Cynthia Hody - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Professor: Cynthia Hody

Department: Political Science

College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI487
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Hody taught me Poli 487 in 1990. Her acumen re: Hegemonic Stability Theory, enabled me to retire from one of the largest Multinational Banks, by age 40, w/ an abundant Pension. I've used her intelligentsia, coupled w my Econ. degree frm UMBC to capitalize emerging financial markets. My suggestion: Pay attention, do the work, & thank her

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLI384
• 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 Hody is a unique professor who employs the discussion-based method. Extremely engaging and positive. For those in the IR subfield, Dr Hody defintely falls under the liberal category on the liberal-realist spectrum. If you're interested in international organizations and the cooperation side of IR, she's the professor to take.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI487
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class is engaging and intellectually stimulating. I knew little about int'l political economics prior to taking this class, but the readings were informative (though at times quite dense); never felt like I was behind in understanding content discussed in class. Liberal bent, but if you are able to justify your position you will be taken seriously

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI387
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is a very tough grader, her criticism can be down right nit-picky. If you have a lot of free time, take this class. This class requires more time and effort than a regular class. If you're not going to put in the work to keep up with the readings and do extensive research don't bother taking this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLI289
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class is just a lecture; which would be okay if the lecture didn't move so quickly. The class is reading heavy with around 200 pgs of required readings per lesson, in addition to the corresponding textbook chapter. Essays are divided between the TAs and professor for grading. Even though they follow the same rubric your grade depends on who you get

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

To put it simply, there is no one like her. She is the most unique professor I've ever had. She makes you think outside of the box rather than the confines of a textbook. The literature you read in her class seems impossible, but it is the difficult literature that prepares you for the future. She pushes the limits and brings out your potential!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL487
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

class was reading and writing intensive, be prepared to read, a lot! That said, it was fun and intellectually engaging. Gives plenty of opportunity to improve grades, as long as you do the work no way will fail. Big on reading and participating in class. No tests. 4 written papers spread over the course. papers get 2nd chance to review and resubmit

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLI280
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you take a class with Hody, expect to work if you want a good grade. There's no getting around it. My grade depended on two things, quizzes and essays. Each essay was 25% and all quizzes were 25% together. I barely clutched a B but only because my essays were A's. You will struggle but you will learn and get better. You will fail 1st essay.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 487
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Hody is an incredible professor. She was by far my most inspiring teacher at UMBC. I took the writing intensive IR class with her, and International Political Economy with her. Both were challenging. Do not just skim and expect to pass examspapers. But you will be successful if you put in decent work and pay attention! HAVE SOLID THESES!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLI281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hody teaches a tough class. She's extremely intelligent and she knows exactly what she's talking about. If you're not a poli sci or a global studies major, you probably shouldn't take this class, unless you're willing to get deep into international relations. In this class you will learn a lot, and you will learn to write well. Utilize your TAs!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLI281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I wasn't sure about Dr. Hody at first, but I am now taking her for the second time and she's fantastic. She's very outspoken and opinionated which is what put me off at first, but when it comes down to it, she is a super sweet lady who is passionate about politics and really gets to know her students. Tons of reading, but 1010 would take again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 281
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is by far the best professor i have ever had, ever. A lot of these reviews note that her class is not easy, but she makes you want to do the work not only for your grade but for the content. Her capability to guide class discussion motivates you and you will walk out ever day having learned. class attendance is not mandated but rewarded.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLI380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely genius professor, makes class absolutely fascinating. A ton of reading due every class, but it's quite captivating and powerful. She makes International RElations fun, and really interesting. Easily the best professor I've ever had!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI387
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very good teacher. Check grammar in your papers at least twice and read the book.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLI280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hody talks mostly about events in history and not much about the materials in the text or necessary for exams. Essays are more important and use the crazy amount of outside reading as support. Grades essays in a strange manner, but does allow rewrites. Outside reading is massive and very time consuming. 30+ and sometimes 50+ per reading, 8 per exam

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLI387
• 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:

A 300 level poli course won't be the easiest thing, but Hody makes it interesting. We don't always stay on topic but class is more interesting that way.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class can be really dry, especially the material. The professor is nice and tries to make it more exciting. Unfortunately, she often steers into random political rantings and doesn't cover most of what is in the exam. The class has A LOT of readings and the exam can be extremely challenging. Invest a lot of time and you'll be fine.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI387
• 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:

Hody is quite literally the best professor I've ever had at UMBC. Anyone that can get someone like me interested in Political Economics is short of a miracle worker.She is very sweet and she allows you to use your participation in class in place of bad quiz scores, whcih has saved me many times. All in all, I have learned a lot.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLI309
• 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:

Love her, didn't love the class. First time offered and was selected topic, but not official class. Pretty much reading and weekly online quizzes were hard. Needs some ironing out which I'm sure she'll do. She is SO nice and helpful though that it made up for it. I highly recommend her, iffy on the class

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI309
• 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:

HODY IS AWESOME!! I took my first political science class with her and she really got me interested. She is hilarious in class, offers extra credit participation points. Very few big assignments but weekly quizzes on blackboard. Watch your grammar though, she is a stickler for it. Fun class! Highly recommended instructor!! WE LOVE HODY!!!!!!!!