Forrest Tan - Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

Professor: Forrest Tan

Department: Political Science

College: Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He specializes in Asian politics and foreign policy, and it added to what we covered here in International Politics. Do make sure to read the chapters well and takes notes along with his lecture notes, because the exams were very detail-oriented. Hes a personable professor and always wants to make sure you understand the topics.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSC335
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Read the assignments and the terminology will be easy. Too many try to simply learn the terms like vocabulary and find it overwhelming and frustrating. To thrive in this class put the terms into the context of the case studies. It helps to appreciate recent Chinese history as it provides much of the context in which concepts are explored.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSC335
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tan is extremely knowledgeable and can teachoose you a lot. You can tell he doesn't like Japan as much as China cause when you switch over his enthusiasm drops drastically. Tests are pretty tough because he gives study guides with over 80 questions and only puts 8 on the test. You better be ready for a ton of notes in this class too.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSC335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A lot of writing. I would take your laptop to class because after class your hand will hurt from all of the notes. Anyway, as long as you pay attention and take ALL notes you will be okay. His study guides are long but if you take notes you can fill them out easily and if you are missing a few terms you can easily find them on Google. Good Class

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSC503
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tan is definitely a well-read/researched and a powerhouse of a professor. He expects those in this class to keep up with world affairs and to speak up! I enjoyed the lecture/discussion/presentation methods. He is also very approachable and willing to help or discuss ideas, after class. His accent was not an issue at all. I recommend him 100%

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSC335
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr Tan is very nice but the midterm and final were brutal with over 50 terms that you had to memorize too many details about. It took 8 hours just to type out a study guide and I still got a B on the midterm. I eked out an A in the class, but not without losing some sleep and studying like a madwoman. If you take it, be prepared to study hard.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tan is a solid professor. His accent takes a few days to get used to, but it's not a big problem at all. I wrote that you have to show up, because he often tells the class before if there will be a quiz. Also, you get a 60% on the quiz just from taking it, and all the questions come from the section reviews. Isn't always a clear cut grader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr Tan is an amazing teacher. Undecided coming into this class, I found that Political Science was right for me. Dr Tan has a mild accent, but you can understand him easily, and he took English in his Undergrad, so he has excellent grammar. He allows for in-depth class discussions, and he is extremely knowledgeable on any topic- Poly Sci or not.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am an international relations major, and this class made me dread learning about it. Dr. Tan is a decent professor, and he can be helpful if you ask for it, but sometimes he doesn't answer questions clearly. He also gives pop quizzes ALL the time in place of attendance, and they only have 1 question so if you don't know it, you're screwed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Tan is a great teacher, has an accent but very knowledgeable of the English language so you wont get lost in poor grammar. Very interesting to listen to and has excellent personal insight into what he teaches.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice class you can get an A easily just to attend class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• 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:

Took class because it is required for an IR major. Attendance isn't strict mandatory but there are pop quizzes and they determine your attendance. Good professor, this course was easy if you kept up with the readings and material.Short essay and 2 midterms. Professor taught with powerpoint, material was directly from the book.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSC227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

professor Tan's courses is very easy to pass. Since I had his first PSC class, I had taken 4 or more PSC class with him. Just go to class every time and take note. it will be an easy A or B. His final research paper topic is very broad, which can almost can write anything.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a solid professor. he makes you work for your grade and brings great insight from a different perspective. A great class experience if you don't plan on never showing up. Quizzes are tricky though.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Go to class and take notes and you'll get an A. In lieu of tests he assigns 3-5 page papers. The topics are very broad so the papers are relatively easy. Easy A!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

ahh worst class ever, with potential to be the best... I can't stand this prof, he lectures straight out of the book. Attendance is 20%, midterm 30, final 50. Does attendance with quizzes from readings and then lectures the exact same thing you read the night before. I was expecting this to be my fav. class but it is my least favorite! Beware!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSC231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Go to class and take the notes. Tests are based off both the notes and a very clear study guide for midterm and final. Participate and use the study guides- the midterm and final are based on those. Hard not to get an A or B if you show up and pay attention.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INTNLPOLIECON
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Tan has his qualities: he is knowledgeable and careful in his explanations. However, he was not meant to be a professor, the profession just does not suit him. In addition, he is too hard on the tests and gives students the feeling that he is working against them and not with them in their academic career.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: INTPOLIECON
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very unclear in his assignments! Does not articulate theories well. Tests are very tricky.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He made me understand tha class better. his notes were helpful along with his experiences. I mean hell i gotta B+ and that was my 2nd PSC class i ever took.