Stephen Farnsworth - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: Stephen Farnsworth

Department: Political Science

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSCI312
• 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:

One of my favorite professors at the university. He gives bipartisan examples in lectures, he shows real life interviews and videos to demonstrate the material, and he is very passionate about the material. He delivers grades back really fast too.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSCI471
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I take Dr. Farnsworth for a seminar class and it's my favorite class. There is a lot of reading in the first part of the class but it isn't unreasonable. He knows what he's talking about and he's always willing to meet with you during office hours or schedule other times to meet. There is a lot of participation involved but it's not hard to do.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSCI363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

"Off topic" sums up lectures. Hard grader, everything is written work, even exams. However, he does give good feedback on your writing.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 30501
• 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:

Very smart man. Knows what he is doing, but sometimes can be a bit off-topic. Regardless, he is more than welling to help when asked and enjoys a good political debate

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSCI201
• 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:

Good

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Farnsworth always kept the lectures interesting and gave very fair exams (other ppl didnt think so?) yes he does have opinions, who the hell doesnt? but he always welcomes everyone elses opinions too. not judgemental. so cool i made him my advisor

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Farnsy is a liberal who is very (over?)confident in himself. I disagree with most of what he thinks, but that has no bearing on him as a professor. He will accept any challenge to arguments he makes and will consider what you have to say. In my class I noticed the people who disagreed with him were often the most inarticulate. DON'T WASTE CLASS

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Rants a lot, has you read his own book. His field is the media, so you spend a lot of time covering that instead of learning about American Government. Interesting class, but not a good base if you are serious about poli sci/IA. Also, his essay section of his tests aren't hard, but the multiple choice are usually way out there...good luck

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 334
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very funny and smart guy (doesn't hurt that I'm also a dirty liberal from New England). The multiple choice questions on his tests are insane, he seems to take them from the footnotes. But if you read his book thoroughly and keep referencing it in the ess

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AMPRESIDENCY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Farnsy is a great prof. I loved his New Hampshire stories, haha. Very liberal -yes. Pessimistic -yes. But articulate, sets high standards, and is professional. And picks quality textbooks for his classes.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I've taken him for 3 clases now and I've found him to be one of the most helpful professors around (outside and inside).I found him very professional, even with his lefty leanings. Its not in any way that will bother you unless you're really narrow minded. READ THE BOOKS, they are the whole tests.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AMGOV
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

WORST PROFESSOR EVER. I was really excited to take this class, until I found out it was going to be an hour and 15 minutes of him talking about the books he's written and his liberal opinions on various aspects of politics. Doesn't actually teach anything from the book. Avoid at all costs

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSCI201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

intelligent, but just not the greatest teacher.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Haha, yeah he just sucks. Tells worthless stories that suck, cant conduct his class in a ruly manner, and remains to be a tough grader. Avoid if possible, move on.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this is the second class of his that i've been in where he's assigned us books he's written. Geez.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

hes knowledgeable, but too caught up in his own stuff (i.e. writing books). He tends to grade tough and will grade based on participation and how well he knows you. Avoid if possible.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

i am convinced that this man speaks just to hear the sound of his own voice. He is the single most self-involved. pompous professor i've ever met. It's really a shame, because they have him teach the 'important' classes, like AG and research/writing. If you must take him, just read-dont do class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSCI201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This guy is a jerk. I pay the school money for him to teach me, not to try and indoctrinate the class. Went too far before the election. It's okay to get excited, but keep your politics and anti-Bush sentiments out of the classroom. Teach us the process, not your opinions.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

What can you say about Farnsworth? For one his repeated "mkay's" during attendence make him sound that guy from South Park. If you take this class READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK, as his lectures involve his glorified vision of a liberal America, not test material. Intolerant of different opinions.