John Cioffi - University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA

Professor: John Cioffi

Department: Political Science

College: University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POSC164S
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class was so hard! But Cioffi is very approachable and nice so that helps. I went to office hours a lot and asked a lot of questions. If you have taken an economics class before this then it would probably be easier, I have never taken economics so I was pretty lost for a while. There is a ton of reading, like hundreds per week - be prepared

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took Con Law, no textbook but might as well create his own given how many PDFs he gives for reading. Lectures are a must! I liked his style so much I took 164 and got another A+, again a ton of reading. I recommend sitting in the front so you can hear him talk. Both amazing courses. If you need help, he is very helpful during office hours.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 164S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definately a class you must attend lecture to clarify the material. The readings are long and dense, prior economic knowledge is definately helpful. Prof Cioffi is very knowledgeable on the topic and helpful during office hours. Only take his course if you're ready to put a considerable amount of effort!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POSC167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hardest class ever taken

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POSC164
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It is a difficult class. You must attend class to learn. He does not post lecture notes online. So be prepare to come in to take notes. It is a challenging course,you must read and might be required to do additional reading to help you comprehend the material.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POSC164S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The content of the class is difficult, but it is not hard to get a good grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POSC164S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely take an econ course before taking this. A lot of econ terms and theories applied here. Was difficult, but LEARNED A LOT. No books needed, he provides all readings online. Exams are ALL essay questions.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POSC167CONLA
• 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:

By far the hardest class I have ever taken. But man I learned so much the final was ridiculous I came out of there and I thought my head was going to explode!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POSC167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

go to his lectures! he teaches it like law school, so it gets you in that mentality. There's a paper, midterm, and final. I had Justine as a TA and she was super helpful! Don't be afraid to ask questions. Also I put all the cases on notecards to make it easier to study. WORK HARD

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POSC167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

DO your readings, and not only will you be able to hear him(he mumbles), but you will UNDERSTAND him. He also utilizes the socratic method, and like in law school, he'll ask for your opinion but will not give you a straight answer. Don't complain if you're planning to go to law school. Amazing class. Prepare to do work, but an A isn't impossible.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POSC164
• 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:

You have to attend the lecture, you have to read all the readings (100pages). You don't have to buy a book, he puts the articles online (super long). He uses big words when his lecturing, which makes it difficult to understand him

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POSC164S
• 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 expects students to do the reading before coming to class. and he is very serious when he said that. EVERYTHING you do, the midterms, finals, term papers, relates back to the reading and it is IMPOSSIBLE to do well in his class without reading through hundreds of pages of material throughout the entire class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POSC167
• 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:

If you are considering law school you must take this course. Dr. Cioffi can seem intimidating but prepare yourself well and put forth a substantial effort and you will do just fine. He is more than willing to help. One piece of advice, stay on top of your reading! The book is your best friend. Eat, sleep, and breathe with that book next to you!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POSC168
• 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:

There is no powerpoint. He just asks peoples opinions and what they think about everything....again, this is not contributing to my learning. The Midterm covers only very little of the material learned. The class is easy, but he doesnt know how to lecture...and you basically have to teach yourself everything, because he wont.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POSC168
• 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:

Does not offer fair exams. Though we cover a large amount of material, his midterm question only covered a small amount of this material. This means that if you're not 100% clear on that small material you are screwed.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POSC168
• 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:

This guy is really boring. He puts me to sleep, seriously. It's sad because the material is extremely interesting. It's also difficult to keep up with his lectures as he offers no direction and jumps all over the place. I don't know where I would be had i not taken Constitutional Law with Bordner first.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POSC164
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was a bit apprehensive about taking this course, but i was glad i did. I have rarely learned so much so easily as I did in his course. His lectures are more valuble than the reading and he is just fascinating to be around. He does, however, have high demands for the learning and is fairly strict. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POSC167
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kind of reminds of Reed Richards from Fantastic Four. Super Smart. Personable. Even has the graying sideburns. Reading is a lot but not too difficult. Lecture is interesting to those already interested in U.S. history, law, and political science.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POSC168
• 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:

he's great!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POSC168
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class made me decide to go to law school. The readings are interesting if you're into the law, if not... don't take this class, the in class essay tests are hard and the paper was difficult too. But if you make it through, its worth it.