Kathryn Sikkink - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Professor: Kathryn Sikkink

Department: Political Science

College: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL4485
• 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:

She obviously knows a lot and is experienced within her field, but she is not a great teacher. I NEVER left feeling satisfied or enlightened. She teaches completely based on the readings, which is usually a sign of a mediocre teacher. The books were interesting, but I don't feel I learned a ton. Very touch grader as well, unnecessarily I feel.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL3873
• 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:

I grew to dislike this professor over the course of the semester. She expects WAY too much out of a 3 pg. paper & is illogical with her grading. She did seem knowledgeable about HR but this was overshadowed by how she treated her students. She also didn't respond to emails, so (over a miscommunication) I ended up w/ a terrible grade! Not cool.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLHR
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I learned a TON from this class, and I put so much work into studying and writing papers, then I got a C+. Sikkink is an unreasonable grader and if she doesn't agree with what you say she will mark down points, even if it is an opinion. I do not feel as though my grade reflects the time and effort I spent on this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL3873
• 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:

Tough grader

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL4000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible experience. If you are not one of her polisci major pets forget about keeping you 4.0. Grading is like junior high-they expect a high level of meaningless detail-no credit for ideas that don't fit within their restrictive paradigm. Class was a waste. But it explains why the US is so screwed up-our politicians were obviously trained by her!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI5000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sikkink is brilliant and inspiring. She has a passion for human rights that is exceeded by no one. She is also an excellent teacher, who genuinely cares about her students.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL3873
• 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:

Very strict about adhering to CLA guidelines with 'B' being above and beyond and an 'A' being outstanding/above above and beyond/perfectionists only. Rather cruel really. If you ask her to look over an already graded paper she will threaten to "possibly lower your score"

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL3883
• 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:

intimidating and very accomplished; exceptionally knowledgeable and very fair. extremely difficult professor, but i learned a great deal.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL3873
• 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:

Her exams were some of the hardest I've taken in my college career and could be considered a bit unreasonable, but I thought she was extremely knowledgeable and clear in lecture. She is passionate and her human rights class and int'l ethics class were my favorite polisci classes at the U.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLGENOCIDE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class had a lot of potential to be enjoyable and to teach the students a great deal, but got bogged down by teacher's unclear expectations and lack of adding to the book material. She seemed very into herself and never failed to talk up her past experiences.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL4485
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my second class with the professor. Nothing changed. Papers are graded harshly with unhelpful comments so it's hard to improve. She uses no technology so that is a pain. You will learn quite abit but grades are extreemly hard to come by.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL3873W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prestigious academic on paper, but in person is not welcoming. Becomes distractingly nervous in classes. Is very PC and inclusive on the surface, but not willing to think past a certain level of abstractness. Also is horribly cold, even to the students who seek her out and try to befriend her.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL3875
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's so scary!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL3873W
• 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:

she was interesting at times, but a lot of what she said got very confusing. she also was incredibly hardcore about people talking in class, even if you didn't want to or had nothing to say. grading was unclear and the final was SO FREAKING HARD!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL3837W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is very interesting and if you try at all you'll learn a lot. Her grading style leaves a lot to be desired, you have no clue what is expected of you. Also she doesn't post anything online or use any technology. Also due your best not to argue with her, I think she may hold grudges.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL3873W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was interesting and Professor Sikkink was very interesting to listen too, but the grading criteria was very unclear in class and the final appears to be very vague....the outline for it anyway. Also, Sikkink is very opinionated and watch out if you decide to challange her in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL8660
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sikkink is a fabulous professor: intelligent, professional, clear expectations. Her classes are a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LATINAMER
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I got straight A's at U of M (class of 2000), then I got to her class, and got a C+. Unclear as to the expectations in her grading. Had her favorites, didnt care for students with NGO/travel experiece(me). I think it took away from her spotlight.