James Simeone - Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL

Professor: James Simeone

Department: Political Science

College: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Love this guy so much. So passionate- definitely a must have professor. There is definitely a lot of reading required, but it's worth it. He definitely made my experience at this school much more enjoyable. One of the biggest reasons I decided not to transfer.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CONLAW30
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jim Someone was the most influential professor I had at IWU. Although I graduated in 1997, he provided me with a solid foundation for critical thinking that is essential for succeeding in life. Truly an inspirational professor who cares about his students and providing them with the tools for success beyond college.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSCI104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very intelligent, very passionate. This class was extremely difficult, though. A ton of books that he just flies through. The final exam consists of ten short essays you need to have prepared, which is super stressful. He is very accessible outside of class, and really appreciates when you go in for help. Side note: he has terrible penmanship.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSCI104
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about what he teaches and discusses. Expects you to be an expert in the subject. Goes off on tangents during the lecture that are relevant, but confusing. Not a bad grader on papers. Expect to write a ton for not being a writing intensive class. The level difficultly is rather high for a 100 level class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GWPSCI103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Simeone is one of my favorite professors! I took two classes with him and he was so willing to help and explain things. Very inspiring, believes in you, and recognizes hard work.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSCI104
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst experience I had! He treats this 100 level class as if it's a senior seminar class. Most people were NOT political science majors and were only taking this class for its gen-ed, but he treated everyone as if we were poli-sci majors, which made his material and references hard. He told me my writing was horrible and called me dumb! RUDE!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSCI315
• 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:

The man is a genius; I have never learned more from a class. Be prepared to read and write more than you have ever had, but the journey is well worth it for those that wish to expand their mind and learn how to win debates in any subject.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GW100
• 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:

My favorite teacher at Wesleyan. Very intelligent, enthusiastic and always willing to help. The only problem I had was reading his horrible hand writing on the papers.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSCI317
• 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:

My favorite professor. Always available to help a student. Really fun, really smart, and absolutely loves what he teaches. It's obvious how much he cares about his students.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSCI320
• 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:

I LOVE Dr. Simeone. Probably the best professor I've ever had at IWU. He's so helpful and encouraging. I probably would have gone crazy sophomore year without his help.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSCI317
• 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:

I took Am. Pol. Thought and Con Law I with him. You must participate in class or you cannot get an A. No tests except for final, which is just copying papers that you wrote throughout semester down on notebook paper. He is a very nice guy, but very hard to understand at times.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSCI104
• 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:

Simeone is great! I loved all the topics we talked about in this class, and he made everything understandable and accessible to most people. However, if you don't like or understand politics, stay away. Participation is critical, and because of that you have to know what you're talking about.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSCI104
• 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:

I love Simeone! He's the typical eccentric political theorist, but he can make his class interesting for everyone. Participation is a must, so if you don't like to talk don't take his class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSCI317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His class is really hard, especially if you aren't a poli sci major, but he is a really nice guy, and is also really interesting. One of those people who's so brilliant he can be hard to follow. But I didn't have a clue what was going on half the time and got a B+ so he can't be a very hard grader.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSCI345
• 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:

I left loving the subject. Lots of reading, the final is a hand killer, if you didn't read he calls you out on it. I learned a lot, frequently got off topic, but once you get used to the structure it's easy.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

An absolutely inspiring professor. One of the most passionate people I have ever met, and really cares about whether or not students understand and engage in the material. Yeah, the final sucks-- but when you were done you knew the material inside and out. He's also hilarious.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSCI316
• 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:

Simeone is a great guy and he looooooves political theory. I don't. That said, he still kept class interesting. There is a lot of reading and the structure of his class is quite challenging but once you get the hang of it you will succeed!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSCI317
• 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:

He is great, but very difficult to understand in class. The class material is really good. You cannot read his writing at all. He's VERY helpful outside of class though and he really cares about his students. I think he just tries to scare people away the first week or two. The class is very intimidating, but it gets easier as it goes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSCI316
• 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:

WORST professor and WORST class I've taken here. The class is difficult (which is fine), but he is out of this world...not in a good way. He seems confused and sometimes confuses himself...makes changes to the syllabus the day of or the day before classes, so if you've done the reading...oh well - do more. He really seemed to be high several day

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSCI317
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The reason people dislike Simeone is because he really does challenge you and forces you to think past the fluff and bs we all make up as students. He was always helpful and willing to help and clarify, I gained a greater passion for poli sci, which I already loved as my major. Ok, his final is horrible. Don't take him if you're lazy or stupid.