Professor
Jonathan Liljeblad
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Most Helpful Review
Worst professor I've had at UCLA (5 year tenure). His tests are ridiculous, if you (god forbid) miss any of his 3 days a week 8am lectures you will live to regret it. The 50 minute lectures are rushed and often wander, and his extreme personal bias is not very encouraging for those attempting to actually learn something new. The midterm and final were both take homes, and counted for 40% and 60% of the total grade respectively. The midterm was given in the midst of a busy 5th week, and consisted of 5 short ID's and 3 essays. The grading was ridiculous, and I can only imagine the nightmare those who did not attend lecture consistently encountered if they tried to use the skimpy readings to get anything more than a C. The final was something of a case study, and contained two parts (a short ID sort of essay and a much longer essay which was horribly put vague). If you wander from his violently liberal material, you will assuredly fail. In short, if you have no issue sitting through rushed and poorly organized 50 minute lectures at 8 am three times a week, and have no opinions of your own you're probably in position for a high B or A. On a personal level Liljeblad is kind of strange. He's USC JD and Political Science PhD, and is intelligent but definitely falls under ivory tower category. He speaks down to you, and has very little interest in teaching anyone who is not already liberally inclined. He has very little interest in general in people, and seemed to only favor students who were heavily interested in the sort of conceptual issues he was. Classes like this are a bit of a joke in my opinion. Certain professors, often unqualified younger ones who are not full professors, are given far too much leeway to teach classes like this one. This course was a mess of one man's heavily biased unscientific opinions, and had little to do with what was suggested by the title or the synopsis given. You'll clearly see the difference when taking a course with a more experienced professor, and there are many far better ones in the department. I believe Liljeblad was laid off, which was long overdue. If he does ever rear his head again, steer clear unless you share his environmental views and liking for children's cartoons.
Worst professor I've had at UCLA (5 year tenure). His tests are ridiculous, if you (god forbid) miss any of his 3 days a week 8am lectures you will live to regret it. The 50 minute lectures are rushed and often wander, and his extreme personal bias is not very encouraging for those attempting to actually learn something new. The midterm and final were both take homes, and counted for 40% and 60% of the total grade respectively. The midterm was given in the midst of a busy 5th week, and consisted of 5 short ID's and 3 essays. The grading was ridiculous, and I can only imagine the nightmare those who did not attend lecture consistently encountered if they tried to use the skimpy readings to get anything more than a C. The final was something of a case study, and contained two parts (a short ID sort of essay and a much longer essay which was horribly put vague). If you wander from his violently liberal material, you will assuredly fail. In short, if you have no issue sitting through rushed and poorly organized 50 minute lectures at 8 am three times a week, and have no opinions of your own you're probably in position for a high B or A. On a personal level Liljeblad is kind of strange. He's USC JD and Political Science PhD, and is intelligent but definitely falls under ivory tower category. He speaks down to you, and has very little interest in teaching anyone who is not already liberally inclined. He has very little interest in general in people, and seemed to only favor students who were heavily interested in the sort of conceptual issues he was. Classes like this are a bit of a joke in my opinion. Certain professors, often unqualified younger ones who are not full professors, are given far too much leeway to teach classes like this one. This course was a mess of one man's heavily biased unscientific opinions, and had little to do with what was suggested by the title or the synopsis given. You'll clearly see the difference when taking a course with a more experienced professor, and there are many far better ones in the department. I believe Liljeblad was laid off, which was long overdue. If he does ever rear his head again, steer clear unless you share his environmental views and liking for children's cartoons.
Most Helpful Review
He is a horrible professor and absolutely does not know how to teach. He does not care about the students, and grades strictly off the rubric. The midterm and final are take home, and based exactly from the notes. Reading is not required at all, if you will use any material from the reading it will only lower your grade. He is an arrogant, self centered, selfish individual. His lectures are barely understandable and you do not learn anything in his class. I would suggest not to take any of his classes.
He is a horrible professor and absolutely does not know how to teach. He does not care about the students, and grades strictly off the rubric. The midterm and final are take home, and based exactly from the notes. Reading is not required at all, if you will use any material from the reading it will only lower your grade. He is an arrogant, self centered, selfish individual. His lectures are barely understandable and you do not learn anything in his class. I would suggest not to take any of his classes.
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Most Helpful Review
I took PS140A with this professor. I never went to class and still got an A+. Regardless of what everyone says (that going to class is imperative to getting a good grade), all you really need to do is read after the midterm and final are assigned and before they're due. Take him.
I took PS140A with this professor. I never went to class and still got an A+. Regardless of what everyone says (that going to class is imperative to getting a good grade), all you really need to do is read after the midterm and final are assigned and before they're due. Take him.
Most Helpful Review
He is a great lecturer, and informs on what he plans to put on the midterms and finals. However, getting an A in this class is very difficult. I got an A- after doing 98 and 96 on the two midterms, the final he gave me an 88 and wouldn't let me dispute it. The readings are not all that important, just go to class and pay attention.
He is a great lecturer, and informs on what he plans to put on the midterms and finals. However, getting an A in this class is very difficult. I got an A- after doing 98 and 96 on the two midterms, the final he gave me an 88 and wouldn't let me dispute it. The readings are not all that important, just go to class and pay attention.
Most Helpful Review
I too have taken Prof. L several times now, and each time he's been extremely fair. He may have certain leanings (none too far in either direction, either), but the thing is he puts everything on the board in outline form and speaks clearly. He is definitely a fair instructor, although the absolute expectation is that you go to lecture. There is simply too much stuff assigned in the readings to go off that. He's also fairly entertaining in class. Just GO TO LECTURE and take notes exactly as you see things on the board (and write in his words of explanation). As for the take home exams, base everything off your notes. Don't try to get overly creative.
I too have taken Prof. L several times now, and each time he's been extremely fair. He may have certain leanings (none too far in either direction, either), but the thing is he puts everything on the board in outline form and speaks clearly. He is definitely a fair instructor, although the absolute expectation is that you go to lecture. There is simply too much stuff assigned in the readings to go off that. He's also fairly entertaining in class. Just GO TO LECTURE and take notes exactly as you see things on the board (and write in his words of explanation). As for the take home exams, base everything off your notes. Don't try to get overly creative.
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