Joel Paddock - Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Professor: Joel Paddock

Department: Political Science

College: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He was a really nice and knowledgeable professor. However, you can't miss class because he doesn't use blackboard or power points to copy his lectures. He talks the whole time so you need to carefully follow what he says. There's 4 exams. You can only get your grade from those exams.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Paddock is a great guy and I respect him very much, he cares a lot about his students. I found his class pretty difficult, though. You only have 4 grades, which are the 4 exams. No homework or final. Attendance is not mandatory, but if you skip class you won't have the notes to study for the test, but be ready 2 cram. Also, doesn't use blackboard

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Paddock is knowledgable in his course however, the class is based off of 4 tests which is tough. He rounds up with good attendance. The study guides aren't helpful and it is better to just study your notes. No extra credit is given. I would not buy the book because I opened it maybe once. I would try to avoid if tests aren't your thing.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Paddock is a great lecturer, he tries to keep class interesting. The only things that make up your grade are 4 test, and he doesn't use black board and no extra credit. However, he does tend to bump your grade if you have good attendance.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Paddock is a great teacher for PLS! I really loved his class and learned a ton. Your grade is only tests though there are only 4 and they are not hard. He clearly lays out what you need to study and if you do, then you will be fine. No papers or homework at all but you need to come to class. He moves fast but will send you notes if you're sick!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are very interesting. Attendance isnt mandatory, but if you dont show up to the majority of classes you wont pass the tests. No final, just four tests in the gradebook. Dont let the test heavy nature scare you though, he gives you a study guide that tells you everything you need to know.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

WHAT A GUY. Super nice, very clear, the study guide basically IS the test. The only thing that is graded are the tests but as long as you do the study guide and take good notes you'll get an A. He's very personable and is great at answering questions. Very knowledgeable. Only talks, never has powerpoints but very easy and interesting class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PLS316
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Paddock is one of my favorite professors at MSU. He is super knowledgeable in the field and always quick to answer any questions about tests or assignments. The course consisted of 3 exams and 1 paper/presentation. The tests are difficult but taking good notes during lectures helps a lot.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PLS413
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Professor Paddock. He is so knowledgeable about the American Political System. In this class in particular, the test are a little harder because his study guides are not word for word like the previous class I took with him. He also asks questions on the exam that are only in the book. I would definitely recommend his classes to all students

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• 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:

Your only grades in the class are four tests, but if you show up, take notes, and study for the tests, it really is not difficult to get an A. He was a great lecturer and I really enjoyed the class

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Political Science is very hard in general. Joel is a good lecturer and is very knowledgeable. I struggled a lot in this class and he was willing to help me with the notes and was very flexible with my grade!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• 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:

Joel is verrrry knowledgeable and cares about whether or not you understand the material. there are only 4 tests, one of them being the final, which is not comprehensive!! He gives you a study guide for each test on the syllabus. if you study his study guide you should do fine

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgable professor, but the course is made up of a few assignments. He does not interact with the students, and doesn't make it clear what we should be studying for the test. If you do bad on one test you are basically done for the whole semester.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I thoroughly enjoyed Joel's PLS101 honors class even though I had to be up at 8 am every Tuesday and Thursday for it. Knowledgeable, funny, and interesting during his lectures, Joel possesses the ability to make the often drab topic of the anatomy of government and politics more than tolerable--enjoyable even--and for that I commend him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Paddock is a great teacher, but po-sci is a difficult subject. He lectures off the top of his head, and anything he doesn't talk about in class won't be on the test. Your whole grade in the class is four 50 question multiple choice tests, and no comprehensive final. Very kind man, will bump very close grades if you've been to his office hours.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PLS316
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was insanely hard. You have four grades--three tests and a research paper/presentation. Each are worth 25% of your grade. The test are mainly made up of a single essay question. His final had one essay question that was worth a more than 18% of your OVERALL grade. The final is also based off student presentations, which is stressful.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PLS316
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was interesting and I learned a lot from the class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I found Paddock to be one of the most knowledgable professors I have ever had. He is very helpful and his lectures are very clear. The syllabus contains key terms and questions to study for every test. If you show up to class, take good notes, and study what is on the study guide before a test, it is an easy A. just know your entire grade is 4test

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paddock is awesome! You definitely have to attend the lectures, as his tests are basically just the lectured material (hardly any book info). He is very nice and caring about his students. He can answer any ?s about government. Grade is made up of 4 tests only, so you need to do well on all of them. If you go to class, the tests are pretty easy!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• 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:

Paddock is one of the best professors Ive ever had. As long as you take notes in lecture every week and skim the chapter of the book (and I do mean skim, you dont need to read it), you will get As on the tests. Your entire grade is 4 tests, but they are easy (50 MC questions) and he doesnt give a final. Very accessible and kind.