John Brigham - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: John Brigham

Department: Political Science

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLSI397
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had prof. Brigham sometime in 2013. Never took con law, but the Eth./Rep. course. Class was far better than average at getting me to come up with original arguments based on pol. philosophy texts. I still regularly think about the course, one of the two times in undergrad where I feel I learned something lasting. Much respect, worth your time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL162
• 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:

He uses the socratic method and asks you to challenge your own beliefs by playing devil's advocate. He doesn't just want to hear his opinion he wants you to challenge yours. Not a class for the easily offended when their beliefs are challenged.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 492ND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you feel like being degraded, belittled and berated go to his office hours and discuss the pointless papers you have to write. He encourages you to go to his office and then you will most likely leave in tears. If you feel like being forced to participate and then being told your ideas are wrong then this is the class for you! ENTER AT OWN RISK

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI162
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Rambles on about random things. Extremely boring and he is very rude. Will shut down your opinion about anything but encourages you to speak so he can do so. If you participate occasionally you will do well. One long paper that you will most likely fail. He lets you redeem yourself with a optional take home exam or another paper. Awful teacher

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS162
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Brigham is a hardcore lecturer. Get ready for your opinions to be shot down because he will not tolerate anything but his own thoughts. If you show up, listen, and read the cases beforehand then the quizzes will be easy. He has a very dry sense of humor. Easy A if you're willing to put in at least a little effort.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 162
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class is dumb, but very easy. Grade based on participation and one paper, so pretty much show up and say something and you're good

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I have in undergrad. Truly engaging and presents you with a challenge that is not typically found in vey class. I took both his ethnography and con law class and in each he made me attempt to read analyze and write outside my comfort zone, and in return I grew as a student and person. Take his classes, you won't regret it

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His constitutional law class is AMAZING. No need for a textbook, just Wikipedia. He turns a lecture class into a huge discussion, and is thoroughly engaging. Truly a fascinating professor who makes for a unique and amazing classroom experience. However, if you aren't one for participating in class discussions, this won't be a good class for you.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, very engaging and thoughtful of others in the classroom without restricting your ideas.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very engaging professor, keeps you on your toes and relates class to current issues. Overall an excellent class and just furthered my understanding and appreciation of political science. He does expect you to pay attention and prepare, and my guess is that many of these negative comments are coming from those who did not bother to properly prepare.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brighams class could have been great, as he considers it a conversation between the class and himself. However, he always considers himself to be right and anyone who disagrees to be wrong. Not a terrible class but it could have been so much better

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever experienced in my life. literally embarrasses everyone in the class, not helpful. I love Polisci but this class was awful

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS16201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brigham is a terrible professor, overall. He doesn't talk about relevant course materials at all, has an extremely inflated opinion of himself and will change his mind on assignments at the drop of a hat. He seemed far more interested in talking about his book than in actually discussing Constitutional law. Stay away from his classes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI162
• 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:

if you don't know a lot about poli sci like I did when I took this class I would steer clear. Its an easy class but don't take it if you want to enhance your already weak knowledge of the subject. Its pretty much a big discussion and I fell asleep every class. It is pretty easy though if you like to talk about stuff.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLSC162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He claims that participation is a major part of grade, but it includes tests and email questions from TAs that make it possible to get an A without actually speaking a lot. Easy class and just a lot of cases so interesting if the court and Constitutional law is something you find appealing.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLSI397
• 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:

Thinks he is the smartest man in the world. If you pretend to drink his cool-aid and say random stuff you will get an A

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Awful professor, worst I ever had. Grades are completely subjective, determines grades by how much you talk, but will ignore students who have differing opinions than his, and pick out students who suck up and agree. Worst class I have ever taken.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLSC167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

awesome professor. Brigham will really change your perspective on how you look at the court system and decisions. you do not need to read the book, but come prepared to discuss the cases, participation and 1 paper make up the entire grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLI162
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He does not teach from the book but instead provides a list of cases for you to learn about before class. If you read into the cases and engage in the class you will have a great experience. You can either participate in the class and get a grade based on that or you can take the midterm and final.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLSC365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the only polisci prof I've ever had that I didn't like. All he wants to do is hear students tell him how smart he is, and he's an idiot. Don't take this class if you don't want to suck up. He is scatterbrained and most lectures you don't discuss anything related to what you had to read, but he gives pop quizzes so you have to read the book