Donna Lee Bowen - Brigham Young University

Professor: Donna Lee Bowen

Department: TBD

College: Brigham Young University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI472
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As a person, I like Dr. Bowen. She's very kind. Her class greatly frustrated me because we had to read dozens of articles each week as well as three textbooks. We also had to watch 2 dozen films, many of which were only available as VHS in the library & some didn't even work (we were greatly penalized for not seeing those tapes). Worked my tail off

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Grading rubric was not used consistently and she arbitrarily deviated from it. Her politics and feminist leanings are potent so be ready to adapt your views to hers (the surest way to get a good grade).

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PL472
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WORST CLASS I HAVE EVER TAKEN!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MESA201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

In the bottom 5 (maybe bottom 1) of my classes taken here at BYU over 4.5 years. Professor doesn't listen well, is extremely disorganized, and doesn't take responsibility for her class administration. No joke that you can't counter her opinions--she will shoot you down without evidence. Interesting content, and I really enjoyed the readings.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MESA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Seriously the worst class I've taken here. It was the most unorganized experience I've ever had. Hardly anyone passed the midterm. Usually teachers take that as a sign of "that was a badly written test", instead she made us stay after class to let us know how "disappointed" she was in us. The readings are alright, except they're overly extensive.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MESA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Avoid this class if at all possible. Approximately 70% of the class failed her midterm, and the grading criteria was not used consistently. Class lectures are not only not related to the quizzes, but extremely difficult to follow. Learning suite is an absolute mess, and I've missed multiple assignments because the class schedule said no HW.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MESA201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This is the introduction class to the MESA major and I took it after completing all of the major courses. It was a rubbish introduction and felt like what we were learning was an attempt to be "cooler" than what the major actually is. The class was not that informative and a bit boring, but easy. It is a necessary evil for the MESA major.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fascinating class. Lots of work, and exams were tough. Usually her final is an oral exam. You put in the same amount of prep as a written exam (which is, a lot) but it only take 4 minutes of pressure as opposed to hours of writing.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MESA201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very low quality instructor. The class is her opinion and if you express a different opinion she tells you that you are wrong. If you don't love thinking for yourself and love regurgitating the professor's opinion take this class, otherwise don't take this class and any other classes from professor bowen

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLS373
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hard class. There are a lot of readings to do. The trick to this class is to really study the powerpoints and to figure out what she is looking for with the one-page papers. The tests are difficult, but if you study you will do fine. If you are interested in this material take the class. If you are just looking for a filler class look elsewhere

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you are good at regurgitating others' ideas and have no interest in independent thought, this is the class for you. While the curriculum is fascinating and the readings informative, don't dare disagree with the instructor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• 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: N/A

Comment:

I was very disappointed in this class. I came wanting to learn a great deal about the ME but was disappointed. In some topics she does a good, but compared to other political science classes I've taken, I did not care for this one. If you are looking for a good political science class that will challenge you intellectually do not take this one.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PL474
• 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:

She is a good teacher and loves what she does but her lecture style is all over the place. It is hard to connect her ideas. I felt like the whole third of the semester that I was totally lost and didn't understand a thing then got an A on the test. The topic is interesting and I learned a lot.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

the biggest problem is that no matter what, maybe our religion, but she had a hard time getting class to realize theres a diff between Israel and Israelite and Zionism and Zion People. most amazing thing I learned was that even things that start with good intentions (like Israel) go bad when malice&hate dictate policy. very good lesson for all.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This woman is a feminist only in the confines of BYU/Provo. if you think women should drive and vote, you are the same kind of *radical* feminist as bowen. anyway i liked the class a lot. you only ever hear one story on some issues, she gave you the other side and a chance to make up your own mind.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PLSCI357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is an extreme feminist. I scored higher on all of the tests and papers than a girl in my class. She got a whole letter grade higher than me. I went and asked Dr. Bowen why this was the case and she said that she factors participation. I frequently contributed to class. This woman is a total feminist and is completely unclear on what she ex

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI00
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took a class on the Israel/Palestine conflict that turned out to be something akin to a recruitment course for the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Bowen is a kind women but hugely misdirected in her sympathies. If you fall on the Palestinian side than you will enjoy yourself. If you side with Israel you will spend a semester incensed and

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLYSCI357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Donna Lee knows a lot about the Middle East and is well connected with well known authors and experts in the whole region. She has pet topics like women's issues, but they don't come up frequently. I learned more in the two classes I took from her than I have in most other classes at BYU, and really enjoyed lectures. Work load is heavy but good.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very intelligent just extremely vague and ambiguous in terms of test grading and papers. Very unclear about what she is looking for.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PLSC357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

An interesting class with a knowledgable professor. Sadly, Bowen is also very opinionated and has few qualms about expressing her opinion in an authoritative manner with little chance for rebuttal. She knows a great deal about ME politics, but her knowledge outside of this area is lacking at best. Work load a bit heavier than most, but not too bad.