Thomas Halper - Baruch College

Professor: Thomas Halper

Department: Political Science

College: Baruch College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• 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:

Prof. Halper is a GREAT lecturer. If you're interested in history or law, definitely take his Constitutional Law class. He's so passionate and knowledgeable about the subject. He gives an online collection of readings instead of a textbook and there are two midterms (one optional) and a final. I got a B on both midterms but he still gave me an A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL3314
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely enriching and informative course that definitely enlightened me. This professor does not curve because he doesnt want to degrade the value of As, but however does provide a second midterm if you do bad on the first one. 1 midterm worth 30%, final 50%, and participation/attendance 20%. Lectures are participation heavy and tons of reading

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL3314
• Grade Received: 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 A but interesting class. One midterm, second midterm is optional, and a final. There is a hell of a lot of reading, but you can honestly get away with not reading them so long as you listen to the class lecture and take good notes. I didnt read the readings, i took good notes, barely participated, and got an A- its all doable

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL3314
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible professor. This course has no structure to it. Two exams & final. He does a terrible job preparing the class for exams. All he does is lecture, there is no class integration. And you have to read through a lengthy pdf of articles before each class. All of these reviews mislead me into taking this horrible professor. Don't make my mistake!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Take POL3313 with Professor Thomas Halper. Just do it. This class is extremely challenging but enriching and informative. Professor Halper expects a lot from his students but rightfully so. If you're looking for a boring, easy-A type class: do not sign up for this class. If you want to be immersed in a rigorous study of Constitutional Law? Sign up.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 3313
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I just graduated from Law School. Constitutional Law was my best subject here. Not because they taught me much. But because Professor Halper taught me nearly everything I needed to know about Constitutional Jurisprudence in Con Law (POL 3313) and Civil Liberties (POL 3314). If you are serious about law school, these classes are essential.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the BEST professors you can ever get. The reading is super tough (come on, it's Constitutional Law for cryin' out loud). He is a pro in his field and you will learn so much and so much more if you take his class. It is a very hard class so if you are not up for law, don't take it. He is apolitical with regards to the subject, which is good.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It isn't an easy class with the amount of reading that he assigns, but his engaging lectures do help you prepare for the test.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL3314
• 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:

Awesome class. You'll learn a lot and he'll change the way you view the law and civil liberties. Is it a tough class? Depends. Let's put it this way, if you're lazy and not too bright, it might be. But was it worth it? 100%

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL3314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is very hard. Don't take professor because you have do alot of reading. He is really tough on grading. I would suggest to take Prof. Singer for Poll 3314 and 3313

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• 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:

Took him for Con Law and Civ. Liberties. If your serious about attending law school, these two classes are a must. They are both challenging but extremely rewarding and rich with knowledge that should help you in the next level. He is passionate about the subjects, and runs he's class with a Socratic style that resembles law school.Great Professor

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• 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:

he's a hard prof. my best advice especially for people who do not have to time to read 100s of pages of cases is to google it before class. take the optional second exam. he doesnt curve or give extra credit so make sure you do well on the exams. I definitely wouldnt take him again though. He knows his stuff though.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Im not going to say that he wants what he says on tests, but you can literally go through the entire course without reading the textbook. His lecture is the test. Sure it's alot to write, but write everything you hear and go over it before the test. Tests are ids and two essays. Write coherently with a thesis wouldn't hurt also.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• 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:

all i have to say is run away as fast as u can. People stay away. If you are looking for an easy a this is not the place for you. This professor shows absolutely no mercy. If you get a bad grade he looks down on you. run run run

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• 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:

A hard professor, but very nice and clear. If you want to learn something about law, definitely take this class, if you expect an easy A - stay away!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CONLAW
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Summin up what others have recently said (albeit implicitly) ...if you're a lazy student, don't take his class. If you are genuinely interested in the topic - take a course with Professor Halper. I took two courses with him, even after receiving just a B in the first one.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

he does not teach his class like a harvard class because then his class would be excellent. You have to be a bookworm in this class or you will get looked down upon by him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Easy class if you go to class and take good notes..i would recomend the class to poli sci majors and people who have a gerneral interest in the constitution and law.. You will leave this class with a basic understanding of the major issues in the constitution. If you plan to go to law school this is the class for u. formatted like law school class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

if i could go back in time and stop myself from taking him i would.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL3313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He teaches like its a harvard class. His book is like buddy chat between supreme court judges. I tried to understand but it was a waste. Take this class is if you love Pol Sci, i dont. Not anymore atleast. If your one of those who can Ace a class from writing everything a Prof says, take him. I think he should teach at Harvard, cuz he acts like it.