James Sperling - University of Akron, Akron, OH

Professor: James Sperling

Department: Political Science

College: University of Akron, Akron, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Really great guy, hes very funny but his lectures can be sort of boring. Youre supposed to purchase about 5 books for the class, but you dont necessarily need them because he goes over everything in class. He does not take attendance, but the class would be difficult if you dont go to class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was alright he was just a boring teacher but all in all alright

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sperling is the best teacher I have come across in UAkron. His classes are inspirational and it does pay off to sit near the front. Also taking notes of what he says is almost the only way to do well in his classes. I took this class specifically after getting inspired by him in another polisci class. And I did well in both.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WP001
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

World Politics was by far the most miserable class I've ever taken in college. The class was based on three tests and weekly essays. No slides, Sperling just sat there and talked. Also his handwriting isnt legible. I love world politics but I hated this class. He wont even answer questions or do office hours within a few days of the tests.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI310
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant Guy but I Couldnt Understand Him . The Material From International Relations Is Tough and Even More Difficult With His Lectures. The Exams Are In-Depth Essays. You MUST Read, Attendance is Mandatory Even Though All of My Knowledge Came From The Book. This Was The Only Class That I Was Worried About Failing, MY WHOLE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't use brightspace at all. You get a hard copy of the syllabus and if you lose it you won't find it online. He isn't tech savvy so nothing is online. Doesn't do PowerPoints and will sometimes write on the board but his handwriting is chicken scratches so I can't take good notes. Will make sure I never take him again.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the most interesting people on campus. Has many opinions and isn't afraid to share them. Sit in the front, he is not a loud man. He will give good feedback on your writing. A little bit nuts. Loves his daughter and wife. Make sure to study for the few tests he gives, but he does curve. Doesn't use PP or real textbooks.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: WPG150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very lecture/test heavy. If you miss lectures you generally wont know what's going on, he doesn't use powerpoints either. His tests are all short/extended response, but he curves them heavily. Easy class to pass, but takes effort to keep an A. He's a funny guy but extremely opinionated and inserts his views into his teaching.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL150
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sperling is hands down without a doubt my most favorite professor at UA. He should be the reason people decide to come here to study politics. You WILL learn more in this class than any other class here. He is highly intelligent, funny, and an interesting character. You feel as if he should be at Harvard. Just get ready to work for your grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL150
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I personally loved him. He is extremely dry though, so if you don't understand dry humor you won't "get" him. Insanely smart, if you are in political science you should take him

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: WPG150
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The most inspiration and helpful teacher I've ever had. Incredibly interesting, but isn't very loud. He taught me so much beyond World Politics & Government, and even taught me more about writing than any English teacher I've ever had.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL150
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was the hardest I've taken, which is sad because its a freshman level. I felt like I had walked into the wrong class. I didn't understand a single thing he was talking about. I was totally lost and he wasn't available to help at all. He mumbled the entire time, and gave pop quizzes that were really hard. I withdrew to save my GPA.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sperling has inspired me to do a double major in Political Science. He is one of the most knowledgeable and approachable professor's i came across at Uakron. I found his exams to be easy as well. He made sure that we all understood what was expected from us and at the same time he provided us with adequate practice before the exams.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Sperling is very knowledgeable and friendly. His lectures consisted of him just speaking about the topic (rarely he would write on the board too). He gave great information but it was difficult to keep up with what he was saying. His tests were all essay but he gave you a general idea of what to study. Sperling is good at keeping your interest

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: IPS300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He has no powerpoints and few notes on the board to help you follow what he is saying but the lectures are very important to get a good understanding for the test. You will also need to read the articles he posts on springboard for the tests. His tests are tough but he is a fair-grader. He is interesting and witty and easy to understand.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: IR310
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The first week of class was frightening because the class seemed difficult to understand, and the lack of formal textbook and power points didn't help. The lectures were dry, but come test time the articles he gave us really helped. A very fair grader and the most interesting professor I've ever had, though he has a tendency to ramble.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: WORLDPOLITICS
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Worst teacher I've ever had. didn't stick to the syllabus at all. lectures had nothing to do with class. makes fun of students with no regard of their opinions or views.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I have had. He is a genius and a phenomenal speaker. His class is challenging, but if you pay attention and do the work, you will gain a ton from the class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: WP905
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sperling is one of the best political science professors at UA! Highly recommend taking any of his classes. He knows what he is talking about and will teach you everything he knows if you are willing to listen. Do all of the assigned readings or you will be lost. He expects you to know what he is talking about within reason. BE RESPECTFUL!!!!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Quite frankly the best professor I've ever had in my academic career. The man's a genius. If you truly care about learning, you'll take his class. He challenges you, but as long as you take good notes you should be able to pass with a good grade. Honestly, he's the one professor I'd recommend to any poli sci major in Akron.