Paul Dawson - Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

Professor: Paul Dawson

Department: Political Science

College: Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLT207
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher taught me how to ask another student for a pencil. Also taught me how to respond to insults and get away from doors

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor! Super sarcastic and would call you out on bs and fluff which was refreshing at this school.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You either love him or you hate him. Very difficult midterms w harsh grading, most of my class failed it. He replaces the midterm grade with your final grade though, & most people do well on that. Most I have ever learned. I kinda hate him, but I am such a better thinker and writer from his class. Not a lot of tangible work, but you will be pushed

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• 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:

Dawson is not an easy professor. His grades during the course are harsh in order to make students correct issues he finds with papers and exams. He is not what I expected from a class on electoral politics. His exams and lectures focus on hypothetical situations were he wants you to demonstrate the though process of a government official.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dawson expects a lot out of his students, and as long as you deliver, he will be impressed. He's really in to metaphors and making students think on their own. His lectures were worth having to be up at 8 A.M. I love love loved this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Awful. Avoid at all costs. He will insult/intimidate you as he claims he is teaching you "how to think politically"...doesnt actually teach you politics we just write about stupid news stories.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• 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:

Dawson is incredible. TAKE HIS CLASSES

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Those who understand politics - or want to - will love Dawson. If your in any way interested in learning (politics or the art of teach), whether you're part of the supposed "fan club" or not, take a Dawson class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• 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:

Dawson is unlike any other professor. Rather than teach specific material, he teaches you to think. Without Dawson's classes, I would never have developed the critical analysis skills which are so crucial to helping me succeed in my life after Oberlin.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dawson is a great teacher, you will be encouraged to speak and have opinions. Don't take it personally when he gives you a hard time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great Prof, Helps you understand what it takes to be successful in a competitive world.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

As an Oberlin grad ('05) who has worked for gov't and is studying policy analysis at NYU, I say that Dawson is one of the wisest instructors and political minds I've encountered. His 2/300-level courses are demanding and his classroom manner borders on totalitarian, but by all means LISTEN TO HIM. Later in your career, you'll be thankful you did.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL105
• 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:

His teaching methods are unusual. Dawson at first strikes one as confrontational. Yet later one learns that this is an excellent (though frightening) way to make people learn a lot.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very full of himself, empty of political insights. His fan club is mostly composed of students who had a high school-level understanding of American politics prior to taking 105, and who were bowled over by the revelation that sometimes you have to use underhanded tactics to succeed in politics. Don't get talked into this class; waste of time.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• 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:

one of the best classes I've taken at oberlin. You learn so much. Once you get the idea, you'll get an A. If not, you'll at least learn stuff very useful in the real world.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• 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:

Dawson is the best professor I have ever had. He is a firm believer in the Socratic method, which is a problem for some people. If you are alright with being put on the spot and thinking for yourself, you will find him to be a terrific resource.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLT120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a funny little creature. He is entertaining and pushes you to think outside of the normal boundaries. Things you can actually use in the real world. I wish that more classes worked like his. I also wish that he were my grandpa.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLT305
• 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:

awesome :)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A class with Paul Dawson is a totally unique experience...He keeps you on guard and scared but in the end he will really make you learn in a way that most cannot. Make sure you have a light enough courseload because a Dawson class is more than just a class, it WILL be stressful and the more ready for that you are the better. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FYSPSECT
• 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:

Dawson will try to scare you - don't let him. He's really great at running discussions, not nearly as good at big lecture classes. If you make an appointment or come to office hours, he's very willing to talk about papers in the pre-write stage, and will help you focus your ideas.