Richard Sylves - University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Professor: Richard Sylves

Department: Political Science

College: University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sylves was the man, he was by far the best professor I had on campus. He was extremely interested in his field of study, and extremely interested in teaching. He even helped me out on a scholarship down the road. I took him more than once. 303 was hard for someone who isn't familiar with political science but worth it!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Nice, easy going guy. Tends to rattle off anecdotes during class that may or may not have something to do with the topic at hand. I don't want to say don't read the book at all, but you really only need it as a supplement to the notes. This is the most important advice: USE HIS OLD TESTS HE GIVES YOU TO STUDY FOR TESTS.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POSC456
• 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:

My far one of the best professors I've had at UD. Is always focused on being clear so that everyone understands the material. He tells lots of stories but they're usually relevant and interesting to the course material. Is always willing to help outside of class. I'd recommend taking any of his classes. Excellent professor and very nice guy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• 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:

Professor is extremely nice and really cares about the performance of his students. But that doesn't mean this class is easy; he required a lot of reading and you really have to prepare for his test. But he does give key word list and extra credit questions on each test. Oh and this class will put you to sleep.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POSC350
• 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:

What an amazing man. Not only is he a scholar in his field, he takes the time to help each and every student succeed in his class. Extremely nice man, the class difficult but its a 300. Do the take home essay and read. Only negative thing about the class was the debates. They were drawn out, dry and took too much of the semester.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POSC456
• 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:

I took this class online with him and he was really helpful in making sure I understood the material even though I wasn't in class every day. He's a really fair grader and really cares about his students and if they do well or not. The class was a lot of work but as long as you do the assignments on time, you end up with a pretty good grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POSC434
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Regardless of how you feel about the course material Professor Sylves is just exceptional. The class itself is not easy.. That being said I did skip about 5 classes and still end up with an A-. All of the powerpoints are online and he usually bases the tests off of those. Just do your reading and make an effort. Sylves is a totally cool guy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POSC425
• 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:

Great Guy, always willing to help with work. Gives good direction for possible Pol Sci careers!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

GREAT GUY. really down to earth, helps you alot in preparing for the tests, really wants you to excel and learn in his class, devotes much time into his lectures and HAS MUCH RESPECT FOR HIS STUDENTS. Class is challenging but easy if you pay attention in class. Again, his powerpoints and lectures help you much for his exams. A+

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POSC455
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

GREAT professor. Always willing to help. Class requires a lot of work -- papers, a lot of reading, participation, etc., but he is very helpful and gives chapter outlines. Do not take class if your not willing to work. Great precursor course before grad school.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was very boring. I am a poli sci major, but this stuff just bored me to tears. Sylves is a brilliant man, but I just wasn't interested. His tests a pretty hard, but you get good outlines to base your studying off of. I thought I would get a C and I ended up with a B. Easy essay grader, so that definately helps your grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POSC303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class requires a lot of work, such as papers, many in-class discussions and participation, and research project. But professor is very helpful and friendly. Don't take if you don't have to.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POSC456656
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terrible. Ridiculous. The man wrote 1 book and was published a bunch on Presidential Disaster Declarations & now thinks he owns the EM field. Truth is he doesn't know much - plus - he's dreadful. Boring and majorly controlling. You have to write exactly what he wants. He will tell you the subject and your conclusion. And yes, he rambles excessively

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

very thorough; liked the 6 smaller tests instead of 3 large exams; tends to ramble so some of info on quiz is not completely explained; 20 pg policy paper; grading scale is good; seems to be interested in students actual interests- good idea with survey; pretty good class w/ sign workload

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POSC456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POSC220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very nice guy...big help outside the classroom. Did all the reading and went to every class and got an A. not too bad at all. be prepared for a 20 page paper...wants u to learn. kinda rambles in class tho. reccommended

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POSC350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Without a doubt the best professor at UD. Extremely interested in the course and each of his students. He is very willing to go the extra mile for his students. Lectures are fun to go to and very engaging. Finally a teacher who really wants his students to do well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POSC456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class was one of the best at udel that i have taken best class for my posc minor. This professor truly cares and he isn't out to get you with grdes dio the work go to class you will be interested GREAT CLASS GREAT GUY!! HIGHLY RECCOMEND

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POSC350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I'v never had a professor who was so concerned about every one of his students. He makes up individual essay questions tailored to your interest. Relatively easy grader and there are lots of extra credit questions on exams.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POSC350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He rambles about things that have nothing at all to do with the class. Also, tests consist of SO much information and are so poorly worded that it is impossible to do well on them. If you like the environment and are interested in politics, stay away- he will kill that interest.