Darrell Downs - Winona State University, Winona, MN

Professor: Darrell Downs

Department: Political Science

College: Winona State University, Winona, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS240
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I will say that I didn't really learn much until about half-way into the semester. His lectures were entertaining at times, but you wouldn't learn much from them. There is one paper that is worth 50% of your grade, two presentations, and one final essay. Pay attention to the videos he shows in class as they will probably be on the . final!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS340
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Super nice, but very confusing. It's hard to learn from him. His class is an easy B/A. I only attended class like 7 times & I got a B. You can basically b.s the assignments (even though they say to use in class presentations. )Book may help a little. There were only 3 assignments (midterm take home essay, policy brief & final take home essay).

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, but his class was extremely all over the place. I feel like few students actually 'got' what he was talking about. Lectured about whatever, was hard to take notes. Didn't use D2L at all, no clear dates for anything on the syllabus. Made it hard to really care about the content or even show up.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS240
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There is no homework, and one final project and two simple presentations in the class I took. Outside of those three things, the rest of the classes are lectures. Now a lot of people say they are boring, dull, and slow. However, his class is zero work. Yet some how you still learn a lot. Other classes are similar, from what I have heard.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took his Global class as a General, lecturers were extremely bland and boring. Gave all A's on our presentations, and had a take home final with 4 questions. If you are looking for an easy class for general its good, but if you want to retain any information his class is not the right fit.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I've ever had. I will avoid taking him for any other classes. He is a very dull and slow man. You will learn nothing, he has no clear syllabus, and half the class doesn't show up.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a super good teacher and knows his stuff. His class was easy and i learned a lot. He only assigned like 3 things which was a blessing and probably a curse for those who scored low. Take him and listen to what he says.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Maybe it's because I'm a first year student, but his class was VERY difficult for entry level stuff.He tends to go off topic during lectures to things that are not on the tests, and the tests are hard because it's so difficult to take notes with him. He seems like a nice guy, but expects students to have a lot of prior info than the class required.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• 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:

Very respectful instructor. You should come into class expecting to learn something. Has a sense of humor. Reading the book is most helpful in addition to studying your notes. He is very fair and often grades exams on a curve. Likes if you participate. I recommend.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy, but the class is very boring. He doesn't take attendance. He also doesn't assign the chapters to read, you have to do that on your own. It's easy to slack off and not do anything, but the tests are okay.And he gave us all 10% back on each test we took.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLY120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Super hard class. studied my ass off still got a C. Tests have nothing to do with his lecture. He writes his test "with a beer in hand" so you imagine the questions. 6 chapters of textbook to read fer chapter so about 250 pages. good luck if you take his politics class. super nice guy though.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely boring. He doesn't do power points or write on the board, all notes you take are what he says. and he talks way to fast. doesn't make sense. your whole grade is based on 200 points. 150 in 3 test and 50 a research paper. tests are not easy. have to do news outlines that are not for your grade but you don't pass if you don't do them.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice man for sure, but this is THE most pointless class I've ever taken. Likes to ramble about whatever he feels like that day and anything I have learned nothing I didn't already know. Really picky about tests and has 3-4 favorites he dotes on. This was a total waste of my time and money.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS04
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This Class was so Difficult, he does not Teach anything, if you dont feel like reading a 800 page text book front to back on your own time i Highly recommend you dont take this class, he talked to 2 people the whole class. Absolutely Terrible don't get suckered in to taking his class by advisors he is terrible

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS228
• 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:

Great teacher, he is good at explaining concepts that many people just take for granted. very passionate about teaching and very approachable and helpful.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSCI120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He knows his material but he didn't seem to really care about his students...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's nice & funny. there are 3 tests based mostly on notes and discussion in class. so go to class. top 2 scores count. read the book on your own. 5 news outlines- very easy, get them done at the start so you don't have to worry about them. also there's a book report. find a book early, so it doesn't get hectic at the end. easy grader!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

funny, nice guy. 3 multiple choise test somewhat hard if you don't read text book but he curves all his test and drops your lowest test. one 5 page paper on book of your choice but he grades easy. I finished my paper the morning it was due and it was only 4 pages and I got a B! I'd recommend him!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS120
• 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:

I really liked Prof Downs. He grades with 3 tests, 1 dropped plus 5 news outlines (required, but easy) and a paper. The tests are essay and vocab, but they are EASY. If you can write a decent essay, you can get As on the first 2 tests and skip the final (like me) Lectures are rambles, but if you like politics, good class. Funny sense of humor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you keep up with the textbook reading and study before the tests, they aren't too hard. He lectures everyday so it gets kind of dull. Curves the tests because people don't show up for lecture and do poorly on them.