Steffen Schmidt - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Steffen Schmidt

Department: Political Science

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Schmidt is one of the best professors Ive had at Iowa State. His lectures are very interesting and he is hilarious. I took Political Science 215 as an elective. Even if you have no interest in PolySci, TAKE THIS COURSE. Easy A with and awesome teacher!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really good at teaching material, and you can learn a lot. He is not blatantly or intentionally biased against Republicans and is generally very fair, however sometimes it shows through in false statistics reported by the media that he shares in class, and sometimes will miss represent conservative ideals. It doesnt seem purposeful however.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you show up at all, it is an easy A. The class is just basic US government. Lectures can be boring but he would often throw in test questions from his lecture that you couldn't find in the book. Provided study guides before exams.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Schmidt is a great professor and is hilarious. He is always real with everybody and gives great lectures. His tests are super easy (drops lowest score) and as long as you show up you will end with an A. There are chances to earn extra credit in class as well.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS343
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A wonderful professor! I will never forget him! He is very nice and the class was very interesting. I learned a lot of stuff in one short semester. I would even take more classes with him. Great teacher and great guy, super duper friendly, and very accommodating.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, with knowledge and background about what he is speaking about which makes his lectures even more interesting. Beware of a lack of points except for exams. Other than that, it was a great class and I highly recommend it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Awesomeeee

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

LOVED professor schmidt. Great guy, makes jokes. Lectures can be boring but I always loved going. His study guides prepare you well for the tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS343
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The reasons why I loved this class are also why other people might hate it: he is extremely laid back, swears a lot, and has a sarcastic sense of humor. This was a discussion-based class, in which I still can't figure out what his political standings are. It's not your typical straightforward lecture, but it was always interesting

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Schmidt is one of the best professors I have taken a class with here at ISU. He is hilarious and also very knowledgeable about the material he teaches (including many present day examples) which made class fun to go to. Be sure to take notes, attend class with guests speakers, and do the study guides and you'll for sure get an A. Awesome class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As a student not going into political science I took this as a fun class. I have it at 9:30 in the morning and it can be tough to get up and go but I have not missed a class because I enjoy his class so much. He is funny, practical, and talks about modern day politics. He is my favorite teacher of the semester. TAKE THIS CALSS EVEN IF ITS FOR FUN

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love politics and Prof. Schmidt made it so much more fun. There is never a dull moment in his class, he is very spontaneous but you also learn a lot. He emails out information to his students when asked and is an all around great teacher.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLIS215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Listen up this man is a god send. Professor Schmidt is probably one of the best professors that I have had so far. He is funny throughout the entirety of the lecture and there is never a dull moment. You also gotta root for team Schmidt since they are the best TA's in the game. He also thiccer than a bowl of oatmeal.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL215
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Made me a huge political enthusiast. Makes you realize your responsibility in our society. A lot of his test questions are worded "according to Dr. Schmidt on this day" so go to lecture for those. He tells you to go read the textbook because he wants to talk about the interesting stuff in lecture. Tests are over "this chapter through this chapter"

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wasn't very interested in the class but I enjoyed going to lecture, he kept things interesting for me

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This is the guy to learn about American Government from. Take notes in class, especially on the little tangents he goes on. Go to the reviews and extra credit sessions for success in this class. Also make sure to use details on the discussion assignments.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS487
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

One of the most entertaining professors at Iowa State. I am very sad I waited until my last last semester to take one of his classes. The class is not very hard, but you learn a lot from in-class discussion. The material is all very modern and relevant making it easy to pay attention.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI215
• 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:

He is literally the best, makes plenty of jokes during class and keeps everyone interested and he is super approachable. This class is really easy, getting an A is piece of cake. attend the review sessions! take notes about random stories schmidt mentions during class because they will show up in the exam and most importantly do the readings!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI215
• 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:

My high school government class was really in depth so this is a pretty easy class for me but he keeps it really interesting and entertaining. Im an engineering major but might take another one of his classes because I enjoy him so much. He's also very personable and love talking to him after class and asking his opinion

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI215
• 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:

For me the class was not so easy - I guess my high school govt class sucked! Schmidt is famous and that made it fun to have him as Prof. C-Span came and taped a class - they have only done 150 in the entire USA so it shows they think Prof Schmidt is really good.