He is very passionate about politics and that helps you understand it better by just listening to him. He gives out study guides and has review sessions. The only downfall is he doesnt post notes on blackboard so you actually have to take them!!

This class is actually really interesting. He is very excited about what he teaches and teaches it in a way that is funny and very easy to understand. He is a great teacher and have never been more interested in the world of politics. His tests are hard though so do study and make sure you take notes during this class! I highly recommend him.

Crothers is a really good teacher. If you have to choose, def. choose him. He knows what hes talking about and hes really helpful if you need anything. Do the study guides and read!! His study guides are mainly on what he has talked about in class...but no about whats suppose to be read in the book. Very interesting class...highly recommended!

If you have to choose take Crothers! He is an excellent teacher and always willing to help! Make sure to read the material and take notes, because whatever he puts on the projector will be on the test. Do the study guices too, they will help!

He was really funny and has a good political perspective. Respecting towards all people's views. The only thing I didn't like was how tests were the only grades. They were pretty hard sometimes but if you study a ton, you'll be fine. He's really good about curving the tests.

He's really passionate about what he teaches. The only downfall to the class is the only grades are the 4 exams and one extra credit essay. His tests are also fairly difficult even with the study guide! Rarely ever used book!

Crothers makes pol-sci interesting and kinda dare i say fun. the lectures even tho they may not be the most exciting subjects are entertaining, Crothers is a humorous professor who i enjoyed a lot he keeps the class light and you normally get out about ten minutes early every day

He is a great teacher! i am not interested in this topic at all and i can pay attention the entire hr and 15 mins. He is funny and doesnt chooose sides on political views at all. He is the best professor i have ever had so far. I have not taken a test yet so i cant say about that but at least the class is enjoyable.

Crothers is a good teacher but he is kind of annoying. He thinks he's really funny. But the lectures aren't too boring. His notes suck and you cant read his handwriting. Just read the book chapters before class and go to class and take notes and you'll get an A. worked for me!

Dr. Crothers is a really funny guy which makes lectures enjoyable. However enjoyable, they really aren't necessary for the tests. Read the book, and you'll be fine. If you have an hour or so to spare, then go to class for the enjoyment of it. If you miss it, don't feel bad.

This has probably been my favorite college class and teacher. He's really funny and makes a relatively dull topic interesting. We only have 3 tests, and an optional final so it is difficult to pull a good grade if you mess up or you really have to work hard to bring it up.

Very passionate, very charismatic, very smart guy. Made lecture funny and interesting. HOWEVER, there is only one thing you need to know: READ THE BOOK! That's the only way you'll beat those tough tests.

Lane is a very effective teacher, and enjoys expertise in the areas he teaches. He tells enjoyable stories, and the class content is easy to follow. He holds his students accountable for learning the material, which is great.

Here is the deal, anyone willing to put effort forth in this class will do just fine. This very tall man knows what he is talking about and makes class worth going to. Read the book, take notes and you will be just fine.

He is a good teacher if you are interested in political science, if you are not, then take notes during class so that you do not fall asleep. By staying awake you can hear some hysterical jokes. If you need help, Crothers is always willing to help. book, notes, and the website found from book are great ways to do well in the class.

My favorite professor so far at ISU. His lectures cover a bit of content, but he does a good job pacing it. He rants a bit, but it is interesting. The book wasn't too useful and the final is optional.

OUTSTANDING teacher!! This guy is awesome! All I did was show up to class and listen to what he said in lecture and got an A for the class. He types up notes for you to copy down as he's lecturing and all of that info is on the test. Absolutely phenomenal teacher. By far the best I've had to date. He's easy to relate to and comprehend. Great!

His class is tough because it is just the exams- there is no extra work to boost your grade. The final is optional and it is also comprehensive. You need to pay attention in class and take notes because basically everything he says is on the test. Also, don't let him catch you on your laptop doing something other than taking notes.. HE WILL SNAP!

This professor is awesome! He really cares about his class, and does a great job teaching it. His lectures are really interesting. You do not need to buy the text book because their are only 2-3 questions on the exam on the reading. The course is just based on 3 exams. Going to the lecture and paying attention is key.

He is a passionate teacher and loves what he does. I enjoyed the class and thought it was an easy gen ed!

Go to class and take notes and you'll do fine. Grade is based on 3 exams so do study. He gives you a study guide a week before the exam. Easy GenEd!

He is very passionate about what he teaches. If you go to class, pay attention, and study for exams it's an easy grade. Of course attendance is not required, but he makes classes entertaining and interesting. I strongly suggest actually attending this class; politics were my most hated subject in high school, and he has grabbed my attention daily. Awesome professor!

his lectures can get long but he makes them interesting, must study for tests they are tough but if you pay attention and go to class should be able to get a good grade

Crothers is okay, but the tests were difficult and that's all there is to your grade; no homework or anything. Study like hell. Read the book. He gets really mad if you come in late... optional final, but he doesn't drop your lowest score, so that stinks. He goes on rants a LOT and is very biased. Learned more about his views than anything else...

He gets really sidetracked and repeats himself a lot, which is boring for a class that's over an hour long. Lectures the whole time, first test was easy but other two were REALLY hard... Definitely study the book because 3 tests are your only grade

He's a pretty good teacher. I don't know why people are saying this class is hard. Its pretty basic stuff. Attendance isn't necessary, but you won't get the notes if you don't go. If you go and take notes you don't even need to read the book. Gives study guides before every test. Take this class if you need a POL elective!

I had a horrible experience with politics in high school, so when people ask me about POL 106 now, they usually think I cringe at the thought. But I don't. Dr. Crothers is incredibly intelligent, witty, and should be teaching at a level higher than this. He makes learning the content seem more realistic. Go to class or you will not get the notes.

Simply put go to class. He gives you everything you need for tests in his notes and gives a complete study guide a week before each exam. Not to mention he is smart, witty, and will throw some interesting points of view into his lectures. He is a great professor in my opinion

People who bash Crothers on this page need to hop off, their most likely the kids he calls out in the middle of his lecture for screwing around. THIS TEACHER KNOWS HIS STUFF. ALTHOUGH HE MAY NOT HAND FEED YOU THE ANSWERS (which is what is "expected" in order to get a good rating) HE DOES A SOLID JOB IN PRE-PAIRING YOU FOR THE TEST. GOOD TEACHER

he gives you a study guide with vocab terms from the book, study those for the easiest multiple choice tests imaginable.

He's a good teacher, kind of nerdy but he's funny. If you have no interest in politics then you might find it boring but that's because you don't get the jokes. Um, overall just go to lectures you should be good. PAY ATTENTION most people who didn't are the ones who bash him.

I took this guy back in 2001 when I went to ISU. He's one of the few professors I actually remember and I can still picture his face and "hear" his voice and jokes. If you put in the effort he's not that difficult.

This class is not the easiest. Go to lecture and read the book when needed. He gives a study guide which helps. DO NOT text or talk during class. HE WILL yell at you. I found it entertaining but I am sure those who were yelled at did not. Overall, he is a great professor with a lot of knowledge. Would definitely recommend.

If you care at all about the quality of your higher your education, Dr. Crothers is the teacher for you. If you don't, take an easier teacher who will teach you to pass a test.

Very arrogant. Not very helpful. Really expects you to figure it all out yourself despite making you come to talk to him in office hours about research. Not really sure how I got a B. I did all the readings even when they were repetative and always came to class. Hes an okay teacher but not a very likeable guy.

I entered Dr Crothers' Honors Seminar after reading other reviews that he was difficult to deal with and very brash. I was beyond surprised to see that he was beyond helpful and super accommodating- originally the class met MWF from 2-2:50, he changed the class to TR 2-3:15 so there was no Friday classes. Very helpful and funny, can be sarcastic

He was pretty scary and tough the first class, but he ended up being a pretty good teacher. There's only three long tests and an optional final. He is very much just going to give out the information and you do the rest. Study for the tests. Don't skip a lot. Watch out for using computers he may call you out if you aren't paying attention.

If you took AP US Gov in high school, it's like a simplified version of that.

I love Crothers and politics, so this class was awesome. We only have 3 tests the whole semester, so that can be really stressful, especially if you don't do well on one test. Attendance isn't mandatory, but you won't understand the material without going to class. He talks really fast and covers A TON of material, so only take if you're interested

If you do not go to class you will not do well. He lectures every single class and you take a lot of notes. Your only grades for his class are the 3 exams. Gives a study guide before each test. I bought the textbook but never opened it. I liked him as a teacher and he made politics interesting for me which was nice because I hate politics.

Dr. Crothers was a great professor. His lectures were never boring and he always added sarcasm and humor. Pol106 is a huge lecture hall so attendance isn't mandatory but its in your best interest to go and take good notes. You get to use your notes during the test so even though the grade only consists of 3 exams, if you took good notes its fine.

Crothers is a funny guy who loves what he does. I miss a fair amount of lectures and still do well. As long as you know the basics of politics or are at least interested the slightest this class would be great for you. Easy B pretty difficult A, tests are a little hard and sometimes his vocabulary is misleading.

Funny guy, well structured lectures - 3 hour class requires attendance but it is no big deal

His class was based off of three exams since he didn't take attendance. You still need to go to class if you want to pass since it is all lecture based. The reading truly does help if you struggle to understand POL.

Well respected professor, pretty funny too. Three tests that he lets you use notes on( still challenging though), easy B but you have to do the readings to get an A

Great teacher! Very knowledgable and passionate about the topic. Made politics interesting, but lectures still drag on. Tests are open note & open book, but that does not make them easy by any means. Really funny and nice guy even though I ended with an 89.6 and he didn't round (but that's beside the point). Try to get him if you need this class!

A classical example of lecture hall style teaching done right. Passionate about the subject, he explains the intricacies in a way that is easily understood by most. The tests are few and far between, and are relatively easy as long as you paid attention during lecture and studied. The tests are open everything; note, book, phone, etc.

I love Crothers. He gives 3 tests and an optional final as the only grades for the semester, but theyre not hard if you go to lecture and take good notes. He rants but hes hilarious and makes politics enjoyable!!

Dr. Crothers was an amazing professor! I was nervous because I didn't know anything about Politics prior to the class and I was just taking it as a Gen Ed requirement. Your grade is based upon 3 tests and an optional final-all open note. I strongly suggest taking the Optional Final and doing the easy extra credit 3 page paper to bump up your grade!

Awesome teacher. Show up for lectures and take good lecture/textbook notes to be safe, but this was an easy A . 3 exams and optional final . Crothers was funny and this was a really light, easy gen ed.

Crothers was lecture heavy, but the lectures were actually pretty interesting if you pay attention. Attendance isn't mandatory, but you get most info for exams from lectures. 3 exams and an optional final are the only grades, but he gives an extra credit assignment too. All the exams are open note/book/laptop too. I definitely recommend him!

Tests are open laptop and open book. He does not limit you at all to your resources HOWEVER because of this, he makes the exams more challenging. Your entire grade is based off of 3 tests, an optional final, and an extra credit paper. I highly advise taking notes and making a friend in the class to succeed.

You have to go to class because everything is from lecture. The tests are open note, book and internet but are really hard. The course is only 3 tests and an optional final so you better be good at taking tests .

he is such a nice guy

Open note, open book, and open computer tests. Tests are half lecture and half from the textbook so you will probably have to read beforehand.

The class is based off of just three tests. The tests are open note, open book and laptop, but they are very difficult. You don't have to go to class except for the three test days, and will still pass. However most of the questions are based off of lecture. Do not get the book. I did not use it once. He is very passionate and very knowledgable.

Really enjoyed this class. Make sure that you aren't missing too much class because the exams are based on lectures really. I used my textbook, but a lot of people don't and turn out fine. There are 3 exams, and they are all open note, open laptop, open everything. Only way to get extra credit is through a 5 page assignment due at end of semester.

Test heavy but its an easy A

Your grade is 3 tests and that's it. You can use notes and google for the tests, so it's fairly easy if you take your time.

If you are considering this class and are not the best at taking tests I personally would not take it. I did not know your only grades were just tests so be prepared for that. He is a great professor though. Interesting and caring. Very open to someone who is looking for help!

The class is very lecture heavy but he makes what he's teaching interesting. Everything is open notes but don't think that does not mean you need to study because you do if you want an A or B.

I loved this class it was very interesting and he gives you all the information that you need for the tests as long as you show up to class and take notes. When I took it he was really strict about phones and would get upset when he saw people on their phones and would call them out in front of everyone so heads up on that!

Only test grades and final count. Little extra credit