Thomas Preston - Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Professor: Thomas Preston

Department: Political Science

College: Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS427
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Preston is great! Extremely knowledgeable about international relations and provides his own perspective and experience as examples for what he is teaching. Only two tests and a cool simulation at the end of the semester (based purely off participation -- but it's really fun!). Study the powerpoint slides lots (online) and you'll be fine.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLSCI427
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class has 3 grades. 2 exams 40% each and 1 RPG simulation purely attendance based. The 2 exams are incredibly challenging, half MC half essay. The essay can be prepared in bullet form prior to the exam. The MC is very deep and difficult to know without really knowing the material. The RPG is incredible and makes the class worthwhile. No papers.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS424
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Preston has extensive experience in the field clearly cares about his students and has super easy tests. Some big projects, but he explains why they are useful skills for your future job. Engaging lectures, had no interest in national security before taking this class. But he's such a great lecturer, I enjoyed every minute.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS424
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor. He really knows what he is lecturing about. Lectures can get pretty long but they are incredibly interesting. His policy simulation for 424 takes a lot of time and effort but its a great learning experience. His exams are long but he gives a complete study guide a week prior so you know exactly what will be on the exam.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS429
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not very good at all. Lots of reading, lectures that are not helpful, and boring class discussions.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PS429
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best political science class I have ever taken

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS424
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class is pretty easy because he gives a study guide of EXACTLY what hes going to put on the test at least a week prior to the test. There is a 15 page paper to write but you have all semester to do it and are told about it right off the bat. Lectures are sometimes boring but he really does now his stuff. Posts slides online

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI429
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really knows what he is talking about

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS427
• 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:

It's been several years since I've taken a class from Prof. Preston, but I can honestly say he is still one of my favorite professors of all time. His classes are arranged in a way that makes them incredible interesting and fun to attend. Smart guy, knows what he's doing, and cares about his students! I would recommend to anyone to take him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS427
• 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:

This professor knows what he is talking about. There was a legit simulation towards the end of class that was well worth the time spent. This class is challenging, while not unfair, and it is interesting. This combination makes it one of my favorite classes to date.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS427
• 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:

This class was incredible. It gave me a look into the world of policy, and I am endlessly fascinated. We even did a policy simulation, which was awesome, and the professor is just cool. He expects a lot, but he also knows just about everything, and he's very engaging. A lot of thinking and learning, which was awesome.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took this class for summer. It was extremely interesting and the information was presented in a way that made it easy to understand. He is a great professor if your goal is to actually learn something!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS429
• 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:

This guy knows his stuff. He expects a lot out of the class, including a substantial amount of writing and outside preparation, but he grades fairly and if you take the class seriously you will learn more in a semester than you thought possible. INCREDIBLE prof, great experience and an asset to WSU.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS424
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While very knowledgeable, instructor is very biased towards personal beliefs and presents them as fact. Quick to point out his infinite experience in the field and teaches class off of 10 year old overheads that are not current. Also requires students to purchase his personally authored book as a text book, which seems like a conflict of interest

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLSCI424
• 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:

Great teacher but difficult class. I learned more from this class than any class I have ever taken. Although difficult, I would recommend because you learn so much. On a different note, someone said he was biased and will grade you down. I disagree. If you present an idea and back it up with sources then you're ok. One of the best teachers I've had

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS429
• 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:

LOVED THIS CLASS!! Preston is the best teacher!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

cool

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS424
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is SOOO proud that HE worked with the CIA! He is so full of himself, and if you disagree with him in your papers, you are wrong, and he grades you down. The entire class is about how the US is wrong, the US provokes everyone else, the US spends too much on it's military, and how the Bush admin. is so simple, Preston could do much better.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS427
• 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:

Dr. Preston is totally awesome, and his exams aren't too bad either. We had a four week "Russia Crisis" simulation, and have a relatively simple final. Preston is well-rounded, and supports the military, but tells it like it is when "stuff" hits the fan. Overall, awesome professor, learned lots!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS103
• 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 thought he was a big dork on the first day but I was wrong. He actually turned out to be one of the better profesors I have had in the Poli Sci Department. Pretty funny too.