John Kramer - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: John Kramer

Department: Political Science

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSCI356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay, so Kramer is tough, but if you are in the UMW PSCI/IA department you should know this. Come to class with the reading done, be prepared to participate, and have a good attitude! Also, READ THE NO NOs!!!! This is not that difficult people, you just have to do the work.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSCI360
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Grades heavily on participation in discussions, yet he talks for 10 minutes at a time It is not a class discussion but a dialogue between whomever is lucky enough to be called on. Kramer is the dept head and talks like he is. Get over yourself, nobody cares how many times you can use the word pedagogical or bring up the Russian Revolution in class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSCI362
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

He lives up to his reputation and he knows he has one. Very difficult, very time consuming, but the knowledge and achievement you gain is worth it. When he gives you a compliment, it feels like you got a compliment literally from the President of the United States. Do your work, smile, and you will be fine. Dont expect an A though.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSCI390
• 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:

Kramer.Is.The.Man. If you're in UMW PSCI/IA you should be required to take a class with him. He's hilarious and is a master of his subject. Do the reading, SPEAK UP IN CLASS, follow the no-no sheet, and write in simple sentences and an A will be within your reach.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CEE390
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

go to class, do ALL the readings, SPEAK UP, and get everything done on time. if he doesn't like the way you write you're pretty much screwed but he's super knowledgable and passionate. cool dude, you'll find yourself doing your best in order to not disappoint him

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSCI356
• 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:

In the summer he does 3 LONG written assignments and counts participation for 30%. The NO-NO sheet is a big deal, follow it at all costs. Say ANYTHING in class he takes what you say and builds on it even if what you said was dumb. You need to read and speak up in order to pass. Love Kramer, he's a good professor!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLSC350
• 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 was rarely there during posted office hours. He took weeks to respond to my emails. He failed to show up for a prescheduled advising appointment and provided no notice or explanation for his absence. Very knowledgeable of all things pertaining to IR. Follow NO NO sheet. Extremely harsh grader. Gives off the impression that he's too busy/his time us too valuable to be dealing with your questions. Overall intelligent man, not a great professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSCI356
• 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 crystal clear on what he wants in papers. Write in short, simple sentences. NO PASSIVE VOICE! He puts way too much emphasis on class participation, so SAY SOMETHING, anything at all, even if its not very intelligent. DEFINITELY do the readings. Absolutely mandatory!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSCI351
• 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:

Kramer is very intelligent, he knows his subject too well for anyone to argue with him. He had 3 papers over the summer class, and he is a harsh grader. He will tear up your paper with comments, but still he will help develop your writing skills. Overall, a very nice professor. Do take him and he is the head of IR dept. :)

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSC351
• 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:

He is very knowledgeable, he knows almost everything and anything. Really good professor, but he is a bit harsh on grading. I took it in the summer, so we had 3 book critique, and participation was 30%.. which is a big deal!! Follow his NO-NO and participate!!!! Overall, a good professor, lucky to have him at UMW.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSCI356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor John M. Kramer is a wonderful professor. Almost everyone loves him, but as a Chair of the Department, I hope he does not mind, he has made an error for selecting Professor Surupa Gupta. Because of being from a country that India is competing with. I was her less favorite student. Many students from my region are suffering in her classes

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSCI321
• 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:

Awesome teacher. Really intelligent. Knows almost everything. If you don't know how to write well DO NOT START WITH ANY OF HIS CLASSES. Make sure you participate and are on time or early for his classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSCI321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kramer is great, genius. Expects a lot, go to him during office hours and talk, will offer advice, let him know you are trying. Participation is rough.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSCI302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He made me cry. He hated all of my papers and took off an entire letter grade because formatting messed up my printing and moved my writings ONE SENTENCE into the next page. But this man is so passionate about the subject, and he improved my writing with his tough standards. I'm drying my tears and looking for some more Kramer!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSCI356
• 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:

Very good professor. Some will mock my easiness rating but the ease of his class is tied to the clarity of his standards. Abide by his rules and do the readings to succeed. Topical expert on PS/IA and especially Eurasia so challenge at your own peril, but if you are able to do so effectively it will actually benefit you. PARTICIPATE!!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The journal counts for all of the grade, not 50% like the syllabus says. Don't worry about participation, it won't make a difference. Treat the journal like a senior thesis, and you should do fine.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Students fear Prof. Kramer more than they should. If you participate, and proof-read your papers, you'll be fine. Three things to remember to succeed in this class: Always participate, even if you don't know what you're talking about. Always follow the no-no list, and always talk to him after class, with 'pertinent' questions...to show you care

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Kramer the professor is much better than Kramer, the legendary pupil slayer of yore. He is demanding, but he is also precise and clear, and will help you when you need it- much more so than any other prof. here. 3 BIG things, though: 1) Never, ever use passive voice in papers. 2) Always participate (25% of grade) and MEMORIZE THE NO-NO LIST!

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Kramer is a god. 'nuff said.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Hardest class I took at the school. Nearly had a mental breakdown over my final paper for this class. However, very smart guy, really knows his stuff, willing to help if you toe the line for his "no-nos". very interesting class.