James Ward - University of Massachusetts - Boston, Boston, MA

Professor: James Ward

Department: Political Science

College: University of Massachusetts - Boston, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took his class online over winter break, & he has no clue how to use blackboard. A professor should not teach an online course when they do not know how to use the system. He emailed 2 quizzes instead of posting them in BB & never sent us the grades for them Requires discussions on BB for 13 topics but never responds. NO CLUE where my A- came from

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ward has 0 adherence to grading standards. I aced every test and paper in the class, yet he gave me a B. He acts all diplomatic in class, then marks down your grade if he doesn't like your viewpoint in the assigned papers, for which next to 0 guidance is provided. Apparently, independent thinking is punished in "Wardland".

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

My first prof, he is a good prof. for beginners, he knows the material well and likes to tell stories connected to it. He does not test you on his stories though, which a few previous student commented on erroneously. He expects you to take notes on the main points (related to the readings), and to pay attention. If you show up, you be rewared

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The problem with this professor is that he does not read students' work. I am very happy with my grade, but I received no feedback, which made the whole course pointless. The university should put him on an improvement plan.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

For an online course, i wasn't expecting a lot but I was expecting something intellectual but I did not get that. Had three online meetings, and was late for one and didn't show up for the other..............seems not interested in his students. Grading is very cynical and unclear. Dont waste your money, im judging on content and not character alon

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

4 take home exams and a paper This class was so boring! all he does is talk talk talk about the things on his slides which aren't ever really useful when it comes to the exams because there mostly in the book I never read anything in the book unless i needed answers for the exam i got a B but it was dreadful coming to class but i did for attendence

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He just talks and talks and talks. He does not respond to emails. Must speak to him face to face. Not necessary to attend class, although, you will never know when he will give the exam since he does not follow a syllabus. He is not especially nice, but is an easy grader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I liked his class. His policies are very un-intimidating you can do as you please pretty much. He drones on for hours, but if you listen you will learn. He doesn't cultivate student participation, but will welcome it openly if you have questions. Very easy grading. Mid-term & final are multiple choice, and 2 short papers.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He knows this field very well but he talks FOREVER. there are only take home tests and he just lectures on and on......easy A but very boring. there really isnt a need to go to class

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This guy is absolutely the WORST if you want to learn stuff or actually get some attention. He has a full professorship, been tenured for 30 or so years, but still teaches extra classes in summer, winter and online TO GET MORE MONEY. He doesn't care about his students at all. He runs away after class, and is totally inaccessible. His lectures suck.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His tests are rediculously easy if you pay attention to every lecture and do the readings. He also grades papers easy. The only thing is, his class is quite boring and dry, and I had to pinch myself quite a lot so I wouldn't fall asleep, though a small price to pay for an easy A! =)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• 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:

Professor Ward was a decent professor but it seemed like at times even he was bored with the subject material. I think that's more of a reflection of wanting to go more in depth on certain topics but ultimately finding there is just not enough time. Alot of reading, but if you do the readings, go to class, and do easy papers, easiest B ever.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ah well, I wanted an A didn't get it. Honestly I got 3 A's and D on his four one hour exam as far as I know. One of my papers sucked and one was half assed. My own fault for not getting an A. This is Pol Sci 101 (Doesn't matter who you take it with its going to suck!) Good guy do what ever you want during his class but dont be an asshat.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLSCI252
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Wow. Some of these reviews are pathetic - more a reflection of the student than the professor, I think. Look, the bottom line is that Prof. Ward is a remarkable political thinker who WILL teach you a great deal if you're interested and willing to learn. Those just looking for an easy A will end up missing the point entirely. Highly recommended.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easiest A ever...if you can stand how boring he is

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

an easy A but very boring

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLSC455
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Just a super human being. Very approachable, well versed in every subject known to man and witty. Best of all his super intellect doesn't make him super pretentious.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INTOPOLISCI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant professor, attend class, take clear/precise notes and you will do well. He cares about students who make an effort to learn.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great professor! I would like to take more classes taught by this professor!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS251
• 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:

tough class. but he is a very smart guy, and his lectures are interesting.