Kenneth Lieberthal - University of Michigan

Professor: Kenneth Lieberthal

Department: TBD

College: University of Michigan

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Prof. Lieberthal retired in the summer of 2009 after 26 years at Michigan. He's now at Brookings in D.C as senior fellow and director of the John L. Thornton China Center.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLSC339
• 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:

This dude and any of his classes are no joke. He is somewhat of a hard grader but being able to say "My professor, who was a personal advisor to clinton and head of asian affairs under-madeline albright, said..." is just a great way to open up a conversation of jump in on one wherever China is concerned.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PS339
• 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:

Wow! this guy is amazing... the exams cover a lot of material but because it's KL, the workload is just irrelevant. I mean it is amazing how he kept me awake and intrigued for 3hrs straight on a Thur. night everyweek! I had a great time in his class and make sure not to miss out on his "Brown bag lunches"... i look at them as perks...hahaha. Go KL!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLSC339
• 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 engaging, interesting, and does not mess around. A rarity amongst professors because he has been in the field, interacting with the subject. Very few political science professors have formally held major positions in the government.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI339
• 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:

Fantastic class - Prof. Lieberthal is THE expert on China. Period. He shares amazing personal stories in class. A sizable reading load that is sometimes dry - but he really makes all the information clear. He was also Clinton's Special Assistant on China - so he's a total rockstar. I looked forward to lecture with him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PS339
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is easily the most qualified professor I've had. He has incredible stories from working in high level government that are truly fantastic, and he is incredibly knowledgable about the Chinese government and culture.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PS339CHINA
• 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:

This class has a metric assload of reading, though much is interesting fiction/literature. He likes to do his lecture one day per week, meaning 3 hours in a row of class. Grading on tests was also kind of hard. Nonetheless, this guy is an expert on China, there is no better professor in the world.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This class would be awesome if it weren't for really difficult grading and a LOT of reading. Either take it pass-fail or make sure you have a lot of time in your schedule - I think it averaged 250-400 pages of reading a week.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI339
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is by far one the best professors I've had. This class is fascinating. There is a lot of work in this class, and some of discussion requirements are tedious. Overall, great class and you'll learn a lot. It seems like the GSI does all the work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SOCAS428
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Despite some Americentric views and inconsistent GSIs (the latter being beyond his control), this is THE survey class to take on modern China. Skimpy with history, heavy on economic/political/global issues, good but TOUGH class for late soph/early junior.