Thomas Rourke - Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA

Professor: Thomas Rourke

Department: Political Science

College: Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS325
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I will say his lower level classes are pretty easy, yes it's a lot of notes but if you study them you'll pass. Now his upper level courses, those are a little yuck! All his classes are lectures so they tend to drag, but it's just because he's more old school with his teachings. Attendance for all his classes are mandatory though.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PS366
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor and teacher, helpful, lots of writing. He has strong pro-life views and attempts to impart them on students however he can. Took him for PS 366: Political Ideologies and we covered everything from Conservatism to Communism but he made the last unit on a pro-life book unrelated to the rest of the course.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PS325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class is dull but the information is interesting. Lots of notes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Rourke gives lectures for this class by having his notes on a slide sheet for all to see. If you are able to write clear notes that can help you remember what he is teaching, you should be alright with the tests. Don't fall asleep, though! His lectures can sometimes drag.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS 304
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a different professor. I liked him but hes very boring and loud, also his pacing around the room made me nervous. If you show up and do your work you will most likely get an A. His sweaters are awesome also! I believe he may be out on leave right now but im sure he will return.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PUBLICPOLICY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

prepare to take 4 pages of notes a day

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PS366
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class feels like it never ends. He talks the entire time and never and it is hard to listen to because he is so boring. Never cancels class and never lets you out early. He is an incredibly hard grader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy A if you a.) show up to class, b.) pay attention, c.) do your assignments, and d.) study your notes before you take his exams. Rather boring class, as he tends talk about each topic ad nauseum. Didn't need the textbook as everything was in his notes on the board. Book review wasn't bad, exams weren't too hard. Overall, not a bad professor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PS210
• 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:

Dr. Rourke is one of the best professors I've ever had. Although everyone states that his lectures are "dry" or "boring", you have to take from the class what you want. If you sit through class and listen tentatively, the amount of stuff you'll learn is insane. He knows so much about this subject that he is able to talk for the entire class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PS210
• 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 boring class. Information is interesting but his voice is terrible. Wears the same sweater often. You will need to constantly be taking notes. Book project is easy. His tests are many based on facts, not "what if" situations. So they are overall easy

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL210
• 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:

You have to like political science to really like his classes, you probably won't enjoy him as much if your just taking the class as an elective. Dr. Rourke is one of those professors who knows so much about the subject it's absurd so if your really into political science you'll really like his class he's also one of the few teachers I know who is capable of being unbiased as well as separating religion from politics, if you pay attention, he wears a St. Michael medallion in class sometimes.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PS211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's not exciting, but there are worse teachers. If you're interested in political science, you shouldn't find him too boring. His homework assignments are straightforward, and his exams are EASY, so difficulty isn't really an issue. Just take good notes (and try not to stare at his sweaters), and you should do fine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: INTROPS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very dry, lectures tend to be vey boring and long, and he paces back and forth alot! He does tend to go off on tangents for long periods of time. Its taught right from the book. He means well. SWEATERS ARE AMAZING!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PS211
• 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:

Dr. Rourke is da bomb! And his Furry sweaters are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I just want to pet them! But no seriously he is an alright teacher!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher who wants you to succeed, just incredibly boring. Tries to make sure you understand. But ugh, those sweaters he wears...

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a good professor. The class is interesting and he's a good speaker, however, I agree, he is very dry. Sometimes it's difficult to pay attention when he goes off on tangents. However, the class is worth the effort. He's very understanding and his expectations are reasonable. I would recommend the class to anyone interested in the subject.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took many classes with him while I was at Clarion. I graduated 4 years ago and I have to say he was my best instructor. He is a genuinely nice and good person. Great instructor. If you find the material boring and you are PoliSci then it's you.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PS210
• 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:

i think hes great. its hard not to pass his class. he lays everything out there for you. you just have to be interested in the stuff he teaches to stay awake i believe. alot of kids dont even show up to my class anymore but its obvious theyre not motivated in life itself either.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: INTROPOLI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is a really nice guy. but he is really dry. all and all he wants you to pass and do well. the tests are hard but if you pay attention to the readings you will do fine

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: INTROPOLISCI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very dry - you won't see this guy smile too often. Gives different kinds of tests every semester, we had all essays - but in my opinion he graded them leniently. 3 tests and the lowest is dropped. I got an A - it just all depends on whether or not you can stay awake.