Javier Oliva - University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

Professor: Javier Oliva

Department: Political Science

College: University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you're thinking about going to law school or being a lawyer some day, you absolutely need to take this class with this guy. He tells you all the ins and outs of law school and practicing law that you can't get anywhere else. The tests are multiple choice but he gives study guide and if you go to class you'll understand. Final exam was open note.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LGS3213
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a lot tougher for the summer law academy than he is in the fall/spring semesters. Attend class as much as possible, read the cases carefully, and study hard for the exams bc he is a meticulous grader. He's funny and really helpful if you want to become an attorney. This class will give you a good survey of what to expect in law school.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL2623
• 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:

Easiest POL prof at UTSA. No attendance mandatory, 4 exams, and 1 paper assignment - easy af. Show up to class one meeting before each exam and he'll spoon-feed you what's going to be on it. Don't bother with either of the textbooks. "Extra-credit" is available but beware: I've taken him twice and he never actually keys it in for your final grade.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LGS2013
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hearing his insight is especially great when thinking about becoming an attorney. If you need time off because of work don't worry not mandatory for attendance. Ended up taking two more classes with him after this course. He does go off topic at times just as long as you pay attention in class you will do fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PAL3023
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His tests are all T/F, multiple choice (3-5 choices) and free response. He typically gives reviews which is the only way to pass the tests. He tells you to read the book, but that won't give you a passing grade because he writes his own tests (usually cover over 100 pages of the book) Assignments seem to be busy work and graded easily.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's alright as a person, but he seems a little strange. As far as a teacher goes, its super book heavy. If you're like me and you learn from being taught, then he's not the professor for you, most of the stuff you'll learn in the class is from the book. He's not a heavy grader or anything but he just doesn't teach much.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LGS3213
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good Teacher, good experience, there was a lot of reading but for a legal studies class, it is expected. I would take him again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL4123
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Oliva is by far my favorite professor I've taken. He has a genuine want to help all his students. However, you must read the assigned reading because he does have a tendency to go on tangents in class. All around good guy and an easy A if you work for it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Oliva for two classes in the same semester. He tends to go on tangents and just CONSTANTLY talk about his personal life, and gives poor reviews for his tests. The essay tests were easy and open book, but his multiple choice he gave was hard because of his poor lecturing skills and review. Overall very unhappy. He canceled class all the time.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL4123
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've taken Oliva for 3 classes because his classes are an easy A- however he does cancel class a lot, but I didn't mind most of the time. He's nice and approachable, and you can learn a lot from him. I recommend him to anyone interested in law school.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Oliva's tests are very tricky. Plus his reviews aren't very helpful and he was usually not available during his office hours.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL2623
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Oliva is one of the nicest teachers you'll meet at UTSA. He's genuinely interested in his students and their future careers. His lectures can be confusing (he has a tendency to go on tangents) but the assignments are generally graded easily. Would definitely recommend.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Oliva really makes the concepts involved in the class easy to understand by attributing them to real life situations. The little bits of humor also lend a hand in staying captivated and not drifting away from the topic. All in all if one is able to pay attention and use the book for reference , there is no reason why an A isn't attainable

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LGS3013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Oliva is a great professor. He is very insightful and knows what he is talking about. His test aren't easy but if you study you should do fine. His group project wasn't too hard. Although he canceled class at various times and didn't pay too much attention to our presentation he is overall a good professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LGSPOL3013
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my first time taking Olivia and I was very disappointed. In the Pol3013 he cancelled class almost once a week and sometimes at the very last min. In both classes the Reviews were useless, most of his lectures consisted of him reading from the book. In LGS3013, when the class presented our group project he was on the phone the whole time.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLLAWANDSOC
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Read the book extensively! His reviews are horrible, Read the Book, he his textbook heavy! Don't rely on him for a review, the Review and the Test will be VERY different! You can make an A as long as you read the book and take major notes. Teaching he only reads from the book!If you are taking the class read the BOOK now! All 3 test essay format

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is a great guy! I had a lot of fun in his class and he keeps us entertained! His class is difficult but if you take bits and pay attention you will be successful!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL3013
• 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:

Oliva is one of the best professors I've ever had. 4 tests from the book/his reviews and a final, doesn't expect too much from a student, attendance optional. Oliva knows how to keep his classes entertained. If you are an aspiring attorney, any of Oliva's classes are the perfect fit. Love this guy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LGS3013
• 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:

Second time take Oliva. He is very helpful and straight forward. You have to pay attention in class! I had yet to meet someone who didn't like him as a person: he's really nice.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LGS2013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was unimpressed. For an introductory course in legal studies, Oliva is disorganized. Book in syllabus isn't the book we needed and the low stakes assignments take too much time. Syllabus wasn't updated to reflect grade allocation leading to a surprise ending. Unimpressed! I would not recommend taking if you learn from being taught.