David Schaefer - College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Professor: David Schaefer

Department: Political Science

College: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLIPHIL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most intelligent Prof's and men I have encountered. Those who do not like him are usually unmotivated, unintelligent and uninterested. If you are a dedicated student who generally keeps up with readings, goes to class and enjoys to actually learn, take his class. Very rewarding.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

People who hate on Prof. Schaefer usually hate him for his sardonic humor and caustic feedback on papers. His humor often targets liberal America (which is what I love about him); he is a true contrarian in an otherwise liberal POLS faculty. He is mean in his feedback on papers, but think of him as a football coach who pushes you to do your best.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLIPHIL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class, but the overall benefits will outweigh the struggles if you put a great deal of effort into the course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Schaefer is extremely knowledgeable. If you want to learn, take his class. His class is challenging, but if you take good notes and pay attention in class, you will learn a ton and you will receive a desirable grade. I will definitely be taking another class with him. If you aren't interested in the material the class is very difficult.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLIPHIL101
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

People who trash David Schaefer are mere haters. One of the most intelligent men I have ever met, David Schaefer takes pride in what he does, and is a true American! Love him. Anything he has said is true as well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have never worked harder or learned more in a class at Holy Cross. Lectures were long, but very informative if the topic interests you. Brutal grader for an intro class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI234
• 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's incredibly intelligent, and despite his class being very difficult and tedious at times, I learned more in a semester about political philosophy than I ever thought I would. Tests and papers are hard, but as long as you reiterate what he said in class, you'll do well. Take this class if you are serious about political science.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Listen to what he says and regurgitate it on papers and mid-terms, or you won't do well. He grades papers harshly in terms of grammar, but content is easy enough if you take good notes. Can be intimidating in OH, but will ultimately help you out. Mid-term and final were fair. A good Prof., but not an easy one. Don't have to do the readings.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I learned more from Prof Schaefer than from any other instructor in my 3 semesters at HC. He taught me how to carefully read and appreciate the continuing relevance of great philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Rousseau. An amazingly learned man/ cares deeply about his subject. Demanding teacher/ hard grader but will definitely take again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I've had. 0/10 do no recommend. Very narrow-minded... This class was an absolute waste of time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor I have ever had. Very rude and obnoxious. He is also the most arrogant person I have ever met, and does not help in office hours.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

worst professor i have ever had. absolutely no help in office hours, hard grader, extremely particular, and harshly criticizes everything you write without any encouragement. tears students down, interrupts them, and judges them for wrong answers.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• 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:

Definitely not a lay up course if you're just looking to fulfill a general requirement. For Poli Sci majors definitely worth taking, will likely learn more than from any other prof in the department. Don't need to read, just be very attentive in class and TAKE GOOD NOTES. Office hours are a waste. On papers + tests just repeat his ideas from notes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS233
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Always goes over class time with his long lectures. Agree with him or not he simply wastes time going on conservative tangents instead of discusses the texts. Hard grader and unclear in what he expects from essays. During office hours he frequently interrupted, was not helpful, and at times was simply rude.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS101102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant man. Knows exactly what he is talking about through and through. VERY LONG lectures with no breaks, but has very funny conservative jokes. Extremely hard grader, but his lectures are worth listening to.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you really are willing to put in the work for the class it may be worthwhile to take as he knows what he is talking about. But if you are expecting to cruise through an intro class stay away from this as the grades are not easy at all.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Charming, charismatic guy...but his class is dreadful. While looking at the comments I am amazed that almost all of them are praising this guy. Very, very difficult grader with no positivity in his critique. I do not recommend this class, and I will not be taking another class with Schaefer- and I am a Political Science major.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A very intelligent and challenging professor. He definitely knows his stuff, and I love how he connects the material he teaches with contemporary political issues. He's helpful in office hours, but you better know the material before you go. Liberals beware... He's very conservative. He makes some pretty funny jokes during his lectures.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor. I took him my freshman fall for Intro to Political Philosophy. Although I was told horror stories by upperclassmen and even one of my coaches, he is an outstanding teacher. He is not particularly easy, and he's not one to suffer fools, but I'd challenge you to find someone more knowledgeable about the subjects he teaches.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for both his intro and upper level course. Hes brilliant, and knows his philosophy through and through. Lectures can be very dry at times, but do your best to take good notes. Definitely talk to him about papers, since they are difficult, and require alot of thinking. He will help you though if you make the effort