James Alexander - University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA

Professor: James Alexander

Department: Political Science

College: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are not interested in political science I would highly recommend dropping the class! It is not needed for any gen eds and there is no need to have the class affect your GPA.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Alexander's lectures are good if you attend them and are interested in politics, but have nothing to do with the exams. He does give you study guides with everything that could potentially be on the exam, and he pulls exam questions directly from it. You are graded based off of 3 exams only. You don't need the book, everything can be googled.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Alexander is a great teacher to take if you love politics & political science. Although his lectures aren't mandatory, they're very interesting to listen to & full of great information! APP was a bit rough because there're only 3 tests. You are given a study guide with 60ish questions both lecture/off-lecture based. His test is about 25 of them

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: APP4020
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Interesting lectures. Use the study guide! Very engaging material.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: P206
• 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:

You get out what you put in. Class is difficult, but if you put in the work you'll have no problem getting an A or B. Lecture notes are critical. If you don't take notes well or don't pay attention, you wont pass. Exam questions are taken word for word from the study guide. Class is very interesting, but it all comes down to work ethic.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Teacher just drones on lecturing. No quizzes just straight lectures speaks way to fast and does not slow down when asked. Half of what is assigned to read is pointless and not on the exams. Do not take.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely NO respect either way around! Not retaking. Assigns study guides that have to ask the most specific questions from the middle of the BORING books. He won't tell you anything about the readings (or go over). Only 2 students in history club approved of him. Your gen ed can wait for a good professor. Now NO Dean's list this semester! NO!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PS1207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are a freshman or just someone that isn't really all that interested in politics or law, you definitely shouldn't take Alexander. Otherwise, he's a great professor, lots of insight and is more than willing to help anyone that asks. His classes are never "easy" but always informative. Highly recommended!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: APP
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tests are easy if you use your study guide. On good thing: HE TELLS YOU WHERE THE ANSWERS ARE. Just study them and whatever he picks you got it. :) Also, record his lectures and go over them with your study guide out. I lettered the list then wrote the letter next to whatever note was the answer. Pretty easy in hindsight, just pay attention & read

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: APP
• 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:

Very informative professor and always willing to help. Definitely would recommend this class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: APP
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are confusing because he doesn't write any notes, and you're left to understand the material on your own. Exams are AWFUL and are extremely hard to pass. Would highly NOT recommend him unless you want to waste your time only to fail. Study guides have over 60 essay questions and answers are difficult to find. Biggest mistake I made.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though the tests have a big curve, they are extremely hard. He doesn't cover what's on the test at all in class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS0210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Intelligent, informative, and caring professor.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• 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:

He can be hard to get used to, but after the first few weeks he starts to make more sense. Do the study guide, thats all that is really necessary to get a good grade in his class. He is very willing to help. A pretty easy grade.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Knows his stuff. COME TO CLASS!! You will be fine if you answer every question on study guide. Assigns readings; really don't need to even read them. I did not read the Lincoln book an still got an A on first exam.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PS0206
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good professor, he knows his stuff. Requires you to read a good bit and take good notes on the chapters assigned and in class lectures. Sometimes difficult to find the answers to the questions in lectures but he gives you a study guide and as long as your answer is relatively what he is looking for hell give you a fair grade

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSPS
• 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:

Easily among the most helpful and exceptional professors at UPJ. Approachable, fair, and a must for those aspiring to law or graduate school.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSAPP
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Very knowledgeable and will help you out as long as you make an effort. I recommend him to anyone who actually wants to learn

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PS1207
• 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:

Overall I was interested in the class. I dropped for the fact it was an evening course and it was just an extra course I was taking. There was a more liberal slat to interpreting the constitution than I would have liked. For those of ill heart I would not advise taking, it requires some work.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS1700
• 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:

One of the most knowledgeable professors at UPJ. His classes require work, but you will be a better student as a result of it. He prepares students extremely well for graduate school and tells you what you NEED to hear -- not what you want to hear. I recommend him!