Raymond Duvall - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Professor: Raymond Duvall

Department: Political Science

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

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bud Duvall is one of the greats. An outstanding teacher. Thanks, Bud.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL3835W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Overall good class. Nothing too difficult if you have any background in international relations theory. His lecturing was a little dry, but the discussion sections were engaging. The lectures aren't necessarily dry because he himself is not an interesting speaker, but rather just that he moves a little slowly through material. Overall, good class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Duvall is a wonderful prof. His class was laid back-no attendance taken, all his lecture notes and class readings posted online, and there was no textbook. His class is difficult, yes - grade is based entirely on papers-but I learned SO much. Prior knowledge of basic IR concepts/a 1xxx class is very helpful- I had taken POL 1025 which helped a lot.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI3835
• 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:

Professor Duvall is a nice guy, who has a good teaching style. Expect to work hard in this course, it requires a lot of reading. I would say it's not for new students or people who are unfamiliar with politics/political theory, especially in international relations. Work hard and use theoretical concepts in your writing and you'll pass.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL1905
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bud is a great professor. Very knowledgeable and always makes class interesting. A fair warning to those looking at his freshman seminar on war and changing political authority: it is not easy. There is a lot of reading and writing (15pg research paper) involved. Do not take on top of a relatively full schedule, that was my mistake.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

Professor Duvall is incredibly intelligent, engaging, and approachable. Even when he explained large, abstract ideas, he was always very keen on clarifying himself. This class was fairly difficult, so if you're having trouble definitely reach out to Professor Duvall. He's always very willing to help you out.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

awesome prof!!!!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

Professor Duvall is incredible! I don't know what everyone on here is complaining about! His capacity to think and teach is mind blowing, students just need to be willing to learn. Amazing class!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLYSCI
• 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:

Great Professor. He does a good job answering questions and even though I didn't agree with him about Critical Theory I could at least understand his point of view and write intelligently about it. That's the goal after all.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

Professor Duvall is one of the most intelligent and profound professors I have ever had. He is truly passionate about the material both inside and outside of the classroom. His sense of enthusiasm engages you and he is also VERY approachable. This is one of the more difficult classes I have taken but also one I have learned the most from.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL3845
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Duvall is a nice man, and much more approachable than is initially assumed. Readings were a bit long, and he did not do a very good job of reiterating clearly what the important points of the readings were in lecture. He would occasionally go into an uncomfortable ideological rants. Papers were not bad if comfortable with the material.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

Pretty interesting class. I though this would be one of my hardest classes but it turned out to be one of my easiest. The T.A graded the papers very easy and Prof Duvalle is very approachable.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

Great teacher and interesting lecturer. He can be a bit difficult to follow sometimes but if you've read the material you can follow his train of thought. I found this class to be fascinating and those people who complain just didn't do the reading or come to class. In class is where he explains the theories.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS3585
• 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 have had. Yes it is hard and takes a lot of time to do the readings, but it is rewarding in the end. He actually requires you to think and actively participate. You have to be willing to put in the effort and pay attention to get a good grade. He is very approachable and willing to help you understand tough concepts.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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 knows his stuff very well, but pushed it on undergrads in a very difficult way to understand. The readings were a little rough, so I'd expect him to clarify, but he was just as difficult to understand. When people asked questions, he'd often get worked up about why no one could understand. Don't really recommend him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

I don't know why there are so many whiners here--this class was the most helpful component of my undergrad education. Duvall will answer at length any question you have. His expectations on assignments are clear but he encourages you to connect the dots. Do the readings, especially toward the end of the term, and you'll see the world in a new way!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• 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:

POL 3835 was a challenging class. Duvall knows what he is talking about but may not necessarily know how to articulate it. Take the class only if you are TRULY interested in international relations and are willing to put significant time and effort into the class. One of the hardest classes I have ever took, but learned a ton.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No one, I repeat - NO ONE - should ever take this class. It's time consuming and the assignments are impossibly hard. I was miserable all semester. You've been warned....

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He understands the material and is quite passionate about it, but he doesn't understand how to help us understand it. He assumes we already have extensive knowledge on international relations, and he's dead wrong. He needs to tone down the scholarly talk. He's a nice guy, but ultimately I would not recommend him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL3835
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3835! The final actually made me cry because it was so hard. One essay question would have been hard overwhelming, but TWO? He needs to realize we're taking other classes too and are aleady stressed out by finals (not just his). This workload is effing ridiculous. Save yourself the pain and the GPA drop!