Brian Nelson - Florida International University

Professor: Brian Nelson

Department: Political Science

College: Florida International University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Graded entirely by midterm and final exams, they are written essays about the content of their halves of the semesters with an extra credit essay that is usually very difficult. The lectures are very in depth, active, and incredibly informative and interesting, but require high-level understanding of the content. take if you love POL/POS and lectur

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POT3204
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is very repetitive during lectures to the point where you wonder why he is covering the same thing 3 days in a row. His test come straight from the reading which he usually doesn't cover enough during lecture to be able to answer the questions fully you need to do the readings.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POT3013
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Buy all the books for like $2 off amazon at the start of the term. You can find audiobooks for all the books on youtube and then review with spark notes, its all about the theories and beliefs. You write 5-6 one page double space papers (20%) that help you on the midterm (40%)and final (40%). His lectures are really great and thought provoking.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Every Poly-Sci major NEEDS to take Prof. Nelson. He explains different political ideologies in the most unbiased, clear-cut way I've ever seen, and it's mesmerizing. Took him in Summer A, just midterm and final, 2 essay questions each. SHOW UP TO EVERY CLASS AND DO THE READINGS! Overall, the only bad part of this class was that it wasn't longer.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this course because it was the only thing available but im so glad I did. Prof Nelson is extremely knowledgeable, coming from someone who isnt majoring in Poli Sci/ INR and had no previous ideas on Pol Theory, I learned a ton. My only suggestion is do the readings, if you dont, you will forsure fail. read read read read. Not a harsh grader.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Nelson is awesome he knows his stuff and is very unbiased as he tries his best to give the information so clear-cut it changes the way you think. There is only 2 tests and they hard but if you pay attention in class and read you'll do fine. He's very fun and explains ideas various times.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POT3054
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Nelson definitely knows what he's teaching but the way he teaches is questionable. He repeats 13 of the lecture from last class and goes off on tangents a lot of the time. Be prepared to ask questions & still be confused. That being said you can pass if you read the books(only gives a midterm & final grade). I would not take him again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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:

He's very smart and knowledgable about the topics he teaches. His lectures can get a little boring but he's a cool dude and is always open to questions. Took his political Ideologies class, 2 tests, both essays. You'll have to read a lot but if you know how to read you'll probably be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POT
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hes really passionate about the topic which makes the class really interesting. second class i take with him and was planning on taking another one. you have to attend class but it helps 100% when it comes to exams. take notes

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POT3054
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

I took the class because it was the only thing available. Professor Nelson is very nice, can be boring at times, and interesting at others. The class started with 60 people and is down to 26/27. It consist of 2 grades the midterm and final. Midterm based off of two books, and final off of 3, both are essays. Avoid if you don't like to read.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POT3052
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Prof. Nelson is a great lecturer who knows his stuff. He can sometimes talk in circles but he is so clear that the only way to fail his exams is to not attend or just not pay attention. Barely read and passed his exams, but if you want to nail it you got to go to class and read. IF you enjoy politics, you will like this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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:

I am really interested in the subject so the class was really fun for me. Professor Nelson is very knowledgeable and his lectures are very interesting. Grade consists of 2 in-class essays (midterm and final). If you read, you will get an A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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:

You have to pay attention in class. His lectures are very interesting. Your grade consist of the midterm and final. If you read the material and understand it you can pass the class with an A.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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:

I am sick and tired about hearing my classmates talk about how this guy is hard. yes, very difficult, but this is college. booo hooo you have to read? I crammed the weekend before both exams and got an A in the class. the only reason people say he's hard is because he doesn't hand out grades. if you want to learn take him, otherwise switch majors

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

THIS PROFESSOR IS HORRIBLE!DON`T TAKE HIM!THIS WAS MY BIGGEST MISTAKE IN FIU!HE HAS ONLY 2 EXAMS,EACH OF THEM IS WORTH 50%.IF YOU FAIL THE FIRST ONE HE TELLS YOU TO DROP THE CLASS.HE DOESN`T OFFER ANY EXTRA CREDIT,NO PAPERS,NO QUIZZES,ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.HIS SPEECH IS UNCLEAR AND HE MUMBLES ALL THE TIME.HE DOESN`T CARE ABOUT STUDENTS.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POT3306
• 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:

This class is hard! Reading is a MUST. Take notes and it will help but you definitely must read. Consists on two grades midterm and final. Midterm is way easier, not to mention he teaches Burke better than Marx.Overall the class is definitely doable but very challenging.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He really knows his stuff and is very passionate about what he teaches. He does an excellent job in making sure you understand the material. Im so happy I took his class

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Superb learning experience. Challenging and rewarding. With some effort one can learn a great deal. Prof. Nelson takes you out of the box. EXCELLENT!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This professor is the best and most fun I have come across. He even made the subject of economic marxism understandable to me. I think he retired but definitly the best professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POT3302
• 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:

His classes changed my life and my political views for the best!