Barry Maxwell - Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Barry Maxwell

Department: Political Science

College: Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took this class online. Not much work, easy to manage. You get used to his grading style after a couple tries. Going to his office hours will HELP you. My grades seriously improved after. Online class requires one huge research paper but it's easy if you follow the criteria and start early. Overall pretty good, pretty easy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST221
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Isn't the most clear

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He gives the worst feedback, and doesn't respond to emails or messages about the work. He grades based on his opinion, and marks you down if he disagrees. Overall, good teacher, as in i learned a lot, but not great methods. I will never take one of his classes again, and every person I have talked to that has had him has had the same experience.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was okay. The discussions and quizzes were pretty straight forward. However, there is a research project that's a big chunk of your grade so if you're just taking this class as a general requirement and not for fun, I wouldn't recommend it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is for people who want to learn something, not just get an easy 'A.' There IS a lot of reading but f you want a good grade you have to put in good effort. It's not his fault if you don't. He is pretty reasonable. Take responsibility for yourself in his class and do your best to keep up. It's big boy/girl time.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Barry has been one of my favorite professors. He really knows his stuff, that's for sure! Although the class is tough and requires a lot of reading, he provides a lot of information to help you succeed, as well as a lot of wiggle room with assignments! I don't know why he gets such a bad rep, but if you're ready for a heavy load take Barry's class!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL220
• 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:

No matter what is said in class, Maxwell will find a reason to back you in a corner and make you feel stupid. No matter how hard you work or try, your grade wont be as good as deserved.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Gives unnecessary group discussions and too many work.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good luck getting an A in this class. One of the hardest grading professors that I've had in my life. It's very difficult to get full points on the weekly discussions and assignments, he takes off points for small reasons.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I enjoyed Barry's class quite a bit. It is difficult but I seriously believe people overhype how difficult the class is. You just have to stay on top of things and he is usually pretty chill with grading as long as you show up and put in effort. Not an easy class but definitely not an overwhelmingly difficult one.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am a hard worker. My GPA is 3.7 and I've always worked hard to keep it that way. This class was an absolute horror. I would often email him asking questions and it would take him days to get back. He never clarified things but then would mark you down on them. Didn't give feedback and didn't help AT ALL. Don't take him! WORST TEACHER EVER.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST225
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't get why Barry gets such a bad rep. I took his Mid-East history class online and it wasn't bad. If you do reading/watching, get things in on time, and put effort into your work, you'll pass. However, if you really want to succeed, stay on top of current events that pertain to your class-subject. He appreciates subject knowledge.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI202
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good Teacher if you talk to him outside of class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IDS210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Barry is a nice guy, but pretty stern and wont take any bs. TONS of reading and 1-2 hr documentary and about 6-8 pgs worth of answers to discussion questions a week. Also, when he says work on your research project an hour a week... HE MEANS IT. THAT THING IS 25+ PAGES LONG. Dont slack, its easy to fall far behind. Good class, though. I loved it!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: IDS210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't agree with many of the post I read on here. However, I took his Interdisciplinary Studies cover Econ, Envir and polisci. I enjoy the subject of the course,all material was interesting. Show you care and he responses in kind. Barry was open minded, fair, respectable, good communication. Lecture were okay. Lots of homework and reading.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST225
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Barry is a good teacher. If you show him that you care he will help you succeed. No quizzes, Only one exam: Essay style final. Weekly papers and discussions, be sure to prepare for the discussions. 2 presentations (Battle and leader). Not very big on creativity, so be sure to follow his instructions word for word. He has funny quips now and then!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL202
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The discussions and tests aren't too bad if you do the reading and find good sources. However, where he fails the most at his job is the research project that is due at the end of the quarter. The class average was a 14 out of a 100, he fails to explain to people what needs improvement from the rough draft and adds a sentence or two on the draft.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The worst teacher I've ever had. He's very condescending and makes you feel very stupid. He's rude and thinks he's always right no matter what. When I had to present, he asked questions that didn't pertain to the presentation or things that I already covered. I didn't learn anything and I left with low-self esteem. Lectures are insanely boring too.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLIS202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I love learning but he made me not care about the subject. By the end of the quarter, I was mentally and emotionally exhausted, just barely slogging through. There is too much reading every week, he gives little help, and the research project was confusing and misleading. Despite everything, I still got an 'A.' Go figure and avoid this professor!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class online. The directions on some assignments/discussions were not clear. A lot of the weekly quiz questions were worded misleadingly. It is hard to get full points for anything.