Keith Shimko - Purdue University - West Lafayette, West Lafayette, IN

Professor: Keith Shimko

Department: Political Science

College: Purdue University - West Lafayette, West Lafayette, IN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Shimko is probably the best lecturer I've had. Lectures are well prepared and interesting. The class is graded on three non-comprehensive tests. If you show up and listen you should be able to pass the class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was hands down the best class that I have taken here at Purdue. There are only 3 non-cumulative exams in the class that count for your entire grade and an extra credit opportunity during dead week. Shimko is an amazing teacher and I actually enjoyed going to class. Attendance is not mandatory but I attended as many classes as I possibly could.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Shimko sits in front of the class and reads DIRECTLY from the slides. He's rude, and would be a great professor if he decided to give a crap. if you take this course, get ready to waste money and time.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are interesting and he can be pretty funny, so if you need to fulfill the STS requirement, this is definitely a good class for it. Just don't use your phone during class, he gets really irritated by that.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL430
• 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 Shimko is an incredible lecturer but he doesn't mess around. My advice: show up to class every time, take hand-written notes, read the articles so you get a good participation grade, the TA is your bff - they grade the exams, and DO NOT PROCRASTINATE YOUR FINAL PAPER like I did- it's the one thing Shimko actually reads and grades

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Shimko is great. He gives lots of extra credit opportunities and puts all the lecture notes online. Attendance isn't mandatory but this class is interesting enough that I wanted to go.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 246
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not only is he a great professor and guest lecturer, but he has also written some great books that I have used in other classes. He is a master at military history and policy and it is so damn interesting. Plus, he's hot. :)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's not very friendly, although great sense of humor and explains very well. Surprise quizzes that count as extra credit so make sure you read the lecture notes before going to class. Knows his material well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• 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:

Passionate lecturer, knows his stuff, three easy exam each takes 33.3% of the total grade. No attendance, no quiz. Cons: he doesn't like private conversation with students

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I wasn't really into the material of this class but Prof.Shimko is really awesome at giving lectures. Passionate and interesting. three tests each with 33.3%, no attendance, no quizes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• 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:

Excellent proffessor. Very clear. Very interesting. Lots of energy. Id recommend for anybody.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent lecturer! Presented International Politics in a way that made me want to go to class, even though it wasn't mandatory. My interest was peaked whilst taking the course but IP is not my thing. Definitely check him out though, great prof!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great Lecturer. One of the few teachers that could make me pay attention during the whole class. Exams are easy and he only tests you on relevant topic. Uses easy languague and makes class very interesting.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very funny and interesting

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer. Class is pretty much from the book. Easy quizzes on assigned reading by contemporary author. However, I went to talk to him during his office hours. Absolutely rude and disinterested. I found him to be enjoyable in the classroom, but absolutely impersonal otherwise. Easy A, if you work for it on your own.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had so much fun in 237(and an A). Go to his lecture, listen to what he says. That'll get you an A. Although exams are usually essay, no worries. Just write what he focused during class

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• 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:

Usually interesting lectures, and the material is fascinating (at least to me), so it'd be hard to screw it up. His powerpoints are kind of bland (black text, white background), but he is a good enough speaker to make up for it. Readings in 130 were almost identical to lecture content. 237 was probably my favorite class ever. Write well, get As.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

shimko is a pretty well organized and easy to follow in lectures. He is quite competant overall. However, beware his tests/essays. The essay part isnt that bad if you study beforehand, but i consider the fill in blanks hard - some simple questions you didnt think needed studying for and get wrong thus getting only an average grade. Good overall :)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL237
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go to class, you will learn everything you need. Great Professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Clear and precies