Dan Wirls - University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Professor: Dan Wirls

Department: Political Science

College: University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL1
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class with the thought of majoring in Politics. After taking this class I knew that I wanted to learn about international politics. Overall a great professor, but be sure to attend lecture. It may see kind of dull, but be sure to pay attention even if you do not plan to take notes.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLI120A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing professor that cares deeply about his students. The lectures are information packed and though provoking. He keeps focused on the lecture at hand and does not ramble or go on random tangents. You however, have to EARN good grades.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI129
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Military class is his specialty. You don't have to know a lot going into the class-- just do the readings (you have to bc there are short weekly response papers). The cornerstone of this class is a research paper due at the end-- stressful but worth it when it's over. Great experience, sad he will be on leave next year, 2017-2018

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 120A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wirls is by far the star of the UCSC Politics department. Sometimes lecture is boring, but it often has much more to do with the nature of the content and not him. If anything, he turns otherwise mundane material into inspiring lectures. You work for it, but learn a lot. Take all of his classes. I'm in another now and plan on taking them all.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLI120A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A very enthusiastic professor. Very clear and concise lectures. He informs you what is going to be on the midterm so you can skip some of the reading if you wanted to. A final essay for which he gives you several topics to choose from. Overall, a very informative class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLIT1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He really cares about the students because he does not only talk about the content of the course, but also gives out tips that benefits the students beyond the classrooms. This class is life-changing and meaningful. I think everyone should take it to broaden their views. He is very welcoming to the students during his office hours as well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL129
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hated his class !

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLI1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wirls is in my opinion the best professor in the Politics department as UCSC. Poli 1 is a great class whether you are a politics major or not. Very interesting lectures, however lots of reading. A few essays throughout the quarter which are a big portion of your grade. Going to lecture made the class, he received a standing ovation on the last day.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL120A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Top notch professor; really knows the material, has experience with the reality

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 120A129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

By far my favorite professor at UCSC. He is so approachable and has a vibrant teaching technique that makes you WANT to listen to him. Must take a class with him!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLI1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome class to start off my politics major. it is also a great GE. Wirls is an engaging lecturer and really makes sure everyone understands concepts. He notices/appreciates if you speak up in class often. Midterm mc test was a breeze if you did the reading, and give the final paper your all - the topic of drone warfare was super interesting.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLI1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wirls is great! Obviously very informed about the material he presents and makes very theoretical concepts easy to understand and extremely relevant. I felt really invigorated about politics as a result of this class!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing. I am a politics major so I was into the material but if you took AP Gov in high school this class shouldn't be to hard at all for you as long as you show up. Here's the thing; you either go to class and section all the time and dont have to read, or never show up and keep up with the reading; either way you can get an A in the class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing professor! He's super passionate and really easy to talk to! He has by far been my favorite teacher here and I'm looking forward to taking a class with him again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLI01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wirls is a great professor. He is intriguing and tries to keep his lectures interesting. The class is only tough if you barely attend lectures and don't do the readings. He is a tough grader when it comes to papers but that's why you have writing labs and a TA. Take advantage of your resources and you'll do just fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 134
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows his stuff and it shows in lecture. Have to do all readings but his classes are amazing. Probably the best Prof at UCSC. Tests are straightforward and based on the readings. Learn a LOT about how congress operates & that corruption is a two way st bw Washington and corporationshollywood. Awesome class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI1
• 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:

A challenge, but if you put your effort into the class you will be rewarded.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLITICS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tough

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLI01
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think it was the content of this intro class that made it boring. I have a feeling that he could be a very interesting lecturer for a upper div class. He is very organized and has nice slides that make it so you don't really have to come to class if you do the reading. My TA made it worthwhile. Don't take for a GE.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI134120A
• 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:

Prof. Wirls is perhaps my favorite teacher at UCSC. He is kind, approachable, and extremely knowledgable. He can even bring humor into the classroom, which is saying something considering the subject (politics). If you show an interest, do the readings (which are extensive), you will do well. I have the upmost respect and appreciation for Dr Wirls.