Richard Murray - University of Houston

Professor: Richard Murray

Department: Political Science

College: University of Houston

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Murray is a boring, bland professor. He just rambles on during lecture, with no real structure or set topic that he talks about. The class is composed of two midterms, a final, and an essay paper about your political ideologies. Also, there are online homework assignments due every week. Only reason I got an A was because of the paper.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Murry's class is fairly easy. His test questions mainly come from the assignments you do online, the questions that don't are mentioned in his lectures or extra articles he assigns to read.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Murry's class is fairly easy. His test questions mainly come from the assignments you do online, the questions that don't are mentioned in his lectures or extra articles he assigns to read. i recommend taking notes during his lectures but he will have a few questions on the tests that come from a small detail he quickly mentioned in the lecture

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I sign my initials onto a clipboard for attendance and walk out a minute later when he isn't paying attention. His lectures literally mean nothing if you have any previous knowledge of history and politics. He says we have to read the book but all you have to do is the homework (answers are online). He speaks with a monotone... easy A, no sweat

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Murray is a great political science professor. He assigns online quizzes (do/study them. they are exam questions), and a 3000 essay. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, complete all of the extra credit. Attendance is taken with a passed-around clipboard. He will warn you of pop quizzes. Overall, easy class--but don't take it too easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He takes attendance with a clipboard everyday. Just do his mindtap quizzes and memorize them for his midterm and final and you will be fine. Also, there is an autobiographical paper that is worth 29% of your overall grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

PLEASE read the book as it will help you on the test and pop quizzes . Attend class because it is for a grade and most of the questions will also come from his lectures. Class is graded on a curve so dont stress too much. Overall attend class, entertain yourself, and do the assigned 3000 word essay and read the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Murrays tests are all about his lectures, so attendance is important. Its not very hard, hes a good lecturer so as long as you take notes youll pass. He doesnt mind if you come in late or leave early but there is an attendance sheet, assigned seats but by last name initial. He does online assignments, but they dont even count.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL1336
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's honestly a really nice person and although the lectures can go on and on, the class isn't that bad. He doesn't mind when kids leave early or come late, but he does take attendance with a sign in sheet. The tests weren't super hard, just don't slack off and you should be fine. He also tells us when the pop quizzes which helps a lot lol

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS3362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Attendance is mandatory and exam essays are graded harshly. That being said, if you attend lectures and read the book, you will make an A or B. He is very intelligent and helpful. Loved the teacher, but don't skip class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL1336
• 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:

Professor Murray's lectures were very informative and solid. You have to work for a good grade though. Make sure to take notes and write everything he is saying down. Half of his questions from his test come from lecture, the other half from the assigned book questions or material in the book. He made me actually like political science!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His powerwpoints are not that detailed but he does talk a lot so you have to keep up. The lecture are very long and slightly interesting because he really does know what he's talking about. You do have to do the McGraw Hill modules to pass. There is 3500 word essay but it's about your life so you can make stuff up. He takes attendance every class

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Be ready for long lectures, most didnt come to class because he made attendance not mandatory because of the hurricane but its suggested to come to class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He lectures with no PowerPoint and his 2 test are 40 questions (30 are questions from a book quiz you take online, 10 from in class lecture), one 3000 word essay on your personal political views, and a 60 question final. He can get super boring and you will want to skip class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• 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:

If at all possible take an online POLS class or a different teacher. Other teachers let you take your tests online (where you can Google answers) but this professor is old school pen and paper for his tests. You are expected to read the entire book if you want to do well on his tests while other teachers don't care what you do.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS3366
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's pretty boring. The first half of his class was intresting and went over the history of political parties in America. The second half he just talked about the last election and special elections. If you show up and follow the news at all it's an easy A. I didn't learn too much after the first few weeks that CNN couldn't tell me though.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing lecturer, & very knowledgeable about his subject. However the many exams come from both the textbook & his lectures, therefore a lot of attention and note taking are required. There is a lengthy but easy auto biographical essay & almost weekly online assignments. Grades on a curve. But a great lecturer, good for auditory learners.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI1336
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Murray is a smart man, but doesn't use PowerPoint or any type of study guides or notes in his class. His lectures are him sitting in front of class talking for one hour about events in class. His test are pretty hard because you have no study guides. You have to write a 3000 page essay about yourself (it's easy) and class has a major curve. 3/5

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLS1336
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Grade is on a curve meaning that if the highest grade in the class was a C, that person gets an A. He always tells you when pop quizzes are and his homework is easy. As long as you look over the notes form time to time, you will do fine.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS3395
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I WOULD NOT TAKE AGAIN.