James Bowen - John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY

Professor: James Bowen

Department: Political Science

College: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL409
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bowen is definitely a tough professor, but by far one of the best political science professor at John Jay. If you're lazy don't take him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL301
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't even think you need to pay attention in class. You just have to understand all of the material. He can come across as pompous. If you fail the midterm then you fail the class, so make sure you put in the work. If you have a hectic course load for that semester than I wouldn't recommend him. I failed the midterm and withdrew from the class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bowen is an amazing professor! One of the BEST at John Jay!!! He is incredibly intelligent! A lot of people think he is really tough, but honestly, if you participate, if he knows your name, and you do the assignments, you're set for an A. The midterm and final aren't too bad. 5 Qs, you choose your 2 to answer. I would def take him again!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bowen is an amazing professor! One of the BEST at John Jay!!! He is incredibly intelligent!! A lot of people think he is really tough, but honestly, if you participate, if he knows your name, and you do the assignments, you're set for an A. The midterm and final aren't too bad. 5 Qs, you choose your 2 to answer.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL301
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

8 Turnitin assignments, 1 case brief presentation, midterm & Final (2/5 questions). Not bad, actually learnt something from him. Textbook (> $150) is not required, but helpful. Exams are pretty hard, each Q contains a, b, c, d... for you to answer and explain. I would recommend him for those people who are up to challenges.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL301
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bowen is AMAZING! He goes above and beyond for his students, he truly cares if we understand and is honestly a pure genius. He wants you to participate and, this class, more than any at JJ, prepares you for law school and the socratic method of teaching. Do the little bit of reading, don't be scared to ask questions, TRY lol and you'll earn A!!!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

First off if you don't read the cases at home read them before class do his assignments in advanced it all on the syllabus. People who failed either sat in class and didn't talk or didn't do his work at all and failed the midterm. If you pass the midterm the final isn't counted so they are lying. Read the cases and study the rationale for the cases

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LAW313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you want your gpa to drop take him. He is a hard grader and the class is very boring

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LAW313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I drop from a 3.5 gpa because of this class. This class is very boring, it may seem easy but he is a hard grader and not understanding at all. The class is based off of the midterm, final and one case brief. His grading system sucks, once you fail a test it is over for passing. I did bad on the final and he gave me an overall F.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LAW313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Take this professor if you want your GPA to drop. No matter how well you do on the case brief presentation and participation you will still probably get a C. He makes mistakes when grading. He gives an assigned brief. The workload is very light. He gives 2 tests. If you pass the 1st don't take the 2nd. YOU'LL FAIL. His tests are way too hard.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LAW313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Bowen is an amazing teacher He is clear and to the point, is a little hard hearing so speak up, if you do the work & participate you will do fine, I enjoyed his class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL420
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do your readings! Make sure he knows your name and you will do well. Got an A!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

he isnt the best professor. he isnt hard but he doesnt hear very well so its hard to participate if you are easily embarrassed because he will ask you to repeat yourself over and over. i dont advise to take him if you do not need to. he is boring and the class is completely based on briefing court cases. midterm presentation and final need to study

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He gives a midterm, a presentation on an assigned brief,extra credit assignment, and final. Very helpful in helping students apply the legal terms to the facts of any given case. He puts everything on Blkboard, his office hours are walk in, this class could not get any easier.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof.Bowen is far from hard. If you come off as extremely lazy, do not take this class. He is extremely encouraging during class. If you have a hard time speaking and understanding English, don't take this class. He gives you leeway to pull up your grade, he gives an extra credit assignment. His midterm was an essay and he seems to grade fair.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOV430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he is a hard professor. but for those of us that want to go to law school he is the best to take. he challenges you to be the best. and when u leave u will appreciate him. lol but not while in the class

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL230
• 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:

Yes he is a difficult Professor, but hello it's college. Deal with it. If you participate, and do the reading you will be fine. People it's college not high school. I managed to get a B in the class and i'm not the kind of student that studies all the time, it's not impossible. Just make sure you have a dictionary with you. It will help.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOV230
• 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:

horrible he gives you things in the test that he never went over and when the whole class confronts him he still says you guys didnt pay attention! he is HORRIBLE and very difficult wierd guy and he has an assistent that is so dumb omg

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOV230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would definitely not recommend this professor. I received all "A'S" throughout the course including the midterm, final and brief, but received a final grade of a B+ because he claimed that my participation was inconsistent and not of "substantial" value. Other students failed exams and still received grades of "A" due toclass participation grades

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOV430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is very hard, however, he is one of the best professors I have ever taken. he demands the best from everyone that is why these students cant handle him, they are lazy and want an A handed to them. if you are not willing to give your all to this class dont take him, if you care about learning and want to excell take his course.