David Dessler - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: David Dessler

Department: Political Science

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOVT327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have had Dessler for two classes now and he is great. He genuinely cares about students and goes out of his way to be helpful. Dessler represents everything WM: smart, humble, quirky, and humorous (he tells jokes in a reveley-esque fashion) However be warned: He may cancel often because of some ongoing health issues. Great professor nonetheless

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 204
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dessler is awesome. Everyone that takes him loves him, and for good reason. Not a hard class at all-- show up and you'll breeze through. I never did readings and always did the bare minimum for studying. He's hilarious, knowledgable, and interesting. Seriously, take his class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dessler is an incredibly interesting lecturer. Even when the subject material got dry, he kept the class engaged and interested. He always found ways to tie in seemingly unrelated subjects (even instituting Off-Topic Fridays at one point). Grade-wise, he's fair on midterms and papers, but doesn't always give the clearest feedback.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dessler is above all a really interesting and awesome person. But this also translates to his lectures and how he organizes the class. There isn't a lot of work, just really short and easy online quizzes plus a midterm, short paper, and final exam. He'll do what he can to help when you ask, plus he's also just a fun person to talk to. Take him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very helpful, very friendly, a wonderful person and excellent instructor. Has tons of experience in international relations and really knows what he's talking about. Anyone who needs GOVT 204 should take it with Dessler.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dessler is really intelligent. It is so interesting to hear his perspective on current events. He isn't too hard, just don't save the reading until before the final. We had weekly reading, 1 midterm, 1 6-page paper, and 1 final. To be honest, I have no idea how I got an A. Canceled a lot of class and let class out early a lot.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOV204
• 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:

He is awesome!! He responds to emails very quickly if you have questions and really seems to care about the success of the students in the class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOVT327
• 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:

This guy is the best. So kind, so humble, so intelligent. Definitely take if you're interested in international relations.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Can't say enough nice things about this guy. Canceled a lot of classes, but had easy weekly quizzes, two exams and a paper for my semester.. makes material fun, grading is fair, and his exams are very straight forward. Love this professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOV327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dessler (The Professler) is an entertaining lecturer, and a reasonable grader. He is also very knowledgeable about his field and you are guaranteed to learn a great deal.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fairly easy class, doesn't particularly like textbooks so that's nice. Set up more like a healthy discussion about contemporary international relations rather than a lecture on IR theory, great guy and very knowledgable in his field. If you love IR or poli sci, take his class an easy elective.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Pretty easy class but make sure you work decently hard on papers and make them very clear or he'll knock your grade down. Especially on first paper. He grades that one easier and if you get an A you're guaranteed a A-/B for semester. Ask him questions about his papers because he doesnt have all requirements on his assignment sheets.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOVT203
• 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:

Professor Dessler is a very engaging lecturer. He achieves a high level of class participation even in a larger class. He is very accommodating regarding exams and papers. You can count on him to make an exception for you if you face (genuine) difficulties. He has an excellent grasp of the subject and the lecturers are focused and well-structured.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT433
• 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:

Went into his seminar despising Int'l Rel Theory (still do, but less so thanks to him). Better in a seminar atmosphere (given the students are engaged enough)--he shapes the syllabus according to students' interests. Very thoughtful and easy to approach. Doesn't shoot you down: speak up in class; makes it more interesting for everyone!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOV327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Not sure what that guy is on about down there, but even with all of the cancelled classes (which couldn't be avoided) this was totally worth my time, money, effort, etc. Dessler clearly knows his stuff, and yet is still approachable. I can honestly say that he is my favorite professor here. You'll learn lots! Take him!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lots of readings for class, but he also focuses a lot on current events, which is nice and exactly what you would expect in this subject area. Really wants his students to do well and very approachable. The research paper was very interesting to do and he offered great help whenever it was needed. Take this class even if you aren't an IR major!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOV204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dessler is a really good professor. Weekly open-book, online quizzes give your grade an instant boost. Midterm, paper and final comprise the bulk of your grade. Midterm and final are very manageable. Really nice guy. Get to know him in office hours.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• 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:

Dessler is awesome. He makes the class interesting by bringing in current events and encouraging lots of discussion. If you take it as a major requirement, you will definitely enjoy it, and if you need it to fulfill a GER it isn't too difficult. He wants to help his students, and has a sense of humor too. Will take more of his classes for sure.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Extremely good professor. He makes lectures very interesting and encourages discussion. His expectations are clear and he is a very fair grader. Also very understanding, and wants his students to do well! Lots of emphasis on current events - he teaches as though int'l politics actually applies to real life (bc it does). 2 exams, paper, weekly quizz

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOVT204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Dessler's great! I found his lectures engaging and enjoyed going to class. The course material can be a bit all over the place, but if you pay attention, you'll learn a lot. Great as a GER. Highly recommended!