Brook Blair - University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO

Professor: Brook Blair

Department: Political Science

College: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSCI331
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Blair is knowledgeable but old-school. He only grades on attendance and two in-class essays. He is a fun guy to talk with, but I'm not terribly impressed by his teaching.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSCI331
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Blair is highly respected and incredibly smart. Copy down anything he writes on the board and SHOW UP. This class was one of the hardest I've taken so far, but also my favorite I've taken. Blair will match the effort you put forward, so apply yourself. His teaching style is mostly speaking lecture based, so write fast!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Blair provides funny insight into a bunch of long dead political philosophers and speaks them back to life. He just gets it. The classes are reading heavy, but he LOVES when you ask questions about anything you don't understand. Write down anything he repeats. You should supplement his sporadic board notes with his spoken explanations.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSCI332
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Blair is one of my favorite professors of all time. He is funny, easily accessible, and incredibly knowledgeable. This is definitely a class that you need to show up to and you need to do the readings. Just like all things in life, it is not that hard if you just apply yourself.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far the worst professor I've had so far. Forget this being a 100 level class, or learning the fundamentals of politics. You get random abbreviated words on the white board and very little to no explanation of anything. There are three grades for the whole class, attendance, midterm and final (both essay style). I

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class isn't impossible but I would HIGHLY suggest not taking it unless you are a PoliSci major because Blair teaches it as if it were a 300 level class as opposed to an intro level core class. He doesn't 'believe' in power point so his lectures consist of random thoughts written in a jumble on the board. Maybe better if you are going into it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I respect Blair as a professor, but Im a poli sci major and I can never keep up with him. Information is sporadic. He lectures a lot and gives no notes other than random thoughts he writes down on the board. Lots of reading here and attendence is important. Stay the whole time during exams to get extra credit. Go to office hours if you need help

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Blair is an excellent professor! He is very helpful and knowledgeable about many topics. Be prepared to read and listen in a very traditional lecture setting. This class is great for political science majors but could be difficult as a core class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brook Blair is my academic adviser and one of the most incredible people I have met. His knowledge is beyond my words and his lectures are very interesting. He is a great person to talk to outside of class and always willing to lend a hand when needed. The 105 class is tough but as long as you do your work and communicate with him you will be fine

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took the class and was convinced to add a Political Science minor. Inspiring lectures and insightful tips on how to live life. Need to be a good essay writer to get an A. Also really get to know him and sit up front and that will help as well. Great professor!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most brilliant professors I have ever had, it definitely is a difficult class and if you don't do the readings in the books assigned you won't do well. Gives great feedback if you go in to see him at office hours. Passionate about the subject and really knows what he's talking about, makes you want to be more engaged in the class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSCI332
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Blair is tough but I love his courses! He lectures a lot but writes little on the board so note taking is hard. he's so nice though and eager to help, so don't be afraid to ask questions! He's brilliant and I respect him so much

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You can tell that professor Blair is a passionate teacher and is a really smart person, but he is a horrible teacher. His lectures are scattered brained and don't make any sense. He just writes random notes on the board, it was very hard to fallow. I don't suggest taking this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSCI331
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Political Philosophy is possibly the hardest class i've taken here, Blair is an awesome teacher hands down, but the material along with class lectures can be very confusing for a laymen. I recommend doing all the readings, participating as much as possible in class and preparing well for the essay bc he will call you out on your BS!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Dr. Blair for PSC 105, Fundamentals of Politics, and it was very difficult. Your grade for the entire class is based on the midterm (30%) the final (60%) and attendance (10%). Excessive reading. He's passionate about what he does, though. Very receptive to questions and feedback.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This guy is great as a person but if you like to learn by taking notes do not take his class. Professor Blair runs his class very informally and gives little to no notes or instruction. Not only is there a lack of solid information but you're also graded on only two assessments for the whole semester. Way too stressful would not recommend.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSCI105
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Your grade is 10% attendance (will drop half a letter grade for every unexcused absence) and 90% is midterm (essay) and final. It is very hard to take notes and I am a great note taker. He goes off on random tangents and just writes random words on the board. He does give you the exact midterm a week before the actual test date for preparation.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSCI325
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I appreciated the course, however, his methods of instruction and grading are not sufficient for this type of college course. While Prof. Blair does look deeper into issues than many other professors, he still manages to restrict arguments outside of his philosophically driven world view. Limited opportunities for students to show improvement.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSCI332
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unbelievably confusing! I was so lost all the time. I literally put my all in this class and still came out barely above water. Only take this class if you're serious about Political Science. Nice guy, just so confusing. I am usually a straight A student, but not in this one. Super tough.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSCI325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brook Blair represents an undervalued function of higher education: to prepare students for in-depth understanding of present issues and the underlying factors behind those issues. Many other professors treat undergrad courses as throwaway classes; not Blair, and that's a good thing, because it means you'll actually learn in his class.