Larry Gerston - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: Larry Gerston

Department: Political Science

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS130
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was pretty easy. 2 midterms including an essay (4 pages) and defining 10 terms. The whole of the class was based on a group project. Some classes dedicated to working on project. A significant amount of time outside class to work on it. It is 25-30 pages long. Hes a funny guy but if youre late by a few mins makes a lil comment or face.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• 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:

only had 3 tests, all equally weighted. also had a chance to not take last test if satisfied with our previous test scores. No hw/assign/projects. pay attention in class because stuff he says is important if ur living in USA. if u don't get it, ask. Test terms easy if u paid attention and study notes. Essay Qs are general Qs and nothing tricky.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• 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:

Professor Gerston is an amazing lecturer and his class was very thought provoking. I truly enjoyed coming to class everyday. However, as a Professor Gerston fails. He does not give clear expectations for his exams and his quizzes are somewhat based on arbitrary facts from lectures and the book. There is not a lot of framework to help you succeed.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Gerston is awesome. He really cares about the material he is teaching, so its easy to learn. Midterms are straight forward and as long as you show up to take notes (because nothing is posted online). We needed two books written by him, which were easy to find at good prices. Theres also a big group project thats easy if you just participate!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, you had 2 midterms consisting of an essay portion and a vocabulary section, one group term paper, and a journal that you had to maintain while working on the group project. Gerston was very clear and direct about his expectations for the project. Follow instructions and you should be fine.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were very clear and engaging. The quizzes were extremely easy (multiple choice and fill in the blank type), but the midterm and final were somewhat challenging (essay type). As long as you did the readings and attended class, you should be fine. I definitely would take him again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gerston gives out 11 quizzes (top 10 count), one written midterm, and one written final exam. That's it. As long as you keep up with the reading you should be fine. Overall Gerston is a great professor who cares a lot about his students. He wants you to pass, but you're going to have to earn it.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Extremely knowledgeable in American Government and California Government. Loves to joke around during lectures. Whatever he discusses in class ends up on the quiz; literally. 11 quizzes total (10 count), 1 essay Midterm, and 1 essay Final. If you want an "A" in the class, expect to study a lot. Do not be late to class or use your electronics.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Good professor, passionate about what he teaches. Hint hint, dont be late and dont use electronics.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS01
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I went to class every single day. I paid attention and read the books but the questions he picks are sometimes difficult! I think I'm going to get a B in the class but I want an A. I put a lot of work into it. The weekly quizzes are based on his lectures and he is a tough grader when it came to the exams! Only 2 people got A's. For a GE course -_-.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Polished, professional, & a no nonsense attitude when it came to attendance & being respectful. You can tell that he puts a lot of effort into making us become educated citizens. Overall, as long as you did the readings, you should be fine for the quizzes and Final. If not, he would be glad to clarify. You'll take a lot from this class. Trust me.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• Grade Received: 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:

Plenty of enthusiasm in regards to the government and how it was run. Midterm and final were slightly tricky, but gave you plenty of room to give your interpretation. He was very fair when it came to grading, as there didn't seem to be an apparent bias. Anyone who ends up having him will come out of that class satisfied with their investment.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• 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:

this professor is a hard grader no extra credit and the finals and midterms are hard

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

weekly exams are easy but finals and midterms are too hard .i attended all the classes but i got a c :(

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS01
• 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:

This professor was by far my favorite professor! He actually teaches you something and is hilarious! As long as you read and come to class you will be fine! Don't be late!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS001
• 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:

Worst professor ever!! Midterm and Final are essays in which you have to know every single thing and he doesn't even point you in the right direction to which way to study. One of the worst classes at SJSU

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS001
• 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:

Gerston is a passionate prof who is active in political science. It uses textbooks he wrote because he is a respected commentator in TV and printed news. His expectations are that you learn. His tests are an essay based on a broad question you can answer any way you want. I would take a his class again in a heartbeat. Great prof!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ok reading the reviews below me, I am guessing these were the people in my class who texted, talked to friends and came in late. He will strongly dislike you if you do that. So don't. He TELLS you that the first day! He willingly helps you if you don't get the material and he is straightforward in expectations. Wonderful lecturer. Take him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst professors I have encountered at State so far. I should have known better when my boss warned me against taking him in the first place(yes, he's that old) Tests are based soley on books (which are all written by him)Lectures aren't even relevant to the book reading. He's an old fart who grades rediculously hard and expects too much

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS102
• 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:

Probably the worst professor I've had the misfortune of coming across. I would recommend this class to someone who enjoys being mind-effed for an hour and fifteen minutes by a long-winded old man. No help at all, and judging from his hawaiian shirts, I think he knows it's time for retirement.