at best. Attendance not mandatory, but encouraged.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS601
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very easy going professor, but tons of reading for this course. You need to at least do most of the weekly readings, as everyone is expected to participate in the discussion. He is very patient and helpful in facilitating discussion for students who might be a little shy. Overall- nice guy, class a little boring, be ready to read!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLSMANY
• 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:

Professor Adams is so very smart. He is very helpful. The key is to ask for help. He is my favorite professor at SDSU. His classes are hard but he inspires me to do well. He is a very good listener and makes students feel important.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL533
• 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:

8 total response papers to the readings. There was a two part midterm paper, 7-8 pages for each part so a total of 14-16 pages. Final was a 8-10 page paper. You write a lot, but you learn a lot. Straight lecture, go to class, take good notes, be familiar with the readings. Got a B without too much effort. An A is attainable.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS533
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took him when I was in grad school @ SDSU. I found out that some of the not so great professors in the undergrad level like him might turn it out just fine. Because if you have a strategy from all the other class & ask him for help during his office hrs, he is helpful.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• 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:

Class was pretty straight forward. As long as you come to class and take decent notes you'll do fine on the midterm. The only time I even looked at the readings was for the papers and the final. I didn't work too hard for this class and managed to pull out a B.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This wasn't an easy class..but I took good notes so it wasn't bad. While I wished the grade was based on exams, grades are only from 2 essays, 1 research paper, and a VERY difficult written exam (7 short answers, 2 essays). I ended up with a B- to my suprise. I taped the notes, he doesn't have powerpoint (limited overhead, purely spoken lecture)