Jodi Finkel - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

Professor: Jodi Finkel

Department: Political Science

College: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMPARITIVE150
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I loved Comparative Politics with Prof. Finkel. She is one of the most interesting professors I've ever had and am taking another one of her classes next semester. There are only a few things you are graded on and although attendance isn't mandatory, you will most likely only be successful if you attend. She has amazing stories and advice. 10/10

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ACC201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Finkel explain what I did wrong.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMPARITIVE150
• 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:

Professor Finkel is the best professor I have had so far. Her lectures are insightful. It's important to pay attention because she bases a lot of the midterm/final on lecture. There are readings every night but they are relevant to the material you are learning in class. You are graded on 1 Midterm/1 Paper/ 1 Final. Challenging but worth it.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Finkel is honestly an amazing professor. Her class is a lot of work, but you get a lot out of it too. I highly recommend taking at least one class with her during your time at LMU, especially if you want to learn something new.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS0
• 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:

There are very few things she grades. There is only a midterm, a paper, and the final. She is a very hard grader. If you skip her class you won't pass. DONT TAKE HER CLASS.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was not easy, but doable if you're willing to put in the work. I don't think Professor Finkel understands that her students have other classes, some that give just as much work. If you don't want to read a 20 page excruciatingly boring article for every class, then this won't be the class for you. Grade is two exams one essay and a quiz.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Super smart woman, holds you to a high caliber. Be ready to do every assigned reading, AND GO TO HER OFFICE HOURS. She will give u specifics on how to do well in her class. Likes demonstrated interest. Learned a lot, but very challenging. Wouldn't shy away bc of it, have to learn how to work the way she wants u to.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class made me learn a lot about identifying arguments as a Political Science major. Grades are heavily based off exams and the paper. Her lectures are very well organized, but the class is extremely difficult for being an intro class. In order to get a good grade, visit office hours frequently and memorize the arguments of the readings.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Finkel is probably the best teacher I have ever had. Passionate, clear, and thoroughly interesting. I energetically payed attention in class, and came to office hours occasionally. However, I failed the midterm and had to withdraw from the class. It really comes down to if you care about life-long knowledge, or your grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMPARITIVE150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are based on the outline she writes. Speaks too fast and doesn't understand that students have other classes to care about too. Must memorise all the terms and readings. Avoid at all cost unless you want sleepless and anxiety filled nights in your future.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• 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:

An amazing professor and person. There's a ton of reading and she is a tough grader, but it is definitely doable. She makes the lectures super interesting with personal anecdotes from living abroad, and the class is almost worth taking just for those. Not an easy A , but if you want to get something more out of your tuition and time, take her class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS5720
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Finkel is an amazing professor who truly cares about her students and is SUPER SUPER educated. She is well respected in the POLS dept at LMU and by her students. Get ready to read a lot and write a lot. She is tough and intimidating at first but quickly warms up to the class. She's understanding and is always up for a conversation.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS5720
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Finkel is one of the best professors I've had at LMU. She sparked my interest and passion for human rights. Though she is one of the hardest graders I've had, her class is worth it. You will be engaged and happy to learn from her. The papers, lectures, and discussions are thought provoking and makes you want to show up for class. T

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS1400
• 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:

Prof. Finkel is honestly one of the best. Her lectures are extremely interesting and she always goes out of her way to ensure the success of her students. Although I did okay on the first midterm, I aced both the final and the paper and manage to get an A in the end. The textbook is also optional since she lectures from it. Memorize everything!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMPARITIVE150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you care about your GPA, don't take this class. If you care about your education, definitely take this class. If I were to make an instructional DVD on how to lecture, I'd use her lectures, as they are extremely good, but she enjoys her reputation as one of the hardest graders in the department, so its a difficult intro class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMPARITIVE150
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

not easy. grade is three things: midterm, final, and paper. reading the articles is necessary, and there is a lot of it. Textbook reading not necessary. Lecture heavy. Attendance not strict but helpful. Professor cares a lot about students, office hours are great, and lectures are clear.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: INTHUMANRIGH
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

SHE IS AMAZING! Great professor that will be willing to mentor you and guide you as long as she sees you are dedicated to her class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS155
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You will learn a lot but this class will murder your GPA if you dont devote several hours per night.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS155
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

HARDEST PROFESSOR I have had as an lmu student so far!! You MUST memorize ALL the readings and articles (which are ridiculously long/confusing) or you'll be screwed midterm/final time. I had to withdraw as a straight A/B student. Very nice woman though, takes time for questions. Intense lectures, no time for talk. Beware!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS155
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far the hardest course I have taken. However, it is also the course I learned the most. So difficult but looking back, I think it was more than worth it. Expect an ass-kicking; a long, overdue ass-kicking.