Jacinda Swanson - Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Professor: Jacinda Swanson

Department: Political Science

College: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3610
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is very book-heavy; you are expected to buy, write/takes notes in, discuss in class, and be questioned about all of the books on tests. If you are not a good reader or don't have a lot of time outside of class to dedicate, avoid this class. However, she is thorough and DEFINITELY knows what she is talking about. You will learn a lot.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3610
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you like to skip classes and not do all required readings id advise not taking this professor. Her classes are insightful but when it comes to test time make sure you really know the material. Honestly, id recommend not taking a class with her unless you absolutely have to. Shes a very dry professor and wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• 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:

Good lectures, she definitely knows what she's talking about and teaches a hard subject well. She doesn't use e-learning though, which sucks.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Swanson is very well spoken and seems to know her stuff. That being said, she is VERY left leaning in her lectures and they are dry and quite long. If you want to get a good grade, expect to read all of the required books two and maybe three times through. I would not recommend taking this class unless it is required for your major.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3630
• 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:

I took this class with Dr. Swanson and while I had difficulty and don't yet know what my final grade will be, it was informative and her selected readings for the CP were always interesting to me but Our Undemocratic Constitution was insufferable. I would def take another class with Dr. Swanson to improve my writing skills, there is no extra credit

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3610
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Everyone who is a Political Science major should be required to take a course with Dr. Swanson. Although the content of the class is somewhat difficult to grasp, she teaches it in a way that is extremely logical and calculated. HIGHLY recommend.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 6610
• 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:

The philosophers discussed in the class (like Marx, Nietzsche, Foucault) were very interesting. But there were some dry stuff too. Although Dr. Swanson is a tough grader, one can learn a lot if she is interested in political theory. Overall, this class is one of the most enjoyable classes. In order to get A, you must read secondary sources as well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3610
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Swanson was overall an amazing professor. She is somewhat "dry" like others are saying, but its only because she takes what she does seriously & enjoys it. If you do not like reading do not take this class. All we do is read and study political theorists. It's very interesting, but time consuming. Also exams are all written& there are papers.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3630
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

She is an awesome professor. She will go over material countless times if people are still struggling. Her lectures take what could be boring material and turn it into something interesting. She is available if you need extra help. Really wants you to succeed. Never shoves her personal opinions into her lectures. Tests are HARD though!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• 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:

Says at the beginning of the semester that she'll cover all sides on the political theory spectrum but ALWAYS leans VERY left. You have to be careful in making sure you're answering her exams how she wants you to, not necessarily what is correct. She's very boring and cold. I would not recommend taking her class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• 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:

Dr.Swanson is very organized and thorough. You learn a great deal on the subject of American political theory just by sitting in the lectures, and her reading list is choice. I must critique her for that it may be difficult for one to discern what type of analysis she desires; additionally, if you require further assistance she is not helpful.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's a nice woman and she is highly intelligent (not to mention a great speaker), but she is also very dry and her classes drag on. If you are busy, do not take her classes as she expects 100% of your time to be directed to her reading and analyzing assignments.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She expects you to devote your life to this class. If you expect to get a good grade in the class, expect to read all 5 (novel length) books cover to cover. Twice. She lectures about the material, but when you ask her difficult questions, she avoids them or says "it's something to look into." Her grading and what she expects of you is unclear.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3630
• 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:

She was fair and I found her class incredibly interesting. The reading can be a little dull, but it's not awful, and she goes over it. If you do your homework (there's not too much) yu can ace this class with ni problem. Just make sure you also do a exam review before the tests. very nice and passionate woman.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSCI3630
• 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:

She definatly knows her stuff. If you do the readings (she assigns something every class period to read, but never a whole lot) and participate in class, you should be fine. The exams are long and I found that she expected you to get too much done in the time allotted. She is an awesome prof! I do agree, only take this if you want to learn!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSCI363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She knows more about political theory than anyone at this university. Dont take her unless you actually want to learn polysci. Not easy, but you will learn a lot. Lectures are dry but clear and informative. Watch out for her exams, she grades tough on papers too.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSCI360363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows subjects very well. Political theory is a tough subject to teach; if students are too lazy to put forth the effort to understand on their own, her classes become exceedingly difficult. I received an A both times I had her, but only because I didn't expect her to guide me through the subject. Elementary Ed majors need not register for her courses.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I liked the format for the exams but I was never really sure what to do for the papers ...still got a decent grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I like her

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSCI250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

****