John Pottenger - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Professor: John Pottenger

Department: TBD

College: University of Alabama in Huntsville

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pottenger is an excellent professor, he graded fairly and I enjoyed his classes so much I changed my schedule in order to take his class. If I have any complaints it is the time limit on his exams, about the time my train of thought really kicks in on the essay questions I have taken up half the time allotted for the exam.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSC332
• 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:

One of the best professors I've had. The lectures are long, but if you do the reading they are enjoyable. Dr. Pott is a funny guy and a fair grader. If you care about the class, you will get an A. Ask other students for the secret to taking his exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Extremely knowledgeable on all sides of the political spectrum. He is very open to helping you understand fully outside of class. Do the readings and participate in class and you will be fine and learn a lot.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSC601
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable in political theory. Be prepared for class, because it's much more of a group discussion. He likes doing essay tests, and make sure you link theories learned etc or you'll get counted off.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHL332
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great class. Political philosophy is complicated, especially when you're reading multiple authors, but he always tried to make it as clear as possible. His lectures were interesting and insightful. If you think this class is just an opportunity to air your political views, then you probably won't do well. Understand the arguments, you'll be fine.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I actually had Pottenger for Classical Political Philosophy, Modern PP, Contemporary Political Thought. I really enjoyed his classes. Yes, lots of reading and writing but after the first test you knew where he was coming from and could get prepared. I missed two classes due to the flu and it did not kill my grade as I knew how to prepare.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Pottenger knows his stuff and it shows in his lectures. He loves challenging students on their views and ideas and this makes for interesting discussions. Theory is not my strong suit but participation in class, reading the material and attending lectures helped me understand the material better. If you want an easy A, you will be disappointed.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHL330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Long-winded, goes on tangents, dry. Lets students go off on tangents too, and then everyone else is confused or the subject is lost. Does not post materials in a timely manner, and his grading is IMPOSSIBLE to read. At least he tries to help, in his own round about way.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSC300S
• Grade Received: 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:

Dr. Pottenger is a super brilliant guy--however, this does mean he sometimes goes off subject and isn't always the most clear. That being said, I've learned more from his classes than all of my other classes combined. He's a must to take if you're a PSC major! Tests are book-based and attendance in class, while not necessary, is worthwhile.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHL330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pottenger is an ok teacher. Sometimes he goes through the material too fast and doesn't explain it very good.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSC600
• 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:

Dr. Pottenger is very smart and passionate about teaching. His classes can be a little heavy with philosophy, but are definitely thought provoking. He is always eager to help students both in and out of the classroom. An all-around great professor in my opinion.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSC300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I can't really blame Pottenger, the nature of the class is going to be boring. Every time I went to class there were at least 3 people napping. At least he didn't seem to care. The topic of Political Philosophy has literally NO relevance to a political science major, I'm not sure why it's a required class...

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSC101
• 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:

Dr. Pottenger often gets off subject. He doesn't always keep the attention of others in the class. I have not many complaints but he always gets off subject.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSC300
• 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:

Dr. Pottenger is a decent teacher, but his Political Philosophy class is definitely more of a Philosophy class. He is a very boring speaker and very often goes off topic for long amounts of time. The class schedule he gave at the beginning of the class, was a joke, we didn't stay on it for 2 weeks.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• 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:

(John) Pottenger leaves a lot of us in the dust intellectually. More of a philosophy guy than a political scientist. If you can recycle the basic argument of each person studied, you'll get an A/B. He is frequently off topic, return of exams is slow, and scheduled dates always slip. But that's what you'd expect from a brilliant guy, yes?

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting, informative teacher! The class is tough for a 101, but then again, this is UAH- where there are no easy classes. Sometimes lectures get way off subject, but his door is always open and he's very understanding to individual circumstances. I probably will take more of his classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This teacher makes you think about complicated topics and his office is always open to explain if you are having trouble with the topic. If people think he is a tough grader well people need to wake up and realize they are in college.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSC330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Pottenger treats information as it is a treasure to be hunted but never found. If you enjoy or are interested in philosophy treat this professor like the plague. This could have been a great learning experience-too bad it was not. Way too uptight for philosophy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHL301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took Political Philosophy from him 6 years ago. He said he was a communist. But, surprisingly, he didn't seem to be biased in his grading if you seemed to favor a classical liberal position. Good teacher, made the subject interesting, but the grading was kind of harsh.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC101
• 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:

His class was easy, but only if you study and are/act interested in what he's teaching. Overall, he's a good teacher.