Claude Welch - University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), Buffalo, NY

Professor: Claude Welch

Department: Political Science

College: University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), Buffalo, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSC438
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I graduated a few years ago but I've come back to rate this man. Legit he's the best professor I ever had. He gives challenging assignments and exams, but his lectures and readings are incredibly well done. He's also just very kind and helpful. He's a bit up there in age, so take the opportunity to take a course from him while you still can.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took Dr Welch's class in Singapore, and he is great! Funny guy, knows his material really well, tried his best to make the class interesting. Pop quizzes back then were things from the textbook, so be sure to read it. Exams were content from both textbook and lectures, so pay attention in class too. Would definitely take his classes again!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSC438
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very friendly professor with a wealth of knowledge. Focuses on coup d'etat. Class however was average. Gives off the impression of being easy but you have to put in effort if you want a high grade. Half the things he talks about won't make it to quizzes or tests. READ what he assigns it will help a lot.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSC430
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best Human Rights professor out there. If you want to learn about human rights, if you are passionate for it, you take his class. End of story.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Lectures not important for tests. They just supplement the readings. But he does have 2/3 questions on the test that come from the lectures. If you read the textbook you should be fine. Have a good TA, they prepare you for everything. Tests are open book but make sure you know where everything is or else you'll be flipping pages the entire time

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you have any interest in maintaining GPA then DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR. He is the worst teacher I have ever encountered. Doesn't talk about virtually anything during lectures yet his tests are VERY DIFFICULT. ONLY 10% of a 3 credit course gets an A. The only people who like him are the kids ok with getting a B in World Civ. Total ass teacher.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very overdone for a 100 level class. "open book" tests were too long to be able to open the book. Promised curve, but there was none. very disappointed.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

Lectures were nice, BUT 75% of what he said wasn't even tested. You could probably get an A in the class by just reading and not showing up to lectures. Tests are way too long and you won't have time to use your notes. For a 3-credit course it was way overdone.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

Claude Welch is an extraordinary professor. His tests are fair. They're all open book! His classes are fun as well and you'll always be entertained. Just make sure you dont fall behind in readings. Other than you'll be fine!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

While the topic can be boring, Professor Welch does a good job keeping the students awake and alert through video usage and sometimes strange outbursts. Funny guy sometimes too. Tests are easy as there are online practice questions and exam notes and the book are allowed during the test. No homework, just a presentation for one Rec. class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

Professor Welch is a great Teacher and classes are very funny (he even sings in class). His exams are hard because you have 70 min to complete 25 multiple questions, 4 open questions, and an essay... But you can use your book and notes for the exam...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSC430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He teaches Human Rights, but I get the feeling he's pretty self-absorbed. He gives his personal opinion way too much, which is generally the same as any typical "activist's" opinion. I feel he generally thinks he's pretty smart, too. He even tried to give a friggin' chinese lesson once, thinking no one would realize how bad he was butchering it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSC430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had no interest in Human Rights prior to this class; my interest and appreciation has grown considerably. If you listen to him and study the stuff he pretty much flat out tells you is going to be on the exam, then you will do fine. I didn't do very well because I'm lazy, but that's beside the point. Welch is a cool guy, in my opinion.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

Welch is extremely knowledgeable about the subject and is a very interesting speaker. Attendance at lecture isn't mandatory, but all exam questions are from the notes. Book is unnecessary. Highly recommend taking his class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: UE112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pretty straightforward lectures and exams. Take notes in class, and maybe supplement with notes from the book, depending on how much you know. Lectures and exams are pretty good, and sometimes fun. Most of his tangents and stories are fascinating. IF you don't read the text in history, no one can help you.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

To be honest, it was such an easy class. Granted, you had to work efficiently in order to finish the tests, but all what he tests are class notes. No need to read the book, at all. He's very smart as well and sometimes the lectures are a bit dry, they're very informative. I'd recommend him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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:

He's an okay professor, probably one of the better ones that you can get for world civ. All tests are open note but in order to do well on the two midterms you must do the readings beforehand which I found to be annoying. Don't worry about the final though, its worth more points and you have enough time to look everything up.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: UGC112
• 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 hard to be enthusiastic about a class required for all students, but this guy definitely is. He often talks about his extensive traveling, which is fascinating (and sometimes hilarious). The exams are pretty difficult, but not impossible as long as you keep up with the readings.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSC370
• 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:

Best professor I had at UB! highly recommend him....very nice and easy to talk to. Keep up with the reading and you will do great.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC430
• 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:

Prof. Welch is incredibly knowledgeable on the topic of human rights specially because he has spent his entire academic career contributing to the field of human rights. He is published Oxford University Press, Harvard University Press and is one of the best in his field. The class however is very challenging but rewarding.