Stephen Amberg - University of Texas at San Antonio

Professor: Stephen Amberg

Department: TBD

College: University of Texas at San Antonio

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are long and he often goes off track. Tests aren't super hard though as long as you study from the book and from notes. He also takes attendance.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL3553
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Facilitates lots of useful information, great lectures and readings. Show up, study and you'll pass. Tests are non stop writing for an hour and a half - not a really tough grader. Towards the end of the course he became more left-wing propaganda but the first 3/4 of course were objective. Want to learn, take him - want an easy A, don't take him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's an amazing professor. He's really passionate about the subject, but his lectures are just too monotone and boring. Also, the tests are framed in ways that don't make sense most of the time. Overall, he's a great professor, but he is just not inspirational enough to get the students to care. If you are into politics, I highly recommend him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• 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:

Amazing! Honestly, all these bad reviews are probably from people who don't work hard or even bother trying. I never showed up to any class, asked people to send me the powerpoint slides, and did the readings. As long as you either read or attend the classes and get the notes instead of the info from the textbook then you'll do good. I got an A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

So boring. So very boring. Speaks quietly, doesnt post PowerPoints online, requires attendance, only grades of the exams. I had a problem with my iClicker counting my attendance, and when I went to his office hours, he assumed I was lying and just told me to figure out how to fix it. Just take it online.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

There are five exams including the final and there are no homework assignments so your grade for this course depends completely on if you pass or fail the tests! He talks kinda quiet and he doesnt post the powerpoints online so take really thorough notes or prepare to just read the textbook after class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Amberg is probably one of the most knowledgeable professor's in the political science department at UTSA. The content of his slides are identical to the content in the textbook. His lectures may be boring from time to time, but their extremely relevant and important if you plan on succeeding. He also has great and informative office hours.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Amberg's lectures were long and boring. He doesn't post his slides and doesn't put effort into helping us and the only grades are test grades. Even when we requested hw to help our grades he said no. The tests are hard and even the SI got a 74 on one test. The reviews are not helpful at all. But, he cares about what he is teaching.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Roomberg allows you to have a cheat sheet of every of her exams. The homework for this class is due the night before the exam, which isnt as bad because you get to focus on your other school work. She also knows most of her students dont want to be there yet, she wants you to at least pass her class and enjoy it. She's a real sweet heart honestly.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL3293
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amberg is one the of the best professors at UTSA. Ive taken most of his courses. He is super smart, articulate, caring, and very knowledgeable about the subject. I enjoyed his Ivy-League-quality lectures. He challenged my thinking and I learned a lot from him. The grading criteria is very clear.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL3633
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Just don't.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The lectures are very long and dull, except you can't skip because that's where he pulls a majority of his test questions. Overall a not a hard class but he just makes you actually work for the grade.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

very monotone, reads off a outline, talks in circles, attendance is extra credit but there was a problem with tophat that he refused to fix, try to understand his lectures and always read ahead so it can make more sense

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Let me just say that I failed this class. Not even a D, but failed. I did not miss a single class and even went to the SI sessions. The prof is very sweet and passionate, but needs a better teaching style. I learned a lot, but couldn't show on his tests that were very wordy. He doesn't go over tests or return them. Avoid this prof!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Upon reading most of Amberg's reviews on here, I was very afraid going into this class. However, I was pleasantly surprised. His passion for politics is clearly shown through his dedication to his lectures. Majority of his test questions come from things he covered during class. I never once touched the textbook.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor who is very passionate about the subject, and it shows in his lectures. However, a portion of his test are based of his lectures so it is crucial to attend his lectures. Reading the book is a must and makes his lectures easier to understand. He offers a different, but interesting, view on politics, and I recommend this professor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I have ever had. Lectures are extremely hard to follow. He never directly discusses what you will be tested over, and your entire grade is based off of just 4 tests. In my opinion he does not know how to teach and expects each student to already know everything. Even going to SI meetings does not help. Do not take this class!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No extra credit no make ups. Lectures are lengthy and hard to study. Read entire textbook Bc tests are 50% lecture 50% textbook. His lectures are not simplified so they are hard to follow and even though I studied for each test I never got above an 82. Change classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you love to hear lectures this is the class for you. The class is very boring. Grades consist of 4 exams only. There are 4 extra credit quizzes worth 4 points each but you have to get them all correct to get the points. You have to read the book if you want to pass.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL1013
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The grade is compromised of 3 exams and a final and an online quiz for each chapter. The tests are 50 question tests and the quizzes are maximum 5-8 questions. He also gives current events quizzes online for extra credit. Most people don't show up to class and still pass. Read the book and your lecture notes and you should be fine.