Cal Jillson - Southern Methodist University

Professor: Cal Jillson

Department: TBD

College: Southern Methodist University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are boring with no visuals. He also grades fairly harsh. However, he does care and is knowledgeable of the topic. Just have to work for your grade and conference with him on the paper. Not a horrible choice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Jillson is an unreasonable professor who does not consider the student's understanding of the material before moving on. He is an extremely tough grader, especially on essays. If you are interested in Political Science do not take this class because it is dry, boring, and harder than it needs to be.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pros The class is pretty easy if you read the book (courses are based off textbooks he wrote). Cons He stops class for the slightest of distractions (students going to bathroom, etc). He post no work online. His lectures were complete auditory with no visual elements. His tests were mostly about memorization, and little about application.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• 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:

This class was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. I did all the reading and went to class and took notes and did not do well on the tests. Your whole grade is based on two tests, one paper, and the final, so if you do badly on one thing you're screwed. He is not clear what information will be on the tests and they are extremely detailed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Jillson is totally knowledgeable about the subject and even respected in the professional world for it. However, he grades incredibly hard and there are only three tests and an essay. Book reading is a must. Gave the most effort in this class and only got a B.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took this class for a minor. Unbelievable amount of work for a B minus when I really tried my hardest

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Would NOT recommend taking this professor at all. Too smart for an introduction class and is somewhat rude in office hours.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hello Future Students, This class was one of the most challenging class I ever had to take as a freshman. I'm not going to lie to you; this class requires effort on your part to even make a B or higher. You need to be prepared to do a chapter of reading for each class day and take notes on that material.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant guy, but tests are super specific and nit picky. Go in to talk to him if you need help, he's helpful and it's good when he gets to know you. You have to work for the grade but you will learn the material

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing prof, very difficult class. His lectures are great and he knows what he's talking about forwards and backwards. Success requires an immense amount of work and discipline, from reading to listening to note-taking. Tests are quite tough, with questions sometimes over the most random details. One 12-15 pg. paper w/ plenty of time to complete

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The tests are very detail oriented; if you want an A, you have to read, and you have to study. The lectures are good, but almost fully one sided. Only take this class if you are prepared to work. The whole class is graded on 2 tests, an essay, and the final. Attendance is taken but how (or if at all) it accounts into the grade is not clear.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly interesting lectures. Very knowledgeable and passionate about politics and US history. Its cool also that the textbooks required for the class are actually written by him. No laptops allowed in class and he grades on the harder side but don't let this discourage you from taking this amazing class. Absolutely take if you like PLSC.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he is an amazing professor! super knowledgeable and passionate, especially in Texas Politics! I have learned so much in his class. Readings are manageable, and tests are too if you study and pay attention in class, which honestly isn't that hard because he is hilarious! if you're a poli-sci major you have to take him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

avoid taking this class. I loved political science and wanted it to be my major but after taking this teacher I think I want to change. the multiple choice part of the tests pretty easy but the essays on them were hard and he would take off points for no reason. he does not create a canvas so you wont know your grade till end of semester. boring

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is an excellent professor with interesting lectures. Very respected. His tests are tough and the research paper was 15 pgs, but he is always great with help. Great professor for keeping you engaged.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant professor. Really knows the material and is able to explain so that everyone understands it. Make sure you do the readings because these are important on tests.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1300
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You either love Cal or you don't. I loved him. He is very direct about what is required of you. His lectures closely follow the reading so don't panic if you miss class (allowed 4 absences) Only 1 essay. Make sure you know the IDs. He really likes it when people can give him responses to questions he can't remember the answer too. Tests aren't easy

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PLSC1320
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Jilson has tons of experience in his field. He puts everything into very easy terms to understand. His tests were easy (multiple choiceessay), but you HAVE TO READ AND TAKE THOROUGH NOTES. He will pull some obscure figures for the test, and the essays require you to incorporate sources from memory. There was 1 5-10 page paper, very easy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• 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:

Jillson is a Texas politics expert and will expect you to know almost as much he does by the end of the semester. Nitpicky on all exam questions. Do all the reading (and there's quite a bit). Had plenty of office hours, though, and made time to see me over spring break. Nice guy generally, but do NOT fall asleep in his class...

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PLSC3327
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Jillson is an expert on Texas politics. Listening to his lecture was truly eye opening and influential. Professor Jillson's class is very rigorous, and I have never done more reading in any other class. His tests are very difficult, and the term paper is reviewed stringently. Obtaining an A in class requires mass amounts of discipline.