POL SCI 147A
American Political Development: Overview
Description: Lecture, three or four hours; discussion, one hour (when scheduled). Requisite: course 40. Designed for juniors/seniors. Introduction to historical development of American politics and ideas and institutions that drive durable change over time. Examination of theories, concepts, and analytical tools at center of developmental inquiry. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
1 of 1
Most Helpful Review
One of the more "doable" classes i've taken at ucla. The reading load is pretty average for an upper div. But professor James is extremely organized and his lectures are very clear and well structured. He also gives you a study guide with all the questions that'll appear on the midterm/final (4-5 short essay questions) so you could just look for those in the reading (most of them are sufficiently covered in the lecture) and easily pull off an A. There are no surprises here. What you see is what you get, and if you just do what he tells you, and it isn't much, you'll easily get an A. Highly recommended
One of the more "doable" classes i've taken at ucla. The reading load is pretty average for an upper div. But professor James is extremely organized and his lectures are very clear and well structured. He also gives you a study guide with all the questions that'll appear on the midterm/final (4-5 short essay questions) so you could just look for those in the reading (most of them are sufficiently covered in the lecture) and easily pull off an A. There are no surprises here. What you see is what you get, and if you just do what he tells you, and it isn't much, you'll easily get an A. Highly recommended
AD
Most Helpful Review
Course: PS 149 Elections TA was Stonegarden Grindlife. this course was great. highly recommended to those who want to pursue a political career. The grading is very straightforward and the tests are really no surprises as long as you go to lectures and section. Very doable to get an A
Course: PS 149 Elections TA was Stonegarden Grindlife. this course was great. highly recommended to those who want to pursue a political career. The grading is very straightforward and the tests are really no surprises as long as you go to lectures and section. Very doable to get an A
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2023 - I love Karen Orren. She is a gem in the department and truly a historical genius. A lot of political science classes at UCLA neglect the importance of historical analysis - Professor Orren fills that gap. Some of her arguments are complex and take a bit of energy to discern, but with attendance and relative attention to the assigned reading you will have a delightful intellectual journey. You have to read, you have to listen to her slide-less lectures, and you have to memorize a handful of important cases/policies/historical events. BUT the intellectual outcome is really worth it if you are curious about American politics, polarization, nationalism, and democratic development. I would not reccomend Ryan as a TA though - they were not very helpful.
Fall 2023 - I love Karen Orren. She is a gem in the department and truly a historical genius. A lot of political science classes at UCLA neglect the importance of historical analysis - Professor Orren fills that gap. Some of her arguments are complex and take a bit of energy to discern, but with attendance and relative attention to the assigned reading you will have a delightful intellectual journey. You have to read, you have to listen to her slide-less lectures, and you have to memorize a handful of important cases/policies/historical events. BUT the intellectual outcome is really worth it if you are curious about American politics, polarization, nationalism, and democratic development. I would not reccomend Ryan as a TA though - they were not very helpful.
1 of 1
