Tony Solari - North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Professor: Tony Solari

Department: Political Science

College: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS310
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

My favorite professor. I learned a lot, and I never felt stressed in this class. His lectures are interesting, and I honestly wanted to come to class. There were 3 mandatory paper, and an extra credit 4th paper. Use peer-reviewed sources on papers. Absolutely no reading or homework required. I love Dr. Solari, highly recommend!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Taken as a GEP because I like political science. Honestly, I hated it. He might be better for people who are PS majors/minors. Class was nothing more than basic civics and he got off topic telling stories about his lobbying often. The papers are easy but he won't cover the paper topics in class until the week of the paper or sometimes not at all.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PS201ANDPS361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really qualified, charismatic guy. I took PS 361 and 201 from him in the same semester and he was great in both classes. Heard lots of the same stories though. 361: lots of required reading but I never read and got an A. 201: lecture style, kinda boring. 2 essays and the final are the only graded work- all pretty easy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic teacher who kept the energy alive in a class that would've otherwise dragged unbelievably long. Very well versed in course material, keeps lectures unbiased, and highly encourages and welcomes classroom participation. Very difficult class though, very few grades that are heavy hitters.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher Ive had @ State.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I found the teacher tough but fair. Good feedback on papers and he will read drafts and comment so you can get a better grade. Incredible lectures. How is it that Dr. Solari is not a regular member of the faculty of N.C. State?

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The interesting thing about this teacher is the wide breath and depth of his knowledge. He links together ideas and thinkers in unusual ways. Cares about ideas and the life of the mind and makes you see how important those are to a full life. You need to do the reading and attend class. He does not go over readings like so many professors.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PS462
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

"Politics of Past and Future" one of the most unusual, different courses I have had. It introduced me to an entirely new set of views on society and politics. How leaders use history and future thinking to justify what they do. Readings are "not the usual suspects" including Freud, Sade, science fiction, movies, music. Take this if you can

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class to fulfill a requirement. Did not expect much. Not really interested in politics, but the class fit my schedule and I had heard good things. Glad I took the class. Gave me a whole new perspective on politics and really kept my interest. I really liked all the current articles he sent students to illustrate course material

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PY3XX
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As an African American student I very much appreciated the extensive look at African American Political Thought in his class. Prof. Solari is down to earth, accessible. Gave me lots of feedback on drafts of my paper. I really like him saying it was his obligation to help us once we graduate with letters or calls when we job hunt.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I have had. Knows his subject matter. His use of Heidegger in explaining Transcendentalism this semester was so incredible. You HAVE TO READ!! People say they did not buy the textbooks, but that is only shorting themselves. If you don't use texts in your essays you are penalized. I looked forward to this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PS201H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I ever had at NC State. I am a conservative student. Dr. Solari does not penalize students for their views. If you argue your case well and use evidence, you are given a fair grade. Many professors penalize conservative students or they are made to feel uncomfortable. This was never the case here. He keeps his views to himself.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the absolute best professors I ever had. Runs rings around the "tenured" faculty. Professor Solari knows his subject matter, is able to engage students and makes the material very interesting. I learned a lot that changed my view of things from when I came into the class. You need to do the reading to get the most out of the class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I have ever had. His legislative experience is super impressive but he is also a great teacher. Always willing to help you out if you want to learn. He ended up writing a job recommendation for me years after I took his class. Great guy. Take his class if you have the option.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best Professor I've ever had.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Without a doubt, one of my favorite professors. His lectures are phenomenally brilliant and extremely insightful with regards to politics.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PS502
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Only assigned 3-4 papers throughout the semester with extremely vague prompts and absolutely no rubrics or standards for grading. Lecture attendance was totally optional and deadlines were flexible to nonexistent.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor. Charismatic, funny, definitely knows his stuff and beyond.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PS201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

While Dr. Solari has a lot of insightful political experience, I didn't learn anything about government I didn't know from high school civics. His only written assignments are a few long opinion papers with broad prompts, and his lectures were mostly tangents about his days in government and discussions about the election. Waste of time.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Didn't buy the textbook and went to the lib and used it only when I needed it for my papers. Class is long but he keeps it stimulating and there is a lot of discussion so its not bad. 4 papers only write 2 and final paper. Grades kinda hard, but open o change if you feel its necessary. Overall average class, and very nice guy. Emails back quickly.