Thomas Schaller - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Professor: Thomas Schaller

Department: Political Science

College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a tough teacher and wants to make sure that you come to class and pay attention. We had 5 question reading quizzes every Monday that were hard. I am a bad reader so it was difficult for me to get above a 3 or 4. The final exam was all written but he gave a good outline of what it was going to be which helped a lot for studying.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is a very hard class. The books required are not textbooks, but actual books you would probably find in a local Barnes and Noble. The class is based off of 3 tests and have to get at least a 91.5% to get an A. The material is interesting, but I would not recommend taking this course with him

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the hardest teachers I've ever had and to this day I regret taking his class. He failed about 75% of the students in all three of his classes COMBINED, and these so-called 'textbooks' were more political statements than anything. If your a Republican or moderate don't take this class he will hate you the minute he finds out.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI100323327
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Schaller. He is incredibly knowledgable about electoral politics & a fair grader. 100 is exams. 323 & 327 are quizzes and papers. He assigns fantastic reading material and the paper topics are thought-provoking and fun to write. You leave his classes with solid understanding of political theory that you can apply to any course you take.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Profressor Schaller is an excellent instructor, lively and passionate. BUT be prepared to do the work and do not slack off, people often fail this class thinking it be easy and have to retake it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECON101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's very knowledgeable about politics and clearly shows it. He always keeps the class well entertained, though he gets off topic sometimes about personal stories & repeats himself from time to time. If you're willing to learn though, you should have no problem with his class. My grades amy not have reflected how much I learned, but I learned a lot

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI100
• 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:

Take this class seriously! Study all the powerpoints before exams. You gotta memorize. Go to class and watch out for his hints! Be prepared to study!!! He's a great guy full of laughs but his class is tough!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is super knowledgeable about what he is teaching, it is obviously something that he enjoys talking about. Offers lots of opportunity to get help. He's very funny and tries to be current. I would only recommend this class if you already know/are really interested in learning about government/politics...I was not.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

Only take this class with him. He's super intelligent, clear, and personable (and occasionally hilarious.) I enjoyed going to class and got A's on everything.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

Best class ever. He is very clear and his lectures are entertaining. His tests are essays of key concepts from his power points, with occasional terms from the book. He is very clear in his expectations. Many kids don't do well, but I don't understand why. I didn't take notes but sat and listened and read and I got an A

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

If you come to class, read the book and take notes you will get an A or a B. If you slack, or do not take notes in class/do not attend, be prepared to have your GPA ruined by this class. Schaller's class is not a joke, he is not afraid to fail you. To get an A in his class you must get a 92% or higher as your final grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

How to get an A in this course: Each class he says 3-6 things that need to be memorized. AFTER EACH CLASS, PUT THESE THINGS ON NOTECARDS. The rest of the time is spent explaining these things. For the readings, just look at the "big picture" the author is trying to paint. Schaller will tell you anything more specific than that.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Schaller was one of the best teachers I've ever had. He is one of the reasons I decided to major in political science. His class is not easy, but he does not use textbooks, and assigns great reads. If you do the work, he is fair and you will get a good grade. Also very funny, and keeps you paying attention during his lectures.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

His exams were easy as long as you put the effort into studying. Mostly just understanding examples or how things worked which he explains in vivid detail in class. Very funny and relaxed professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLI458
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at UMBC! He expects a great deal from his students, but if you keep up it is well worth it. Take any class you can with him!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

Awesome Teacher!! His lectures are very interesting and entertaining, and make me want to come to class! Hands out memos as key portion of notes which is really helpful. Reading is current non-fiction as opposed to textbooks, and is always relevant to current events. You will learn so much in this class it's insane. Take this class!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• 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:

He is an awesome professor and teaches the class so that you're not covering the same boring info you've go through your whole life about government. He was on the colbert report too. He has an attitude that makes him entertaining too. Highly recommended.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI1000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

there it is.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is great. He tells it like it is! All of these other people giving him low ratings are doing so because they can't deal with the fact that government is the way it is. He backs up all of his information with HARD facts. He discusses race and hard poltical issues. Read the texts because one or two questions are always taken from them on exams

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING professor. he is my favorite professor of all time. I can't wait to take more of his classes