Garrison Nelson - University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Professor: Garrison Nelson

Department: Political Science

College: University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

It was a privilege to have Nelson as a professor. He has so much knowledge, making any conversation very entertaining. Attendance is in no way mandatory but his lectures are too funny and informative to miss out on. His feedback on papers prepared me for the real world. His attitude is great and was always a great end to my day.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sad that this was Professor Nelson's last semester, but Im so glad I got to take a class with him before he left UVM. Amazing and hilarious professor. Was very anti-Trump (which every educated person is or anybody with a soul), but was sort of against Hillary for no real reason, much like most of her critics. Overall, great guy. Wishing him well!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

It was truly a gift to take American Government with Professor Nelson, particularly during his last semester at UVM. His lectures were lively and engaging, and I've never met anyone with such a command of their subject matter. He may come off as a little gruff at first, but Professor Nelson has a heart of gold and really cares about his students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS195
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson is one of the best examples for how UVM's political science department consists of the most amazing individuals this university has to offer. He takes a topic that is found so stressful and hateful nowadays and made it fun. There is barely any work for his class and he lets you choose your essay topics! Most amazing man I've met.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL021
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely helpful, always willing to answer questions, and very accessible. He clearly cared about his students succeeding and really went the extra mile. I would love to take his class again. Be warned his exams are tough and he gives a lot of reading, but if you do the work you get the grade. 021 is a solid class with an amazing professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had him last semester. He's one of my favorites. Very smart, hilarious, helpful, always accessible. He helped me a lot on everything I needed. His tailored grading is fantastic and will really help you. He's also a genius, he knows so many facts and knows his material by heart. Fun and easy course. I'm looking forward to more classes with him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS195
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Garrison Nelson is a giant in the feild of Political Science. As a professor he gives two options for grading in the Electing the President course, 2 20 page papers or 6 5-9 pagers. I chose the two longer ones and was very fairly graded. His lectures are unrelated to the essays, but informative, interesting and hilarious. Loved every minute of it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Has always helped me, knows the subject extremely well, respects students and is respected in return

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you want to actually learn about the American political system, choose another POLS 021 professor. If you're okay with learning more about history and the professor's life, then Nelson's your guy. I tutor for POLS 021, and I've learned that I learned nothing about American politics from him. I sure heard a lot of funny stories though.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL021
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I personally felt he was one of the best professors I have had. I took his class dreading political science. By the end of the semester I could look past the 9:30 am class as a commuter to get there on time and excited. His lectures are very entertaining and engaging.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS196
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson is easily one of the more intelligent and dedicated professors I have had in my four years at UVM. He made the time to work with me on my career goals even though I was not a POLS major/minor at the time, and was the one who inspired me to pick up a POLS minor during my junior year. I encourage anyone to take classes taught by him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL196
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson's "Electing the President" was one of the most interesting classes I took at UVM. The class was thought provoking and helped shed some light on the 2016 primaries. Professor Nelson allowed students to write essays in lieu of exams. I greatly appreciated this because I always learn more when I can pick a topic of interest. A+ Prof!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love Nelson! Highly recommend his classes. He is very flexible and allows you to choose your own assessments for exams.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's really old and lectures are hard to follow. He's got a lot to offer but sometimes it's a little unorganized and too quick and he's hard to understand. Only three exams in the class, no homework. Do the take home essays as part of the exam, they really boost exam grades.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was originally dreading taking poli sci (a required course for my major) however I was pleasantly surprised . I loved Nelson's class! My biggest piece of advice is to sit in the front row. I sat there the whole semester, was consistently engaged, and got As on every assignment. He's hilarious if you just actually go to class and pay attention! :)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took American Politics wanting to learn about POLITICS and instead learned more about history and the personal stories of the teacher himself. Did not like this guy at all. So boring and incredibly difficult to understand. Avoid him if possible.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson is a great teacher here at UVM. He is a no BS kind of guy, and gets down to the point. I highly suggest taking his class, not only is he funny but he is a bank of knowledge. Probably one of the smartestmost knowledgable professors i have ever had. I expected not to be interested in Political Science, but he sparked my interest

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS131
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nelson is one of the smartest professors in the department. A lot of experience. Definitely wants his students to do well and connect with him. Has given me a lot of good advice academically and always has interesting things to say about the course material. Yes, his tests can be difficult but almost all the test is based off lecture. Fantastic guy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson is one of the most experienced professors at UVM. His expertise in political science and history is unmatched. His lectures are informative and entertaining. He definitely knows how to liven things up with funny stories and insights. You WILL NOT regret taking any one of his classes!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS125131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Nelson for both Political Parties and Elections, and for Political Leadership. He is a fantastic lecturer with an unmatched breadth of knowledge. Most of your grade will be from 2-3 papers you write. He is a tough grader, but he meets with everyone individually before each paper, and you help choose the topic. TAKE HIS CLASSES.