Very smart professor, not always the most accessable, but explains things well in class. All grading is done through TA's so he has nothing to do with your grading in the course, it is purely the TA's job. All of his lectures are verbatim from the slideshows, but I would still show up to class because he plays videos you can't see in the downloaded slideshow.

Class contains one midterm with 4 essay prompts, and one final with 4 page long essay prompts, each with 70 minutes to complete. Each of the 4 prompts he only expects 1 page long responses to, so they are basically long answers. He'll give between 15-20 of the potential prompts in advance and then randomly choose 4 of them for the midterm/final. The best way to study for the course is to prep notes and practice essays for each prompt and go to your TAs for prompts you don't understand.

There is a term paper essay due at the end of the quarter on the 'Politics President's Make' book, which is a hard as fuck book to read, but he'll explain the core concepts in class which will provide enough information to write the paper on. Don't stress about reading the whole thing, just go to class and TA's office hours.

There is a lot of reading, between 50-200 pages a week depending on the week. You can't skip any readings because each of the prompts on the final are based on the reading. Most aren't super hard to read, but it can be a lot.

Over all, good class, but did take some work.

One of my favorite political science classes I've taken at UCLA. One midterm, one final (both in class), and a final research paper (15 pages but honestly not hard to write at all). He gives the midterm and final exam questions in the beginning of the quarter (and uses the same questions on the exams). Also, my TA was great. Overall, 10/10 recommend.

The lectures go a bit fast but they are all posted online so anything you miss you can find online easily with the powerpoint slides or bruincast. He provides the midterm and final ahead of time that are essay questions largely based on either the reading or lecture. If you prepare ahead of time they are easily manageable. I am selling all the books for the class for cheap. Text me at **********. Also I got an A on both the midterm and final and have my study guides if you're interested.

A very interesting and engaging class. One potential problem is that there is a lot of material that goes at a somewhat fast pace, thus it is an entire lecture of new information being thrown at you. The thing is that the material is actually quite interesting, the professor genuinely cares about his students succeeding (although he does not respond to e-mail), and the substantial amount of readings are gone over in discussion so that it's still able to be handled.

Selling the textbooks for cheap. Text me at ********** :)

Professor James is very knowledgeable about the subject and knows how make this course interesting. If you are really interested in the American Presidency, and do not mind to put in a lot of effort, then you will earn an A. It is all about smart planning of your time, for midterm, paper and the final. Do all the readings and be honest to yourself. No pain, no gain for this instructor. I received an A+ and definitely would take James again. He does reauire a lot of work, but he is clear and straightforward. No surprises. also I am selling all the books for this course really cheap. **********

The class is hard period. And there is lots of reading. But doable class. I am also selling the books and I have study guides as well. Shoot me a txt of u want to but my books.
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i am selling the books for this class email me at *************
good price for ALL BOOKS