Joel Toppen - Hope College

Professor: Joel Toppen

Department: TBD

College: Hope College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• 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:

My favorite professor at hope !

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class and prof made me change my major! Might be lecture-heavy, but is really passionate about what he speaks about and rarely ever feels boring. His tests/grading is extremely fair, and he's ready to engage with students in and outside of class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is one of my favorite profs at Hope. He likes to discuss almost any topic that is brought up by the class, and lectures a lot. His lectures feel more like a conversation than a lecture because he is more focused on the students understanding than following a set syllabus. I'm a big fan of his, and would take any one of his classes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lecture's are very unorganized but are really fascinating. A lot of the information on the exams are not covered in the lectures but he usually has review sessions which are really helpful. Overall he deeply cares for his students and the information he's teaching, even if he does teach it in a really unorganized way.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There was very little structure to this course, we spent almost the entire class talking about current events, which is fine, it's just not what we were tested on which made it difficult. Moodle was not used which could occasionally cause confusion. He is very nice and very laid back, just was a little frustrating.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy for FYS but you will not learn anything. If you want an A take his class, but don't expect to learn anything.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Joel's class isn't structured at all, but it's easy to keep up as long as you take notes. No syllabus schedule, he'll spend as much time as he needs on a topic before moving on. Homework ranges from a short article to a textbook chapter, articles are more important though. He tries to remove bias too, just wants you to be thoughtful and honest!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

For a gen ed, it was certainly an interesting class. I learned a lot and really appreciated his views and teachings. I respected him as a professor and his class taught me a lot. The class is super easy as far as workload, with most of the grade coming from exams, so make sure you study. Definitely would recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• 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:

Joel is one of the best professors at Hope. I think about things that actually matter in his class and since I'm a political science student, I have tried to take every POL class with him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• 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:

Joel, as he has us students call him, is a wonderful professor. He truly cares about what you learn and doesn't care about what a book tells you. Joel made me enjoy class, even on days I would skip other classes I would still come to his. He understands the world and makes class interesting.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He has you call him Joel and is my favorite prof at Hope. He is helpful and makes you think about things, rather than memorizing and turning something in. I learned SO much in his class and I can't wait to take him again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL378
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Joel is the most down to earth professor I have ever had. He is beyond intelligent, but will relate to your comments and feedback without making you look stupid. He is very open minded to different view points - which can be difficult in PolySci classes - but creates an environment for healthy debate. Take any class you can with him!! He's the man.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Joel is the man, plain and simple. He helped me develop a real perspective on contemporary issues in global politics and does an excellent job removing bias and educating. People on here who complain about lack of structure; if you pay attention in class and think for yourself it aligns with chapter lessons, instead of doing daily busy work.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

one of the best teachers i have ever had at hope. really knows what he is talking about and the the topics alot of fun. he is good at involving the class

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best Professor I have ever had at Hope, mostly because he is passionate about what I am-development, poverty, and real political and human rights issues. Thinks outside of the box. Doesn't give busy work but encourages students to find what they are passionate about and pursue that in dedicated and innovative way. A unique professor at Hope.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL151
• 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:

Fantastic professor. He lives out his political passions, and gets his students passionate about global issues. Smartest prof at Hope. Definitely take his class

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was an interesting professor, but has absolutely no structure. We were only graded on 3 things in our class- a paper, a final, and help with a political campaign. The paper's only requirement was that it be at least 6 pgs long. He's very interested in others views.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A true professor. Allows expression of all views and opinions without slashing your grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Not really a team player in the department--has a kind of "us" vs. "them" mindset.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL395
• 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:

The first time I took a class with Toppen I was highly stressed out by the lack of structure that he holds in his class, but once I became used to it, he has developed into one of my favorite professors of all time. He is brilliant and asks very thought provoking questions. He is laid back but still very effective. TAKE a CLASS!