Political Science
PSC 141
Abel
"We wrote lots of papers and were required to use the internet very often. A fair teacher. Encourages class discussion." - Student - Grade: C
"He is a fun teacher and keeps everything interesting! The only problem is that you don't know what your grades are until the end of the semester and its too late! He has a lot of unnecessary assignments, but his tests are easy because you get to choose what you want to put on it! Easy to cheat in his class because you get to use your review sheet as the test, so already have all the answers put on there!" - Student - Grade: D
"We had to do 2 book reports, a movie review and a creative project. When we asked him what the project was to be over he just said be brilliant." - Student - Grade: Dropped
"The class itself was interesting. He makes a lot of jokes that are funny, but if thats all you look for in than this is the guy for you. You won't know your grade until the end of the semester, so try to keep up with them. I made an 88 and an 80 on my first two test, I had all of the answers to the 3rd and 4th test and still made a C. He gives grades how he sees fit not by the work you do. I would not recommend this guy to any who wants to make an A or a B in his class" - Student - Grade: C
Carns
"Easiest class I have taken at SFA. Very boring teacher, but tests are a breeze." - Student - Grade: A
"She is boring, but she is easy. She likes to repeat alot of things over and over again." - Student - Grade: B
"This was the most boring class I have ever taken here at SFA. I made upper 80's on all the tests, plus did an extra credit project, I came to EVERY class, I took notes on EVERYTHING she talked about, I read each book chapter TWICE before the tests, and I STILL got a B in the class. Take this class in summer school or at another school. I don't recommend it to anyone." - Student - Grade: B
"Decent teacher, long winded and sometimes boring. She repeats things a lot but it helped me remember things easier. If you take good notes there is no need to crack a book. Everything on the test she says in class. Tests are easy if you revew your notes and chapter summaries from the book." - Student - Grade: A
"She is one of the most boring teachers I ever had. However, take decent notes and buy the study guide (she wrote it) and you will be fine. About 40% of test questions come straight out of the study guide. In class, just act interested, you will stand out from everyone else and she will remember that." - Student - Grade: A
Codispotti
"This professor seems very likeable in the beginning and his first test I actually made an A on it. But after that, it is like he has something to prove ... he is the one with the degree and not you! His next exam was very tricky and I dopped 10 points. But then came the final ... I went into it with a 95 average and left his class with a B. His final was so unfair, difficult, and tricky! I guess I should be thankful, because I ran into 3 classmates the next semester and they all made an F. For those students who miss 4 or fewer days, he does give you 20 points at the end of the semester. If there is a discrepancy between his word and the book, he thinks he is God, go by his word and not the book. Would not recommend him." - Student - Grade: B
"I hated his class! We always got off subject with his personal stories and interests. The tests look foreign even if you do study. I didn't learn anything in his class and I came everyday and stayed awake. I don't recommed him at all." - Student - Grade: F
Wayne Johnson
"PSC has never been hard for me. But I had a tough time in this guy's class. He is one of the oldest people I've ever seen, and therefore can hardly stand up, let alone teach. His tests are way off from the lecture and the only thing I liked about his class was laughing at his wobbly state and his occasion curse word." - Student - Grade: C
"Taking his class was a HUGE mistake. i thought he was going to keel over and die everytime he stopped speaking. I love political science, but this guy made it hell. His tests came out of nowhere. We were required to be in class, but during class all he did was ask if there were any questions from the homework while we sat bored and sleepy and shivering. . .don't waste your time here. I hear Abel is good." - Student - Grade: C
"He is a nice old man with great intentions. His tests are pretty difficult no matter how much you study. I totally recommend him, though. You will learn a lot!" - Student - Grade: D
"I really suggest Professor Johnson to anyone who really loves politcs. He is eagered to teach you everything but I have to admit that you will work hard for your grade. I had in my first summer at SFA and found that it involves a great deal of time. I changed my major to Public Administration because of him. I would take him again." - Student - Grade: B
"He has good intentions but he's not a very good professor at all. He assigns 50+ questions for homework each class meeting that never show up on the tests. Study often if you want but I can almost guarantee you won't recognize the test questions. I don't recommend him to anyone." - Student - Grade: D
Ray
"His classes are interesting but don't bother printing out the outline he talks about. Does not help you. If you just show up for class and write down what is on the overheads and learns what the book says about them, then you'll do fine in there. Likes to talk about current events and will encourage the same from you." - Student - Grade: B
Sementelli
"Class is ridiculously easy. Asks questions like, Texas is a) a state b) a TV show c) a country etc... only problem is that he doesn't seem to know how to keep accurate grade records. i got a legitimate "A" in his class and he wrote down one of my test grades incorrectly. he gave me a "B" because of his error. He would not work with me or give me an oppertunity to prove that i knew the material. If you decide to take him, hold on to your tests!" - Student - Grade: B
Smith
"Very, very boring class. Cannot even keep awake. Easy class if you can stay awake." - Student - Grade: C
"Where to begin?! The man is a walking corpse waiting for retirement. He brings nothing to class and lectures without any notes. Straight from his addled memory! Everytime we had class, he had to ask someone what he talked about the last time. He strays so far from the subject that you begin wondering if he will ever get back on track again. You will have NO idea what to write down in your notes. You're on your own in this class! The class thins out quickly as all but a few hardcore gluttons for punishment, begin skipping class every day until a test day. Be careful when you skip though, because I saw several people that skipped on a test day and there are NO makeup tests. The man may be senile, but he can see through ANY excuse! At least half of the stuff on the tests will be HIS opinion only. If you don't check the answer that agrees with HIS opinion, you'll get it wrong. He's big liberal Democrat, so if you want to rile him up...let him know you're a Republican! I'll never forget the day he told us that if you aren't in favor of affirmative action, you're not a christian! PUH-LEEZE! Avoid this teacher!!!" - Student - Grade: A
PSC 142
Abel
"The particular section I took of 142 was an honors section, so the class revolved around discussion more than anything else. The only problem is, he's educated enough to argue against any point you may have, which can be really annoying when someone takes him too seriously. Only two tests, a midterm and a final, plus very few assignments/papers, and one major project. If you're able to put some good thought into what you write and say, you'll have no problems." - Student - Grade: B
Carns
"Just as easy as her 141 class." - Student - Grade: A
Claunch
"Awesome Professor, but the tests are incredibly difficult. The class average was never above a 65 on the tests for my class. " - Student - Grade: C
"The hardest teacher I've had at SFA. The test average was in the 60's on every test. He acts like everyone in the course is a PSC major." - Student - Grade: D
"His class is pretty hard, but it is worth it. I learned and retained so many things in there. Everyone should take him. He is not an easy grade. Heck, I got a D, but it was worth it considering how much I learned." - Student - Grade: D
Codispotti
"I took this course as an honors course. We spent most every day talking about driving laws (i.e. his driving pet peeves). We spent not one full class period on Texas law--I still don't know any of it. He is a very nice man, but a flake. His daughter is a genius, and you'll get tohear all about her. I spent most of the time talking to my friend about our lives and the swimming class we had two hours before. I guess it was easy, but I don't know if I'd recommend him." - Student - Grade: B
Dickson
"Dr. Dickson's PSC class was great! He lectures all day, but thats about it! The exams are a breeze and usually consist of 50 or less muliple-choice questions. Although I dozed off a few times in there, the class was overall very good. I'd recommend him to anyone." - Student - Grade: A
"He's a nice guy, but if you haven't learned this stuff yet, you're never going to. Average tests and very long lectures. He makes interesting noises though!" - Student - Grade: B
Herzog
"One of my favorite teachers I've had. HE manages to make PSC an enjoyable course. I would highly recommend taking his class." - Student - Grade: B
"The class was long and boring. He thought that he was really funny but he wasn't. But he did give lots of bonus points on quizzes that were semi easy. You have to get a newspaper, but I didn't mind doing that. And at the end of the semester he gave us extra credit to do. He is an easy guy to talk to. I would take him again." - Student - Grade: C
Hoechten
"Speaks very quietly so you need to sit up front. Talks alot about his time spent as a bureaucrat but interesting. 50 multiple choice questions taken directly from the lecture. Goes over the same lecture notes 2 times in class so you can get it. Would take him again." - Student - Grade: A
"This is an awesome professor! All tests are straight from lecture and they are easy. He talks a lot about his time in WWII, but it is interesting. I HIGHLY recommend!" - Student - Grade: A
"I highly suggest Dr. Hoetchen for any political science class. He has so much experience in his field and he is interesting in lecture. I have had him for 3 semesters, 2 of which are upper level political science classes. He wants his students to learn and encourages students speak up if they don't understand. I give him a high rating!!!!" - Student - Grade: B
"He is a nice man and is willing to work with students if they have grading problems. I wouldn't recommend taking him in the morning with out a couple espresso shots though. lectures pretty off topic and i did not find his tests the least bit "easy." Take him if you really like hard multiple choice tests and have no trouble staying awake in class." - Student - Grade: C
"Dr. Hoechten is an incredibly interesting man. He's done a lot in his life and enjoys telling about it. He reviews his notes before the exam, so if you're absent, you get another shot at it. He's a very nice man and I'd recommend him to anyone." - Student - Grade: B
A. Sementelli
"He thinks he's a comedian, but he's not funny. He's from somewhere up north and will tell you that several times. He has his favorites in class, and they're usually people he had in PSC 141. He shamelessly tries to ingratiate himself to minorities like he's some kind of "soul man!" I have no idea what that's all about. He gives chances for extra credit every now and then but you have to be ready for it. He'll suddenly say "Points for auction", and the first person to raise their hand gets the chance at the extra credit. It took me and my friends almost the entire semester to figure this out, because he talks so fast when he says it. The class is moderately interesting, but that's it. If you can't get Able, take Sementelli." - Student - Grade: A
Smith
"This man is the worst teacher I have ever had. I slept everyday in his class, and if you didn't agree with his opinion, then you were basically worthless. Don't take him for anything." - Student - Grade: C
PSC 302
Johnson
"...Blah blah blah... Middle Eastern governments... The class was pretty interesting. You have to read the chapters before you go to the next class, because there is a quiz...Blah blah... The tests are 2 essay questions, ...blah blah... They are pretty difficult, but he grades fairly. ...BLAH BLAH... You have the option to write a paper with a group that will count as a test grade, ...BLAH BLAH... He cares about your grade and performance in the class. As always, it does not hurt to go to talk to him and get to know him." - Student - Grade: A
PSC 312
Codispoti
"We talked about nothing in class that was on the test. If you can draw a parallel between baseball and political parties on your own, this is the course for you. Otherwise, choose another course." - Student - Grade: Dropped
PSC 313
Claunch
"This class is so difficult. First of all, go to his coffee thing at his house at the beginning of the semester--this helps. Also, go visit his office and show that you care about the class. Class test averages are low and I do not think many people do better than a "c" in this class. Read the book and go to class." - Student - Grade: C
PSC 332
Johnson
"Very difficult. He assignes an average of 2 chapters (approximately 60 pages total) to be read each class period. Then, he will pick one or two obscure passages from the text and ask you what the author intended to say. If he disagrees with you, you are f*****. Even though he often wrote "good point" on a test, I never made above a 77. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. PUT OFF GRADUATION--AS BAD AS IT SEEMS, IT WILL BE WORTH IT." - Student - Grade: C
PSC 340
Sementelli
"Not a bad class. He kinda talks over your head, but his tests aren't hard. A little arrogant." - Student - Grade: B
