James Benze - Washington & Jefferson College

Professor: James Benze

Department: Political Science

College: Washington & Jefferson College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class itself is pretty equivalent to an AP Gov class in high school. Read the readings and study for tests and you'll be fine. He is not a curve ball-throwing teacher and is consistent in class content, grading, and test format, just try to get him back on track when he inevitably goes off-topic. The hardest part is focusing when he talks.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL212
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My least favorite professor. He doesn't take the time to know his students, uses outdated information, and is often demeaning in his interactions with students. You could find the vast majority of information presented during his class in a typical New York Times article. I made the mistake of taking him 2x during my college career.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Never encountered a professor as bad (at any level). Tries to start arguments in class and then can't defend them (gives wrong info) but is also mean/rude. Personally experienced a hard working student he made cry (attacking her family) and gave me a B on a paper for making it a "300-level paper in a 100-level class." DO NOT TAKE! WORST PROFESSOR!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL210
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Benze, is by far the worst professor I have ever experienced. I took his Urban Politics class, and it was the most miserable learning experience of my life. Not only is he overwhelmingly incompetent at his subject, he plagiarizes his notes from Wikipedia, and is insufferable to listen. On the bright side, if you read, its a pretty easy A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Benze is an average professor for W&J. His exams are pretty straight forward as long as you study. Format never varies and is essay heavy (gives you ample time to come up with something). His papers are weird but talk to him. If you have problems, see him outside of class and he will have a better opinion of you, and thus give you a better grade.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 3COURSES
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As my advisor, he's amazing. He gives students the freedom to do what they want. In class, as long as you do the ready and participate once per class, you're golden.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Benze is quirky, but if you talk to him in office hours, he's a really nice guy. If you put in effort/are a poli sci major then he pays more attention to you on a personal level. Taken him 3X & enjoyed every class. You have to enjoy politics to enjoy his class bc he teaches 100% by lecturing. Gives A's to those deserving of them, but isn't easy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Not a good teacher at all. Very dull and uninspiring. Doesn't acknowledge your existence and ignores you when you see him even though he had you in class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL210
• 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:

His voice can be annoying, especially at 8am, but he is probably my favorite teacher on campus. Most people dislike him because he is difficult but that is only because you need to know what to study for. Random facts and side notes are his bread and butter on tests. take good notes and your set and write as much as you can on essays

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLMANY
• 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:

One of the best professors on the campus. If you engage in intelligent conversation during class and outside of it, youll be fine. very quirky sense of humor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Benze takes attendance every day at the beginning of class and part of your grade depends on it. Yet he still lacks the ability to memorize names or ever even attempt. He is very nice though although he has an annoying voice. This class is extremely easy though (about 4th grade level).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely hate this man. His class was boring and uninspiring. He doesn't learn any names. Comments are not constructive. Granting him tenure was the worst mistake that the department ever made.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• 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:

He is a very helpful person- sits down and talks to you about anything if you make the effort to talk to him. Great guy! Very fair grader if you do the work and show up for class. He does give A's on papers and finals, you just have to earn them. I reccommend him to anyone

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy to get along with. Subject material is boring. Never uses book

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MANY5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took nearly every class he taught. One of my favorite teachers at W&J. If you go to class and takes notes, you'll do fine. He's a cool guy if you get to know him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Has no idea what anyone's name is, and to agree with others, he does have the most annoying voice ever. He hardly engages students in conversation.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GWS300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

took no time to memorize a single person's name. wasted class time and rambled only about topics that he liked. showed very boring video for several days. gave no explanation for grades he gave. he gave a participation grade but the people who didn't talk got the same grade as the ones who did. a really lousy teacher.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He rambles a lot and gets very excited about topics. His tests are generally easy and he isn't that hard of a grader until the very end

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT111
• 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:

There are so many things wrong with the prior evaluations. For example, Prof. Benze never said Jefferson was never influenced by Locke, he had us read an essay that made this point. I found him very helpful, although he does have a prooblem remembering names.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLY110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm still confused about Benze as a person. He has no problem insulting students, and sincerity isn't his strongest characteristic. If you study the notes the tests are easy. He doesn't "give" A's, you have to earn them. I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he probably hates me. It's just how he is. Hard work gets you A's.