2.8
Quality4.3
Difficulty47%
Would Retake101
Reviews47%
Would Retake
101
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
14
4
21
3
25
2
22
1
19
What Students Say
“He's a great lecturer and a funny person”
POLI101 - 5.0 rating“He warns the readings are long so don't be surprised”
POLI101 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
73%
Textbook Required
42%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.24 avg changeRatings by Course
POLI391
4.7
(3)81086
4.0
(1)POLI792
4.0
(1)391
3.0
(1)POLI101
2.9
(79)Difficulty by Course
001
5.0
POLIQ101
5.0
101
4.5
POLI101
4.3
POLISCI101
4.3
Reviews (101)
Excellent Professor. Complex material, refreshing cynicism. Accessible outside of the class for additional help.
Hardest class I've taken at USC, you will have a pop quiz everyday over a 40 page essay from the 1900's you were supposed to read before each class. AWFUL do not take
This is his first year teaching 101 (After teaching 700 level classes), and he teaches this generally Freshman intro class as if you're working toward your graduate degree. Do not take if you value your free time.
There are quizzes every class based on 15-40 page reading that you have the days before every class. He isn't very clear on what specific answers he wants on his tests. His personality is the witty, sarcastic, pretty nice type, definitely willing to answer your questions. But if you can't keep up with the work then the bad outweighs the good.
A great professor. Would definitely take him again. He is ready and willing to re-explain anything you need help with. Have to show up for class because he gives quizzes frequently and MUST do the reading, otherwise you'll do poorly. But definitely worth it because the material and lectures are interesting.
Mr. Epperly definitely knows his material and what he is talking about. He can get a bit confusing at times, so definitely ask him to clarify. Get ready to read page after page and then take a quiz almost every single class. Good luck remembering what you read. His tests aren't that hard... unless you don't like essays. Difficult class.
Epperly def knows his stuff, but his tests you have to put exactly what he wants. There are quizzes every class over very difficult readings that he uses for his upperlevel classes. This class is way too hard for a 101 class. I found the grading to be very unfair when it came back to getting my tests.
Upside, you don't have to show up to class. Downside, there is a homework quiz every class.
Prof. Epperly's Poli 101 class is based on reading long 20-40 page articles for each lecture and taking a quiz on them. You then take vague notes. For his tests he looks for very specific answers and it's hard to say what he will ask. He gives 2 midterms and a final. If you need help he will lend a hand, but you have to be specific. Tough overall.
Dr. Epperly is an incredible professor. He expects a lot of his students, even his 101 students, who he gives the same readings as his graduate students. We typically have a quiz every class, which is good if you're reading, because it gives you many chances to boost your grade, but if you don't study, any class you take from him will be difficult.
if you enjoy reading long articles and quizzes every class with vague questions but looking for specific answers this is the class for you!
DO NOT TAKE IF YOU VALUE YOUR FREE TIME
Our TA's (Grad students) tell us that we are given the same assignments as them. That is literally dozens of pages of nightly reading. The readings are all complex political science articles. These are often theoretical and always get very specific. Only 3 tests. Wrote 3 pages during my 2nd exam and made a 70. I recommend any 101 class over this 1.
Assigns long, and arguably the most boring reading material known to man. TA told our discussion it took him an average of 2+ hours per reading. Also has a quiz on the readings before the lecture, so even if you read, there's a good chance you fail the quiz because they are complex political ideas that can be extremely tough to grasp on your own.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! There are unbearable reading assignments every night that are 40 pages long, quizzes given on the reading assignments which are passfail. The readings are so complex and not explained well so it makes the exams even harder. There are 3 exams, used up my whole bluebook and still made a 72. Hardest intro class taken here
Dr. Epperly is a wonderful professor. Yes, readings are long and he gives pop quizzes every class, but you will learn so much from his class. POLI 391 is the hardest class I've taken at USC, but it has prepared me for any other class I could possibly take. Epperly is always available if you need help and will answer any questionsgive you tips.
There's no text book for the class and the readings are insane, like at least 30 pages each night and they're normally really difficult academic journals. The class was way harder than a 101 class ever should be and 2 test and a final make up 75% of your grade. The tests are all short answer and graded very hard.
Not a bad class. Expect a TON of reading, but if you're a good skimmer and can discern the main points in a very long body of text you should be fine. DON'T skip lecture or your discussion section- they're key for knowing what to study. Overall, if you're willing to put in the work this class can be rewarding if you're interested in Poli Sci.
This class is ridiculous. He does not teach what he puts in his exams. Readings of at least 30 pages every single night. I even went to him with concerns and he did not care. He could care-a-less about his students. Horrible professor. Does zero to help his students. Quizzes are EVERY CLASS!!!
Epperly was never clear. I am an All A student, and his tests made me look like I hardly did anything. I studied a lot for this class, but it never seemed to be good enough. Frankly, I think he just did not like giving good grades. He wanted it to be more difficult than it should be. The TAs were good, but he made them grade extremely hard!
I'm a political science major, so I assumed that Politics 101 would be my easiest and favorite class. Wrong. When Epperly does show up, he gives a quiz on the 40 page readings you have every night. Even if you read, you will likely fail. He gives 200 terms a studyguide & has 8 question tests. Did the work & went. Couldn't manage to pass. I'm livid.
He gives you tons of reading. I wouldn't recommend his class because it's difficult to study the massive amount covered in the readings. He's arrogant but not in that good way. My advice is to be at his office hours every week and ask something about his lecture to show that you're engaged. Go to all the classes and read the articles.
He's going to make you read massive papers and articles before every class, and they are extremely complex and hard to understand. If you don't do the readings, you won't be able to do the reading quizzes that he gives every single class. If you email him he'll take a long time to respond to you. Don't expect to find out how you did on your final.
The class wasn't terrible, if you take notes and show up to class you should definitely be able to pull off a B, but he is very arrogant and not very helpful at all. Even though I came out with a B I feel as though I learned nothing in this class, which is disappointing, because I was really interested in political science. Not so much anymore.
DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He gives nightly reading assignments of 40+ pages a night. They were ridiculous and incredibly difficult. However, the grading system is weird and they only factor the quizzes you turn in as a grade, and the quizzes grade percentage is much higher than the attendance grade percentage so after achieving a 85% quiz average I stopped turning them in.
Took him last year for POLI 101. Figured it would be a good elective. Worst life decision ever. He's tough, assigns 30-40 page readings of dense political theory every night and gives quizzes on them every class. There is no way a 101 class should be this difficult. I'm a 3.75 GPA student and barely pulled a C in this class.
Jerk. No other word for him. His mere presence is insufferable. He thinks he is too good for USC and makes no pretense of hiding it. Rude right off the bat. A little creepy too. Lecture are decent. Grading is complicated. Tons of reading. His attitude makes it hard to want to speak to him.
Epperly does not clarify at all. His TAs basically do all of the work. He is not clear about anything.
The readings are kind of excessive(30-40 pages)and difficult and there are quizzes every class, so attendance isn't mandatory per se but you have to go to class and do the readings.I thought Epperly was a good, engaging lecturer,but I wish I had gone to talk to him in person more. hard grader,very test based,so getting a B in 101 is a job well done
Hardest class I've ever taken. This is a really good class to take if you are majoring in a poli sci field or international relations. You won't get a good grade if you miss lectures or fail to read the material. Expect to do a lot of studying and all of the tests are written exams. I managed an A by utilizing study groups.
Really tough class. I wouldn't take it unless your really interested in the subject.
He is definitely one of the most vague professors I've ever taken. Hardest 101 class ever. Know Poli Sci majors that failed this class.
This is the worst class ever. I am a political science major & failed the course. I went nearly every single class and read the material. He gives ridiculous quizzes on the 40+ page readings he assigns for every class. Learned nothing. No textbook either, so no way to teach yourself. Poli Sci majors aren't required to take THIS--ask your advisor.
Prof Epperly will challenge you in ways you never expect to be challenged in a 101 level course, however, he has made every class I've taken since him seem like a cake-walk. I had him Fall '14 & we had a pop quiz every class where you either get 100 or 0, so you have to know the material. Tests were all essay or short answer. Accept the Challenge
Brad Epperly is the worst teacher I have ever had. He is a nice person, but his lectures are long and boring. You can take notes and write down everything word for word he says, but still fail the essayshort answer exams. He assigns 30+ page readings every class and they are very tough reads, then assigns a passfail "pop quiz" every class. Avoid.
He's the most gorgeous, stimulating human being I have ever encountered but he is a complete a S S H O L E. Get on his good side. He likes coffee, dogs, and when you visit him during office hours. Visit office hours when you know he's not going to be busy (not directly before an exam) and get to know him AND DO NOT MENTION THE US MILITARY.
Professor Epperly said that it would be an average of 10-15 page readings everynight and that if you read you'd pass the class. False the readings are normally 30+ pages going on 50 at times. They are so confusing. You can read it once, then re read it, and still Fail the pop quiz. I thought i wanted the challenge and it will be my only not A grade
Everyone hates on Epperly, but he's actually a great professor, & an exceptional lecturer. Yes, you will have to do 20-30 page readings for every class because you will be quizzed on them everyday. But if you're willing to do the readings (which take about an hour and a half) the class is not hard otherwise. If you're interested in POLI, you're set
Make sure that you read the assigned online readings before every class, there is a quiz at the beginning of every class. He doesn't count attendance, but have to go to class to take the quiz's, so have fun reading 40 pages plus of reading for every class. Professor has a no email policy, this is the worst calss ive ever taken at USC. Aviod Class!
Had to take it for my major. As it is an intro class, general information is only touched upon and it's not too interesting. You will get to that point where you know the material, but it's difficult to explain, really. It helps to study with friends. I haven't gone to office hours myself but I've heard not too helpful things.
I am very disappointed in the quality of instruction I received from Epperly. I was a deans list student before his class and I believe that he designed his course to fail. It is such a slap in the face for such a prestigious university to hire such mediocre professor. He was arrogant and did not care to help his students
It was hard to focus because his beady eyes wouldn't stop staring at me, overall a very uncomfortable experience sitting in the front row
This is a very difficult class but it is not unfair. You have to do all the readings, come to lecture, and study for hours a week in order to receive a good grade. It's not impossible but it is difficult. If possible, don't take this class but if you have to for poli sci majors, then get ready to work.
Readings are hard because a lot are famous polisci research and not just straight out of a textbook. Would not recommend to anyone who is not a polisci major or doesnt want to put in the work. I work incredibly hard for this class, so in the end I have a good grade and learned a lot. However I know a lot of people not like me, & wish they dropped
He is great at discussing the material and seems to enjoy the subject. As long as you read all of the readings, you will pass. There is a quiz each day about the readings, before the lecture. All of the tests are open answer.
a lot of reading and quizzes everyday that are totally unfair... its either you get them right or you dont there is no in between and they completely ruined my grade even though I got a 90 and above on last two test.
The lectures and epperly's teaching are okay but I wouldn't recommend this class unless you're a poli major. There's so much reading every night and really unfair quizzes every class. My TA was extremely unhelpful. The information was interesting but it wasn't the best class.
Article to read before every class and expect that article to be at least 40-50 pages long. Quizzes every day and they are pass/fail so better hope that your answers are completely right!! Hard midterms!!
Nobody actually gets to know Epperly to realize that if you try he'll be willing to help you. He's a great lecturer and a funny person. He challenges you and makes your work for his grade. Do the readings, go to his office hours, and participate. He's a smart man and knows his stuff. He just doesn't put up with laziness.
This class had a substantial amount of reading assignments, especially for a 100 level course. I regret taking this class, as it is not for my major. The readings are dry and very, very long. He will help if you ask and the lectures are least easier to understand the readings.
Absolutely horrible class. Very difficult and long readings every night and daily pass/fail quizzes. If you do not to the 35-50 page readings every night, you will not pass the class. Epperly is condescending, arrogant, and an unfair grader. Lectures are interesting, but very hard exams. Not worth taking unless you are a polisci major
Easily the hardest 101 class on campus. There are 25-50 page readings due before every class and quizzes that are pass/fail along with the readings. Epperly makes you work for the grade and comes off as arrogant at first--but if you go to his office hours, you will find him very helpful! Very interesting lectures with lots of humor. It's worth it.
This class has got to be one of the more difficult 100 level classes outside of math and science. Epperly assigns a ton of reading but it is well worth the time. Not only did this class give me a good foundation in social science, it taught me to be a better student. Not an easy A but he will prepare you well for other social science courses.
Professor Epperly literally tells you what you need to do to get an A in his class on the first day. Do the readings, show up to class, and go to his office hours. He warns the readings are long so don't be surprised. His lectures were very interesting and he knew how to keep me engaged even at 8:30 in the morning.
Epperly comes of as a bit intimidating because he has a very strict computer policy and literally told us not to email him, but he tries to make the course as easy to understand as possible. His readings are an absolute nightmare to read, but as long as you try to read them and show up to class, you'll do fine on the tests.
Epperly is an intelligent guy but easily the hardest class i have ever taken. 30+ pages of reading every night. Pass/fail quizzes on that reading everyday that is also your attendance. Tests are difficult but not crazy.
Awesome professor and class
Brad is a great professor, and yes, there are lots of readings, but if you don't mind that, it shouldn't be a problem, since he is a really good professor, is funny and his 8:30 lectures aren't bad! He knows his stuff and he's always available in his office hours and is really nice to talk to! But you have to work for it, definitely!
This class is tough but it's fair, honestly. I'm a junior and not a polisci major, and this class felt more like a true, college-level class than a lot of my higher level classes. The readings are tough and the tests are super tough but are manageable. Go to class, do the readings, and ask for help. And DON'T just take it for credit like I did.
This is a hard class. I loved Epperly's lectures, but get ready to read a lottt outside of class. HEAVY 20+ page readings a night and a quiz every class. If you want to do well, just do what he says. Do the readings, go to class, study, go to office hours. GO TO SECTION WITH YOUR TA! Section is honestly what helped me the most in this class.
Loved Epperly. He assigns reading pretty much every night but it only takes about 20-30 minutes to finish, and it definitely tapers down near the end of the semester. He does reading quizzes everyday so you have to show up. His tests are essays, but they aren't hard. He posts a study guide so you're prepared. His lectures are great and informative
Wow his class was absolutely awful. I am a political science major and consistently get A's in POLI classes and did very poorly in this class. Tons of reading and attendance quizzes at 8 AM. Don't take POLI101 with him!
if you don't love reading 50+ pages per night don't take him.
Took this first semester freshman year. Pretty horrible but definitely prepared me for other reading-heavy classes. There were daily quizzes, always within the first 3 minutes of class, so DON'T be late. And go to section--it was way more helpful than class. He seems stand-offish, but is very helpful if you make an effort and go to office hours.
Professor Epperly's class is the hardest class I have ever taken and I barely passed. The TA taught me way more than Prof. Epperly did. There is anywhere from 30-50 pages of reading for every lecture class and you have to read before the class to pass the class. Very nit picky and detail oriented... Do not take this unless you absolutely have to.
If you can't get excited about his class, consider changing your major. This is bare bones political theory. If you don't like the class, and you're taking it for your major, you're in the wrong major. Also, poli sci majors have to read, shocker.
Epperly gives amazing lectures, actually listen and you'll learn a ton AND be well entertained. Quizzes almost every class on the reading assigned for that day, but again, actually spend half an hour reading and taking notes and you'll pass just fine. If you like this class, polisci is for you
A really tough grader. Get ready for long and boring readings, and quizzes for every class period. Attendance isn't necessarily mandatory, but missing a lot of quizzes can drop your grade. Quizzes are pass or fail. Luckily I managed to pass because I did good on the tests despite failing half of the quizzes. One of the harder 101 courses.
Dr. Epperly is good prof. He encourages office hours so that he can help you succeed . Go to office hours. LOTS of reading, quiz every class period. His lectures are good and entertaining. This is not an easy class to pass. Make friends with your peers and go to study groups! Find summaries online for the readings, it makes it a little easier.
Epperly is a great professor who gives very good lectures. You have to pay attention to the lectures, which are interesting, and have a liking for politics. If you are a poli major I reccomend taking this course as it sets you up for other poli classes. Find a good study partner and you will do fine!
This isn't an easy intro course but it will prepare you for every other poli sci class. Readings are long but necessary to pass the quizzes he gives every class. Quizzes are pass/fail and short answer so you can't BS them. His lectures kept me engaged at 8:30 in the morning and if you go to lecture, your TA section, and study you'll be fine.
attendance not mandatory but pop quizzes every class so if you miss to many you will fail.
Epperly is a great lecturer, but he can be condescending. SO MUCH READING, and daily quizzes that don't have partial credit. It's pretty tough for an intro level class. If you're not required to take this course, don't.
If you aren't required to take this class DON'T. The readings take hours to read and understand and the daily quizzes are far from a "reading check." If you do have to take this class, you can get a good grade if you are willing to put in the effort - do the readings, go to section, stay engaged in lecture, and utilize the study guides.
Absolutely worst professor I've ever had. He doesn't care about his students at all and wants you to fail. He acts as if this is the only class you're taking. Lots of reading, quizzes during lecture but gives you 2 minutes. He expects the impossible and is known even through the faculty that he is a horrible professor. DO NOT TAKE HIM.
Don't listen to the bull said about this guy in other reviews unless you're lazy. His readings get long and dense, but you only have to understand the big picture of each one. He GIVES you the exam questions weeks beforehand. He's hilarious and explains the readings the next day in class, after a quiz. Take notes. Do your part and you will pass.
He's very knowledgeable, and it's evident in his lectures. Be ready to take a quiz everyday, and read at least 30-40 pages a night. He's also not that approachable outside of class because he's intimidating. However, if you're interested in political science and want to learn a lot, he's an excellent professor to take.
He is very knowledgeable about political science and it is evident in his lectures. He's a nice enough guy, but comes across as a condescending know it all during lecture. The guy REALLY likes himself. There is a ton of reading for the class but it is doable, just annoying because its a 101 course. I would recommend taking another course if you can
This is a tough 101 class with LOTS of reading but he IS available during and outside of office hours to answer questions and so are the TA's. Quiz every class, he gives the questions to exams about 2 weeks before hand so you can study and he highly recommends study groups. However, if you can avoid taking this class, avoid it!
The best word to describe this class was fine. It wasn't horrible, but I definitely will not be taking him again. He has high expectations, which isn't bad, but the way he teaches makes the information hard to understand at times. The readings are complex and long with daily quizzes to follow. The exams are somewhat difficult.
Epperly is hilarious, knowledgable, and definitely makes the 8:30am start time worth it. Although the readings for the class can pile up, the material is interesting and isn't too difficult. He will also explain the readings further on the day they are due (after the daily quiz). It might seem intimidating, but he offers extra credit as well!
Very arrogant and into himself. Was going to take this class simply based on interest, however I withdrew because the writing was on the wall. Senior here at USC and not afraid to work, however this guy was something special. Not clear. dose not care, only focused on his research. Quiz everyday based on 25+ plus page policy material. Don't take.
Super tough grader and is not willing to help you out for the most part.
Look, you're in college and you're going to have to read (especially if you are a political science major). There's at least one reading for every class, but if you do the readings this class will be a breeze. There's a reading quiz at the beginning of almost every class, so just show up. His lectures are entertaining and don't let him scare you.
Get ready for 30+ page readings and a quiz on those readings before every class. Show up to lecture because that's where everything is explained. If you take good notes and thoroughly prepare for the exams you should be okay. Exams are brutal to study for, but he also does offer some extra credit.
Its college obviously the class is going to be hard, the nice thing about this class is that he wants you to pass. The readings suck but the main picture is obvious & he goes over every reading in class & gives you the material he wants you to know for exams. He even gives you the questions for exams weeks ahead so show up & study youll be fine
In the beginning of the class, this man is soo hostile, probably to weed out the weak. Eventually he lightens up though and becomes nice and funny and helpful. Readings are long but if you dont understand them he fully covers everything in lecture. A lot nicer outside of class than he seems. Dont listen to common themes about Brad. take the class
Lots of reading,he seems intimidating, but he gives great lectures. Knows the material well and kept me awake for the entire 8:30 class. Daily quizzes are what gets you an attendance and quiz grade, so don't skip. Extra credit sometimes. Don't be intimidated by the bad reviews, if you go to class and do the reading, you're set. I enjoyed the course
Epperly is actually a pretty solid professor; there's a lot of reading which can be annoying but his lectures are solid. The thing is that he's clearly full of himself so he seems kinda intimidating but if you do the work you should be fine. Also, don't say anything in a GroupMe which you wouldn't want a TA/Professor to know about, just in general.
i am warning you. save yourself. i did well in this class but it costed me my sanity
Honestly, if you do the readings and understand the main points, you should be alright for the tests. But it is A LOT of reading and there is a reading quiz every class and he only drops 2 of them. I did not like Dr. Epperly as a person, he came off as very arrogant and someone who really will try to screw you over if he gets the chance.
Course is extremely demanding for an intro course. Reading quizzes every class and its credit or no credit. Tests were really difficult even if you study everything since answers have to be very specific. The final exam though was surprisingly graded alot easier. Smart guy who knows his stuff but should ease up a little on the grading.
I loved Epperly's class but it took some time to get used to. There are readings assigned for each class and there will be a quiz (open-ended) in class each day about that reading or the previous lecture. If you don't do the readings and skip class, your grade will be horrendous. Go to office hours if you need help! Epperly wants you to understand!
Doesn't let you take notes on computer only on paper. Gives 30 page readings every night and asks very specific questions on the quiz (pass fail quiz). He knows a lot about poli sci but he doesn't like the guideline for the class so he does his own thing. Not horrible but it was hard to learn from him
Its a difficult course but I learned a lot. Would not recommend if looking for an easy A.
Brad is an interesting guy. He's definitely not an easy to get by in class. I came to class prepared everyday, and still managed to pass, but things were unnecessarily difficult for an intro class. If you are anything but a poli major, don't take for a elective. He also is really into himself and how smart he is. Puts himself on a pedestal.
Epperly is super smart and lets everyone know it. It is very tough for an intro class. The readings are hard and the pass/fail quizzes are super specific. Go to office hours with the TAs to clarify concepts. You really need a deep understanding of the concepts to do good on tests. I learned a ton. And stay away from GroupMe with this class.
Epperly is terrifying at first but really cares about his students. Take the time to make the personal connection. I'm so upset he's leaving USC, but his future students will be lucky to have him. His class pushed me out of my comfort zone/stretched me in all the best ways.
Just no.
Epperly's lectures are often very informative even if he comes across as condescending. There is an overabundance of material to study but he at least makes it clear what exactly needs to be remembered. He has no time for nonsense, as he failed 100+ students in my class for merely sharing study guides.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
73%
Textbook Required
42%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.24 avg changeRatings by Course
POLI391
4.7
(3)81086
4.0
(1)POLI792
4.0
(1)391
3.0
(1)POLI101
2.9
(79)Difficulty by Course
001
5.0
POLIQ101
5.0
101
4.5
POLI101
4.3
POLISCI101
4.3