Paul Sum - University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

Professor: Paul Sum

Department: Political Science

College: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sum is one of the most knowledgeable professors I have had experience with. His comparative politics course is extremely thought provoking and interesting. I will miss these lectures with Sum as he is always interesting and engaging. Great course even better professor.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher and course. I learned so much between the lectures and Pauls own personal stories. Hes passionate about the subject and makes it interesting. Pay attention and read the book and its a easy to pass.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hes super smart, and wants to see his students succeed.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sum's Comparative Politics class completely opened my eyes to the world. He has a knack for finding the most interesting aspects and anecdotes of a topic and delivering them with his distinctive satirical sardonic wit. So much material to cover but Paul Sum makes you want to dive into it all and be informed. If you at all can, take this.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Knows the UN structure and has lots of background information on human rights.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 495
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

POLS 495 is the capstone class for polisci & pub adminmajors. This class wraps up the department discipline & prepares you for gradlaw school. You read polisci & pub admin articles so no text book, & no tests. The main graded assignment is a developed paper from a former class of your choice & a political skit. A very fun class to attend.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS321225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sum's probably the best instructor I've had at UND. Lectures are like quasi-religious experiences. Difficult grader, expects a fair amount of effort from students. Crazy smart, but is actually super good-humored & approachable. Willing to help even if you're not a major, wrote me recs for grad school & helped immensely w app process. Awesome guy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 225
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was a very fun course to take. Sum clearly knows the material and loves teaching it. I would recomend going to class everyday for the lectures. This isn't an easy class, and there is 1 quizweek. Tests are all essay format. Lot of daily reading and 1 hard academic paper. Sum makes you earn your grade, but if you read and go to class your good.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS250
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Amazingly smart. Lectures are interesting. I didn't want to miss class becuase I enjoyed them. Only problem is that he's a bit old school. Hands out C's instead of A's. Very tough to get a good grade, but still, GREAT professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS321250
• 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:

If you don't take a class from Professor Sum while at UND, you are missing out. Yes, his classes are extremely hard, but he is SO intelligent and interesting. Honestly wants you to get as much out of the class as you can - not just a grade. He is so helpful, easy to access, and will give you some of the best advice and insight UND has to offer.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely smart guy. WIll make you earn your grade but is very helpful if you put in an effort. Sometimes frustrating with grading but overall a good prof.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• 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:

Awesome guy, tough grader, willing to help those who try. Super smart.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• 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:

Dr.Sum is the one of the best professors I have had at this university. This was a very difficult class for me but he is so knowledgeable and extremely helpful he made it possible for me to understand this difficult topic. I would recommend him for any class that he teaches!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS250
• 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:

Dr. Sum is one of the most amazing professors at this university. His class is challenging, but if you put in the effort, you can do well. Make a point to get to know him after class; he's great for conversation and a personal connection makes a big difference. Sum is easily the smartest man I have ever met and he's clearly passionate about polisci

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The quizzes are easy for the most part, but the tests are not. He gives you a list of study topics, but it's long and not exhaustive. Plus only four of the topics ever actually show up on the essay test. Also, in class he tends to fall behind schedule by dwelling too long on one topic.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Had him for two classes in the same semester, ended up with an A in both. Really awesome. LOVED comparative. he is a great teacher. Still my fav. Seems intimidating but talk to him after class or during office hours and he can chat forever. BIG help to your career. Def. will help you out as far as after college plans so you know "the secrets"

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS220
• 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:

Dr. Sum is great. His classes are pretty hard, and he loves pop quizzes, so make sure you show up and do the reading beforehand. That issue aside, he's a fantastic lecturer who combines a structured oratory with a passion for his field. I highly recommend him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• 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:

When all the world seems like it has gone completely insane, always remember that there is still Paul Sum. He made a profound impression on me as an undergrad/advisee and his quizes made a profound (and humbling) impression on my GPA. But suck it up: it's worth it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS225
• 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:

Sum is an amazing lecturer. He makes class very interesting. One of the best professors I've had so far at UND. Beware, he teaches very difficult classes and grades very hard but fairly. Also beware his quizzes, because even if you do all of the assigned reading, they is no guarantee of passing them. They hard hard to the point of ridiculous

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Sum is a great professor. He clearly knows what he is talking about and students who put in any effort whatsoever are sure to learn a ton! Beware, he teaches very hard classes, and is a difficult grader.