Del Dickson - University of San Diego, San Diego, CA

Professor: Del Dickson

Department: Political Science

College: University of San Diego, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS322
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved this class, you get out what you put in. If you stay up on reading this becomes a really fun class. Del is very respectful

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS323
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Overall great professor and really nice guy. But the readings in his constitutional law class were excessive and were too much to get done all in one night. There would be like 100 pages of readings a night for each case it would be expected to be done by the next class. Very Time consuming. Would not take this course if you want an A.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS100H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the most difficult classes I have ever taken and I can't imagine that I'll ever have a class that has such a heavy workload again. That being said, I've also never learned as much in one class as I did this semester. If you do the readings and pay attention in class it is possible to get a good grade. Great teacher.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS100H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is very reading heavy, 60-100 pages a night. Be prepared for the next class to be closely interrogated on what you read.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI100
• 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 teacher. Teaches using the Socratic method (as many law school professors do), so you better come to class prepared. He challenges your understanding of the material. I learned more from his classes than any other professor I have ever taken.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS100
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He took a very different approach to a college course that I have never experienced. The readings were awful his teaching method requires you to be able to think on your feet, or acquire a major drop in points in your grade. The final grade was based almost 90% on the midterm and final which were very difficult. This is not a class for first-years.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about the subject, but expects too much out of a 100 level class. There were 40 readings for the final, each between 30-100 pages. If you miss more than twice or "pass" when he calls on you, your grade will drop significantly. Only the midterm and the final, ID terms are obscure and HARD. Was a nice guy, but I would not take again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He cares about his students and he's a nice guy. That being said his class was the worst I've ever taken. His reading assignments are ridiculous, and he isn't clear about his expectations for papers. He does this on purpose to teach you about interacting with professors, but it's unnecessary and made my semester horrible. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor is a great guy but his class is very demanding. In his honors class there were nightly readings that could take several hours to read and understand. He also uses the socratic method so you have to make sure you do the reading for every class and are prepared for interrogation. Two lengthy essays but not worth much.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS100H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor taught the hardest class I've taken. Reading is very long and necessary to do because you may be called on to discuss it in class the next day. Exams are essays and short answer only. I'm not sure I've learned a lot, unfortunately, as this class forced me to go into survival mode just to stay afloat. Good luck.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an interesting teacher, one that comes on strong, which can be daunting. He takes life a little too seriously when it comes to his class rules. Oh and he is really immature, which detracts from the learning experience.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A ton of reading involved - this class was all supreme court cases and the federalist papers (all of them). teaches socratic style and picks 3 people per day to summarize a part of the reading. stressful if you don't do the reading. Participation can help save your grade if you don't do well on the exams; which are difficult. good law school prep

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS321
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor is such a cool dude but his class is on the the most difficult classes out there. For this class it is mostly all about Supreme Court cases. He will randomly pick a student to discuss one of the four cases assigned each class in front of the class everyday. Very stressful.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS323
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the best, his classes are demanding but worth it. He cares about everyone and is always there to help. He expects a lot out of everyone but he will help you through things you don't understand without making you feel stupid. His classes are daunting but TAKE HIM!

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I had Del first semester freshman year and was terrified by the workload- it ended up being one of my most difficult college courses but also one where I learned the most! Uses the Socratic method in class. He is very caring and remembers you long after the course. Great guy, but if you refuse to read or study you won't do well.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS100
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Most demanding professor. Spent 10~ on average to read a week (with taking notes because he asks randomly in class). I loved every class, he always makes them fun & interesting. I'd definitely recommend him if you're serious about studying. Materials and class are always interesting. don't recommend if you have many classes, it's hard.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• 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:

Dr. Dickson is the best professor I have ever had. If you want to be a political science major, TAKE HIM for your intro class. His class is a lot of work (50pgs of reading a night) and he randomly selects people to answer questions in lectures, but you also learn a lot. His midterm is hard, but he does that just to scare you. The final is easier.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS322
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor with a lot of teaching energy, I've taken all three of his classes and it gets easier! You must read the books or else you will sink. This is not a class that you can just sit in the back and not read. You WILL read the entire book but it will be fun. If you plan to go to law school take his classes!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS101
• 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:

Dickson is amazing. I've never learned so much in a course- don't leave USD without taking a class with him!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS100H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Oh the Socratic method!!! Be prepared to read min 40pgs a night. Make sure you understand because the class is a student-led discussion (yep, you're on the spotlight). He is helpful and his lectures are interesting although the readings are tedious and extremely time consuming. Worth taking for the experience. Builds character :)