Clay Clemens - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Clay Clemens

Department: Government

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOV100
• 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:

Very good professor. Lectures usually cover readings and doesn't mind answering questions about material. Reading quizzes felt more than fair. His work for a COLL100 class feels like a lot, but it is very rewarding provided you make an effort in the projects. His class was excellent for freshman transitioning into a more mature environment.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor that really makes you work for the grade. Convinced me to be a GOVT major and remains the hardest I've ever worked for a class. All worth it though, as I learned a lot and was happy with the work I did.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clemens is one of the most popular professors in his department, so I was disappointed when he didn't live up to the hype. He is an extremely harsh grader and I often found myself very frustrated by his teaching style. His grading criteria often did not align with what we were taught in class. However, he's a hilarious guy and gives good lectures.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOVT311
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clemens is a great professor in class. He knows how to make his lectures hilarious and interesting. My only issue with him is that he is not the most lenient grader but his grading is not arbitrary either. So you're gonna have to put a bit more effort to get an A, but I recommend him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Clemens is an exceptional professor who really cares about the students and the subject matter. Quizzes and test questions were sometimes unclear, but short answers and essays followed his reading guides word for word. Prof. Clemens is extremely accessible and his office hours really help if you are lost in class. Great class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOV203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Clemens is a great professor who is clearly passionate about what he teaches. His tests/quizzes are hard and often extremely vague, but all of the questions he will ask you on tests and in essays are given to you in the homework - word for word. Do your work and see him outside of class and you should do fine. Hard class, but worth it!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The professor brings great energy into his lectures. Highly respectable and cares deeply for the material. However, his quizzes and tests are beyond frustrating - His questions can be incredibly vague and open-ended. If you consider yourself an "ok" writer and test taker; beware. This introductory course is very tough.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOV203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clemens is an amazing professor that you will definitely learn a lot from, however, he gives quite a bit of work and you have to study a lot for his exams. That being said, he gives you all the questions that could be on exams throughout the semester as HW questions, so if you put in the time to study you will get a good grade.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOVT390
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, has nice dogs.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOV150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clemens definitely shaped my first semester at WM for the better. He's clearly passionate about what he's teaching, he wants you to understand, and he has a decent sense of humor. He had our class over for dinner twice this semester! Grading can be tough but as long as you're a good writer you'll get an A with relative ease.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOV203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though the class may be difficult, it is definitely worth taking. It is obvious that Clemens knows the material. His lectures are clear and he is able to answer any question you throw at him. There is a lot of reading involved but he clearly outlines what you need to know. Also, his dogs are adorable.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• 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:

If you're taking this class for fun, stop right there and choose something better or look at literally any other professor who teaches this class. He makes the tests unnecessarily tough and teaches straight from the textbook. He counts participation, i.e. showing up to class, so you'll have redundant notes. 3/10 at best; avoid him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOV150
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Prof. Clemens for a Coll 150 class, Canadian Politics, this fall. He's a tough grader but is very engaging with his lectures, and I knew he really wanted us to succeed in class. You definitely don't want to miss class if you want to pass though.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOV203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clemens is one of the most incredible professor here at The College. Clear, engaging and funny. He applies all of the concepts we learn in class to the real world. He definitely makes you work for your grade, but it is so worth it because his class is incredible. He has reading quizzes that apply the content we learned in class to the real world.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Clemens is a funny, engaging lecturer. Most of class discussion is based straight from the textbook, but he makes sure to also connect theory to current events around the world, which I find very interesting. There is a lot of reading and online quizzes, so come prepared and he'll reward you with funny dog videos and donuts.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Engaging lecturer but literally all he does in lecture is talk about what you already read in the textbook. He doesn't expand at all, and so coming to class was a complete waste of time. He is totally dependent on the textbook for content, though he is generally able to link it to the real world.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class. Lectures are interesting and the textbook is clear. Reading is absolutely mandatory in order to do well though. Participation, quizzes, and tests all consist of answering questions about the textbook. Quizzes are just a completion grade! It was a lot of work, but as long as you put in the time it's definitely manageable.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 22909
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most respected professors at WM

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Clemens is great! He isn't easy, you do have to work to get a good great, but he really knows his stuff. He's super nice and approachable, and he always shows fun videos before class. Definitely recommend!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOVT390
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took "Digital Citizenship". Still not quite sure what the class was. Nonetheless, Clemens is a good guy and a good professor.