Scott Hammond - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Scott Hammond

Department: Political Science

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice teacher but the info is dry which makes it hard to study and keep up with reading. Only class I didn't get an A in if that helps you judge. No other option for a teacher though, so I just recommend going to every class and writing down everything he says. I spent a lot of time studying and I don't think my grade reflects the effort I put in.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• 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:

Good and very kind Prof but to get an A you have to study.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• 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:

He assigns a lot of reading, but he dissects each reading in class so you can get by skimming the readings. He heads the political science department so he's one of the most knowledgable professors around. His political theory course was honestly life changing, and I would definitely recommend. Its not an easy course but its incredibly rewarding.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Yeah there is a lot of reading but if you go to class and listen and take really good notes you'll be fine. He is very passionate about what he teaches and he is very nice. Overall an interesting class. He also gives VERY detailed study guides before exams that include essay questions.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Such a hard class. Taking a 200 level for my minor ( I am a senior), and I may have to retake it. Assigns hundreds of pages of ancient political philosophy. Exams and quizzes are decently matching graded. Work load is insane for 200 level class. Needs to be easy - or at least not required for a POSC minor. Help.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Hammond is the man. He cares a lot about the subject and will tell you whats on the test beforehand, he hates surprises.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

POSC 201 is a weed out class. You'll have to read; a lot, if you want to do well. You have to attend class (all of them) if you want to do well. Sit in the front half of the class and take good notes you should be okay. Get to know a few people in your class, get to know Professor Hammond during office hours, and be ready to read!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very serious class, so hard. Hes decent but the class is a lot of work.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You must go to class, especially if you don't do readings(which are super long and awful). The material is difficult just because its so much, but Hammond is really nice and a good grader(hes super fair). You do have to put work into this class and probably use outside resources(aka quizlet) in order to do well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hammond is a nice guy, but this class is literally the worst class I have ever taken at jmu. It is dry, dense, and way too much material for a semsester. Hammond often goes off on tangents, but expects the material to still be known. The reading is actually impossible as well - avoid this class or take it over the summer if possible!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hammond is a nice guy and really passionate about pol. theory. But the class is dry as heck and so much assigned reading. BUT you can get away with not really reading if you go to every class and take dank notes. Essay portion of the test kinda sucks but his study guides are super helpful. Just put in the work and you can def get a B at least

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GPOSC225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I graduated from JMU in 2010 and can say without hesitation that Professor Hammond was the absolute best professor I have ever had in undergrad or graduate school. His passion is inspiring and his teaching style is incredible. I became a Political Science major because of his teaching and would recommend him to anyone longing for an excellent class

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was by far the most boring class I have taken at JMU. It was nearly impossible to stay awake, and the reading assigned is impossible to keep up on. Take online if possible, or not at all

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POSC492
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His senior seminar was okay. Talking about political theory everyday got very redundant and I usually had to fight to stay awake. However, he is a lenient grader and a really nice guy. Take him if you find political theory to be interesting but if you don't, spend your senior seminar time elsewhere.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hammond is a very sweet guy. He is very passionate about what he does, even though most people find political theory incredibly boring. His tests are very heavy, most of the class would work until the last minute, but he says exactly what will be on it, so as long as you take the time to study (at least a week) you should do well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GPOSC201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hammond was an absolutely amazing. His lectures are very insightful and super in line with his study guides, which basically cover the whole test. He only assigns one paper which is open-ended! You can tell that he is truly passionate about what he does, as it translates into his lectures--which you shouldn't miss. Would 100% recommend.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Hammond is great. He's basically just a nice old guy that loves politics and political theory. Some of his lectures can be long, but overall they're not too bad. Gives a few online quizzes, a paper, and 4 tests including the final. If you go to class and do most of the readings, you should have no problem getting a B+ or better.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Hammond is my favorite professor I have ever had at JMU. This man is so passionate about what he does, it is adorable and wonderful to see. Everything he says will be on the test is on it, and he is extremely fair in grading his essays. Would take him again in a heartbeat.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Hammond was a real nice guy who really cared about the topic. Its political theory so it can get boring at times but also interesting at times if you're into this kinda thing. Lots of reading but there are ways to get around it and if you show up and pay attention in class you should be pretty much good.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POSC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hammond is the homie. The reading is a lot to do, but if you do it and go to class you'll be set more than most classes. His love of the subject really shows in his lectures. If you are ever confused on anything (some of the material is really dense) go to his office hours. He's always there and ready to help. Also don't skip class.