2.6
Quality2.9
DifficultyN/A
Would Retake104
ReviewsN/A
Would Retake
104
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
20
4
15
3
16
2
21
1
32
What Students Say
“he points out things that history books have overlooked”
POLS110 - 5.0 rating“Very opinionate with views of a left wing liberal”
POLS2 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.22 avg changeRatings by Course
AFAM
5.0
(1)INTLREL
5.0
(1)POLAFR
5.0
(1)POLSC1
5.0
(1)POLS147N
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PS
5.0
POLI01A
5.0
POLS190
4.5
AFAM
4.0
POLISCI
4.0
Reviews (104)
an opinionated teacher with seemingly left-winged opinions on america. very open to students' ideas, and conducts his class as an open forum for all. he points out things that history books have overlooked. excellent instructor.
Very opinionate with views of a left wing liberal. Test were difficult and returned very late. (ex. coming in, the test was suppose to be 5 short answer. Turns out to be 10 question all easy format and expected to be 1 to 2 page each.)
Very interesting teacher. He is a bit of a hard grader, but he will enlighten & entertain you for the entire semester.
Helps to be a liberal in his class. Maybe the one teacher who sympathisizes with terrorists. Has legit point about Scheller House should have a plaque to commemorate African American Studies Department. Toughest A- I've ever earned.
very entertaining:)
Cobbie is the best! Just imagine Chris Rock as your professor. A truly amazing lecturer. It was truly an honor to be in his class. I've learned so much about the world from him.
The best professor you will ever have. Very open to new ideas. Awesome lecturer who can keep your attention for 2 hours straight. He is also a very cool guy outside of class, and likes to conversate with students he knows.
This guy has a great personality. Very funny. If u dont like to talk in class, dont take him. He likes to go around the room asking for everyone's opinion. He grades easy on essays, but grades hard on tests. His subjects are kinda boring.
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Good lecturer, hard grader. His tests were impossible for me despite my doing all the reading and going to class. He is very engaging and interesting, but the final was very hard, I'm surprised I passed.
If you like socialist professors, this is your guy. He seems like Bill Cosby on every drug known but is hella smart. Lots of books to read. There's no NARRATIVE!!!!
biased teacher. grades easier with students he likes best. lectures are unclear and convuluted. very critical, tends to punish students who don't agree with his socialist opinions.
True, he does torture conservative minded students and favors the more liberal. His finals are torture, often being multi-question essays based entirely on class lectures. Upside, he never takes role and offers ample extra credit.
Horrible teacher. He is not very organized. He was over an hour late for the final and then it turned out he had brought the wrong final. He then tried to play it off like it wasnt his problem. He doesnt teach, and has hard tests.
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This guy must be on crack!! Why else would he makes students read 443 pages in two weeks for the beginning of the semester. later on he expects 300 pages every two weeks. His class requires 7 books.
Harris is a great professor! Conservatives and Capitalists hate him...LOL If your go to all his lectures you will not have as many problems when you take the midterm and final. For some people it is difficult to hear that the U.S.A. is not all “peace and
Don't expect to understand him. He is late to class almost every time, and doesn't return papers in a timely manner. Sometimes it can get funny in his class, but most of the time class is a drag.
This teacher is extremely confusing. He teaches the class like its a philosophy class. He is not clear on any of the writing assignments or the readings. The highest grade people got in my class on the essays was a C. Dont' take him!!!!
I am never taking a class w/ him AGAIN! we had 6 books, he sped thru them, and then expects u2 know everything there is 2 know about them. his midterm was unclear, as was his final and he forgot people's midterms & i still don't have my paper back
It doesn't matter how much work you put in or how bad you do. He picks grades out of a hat. I did all the assignments and received grades (A,A,B,D) late with no explaination. Usually teacher gives comments on papers. I got a B, but he was impossible.
Took 3rd world politics with this guy. Don't do it! What a jerk.
Progressive Professor. Good lecturer. Covers info quickly, will rehash and yet, is avail for discussion. Admin. side of his teaching leaves some to be desired. Harris let's you know whats happening in the world and how to get involved for real!
took his pol sci 1 class. was refreshing. great man. love his views. take him during winter!!! less bookload!!!
Cobie is one of the coolest poli sci professors. You must take one of his classes. The discussions in class are the best part, he values your opinion, but you must be able to defend it. He's an easy grader, just get on his good side.
a must take..this guy is hella funny...he says what everyone is thinking and does not shy away from making fun of stupid people...fuuunnny..wat of it
Really nice, funny Professor. Fun class. Do the work and you'll be fine. Learned alot. I took him for Winter Session, we had a take home final, which he helped us on in class and we read two books and did reviews on them EASY!!!
You should take the class just to have the experience but his midterm and final are very difficult and unclear. The questions seemed to come from nowhere with no definate anwser. Tests were take home.
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If you like sitting around talking about how you feel then take his class, if you don't and actually want to learn something, then avoid his classes at all costs. The teacher is very honest with his opinions but can easily offend someone, especially if you are Jewish.
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It was difficult to understand everything that was going on in the class. There are no set deadlines so if you miss the wrong day then you are kinda out of luck. One plus is: he is very knowledgable about the subject area and encourages class participation. His handwriting is horrible and often lectures have nothing to do with the class.
knows what he is talking about except that it has nothing to do about test.. unclear about dates .. which is a trick to get you to class!!! good lectures but nothing about that on the test .. will make you read 2-3 books that are all the test!!
i was at risk of getting kicked out of school, and Prof. Harris made it so that I didn't. his class IS a bit complex, as are his teaching methods, but that's what college is all about-adapting to different methods of teach, and learning from them- So thank you prof. Harris, and to me your hot. :)
I couldn't be more dissapointed with a professor. I was interested in learning because I am a Poli Sci major. However, he talked too much about his personal vendettas in politics and thats okay - but when it came to essays, it was hard to tell what he wanted.
He is a funny guy that will make you think about a lot of stuff, though he is very one sided. He is ok though
I think this guy may have some good ideas, however, I failed to see how they had anything to do with comparitive poilitics.
No Comments
Professor Harris is awesome. I love the idea that he opens discussion regarding contemporary topics about todays world and about the topic we are discussing. I recommend him to all.
It was really sad to see prof harris with such a low rating on here. His class was easy, but you still learned alot, and it was always fun. This was one of my favorite classes at state.
Doesn't have a clear view on what he's teaching.
hes a character, but i can see why people are unhappy with him. hes not a traditional teacher in the sense that theres set dates and outlines, but it shows what kind of man he is. hes really open to his students and is passionate about what he preaches.
AWESEOME poli sci prof. harris is a berkeley radical and his classes are great places to have a discussion. if you are the type of person that is afraid of having an opinion then dont take this. actually dont take any poli sci classes. harris is a really funny and nice guy, an intellectual who is also down to earth with the working class. he is really smart and has a lot of knowledge. when i took the class, we compared monotheism to the USA and it worked and was a relevent and fascinating connection.
you will never know what is on the test with this guy and i think at the end of the semester most of the class ends up getting a B because he give us all the "benefit of the doubt" at least thats what he says after you get your essays back with a "A/B" on the top.
HE was totally out in left field and he plays favorites. I could not wait to get out of his class!!
Great teacher for those who actually want a real education and wake up! Took Poly 1 with him and he tackled all the great America myths. Don't be afraid to liberate your mind, that's why you are in college, you damn robots!
I took some entry class with Harris.. WHAT A WASTE. He is what you want a professor NOT to be. He has one set of beliefs that he preaches and criticizes those he disagrees with. He has no structured notes, punishes you for not coming to class despite that it is a WASTE of time, and then he left for France and handed out B- to all of us. Jerk!
don't believe those other comments that say he is a bad teacher, because this guy is one you will never forget and that is why they are still talking about him. And who elso would give students a B grade just for leaving on a vacation.
You will either love him or hate him. His views are one sided, which is somewhere so far left it can't be seen. If you agree with him you will love this class. If you oppose and realize his views are distored and corrupt you will hate it. In any case he follows no cirriculum and leaves you in the dark when it comes to whats on the test!
Very strange teacher. He has VERY left wing views. If you can keep your mouth shut, the class is easy. He hardly tests you on class lectures. Many times we had a big class discussion. However, he is VERY UNCLEAR as to his expectations from you. His syllabus lacked vital information such as due dates and grade tabulation. Not approachable.
Take him, if you want a B. You have to agree with him. For those that say he breaks myths and is a good teacher, if you don't agree with him it can hurt your grade. You start with a B and it goes down from there. He doesn't always hand things back, and his final has nothing to do with anything that was every discussed in classs.
He is awe-inspiring and makes students think. His comments are thought-provoking. He made me want to major in political science. I never missed a class and felt remorse when it was over.
This man is truly a genius. His knowledge of the subject is incredible. I never have been so interested in a class and never learned so much. I didn't want the class to end.
The guy was cool until he started giving me low grades for no reason. I read his corrections on my paper but they seemed to be opinions and not critiques. He seems to discuss topics with tangents in class and although he says he supports giving everyone a chance to talk, he argues with peoples' resolve even when they are very reasonable.
One of the best professors I've ever had. His class is very hard, but he is awesome. He is VERY knowlegeable and a great guy. You can learn a lot from him and enjoy the class if you try.
He likes himself more than his students and thinks most of us are not intelligent.
Great Professor. Wonderful to take a class with, even if I haven't always liked or agreed what he's had to say or understoof his process of organization. Everyone should have this professor at least once. If you don't support his conclusions then at least you can perhaps learn what strengthens your own conclusions. For others out there being nega
All his lectures come back to how the US is at fault for all the horrible things in the world. Regardless of the validity of his arguement, I signed on to his class with the expressed intreset of learning something, not being preached at or listen to talking points. He is extremely knowledegable in his topics, but that gets lost in his ranting.
We need more teachers like him. I benefit from his classes. He knows this stuff for real. It's important to know. He's fascinating. His classes are fun. His class textbooks are classics. I give him top marks. He's the HERO.
Had him for Senior Seminar in 03. The class was unforgettable and still influences me today. Cobie is one of the reasons I became a teacher.
Harris is the most unorganized & unprofessional teacher I have ever had. I was interested in learning what the SJSU catalog described as a class comparing political systems but instead I got 16 weeks full of leftist bull. He picks fights with students & refuses to acknowledge that some of us have brains & our own opinions. I am waiting for the day
I really dont mind his leftist views or his crazy rantings, but he is LAZY. He doesn't grade on time, doesn't prepare for lectures, and will probably skip class twice or more during the semester. He rarely lectured on topic which left me scrambling in the dark during finals. A redeeming quality is he makes everyone speak in class discussions.
Prof Harris is a one of a kind prof. Many student dont like his tecahing methods. I had him for 3 classs' and i do agree that his teaching methods are different but i still learned from him..Keep it up COBIE..your one of the best in my book....
He gave our class the same lecture at least 2 times, which was the only indication that any part of his rambling may have been prepared before class. He often came late and made no sense. I learned nothing in this class, and he was a hard grader without giving any indication of his expectations. It was a waste of my time.
I've taken two classes with him. Honestly, he teaches the same material over and over again, but he is hilarious if you don't take him seriously. People get offended by his beliefs, but don't be one of them; he lashes back. If you get a bad grade, talk to him and he'll give you a better one without a doubt--something a lot of people don't realize.
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Yes, he is remarkably left wing. Yes, he will lash out at people who attack his views. No, he doesn't hate Jews. (If that's the charge automatically, you prove his point.) Yes, his lecture does not follow a set path. Even with all that, I'm taking him again. The class was a bit of a breath of fresh air. Much more debate and interaction.
When I first took Harris I was intimidated by him, but if you go to his office hours he is there to help you and will clear up anything you don't under stand, but you have to want to take the time out to do it. Harris definately has his views on the topics he teaches, but he really challenges you to think for yourself. That's what I pay for. You?
I've taken Prof. Harris for 1 previous class (intro to comparative politics) and I am currently taking 2 (War&Peace, 150 and African Politics, 142). I can see why some students have an issue with his views and such but it's a refresher to all the other professors who preach the same stuff. His courses are funny and inclusive to all comments.
Extremely intelligent and scholarly, an Intellectual with the capital 'I', highly professional, challenging and interesting teaching methods, challenging (but fair) reading load, astonishing and purely positive class experience. Highly recommend his class. Very approachable and supportive. One of teh best professors in years and at SJSU.
This class is poor. Prof. Harris makes the same argument every class. Basically there is a weekly class pole in which the only choice is living in oppression or kill all the white people in Africa. If you want to learn about politics in Africa, it won't happen in this class. Tests are take home, but he doesn't grade the entire test.
I believe all comments and opinions should be taken with a grain of salt, but please believe me when I tell you that Prof. Harris is the WORST professor in my entire college career. Disorganized is hardly the world. The guy exists in outer space. He can hardly finish a thought or sentence and his grading style is completely subjective. Booo.
This professor is the stereotypical example of liberal indoctrination. Unless your idea of learning is going to class and hearing the same lecture everyday about how evil and selfish the United States/Christianity/Conservatives is, don't take this class. It's a joke. (btw. He will pray in Arabic in class if mentioning Islam). Sickening.
Interesting points of view.
The class = War & Peace but i learned the least about actual reasoning for war and peace? would never take harris again during my remaining time at SJSU. he likes to just focus on racial matters and "ideology." I am serious when i say YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY A SINGLE BOOK FOR HIS CLASS. the book i read i got a C, the book i didn't i got a B! wtf...
Professor Harris is kind of nut, but I think everyone needs at least one professor like him to open their eyes to issues they may have never thought of before. He will say very extreme comments, just to get rise out of people and get them talking. Don't take anything he says to seriously.
Both great and Horrible. Absolutly no need to buy any books. Had him for 2 classes, gave same lecture for both classes even though on different subjects. As long as you take an opinion and argue a little in class so he knows who you are, Then write just about anything for the papers. Fun off topic arguments. Wealth of knowledge.
Professor Harris is the most extreme teacher I have ever had. He lectures about his personal beliefs rather than the topic we are supposed to be studying. He makes your blood boil the whole hour and a half. There's no need to go to one of his lectures, just go to the final. To sum it up DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS. YOU WILL REGRET IT.
Professor Harris gives what every college student needs: a challenge in the face of truth. His lectures will require maturity, and the discussions will include/insist that you have an informed opinion. I listen, read and think with a more responsible mind thanks to his Poly-Sci class. NOT for the dull student who simply wants to scrape by.
I see he is the same Prof from 12 years ago. I took African American Studies for 2 semesters with him. He is indeed as flamingly Marxist as some claim, but damned if I did not have the best discussions of my life. He in an interesting character to say the least. I am sure is even more caustic now. - "Yuba City" (if he reads this he will know me)
I dreaded going to this class. He liked to have these long conversations about topics no one was really interested in except for the people in the front. He liked to argue with students and made sure he was always right. Avoid him unless you like long mindless debates.
He needs to be removed from the department, he is that bad. This class is factless indoctrination. In the face of facts, he ducks and dodges to instead lay his foundation of his own slant. Do not take him for compartive politics because you will get absolutely nothing from the class... and you will not be aware or informed of contempory issues
I taught him everything when he was at Marysville. Used to slam it in his face. He would try to make a move - and bam - put him in his place. Then he started to excel. Look out world - Cobie is coming. Lynn S.
Love Cobie Harris! great professor. as long as you dont take him seriously, you'll do good. he has funny points of view but you should have this kind of teacher at least once in your college expereince! RECOOMMEND HIM.
Professor Harris is great teacher! He taught me to think about worldly issues in a whole new light. His discussions are relevant and sometimes funny. Students are always trying to challenge his discussions and he allows them to do that. He is flexible and avaliable to his students. You are asked your opinion about topic at end of class. TAKE HIM!
He is just awful. Racist and doesn't really teach. You only need to attend class when he's talking about a midterm or assignment.
He argued that Mexico was in South America. He apparently proved this by stating that it is below the equator. He also says Jimmy Carter invented the nuclear bomb and Americans are the least intelligent people because they re-elected Ronald Reagan. He hates America, free markets, and white people. I am a dark skinned minority and he disgusts me.
Everything in the previous post.is true. He argued that mexico was in the southern hemisphere, and is convinced president carter was a nuclear scientist. His arguments are never based in fact so he talks over students who prove him wrong. UC Berkley should be embarrased to have given this fool a Ph.D
It is true that he likes discussions, but he does not seem to acknowledge that students have opinions. Whenever someone has a diff. opinion about a book we are reading, he says that the author is one of the brightest minds of our time and therefore we can't disagree. He does not teach anything.I am going to agree with him and get an A on the final.
Students taking a class w/Harris for the first time might be shocked by his raw teaching style, but if you try to take personal emotion out of the equation you can hear some pretty interesting discussions! Definitely a unique professor.
Brilliant professor. Easy class if you want a quick A. If youre passionate about politics take this class. If you expect to participate in his classroom discussions, READ THE ASSIGNED TEXTS. They are not especially long or difficult. The second you speak, he will know if you have done so or not. Whether you agree with him or not is irrelevant.
Some may like him, some may not. I would not recommend.
I really cannot stand the way that he talks to students. He lectures us like we have no thoughts and is constantly talking us down. I DO NOT recommend and I will never take another class with him.
Not a great professor, though his class is an easy A if you do everything on time. He generally takes the exams before the finals week. Class participation is encouraged. I was very surprised to come across views from various class fellows regarding global issues as I did not perceive them to have views as pro liberal as I heard.
He is one of the worst teachers I have ever had. He repeats himself constantly and throughout the whole class. He blames students for all of America's problems. If you disagree with anything he says, don't even bother saying anything because he will disregard your comments and change the subject.
If you want a teacher that actually teaches I recommend you find another teacher. at first he was going by his book then literally throws it away and starts babbling and goes on about his definition of marxism. he then pulls topics out at wimp. just like every debate with a student usually ends with jumping from one topic to another ex Red Herring
A horrible teacher. Don't take his class
After having fostered a semester's worth of patience for this professor's teaching methods (or complete lack thereof), I have finally run out of any empathy. Each lecture is merely identical; "lessons taught" are strictly adhering to the professor's personal thoughts; and it's almost impossible to get a grade check (during office hours!).
I apologize to everyone on this site for not listening to the bad reviews. He is a bad professor. No organization or structure to his class whatsoever. I somehow got out of his class with an A-, but if you want to learn something, stay away form Harris. 15 weeks of nonsense.
Run for your lives!!!
To whoever had Harris, he was recently put on leave from San Jose State bc so many of us complained. We now have a new professor and is actually teaching! Sorry to all who had Harris, but he is now GONE! YAY!
Class Info
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.22 avg changeRatings by Course
AFAM
5.0
(1)INTLREL
5.0
(1)POLAFR
5.0
(1)POLSC1
5.0
(1)POLS147N
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PS
5.0
POLI01A
5.0
POLS190
4.5
AFAM
4.0
POLISCI
4.0