Heather Tafel - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Heather Tafel

Department: TBD

College: Grand Valley State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you dont like politics dont take this. More of a history class than a politics class. If you dont know your stuff she will call you out. She doesnt teach like anything expects you to do all of her hw that takes hours about 4 each class and 11a week. You go to class she makes you feel dumb and expects that you know stuff when she didnt teach

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She makes this 100-level feel like a 300-level. She expects you to come to class knowing all the material and doesn't teach it. Half of our class was spent in silence as she looked at us waiting for an answer. AVOID at all costs. She's nice but expects way too much.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Makes this class much too hard for a 100 level. She's very smart, but tends to assume you're on the same level as her. Taking this was draining, and I'm a polisci major. One group paper that is quite challenging, quizzes on readings weekly, essay based exams. Do not take this with her as a gen ed unless you love comparative PLS.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Expect to have lots of unnecessary homework and a group project. Professor Tafel is very knowledgeable, but if you don't do the prepnotes, it will be hard. Lots of homework, and videos. I highly recommend finding another professor, or taking another course.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HARD but I learned a lot. Very professional lady, but not mean. There are also a lot of extra credit opportunities.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PLS339
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

OMG,don't take this class. I wish I had never signed up. 150 pages of reading every week. Lots of pop quizzes and the 15 page paper will engulf your entire life. BEWARE!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLS339
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I can't even begin to describe how ridiculous she is. Way too much homework and readings. This is an undergrad class not a graduate one. Seriously, expect to read about 100 pages per week of extremely difficult, information dense reading, and she barely goes over it in class. Don't worry, she will test you on it, AVOID THIS CLASS!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PLS339
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She honestly needs to calm down. She assigns way too much homework and readings. The readings are also extremely difficult, and oh btw, get ready to write a 15 page paper due by the end of the semester. This class literally takes double the time outside of class than any of my other 300 level classes. I would not recommend this class at all.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's very knowledgeable and very kind. She assigns a lot of work and expects everyone to have prior knowledge about everything she teaches. Shes very available to help but treats her grading as if it's a 300 level course. Shes a great person and a great professor but very difficult class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Tafel is very passionate about politics which is great, however, she treats this class like a level 400 and you will do more reading in this class than all of your other classes combined. On top of constant reading and quizzes, you will have to do a group project that is worth 20% of your grade. Beware.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was by far the worst and hardest class I have ever taken. if you have the chance, do not take her. you will be very overwhelmed. the way she grades is literally so dumb I am convinced she finds joy in watching kids struggle

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'd like to believe that Dr. Tafel means well, but I'm just not sure that that is true. Make sure you know that you're correct if you raise your hand, because she will surely let you know and make you feel bad if you are wrong. She also claimed that she thought 100 level classes should be tougher than 300's because you are learning more. Yikes...

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• 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:

Hands down all time worst professor. She knows a ton and will flex this knowledge on you any chance she gets. Just an absolute ton of work that is graded too harshly for a 100 level class. Will make you lose interest in Poli Sci. avoid avoid avoid.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tafel really knows what she's talking about. But she also teaches in the honors college, and treats this class (a gen ed) the same. Would not recommended for a easy gen ed.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AWFUL CLASS . Her grading is completely out of hand and she makes the class much harder then it is. If its not her way its no ones way. Power hungry Prof. and will make you feel incompetent if you answer something wrong. If you have a choice to take a different class do it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're ready to feel like you know nothing after reading the textbook welcome to PLS 103. She will make you feel like you know nothing. Not going to lie, she knows her stuff. Also, there is a larger amount of handouts that you need to print out. She will glare at you if you don't print the papers needed. Says Ok at the end of all of her points.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PLS101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are not interested in PLS do not take this class for one of your gen eds. There is a lot of homework. More homework than my chem class and anatomy class combined. It is awful. Do not do it. And do not even get me started on the group essay you have to write.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PLS339
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Tafel is an excellent professor. Her passion for the study of comparative politics is contagious. She is always willing to help. She encourages students to really reflect on their writing, unlike many professors. Make sure to go to her office hours if you really want to succeed, though.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Im a senior with a good gpa, good attendance, and a passion for political science. However, even I cannot recommend taking this professor. I watched her continually degrade people for having different OPINIONS than herself. She is egotistical, self-assured, and completely out of touch with students. Good teachers inspire. Bad teachers repel.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PLS103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Really intelligent professor. Knows a lot of PLS. That being said, you will have discussion questions due every class and the exams cover a lot of material. If you don't have a passion for politics, I'd suggest not taking this course with her. She is really helpful outside of class. In class, make sure you participate or it will impact your grade.