If you're serious about political science, you must take this class. If you're a student who shows up and immediately checks out, browses Facebook, or does some online shopping, then this class isn't for you. This is an objectively difficult course. In fact half way through, Professor Thies revealed that without a curve most students would earn a D or C. Lots of people complain about the difficulty of his courses--and they're certainly right that it can get aggravating--but ultimately, this is UCLA. If you want a bunch of easy A's, if you want professors who haven't done anything, then go to CSUDH.

This class requires a continuous group effort, which can be a problem if your group members are lazy. If you do end up compensating for others, simply let the professor know. Choose your group members wisely. Also, there are reading quizzes given sporadically. Do the readings. All of them, from start to finish.

The grading breakdown is as follows:

10% reading quizzes
10% midterm #1
20% midterm #2
40% group grade (10, 10, 10, 5, 5)
20% individual grade

All in all, the course is intensive, but incredibly interesting.