Clifford Griffin - North Carolina State University

Professor: Clifford Griffin

Department: TBD

College: North Carolina State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's actually quite funny and uses a lot of examples in his lectures so you can understand the material. Tests are based on the textbook so just make sure you read. The 6 page paper is not hard, I put minimum effort into it and got a 90. I took his class during the pandemic and he was really caring and accommodating during it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• 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:

I honestly really liked Dr. Griffin! His lectures were interesting and after the first few weeks he made attendance optional but GO TO CLASS! He will help you out if you have good attendance ;) I also will say that you have to put a good amount of work in but if you do youll do well! P.S. HE ROUNDS

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL321
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Griffin is an interesting lecturer, but his grading criteria is so unclear. I had him for LAAC Politics and his syllabus was a year old. He is very disorganized and is not responsive to emails. It is a shame that his class expectations are so unclear because he seems like a nice guy and is an engaging lecturer, just needs to improve criteria

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS353
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Griffin is a great professor. I previously had him for 231 and decided to take his 353 class as well. He is very accessible outside of class and is more than happy to answer any questions. Honestly all the bad reviews are from students who failed to take his classes seriously. Just do the work and you'll get the grade you deserve.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PS353
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Griffin comes off as not caring in international relations, I took that with him and hated it. I took him in 398 for Latin American politics and loved it! When teaching what he studies it's a ton of fun. He knows so much and has fun with it. One of few professor who will stop and talk about what you're doing anytime he sees you on campus.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

MUST read textbook - I suggest you read before it is due so the lectures make sense and so you aren't frantically writing all of the info done because it is a lot. Tests are ridiculous. He asks about the most random stuff, wording is bizarre, and a lot of the questions are the exact same. One paper that is easy, project was easy too -take your time

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• 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:

If I could give a zero I would. By far my least favorite teacher in my school career. He doesn't give clear instructions and his tests ask about random unimportant facts from the books. His lectures are almost pointless. I would highly recommend you not take his class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was a pretty solid teacher. The 5-page paper is easy if you give yourself enough time. It is announced at the beginning of the semester with a clear grading rubric. All those saying otherwise procrastinated and suffered for it. The class is lecture heavy but you also need to read the book in order to get a good grade on exams.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This professor doesn't have clear and concise guidelines for his work. You will benefit better by sitting at home and reading the lectures he reads straight off the tedious slides he creates. He doesn't seem to want to help the students either. Has unclear and horrible expectations. SO biased. Talked abt how he's circumcised for 10 mins straight

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Overall, not the most exciting lecturer, but did give most of the information needed for the three exams. Sometimes went off on tangents, but not too bad. Unclear expectations on the paper and group project. Must read the textbook to get an A on the exams.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Avoid this class at all costs. Dr. Griffin does not teach relative information nor does he design tests that relate to the class. The group project is a joke and everyone receives the same grade regardless of quality of work. The paper assignment is futile and hardly relates to anything in the class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I would not recommend this class to anyone. With the exception of 2 theories, I didn't learn anything about international politics the entire semester. Tests are irrelevant to the course material, especially the final. Paper was pretty easy, however you MUST check your sources with him beforehand or he will take points off.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• 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:

His tests are confusing and don't really go with the lecture or the book, he does not give clear instructions for the final paper, and he goes on political rants for about half of the class. He is a nice guy, but I would not suggest having him as a professor.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Griffin knows his stuff, however, he will let his personal views overtake the lecture. The readings aren't super important but he will pull obscure facts from the readings and put them on tests. If you study the lectures you will pass the tests. The final paper is 5 pages and requires 10 sources. He would take attendance about half the time.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found the class very interesting, but the lectures were bias and boring and I hated showing up. I would have really enjoyed the class if I had a better teacher. If you ignore his lectures and just study by the book you will be fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Griffin is certainly in the bottom 3 professors I've encountered at State. He shows up late, once not even at all, without any notice. His tests require reading the textbook, lots of percentages and useless stats not mentioned in class. Going to class was painfully boring/difficult, especially when the book was more clear and informative.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A smart guy who knows what he is talking about. Unfortunately, he is extremely biased. A lot of lectures are filled with him criticizing conservative values and religion, which didn't make me happy or bolster my knowledge of the course material. The class itself is good, but get a different teacher. Reading the textbook equals success on tests.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• 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:

Things to do on his papers: Get a pre-approved list of sources, he randomly decides some are not scholarly. Do not use the US government as a source. Cite with name, page number, and year, I don't care that that is not a citation style and neither does he. And only cite at the end of a sentence because that seems to be all he reads.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not understand why this professor has such bad ratings. I found his class very entertaining, and the lectures very helpful for the tests. I've done well, and learned a lot! You have to read, but if you are prepared for class you will do well. The paper was not that bad. You just have to follow the paper guild lines that he gives you.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I can't see why he got such bad ratings! This is an easy class if you take notes and read the text. I have found that he is very willing to help you with any questions.