Judith Swanson - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Judith Swanson

Department: Political Science

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PO791
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took her graduate class back in fall 2004. She helps lead you to examine and re-examine the texts, both on discussions and in paper feedback. If you are ready to reflect and read diligently, you will benefit.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PO691
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very intelligent, and helpful, one of the most precise thinkers I have ever encountered. Not flamboyant or exciting, but challenges students, and appreciates participation. Great professor for political theory

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is an amazing person. I like it how she learns your names and tries to generate some discussions/debates in the lectures. However, as a professor, I did not really like her way of presenting concepts. Definitely recommend her if you're seeking a personal learning environment. But do not recommend if you simply take this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PO191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lecture was boring and she would read off the powerpoint. Questions on the readings that were meant to be done for homework made up the majority of the PowerPoints leading there to be very little extra information. Discussions were very helpful but the lectures were not helpful.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PH454
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super nice person. Go to her office hours, for sure. Posts questions for "homework" and the lecture is just her answering the questions, so glance at them to help you prepare to participate. Tests are essays. She'll email you the day before to tell you what specifically the essays are on. Many readings are online. There's an optional presentation.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PO391
• 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:

Excellent professor. A true expert in her field. Her method provides rigorous and full understanding of the texts. The rigor may not be fully suited to freshman, but for upperclassmen or people with genuine interest in political philosophy â€" highly recommended.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PO591
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Truly an entertaining class. I've taken PO391, PO393, and PO591 with Professor Swanson. She really helps students succeed and is very helpful with feedback. One needs only to have an open mind to succeed in her class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PO391
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible. Avoid at all cost. She stomps down any interesting conversation. She cannot understand complex ideas because she only reads off of her power points. She can't communicate her ideas effectively and says "um" every other word.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PO391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the WORST professors I have ever had. She is condescending and rude. If you don't agree with her opinion you are wrong. She literally reads everything off her powerpoints. Class is borring and useless but if you miss a class without a doctors note or a not from your parents (this is college) you will all but fail the class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hands down best professor I've had at BU. Makes an effort to learn everyone's name and genuinely cares about the students. At first it's difficult to follow her thoughts but if you keep up with the readings and approach the class with an open mind, you'll quickly become adapted to her teaching style and learn far more than many other PO clases.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's one of the worst professors I've ever had. Her Powerpoint presentations are just full of block text, which made getting the intended message rather difficult. When she's asked a question, she spends 20 minutes responding but never actually adequately responds to the question. She is very passionate though and definitely likes participation.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• 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:

An absolute must for anyone interested in the fundamentals of Political Theory. Both PO and PH students would enjoy thoroughly this class. It's true that there is a lot of reading required, but once done, it's totally worth the insane effort.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Swanson is very helpful. She shows an interest in every students response, and encourages class participation. She is very thorough in her lectures, and can explain her thoughts well. Over all, I enjoyed her class, even though there was an absurd amount of reading.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Swanson teaches fascinating ideas largely out of her own mind. Because her lectures are outlined, some parts are necessarily extemporaneous, leading for both pauses in speech and subtle nuances which a student with no interest in the subject may not appreciate. Don't take the class if you just want to take shots at a brilliant professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PO641
• 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:

The worst. This lady obviously has trouble relating to people, and has a humongous chip on her shoulder. She was therefore terrible as a teacher, arrogant and extremely narrow minded. I give this woman two big thumbs down.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLANY
• 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:

The worst. This lady obviously has trouble relating to people, and has a humongous chip on her shoulder. She was therefore terrible as a teacher, arrogant and extremely narrow minded. I give this woman two big thumbs down.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

THIS LADY IS AWFUL. I warn anybody not to take this class because her voice has this horrible tone that will put you to sleep and make you want to kill yourself. She is rude and boring.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PO391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst professors I've had. She can't articulate ideas, doesn't understand complex points, rudely shoots down anyone who tries to raise the very low level of discussion. Her voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard, which doesn't help. Easy but totally useless.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PO291
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She sucked the fun out of political theory. She is a really boring professor that rambles on in the most irritating speech pattern ever. An easy B.. a crapload of reading for an A. Overall unfun.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PO641
• 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:

I had Swanson for two upper-level courses in Political Philosophy and I am impressed: she is a careful scholar, and she listened carefully to my questions and always did her best to respond to my concerns. Also, she left good feedback on my final papers and was always amiable in class. She is not a babysitter, which might upset some BU freshmen.