Richard Nolan - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Professor: Richard Nolan

Department: Political Science

College: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While the class is hard, Nolan makes it entertaining. Many people said it was really hard but as long as you READ THE BOOK you will be okay. More comprehension than memorizing. Tests are tricky and the questions are wordy but if you understand the readings and lectures you should be okay. Quizzes help boost your grade. Hard but manageable

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Nolan's class wasn't impossible, but definitely wasn't a walk in the park. You have to do extremely well on the exams to do well in the course. His lectures are hard to follow, and he does not use any sort of visual aid (no powerpoints, rarely writes on the whiteboard). Additionally, he definitely does not genuinely care about his students.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are all over the place and it sometimes can be hard to keep up since he doesnt use powerpoint. But he is very knowledgeable and I learned A LOT! Exams are tricky but he gives study guides that are usually pretty straightforward/helpful. Textbook is kind of dense but not too bad. PAY ATTENTION TO LECTURES, most of the exams come from them

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, Exams were worth 80% of the grade but all of the subjects included on them were outlined in study guides. Attendence is for a grade but is taken sporadically.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: INR4303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nolan is a character. While he isn't a bad guy, his class is really boring. I actually feel sorry for him. He's taught this same class, the same way, for over 20 years, and it shows. The assigned text are the only upside to the class. I didn't enjoy the group project. The exams are all over the place just like his lectures. Take a better professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: INR3102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you don't learn well by just lectures and retaining spoken information and some handouts, maybe avoid Nolan. That being said, I'm not the best lecture-learner and still got a B+ even though I really did not apply myself for the first exam. It is possible to do very well if you dedicate the appropriate time.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: INR4303
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It gets a bit boring, honestly. But he's sweet and charming in his own way. The grading was tough but that's because I waited till the night prior to write the essays! It's pretty clear: 2 essays, 2 tests, and a group project. He is ruthless when he questions the groups on their projects! He was really tough on our group, still scored a 90 on it!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic dry wit. He knows his stuff and will fascinate you as long as you're into the subject. It's necessary to read the textbook to succeed on the exams, but if you read the textbook, go to class and look at the study guide, the class is smooth.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: INR3102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor! Probably the best Ive had at the UF. His lectures are interesting and instructive. He doesn't just reads off Power Point but actually uses his knowledge of the material to explain it to the class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: INR4303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nolan's lectures can seem dry early in the morning, but he knows his stuff and is funny at times. His instructions regarding the group presentations and essays can be unclear at times, but everyone usually pulls through in the end. Tests are easy if you come to class and make sure you know what's on the study guide.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

4 noncumulative exams & you have map quizzes, a few assignments, and he takes attendance randomly. He doesn't use powerpoint, and his lectures can seem disorganized. He gives lots of examples, but sometimes he rambles. Make sure you read the textbook thoroughly to better understand the broad concepts. Overall, not too hard, just read & study

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were incredibly dry. Nolan is very knowledgeable but he doesn't use power points or any guidelines- you just sit and listen to him the entire class. TAs dont do anything but pass out papers and don't speak English. the exams were unnecessarily lengthy- even if you study and knew the material well if you didn't understand the questionsfail

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Can tell he has been teaching for a while. Has a lot of stories and examples that make the class interesting and easier to understand. Not the easiest professor, but I definitely left the class excited about the subject and feeling like I learned a lot.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Old fashioned professor that lectures and writes on the chalkboard. Its often difficult catch exactly what he says because he often only says it once- thats annoying. There are 4 exams, non cumulative which is nice and homework and map quizzes to help boost your grade. Just study!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He lectures through the class, has no power points. He randomly takes attendance and well, thats where most of his test comes from. Take notes on laptop because its easier to follow along. Reading the book, having a study group, and studying at least 3 days before the exam will be there difference between an A and a B.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

1. 4 tests total: material is interpreted from lecture mostly (Skim book chapters) 2. MUST attend lecture, even if you barely listen you will notice things on the tests he covered in lecture, throws in jokes. 3. Very helpful in office hours, can help explain difficult concepts. 4. Map quizzes: easy to study for, can save your grade

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: INR3102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A bit intimidating at first, but you'll learn to love him. Great lecturer. Be ready to take notes because there are no power points. You probably need to attend class to make a good grade. He's a great teacher. Always there if you need him, and he wants his students to succeed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INR2001
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely an old-fashioned professor, reminds us on daily basis that he's been teaching this course since 1989 when the Cold War was still taking place. Exams are 80% of your grade and are administered 4 times. You should be interested into Foreign Policy to take this course. Lectures are boring! Study in groups and at least skim through the text.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: INR4303
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Definitely knows what he's doing. Although can be a little harsh on his critiques during the group projects, he wants to make sure you know exactly what you're talking about.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: INR3102
• 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:

Ignore the numbers, Nolan is a great professor. He's not the easiest and he's not only clear, but coming from someone who needs clarity and order, he's not bad. I enjoyed his class and learned a lot. Lectures are fun and he is very funny.