Brian Lai - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Professor: Brian Lai

Department: Political Science

College: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Funny guy, pretty laid back, basically lets you know more than half of the exam to you in section and lecture. as a non-politics major, I enjoyed it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't post any informative slides and expects hours of lectures to be watched each week. They take 2x as long as they are to take notes from because he talks so fast. He also doesn't grade anything until months after so you don't know how you are doing in the class. If you watch and take good notes on the lectures you'll do fine on the tests.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was pretty straight forward. I got above average on my first two exams, a +C on the last exam, and a 100 on my final paper + the quizzes. I also did okay during discussions (-A-ish). Went to lectures, did the in-lecture activities, studied with the questions he provided and also did some additional extra credit work. It was not too bad.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lai is like your funny younger uncle. Sometimes a little dull and sometimes entertaining. Go to section, we did a zombie one which was fun. Straightforward gened. Lai likes foreign policy.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Its an intro class so it is what it is. The good: lectures are clear, what you need to do to get an A is clear, it is not too hard to get an A The bad: if you are not really into politics, this is about foreign politics.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice Guy. Talks Really Fast and gives you 100+ short answer questions to prepare for the tests. Most of the important ones will be covered in the tutor review and discussion. If you prepare, the tests aren't that bad and the paper is graded pretty easily. You can't miss discussion. Also gives out a ton of extra credit opportunities.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLI15010EXW
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took his class online for a gen ed. Lectures were years old (taking about it being the beginning of Obamas presidency), black text on white screen, and super boring. He only graded maybe 3 things before the last week of class so i never knew what my grade was. I don't know much about American Foreign Policy. Probably wouldve failed if not online.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is passionate about what he does which only enhances his great lectures. He was never boring but the guy talks super fast which is bad (you'll get used to it though). I highly recommend taking his American Foreign Policy course, it was super interesting and wasn't too hard. The book is pretty useful but you won't die w/o. DONT skip discussion.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A good easy course for a gen ed. The readings can be extremely boring, but if you force through them and go to class its not hard to get an A, esp if you have a decent knowledge of polisci and US history. Grading criteria is extremely clear and the paper was graded super leniently, just make sure you check off all the boxes. and go to section!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLI3000
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He definitely cares about the work of his students. You can get by in the class without doing the readings. If you're taking this specific class, I highly recommend having experience in Stats. To an extent, he expects you to understand statistics.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not bad for a gened. Prof is into foreign policy, perhaps too much. Talks kind of fast but i had no problem taking notes. We did a week on zombies, tjat was cool. Learned some things and am probably getting an a-

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not sure about some of these other comments, this class is cake. I am getting an A and i put in 5 at most 6 hours a week (3 are in class). The secret is you just go. You know what is going to be on the test and there is a sheet that tells you what to write for your paper.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS3000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lai is a great instructor. The material is tough, statistics is not my thing but required for my major. Lai makes this interesting and is very helpful. I may only get a B, but my favorite class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I am not really interested in politics. I like this gened because it is clear what I am supposed to do. There is a paper and it tells you exactly what to do. Tests are no bueno (are they ever?) but they are not worth that much. You just have to go to section.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AFP101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He talks really fast and his slides are super vague. He's a nice guy but the tests are kinda ridiculous he makes you study 100+ questions for only 9 tests that will be asked on the test. You will learn a lot but that's because you need to study for it. The discussion section is a lot of points- so you have to go. Overall not worth it for gen ed.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good class for a non-major. I know more about foreign policy now. My friends and I got As and Bs. Lai is a smart guy who knows alot about foreign policy

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lai is very passionate and very intelligent but speaks VERY fast. It's very necessary to go to class. A lot of extra credit is given and example questions for exams are provided. Overall a beneficial class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class is pretty straightforward. You have to go to discussion section, not lecture. I am a business major and got ab A in this class. Do the work and you will do well.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AFP101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Would not take a class by him unless you already have some background knowledge of foreign policy. If you skip one class you lose 7% of your grade off the bat. Would not recommend, too much effort put in for this class for a gen ed. Gives too much information at once.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI1501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lai is a good instructor. He talks super fast though to get through a lot of material during lecture, so taking notes electronically might be a good call. The vast majority of the class grade comes from discussion, so be sure you don't skip that!