Francesca Vassallo - University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

Professor: Francesca Vassallo

Department: Political Science

College: University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Seems tough at first but just has specific expectations. Funny during lectures and very informational. Kept my attention all throughout class. Strict grader remembers dates!!!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Shes my favorite professor so far! Her class is work-heavy, but SO interesting. I cannot express how much I love her class. There is a ton of work so dont take this class if youre not ready to put 100% into assignments. I wish she would teach all of my classes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Vassallo is tough but caring and will help students because she wants you to pass but of course that all depends on how much you want to pass. There is a lot of homework and the exams are tough so prepare well in advance. I only got an A on my last paper. Weekly homework are relatively easy. Work hard and you'll pass.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Does not know how to teach comparative politics. Instead of covering concepts and discussing case studies that would fall into those concepts, she discusses ALL the related concepts that a country falls into. It is very difficult to understand. If you can take this class at SMCC & transfer it in to avoid this professor, DO IT. I got an A at SMCC.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vassallo is extremely knowledgeable about her subject matter. She is willing to work with students who struggle and she gives excellent feedback.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 102J6363
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Absolute worst professor I have ever had. She needs to get out of the teaching business. Does not care about her students. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 85030
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bounced around topics a lot.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Students do not like her because she expects you to attend class and do the work. She is brilliant, speaks four or five languages and knows things about the whole world. If you just want to breeze through college and learn as little as possible then avoid her. But if you want to be challenged then she is a good choice.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Students do not like her because she expects you to attend class and do the work. I liked her. She is brilliant, speaks four or five languages and knows things about the whole world.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POS460
• 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:

Professor Vasallo is a fantastic teacher. She is very knowledgable and gives clear direction. She may not seem warm and fuzzy but thats just a facade and her professionalism. If you need help from her she is there and she cares about her students and their academics.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POSMANY
• 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:

Dr. Vassallo is by far one of the best PoliSci professors I have had. She is difficult but fair, and always willing to speak to a student when they need help. She has accessible office hours on both campuses. Her grading may be strict, but I have loved taking classes with her. If you are interested in the subjects she teaches, it is a lot of fun.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• 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:

Francesca is very clear in her syllabus and in her directions in class. If you pay attention and try you'll get a decent grade. She is not a nice & friendly person but she knows what she's talking about. She takes academics VERY seriously, which is probably why most students @ USM don't like her. I enjoyed her commitment to our learning.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POS204
• 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:

I really don't mind Professor Vassallo a whole lot. Despite the very difficult nature of the class, she makes it fairly easy to understand the material. She also gives the class a lot of opportunities to further their knowledge in the Political Science field, but not for extra credit. Her accent can get a bit annoying at times

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POSALL
• 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:

I have taken a bunch of Classes with Prof. Vassallo. I will admit I was unhappy my first time with her, but after learning her style, she is very clear and predictable. I have taken four classes with her now and have received an A from her. It is not impossible, just try. Put in a little effort. She is much better during non-intro level classes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POS203
• 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: N/A

Comment:

I can honestly say she is by far the most difficult and boring professor I have ever had. Plus her voice is like nails on a chalk bored, gave me a headache every time I went in the room. The class was only difficult because she assumes everyone understands her teaching ability, its like a robot. For this type of class you need a fun professor

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POS203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awful if you can avoid her do yourself a favor she does not like to give As at all!She was not clear on what she wanted on assignments and then would take points off for not reading her mind. Only allows two absences unless you get her permission and she will fail you I think she enjoys it

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POSALL
• 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:

Please do not listen to the negative comments! Prof Vassallo is an amazing prof who makes it so easy to learn really difficult material. She takes a little time to adjust to, but it is totally worth the effort.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POS205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Vassallo is the worst professor. I had to withdraw from the class because she announced most of students will fail her class. I've attended multiple Universities and seen horrible instructors, but she is the worst professor I've ever taken class with. She is condescending! Avoid her at cost. Take it with anyone but just not her!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POS203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Spent 30 minutes wasting our time in the beginning of class by taking attendance and discussing non-informative "analytical questions".She makes students afraid of her.She discourages anyone from having an opinion.No creativity. Seems to enjoy making people feel stupid.Impossible to get an A. Worst teacher I have ever had.Mean and nasty.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EYE115
• 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:

She runs a good class. She knows exactly how to pick out students that don't know the material and likes to exercise that ability freely. She calls someone out almost once a class. Good sense of humor and keeps things rather interesting in class. Fair grader and is very helpful on essays and work that could be improved.