Peter Kappas - California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Professor: Peter Kappas

Department: Political Science

College: California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS441
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pros: Kappas is knowledgeable, articulate, honest, fair, and straightforward. Lectures are informative Cons: class centers around 4 debates that have little to do with the intended purpose of the class. Would have liked more time to study the bits and bolts, rather than prepping for non-class-centered debates.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL360
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Kappas was one of my favorite professors at CSUN, and had him multiple semesters. The format of his class is the same in all of his classes. 4 term papers/and debates. Writing a solid research paper and participation in debates will land you a good, well deserved grade in the class, and learn a lot about important public policy issues.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS465
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have to write 4 position papers (each one averages at about 2000 words) and there is a comprehensive final at the end. There are 4 debates (accompanying the papers) which are very fun, even if you are shy to speak in class! He sometimes assigns you to argue for something that you do not support, which is a helpful tool in general. A must take..

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI372
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

4 Debates/Papers. Great Class

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLSC461
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Very knowledgeable about the subject, but the lectures are dry and boring. He's also very condescending when students ask questions and in general. It's a good class if you want to learn a lot, but he's an awful professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL360
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

do not take his class if you don't have to. I don't even know why he is still at CSUN??

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS372
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

4 Papers, 4 debates, 5 chapters in lab book, final is essay format (questions given one week prior). I'm extremely lazy, but a good writer -- so I got an A on most papers. Probably got a low B average on debates, due to anxiety. High B, Low A on final, ended up with a B+ -- would have easily gotten an A if I spoke more in debates. Easy class imo.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS465
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I love Professor Kappas, you get what you earn with him. He expects participation and expects quality work. If you are a Political Science major your have to take him, you'll love him, you'll learn so much. Oh and he doesn't make you buy a textbook, plus!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS360
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kappas is brilliant. His courses are some of the most challenging in the department but are, by far, the most rewarding.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kappas is a very good professor! I can say that I have learned so much from him and his lectures. It is definitely not a very easy class, but it is worth it. I was afraid of him at first, but he is very helpful and strict at the same time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS361
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very Very detailed lecture. Final exam questions possible given at beginning, goes along with lecture, so take very detailed notes and learn to write/type fast. 4 debates on positions of topics, like gun regulation, with accompanied essays. Bring lots of arguments, you get graded on participation. If you get 5 points in, you get a low A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS471
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kappas is a good professor. I took for proseminar and the class was mostly research and debates, the final was an exam. Yes he does expect you to attend. He also really grades the papers and doesn't miss any mistakes but he will help you do better the next time and go over the whole paper with you, which is rare for professors now. Good guy.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS407
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Kappas is a real professor. Not too many real professors out there anymore, but Kappas is the man. He looks at you right in the eyes and I truly respect that. I plan on taking him again; I could have performed much better in his class than I did but due to personal issues spilling over onto my academic matters, I simply had a tuff semester.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS407
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best PoliSci Professor I've encountered at CSUN so far. Just know how to do quality research and write a good paper and you should be able to pull an A. You'll also learn a lot in Kappas' class as he is a very smart person. He plays the devil's advocate very well, I'd recommend taking his class if you don't mind lots of research.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI460
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor in the political science department. Before taking his class, i thought i was a good writer. I was so wrong. Dr. Kappas graded my paper line-by-line, word-by-word. In turn, I realized I needed help. So I'd go to his office hours on a weekly basis. Kappas went over each sentence with me. I am now a better writer.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS372
• 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:

Kappas, is difficult lets make that clear from the start. However, because he is difficult your knowledge and writing ability will increase.He is approachable during office hours.He will always be willing to go over your paper. 4 papers 2 pages single space 10 fnt must debate it 2 days, he will give you a side. SPSS upto chap 5 by end of semester.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS406
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

I love him! Yes, the class is hard, but you get what you put in, and he's happy to help when you need it. He loves what he does and you learn to love it too. Debates are extremely research heavy, but you learn a lot. Anyone who doesn't like him just didn't try to do well. You will learn a lot! He made me like political science again.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kappas is extremely clear in his expectations of students. All of his courses are structured around 4 policy debates, and one final exam based on lecture content and the textbook. He is not accessible, but you will certainly learn in this course. If you are afraid of speaking publicly, however, perhaps you should steer clear.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS427A
• 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:

One of the best professors i had in CSUN. Im taking his model UN class in spring 2012, if your into research and learning this is definitely the class for you! ive learned so much during my time taking his class. NOT RECOMMENDED for those people looking for a easy A or love slacking off, this class will murder you!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLSC461
• 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:

Awesome professor :)