Very drab and stern personality, does not give you enough time to take notes...unclear teaching at times but not a bad teacher

If Mis Berman is drab and stern,I believe I must be half dead! She is a very nice and adorable teacher,always ready to help her students. She is extremely open minded and never throws any commonplace or stupid fact as some polisci teachers do in front of the dull students with no culture. Very knowledgeable and her class is never boring! Take her!

She's a really cool professor, however just a little disorganized, but once you get over that the class kicks ass

She is very cool and nice. It seems that she cares a lot about her students. She is very smart as well. I really enjoyed her class, definitely a teacher you should take. She gives you the questions for the test, an easy A for me...

I just had my last cass with her today and I have really enjoyed my time in her class. It was a very relaxing and interesting class. She is so intelligent and a lovely teacher. Oh and she is also the professor with the coolest sneakers on campus!

She is so sweet. Someone said she can be mean sometimes. I don't know how this can be possible? She makes the subject very interesting, I think it's because she knows a lot about world politics. Good sense of humor too. Not hard to get a good grade in her class, she gives you the questions before the test so there is no surprise.

She is the sweetest profesor I've ever met! So easy to pass her class. All you have to do is read the chapter the night before. So hard to get lower then a B in her class. Take her for Political Science 1!!!!

Diane is super nice, laid back, and very smart. She gives easy quizzes based directly from the book. The mid-term and final are all essay/short answer questions, where it is your turn to show what she lectured on. Very fair. One of my favorite profs at smc which isn't saying much. those who say she isn't clear and unorganized are idioit liers.

Absolute delight of a woman. Couldn't ask for a more caring and light hearted professor. She is very aware of worldly and local events, political and social. Exams were fair, take good lecture notes and you'll succeed.

Berman is a nice teacher. Her midterms are pretty easy & as long as u read & understand the assigned chapters you should be able to do well in her class.

She is a wonderful woman, and a decent teacher. She is always trying to help her students and makes sure everyone is on pace. She hardly gets off topic and makes you want to go to her class. She is fair and can be somewhat of a pushover. Her finals are easy because she tells you what's on them and there is no homework. WHat more do you want?!

pol sci 1: excellent teacher. 2 exams, and final. the testing is essay/short answers/with multiple choice. The final was the easiest of the 3. Easy A if you pay attn and study! She's very clear on what to read and study. Attendance not mandatory, but helps to go to every class. I made an A, w effort tho.

Dr. Berman is a tremondous professor, who is ORGANIZED her power point presentations puts the content in context, her exams are based on the readings. She is an organized professor whose lectures are clear, although her section on Russia, was awful, obviously it wasn't her expertise but overall she is a gem. I highly recommend her!!

SHE IS VERY NICE. BUT DO NOT TAKE HER IN THE SHORT SEMESTERS..EVERYDAY SHE HAS HER STUDENTS COPY FROM HER POWERPOINT. HER POWERPOINTS ARE USUALLY VERY FULL MAKING IT HARD TO LISTEN AND WRITE AT THE SAME TIME. SHE BASE HER GRADING ON 4 TEST..WITH ONLY 20 QUESTIONS ON EACH TEST..FOR THESE REASONS IT IS HARD TO DO GOOD IN HER CLASS

I learned to love this class. I have read other students' comments and wonder if they attended the same class. How could anyone say this professor is lazy? I think powerpoint presentations make note taking much easier, and you do need to take notes.

This page is total proof why rate my professor is so unreliable. So she's not the most animated professor in the world, so what? She is quite brilliant and she knows what she's talking about. She basically tells you what she expects out of you. The really challening part is the multiple choice on the tests. Listen to her. Shell teach you things.

All of these negative haters have no effing idea what they're talking about. Professor Berman is AMAZING! She is so helpful and really listens to the needs of the students. The only reason I may have been reluctant to put this review up is because I don't want to have alot of competition when trying to enroll in her classes ;)

Great teacher, lots of reading on your own, however the exams are fair. And she kinda tells you during class what she will be testing you on. One you receive the test there will be no surprises, that's for sure. All exams consist on multiple choice and essay questions.

Knowledgeable, great teacher, helpful, doesn't try to trick you on tests.Bottom line: do the reading and you should end up with at least a B.

enunciates very clearly

LOVE HER!!!!!SHE'S REALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT WHAT SHE'S TEACHING; WANTS YOU TO PARTICIPATE. JUST DO THE READINGS AND PASS 3 TESTS!!!!HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER.

She's very knowledgeable and a great prof. I studied only 1-2 days b4 each exam and got an A. U need to memorize details and put them into your answer to essay qs. W/O details, u don't get an A; u get a B or C.

Amazing! Loved her, she's very fair when it comes to grading. I took two of her classes, and she got me so fascinated in Political Science. Her view on politics and the world is so level minded and sane; its very refreshing. There are very few people like her in los angeles, and its inspiring. Take her class, youll become a lot brighter!

She is the best professor! She is very clear about what's going to be on the test. All you have to do is come to class, take notes, and listen to her. She is a very knowledgeable and interesting. She knows a lot about politics and definitely can answer any question. She is great. I took her in the fall for comparative and got an A. Take her!

She's the most biased teacher I've ever had in my life. She's pro-American and if you utter any comments that doesn't go with her agenda she tries to put u down all semester long. Her multiple tests are pretty hard. She offers example quizzes online but they don't help at all. I got a B and that was with A LOT of work. I would recommend her to peop

i love her!! she is the sweetest prof at smc. SO helpful and pretty funny. her mult choice questions are from the book and she practically tells you what the essay questions are. Highly recommend her!

Berman uses PowerPoint so class is mainly lecture + discussion. She tends to go off topic a lot, hence the syllabus is "ambitious" meaning you won't get through it. Not necessarily an easy 'A' but if you read the textbook carefully and write strong detailed essays, you'll do fine.

So I thought poli sci online will be easy. not really. She expects your threads to be perfect. Make sure they are long and give good concrete examples. I did really bad on the first 2 but well on the other 2. If I knew how to do them in the beginning I wouldve gotten an A instead of B.Her online exams and quizzes are also tough. Study before.

Dr. Berman is an incredibly kind & helpful professor who really does care about her students & their success. That being said, she is a bit disorganized and often repeats herself. If you need clarity on the issue, go to her after class. All of her lectures are powerpoint and available on her website. Reading while not required is hugely important!

I took her Political science1 class in the short semester.I loved it!it wasnt that hard,and it was one of my 1st classes at SMC,but she helped me a lot!she is very helpful,if you actually go to her and ask her(politely)to help.She is adorable, and I'd say EASY.She lectures a lot,u have to take notes from powerpoint too at the same time.she's amazin

Very good professor. Visit her in her office if you have any questions. I used to visit her and chat about history and politics, and she got to know me pretty well which certainly helps. She is an expert in her field, and sometimes asks difficult essay questions, but is a fairly easy grader so it's not a problem. Take good notes off her slides.

Dr. Berman is a woman of the world, by saying it I mean she has gained the knowleadge as well as the experience around the globe, due to her intense travelling and experience in the field. She is always up-to-date with the news and throws questions mixing the content of the lecture with the news content. It`s much more appealing if you enjoy politi

She is very helpful and she does care about her students...if u have any concerns go to her office hours and talk to her u see that she is very reasonable. She is a little bit disorganized and her mc questions are kinda hard but overall excellent professor!

If you couldn't get an A in her class you are not an A student. Very brilliant woman who only wants to see an interest and effort on your part.

She's a REALLY good teacher. very knowledgeable. I had a lot of stuff going on that semester and I regret not being able to give her more of my time but she is awesome. Her tests are a bit hard but if you read you will pass.

just... read the textbook and commit to it because her lecture and the powerpoints won't help. but she is just so funny and super nice, witty and very smart! i really like her as a person but a mediocre prof, really unorganized and changes things in syllabus

Great teacher, took her in fall 2011 and taking her again in spring 2012, wonderful lady, nice and very knowledgeable, can be a bit disorganized but quizzes n exams r not difficult at all, highly recommend

Great teacher. Thoroughly interesting. Maybe not the great at explaining but if you get to know here a shes a fascinating woman, and really willing to help if your willing to put the hard work in. She changed my goals in life, and inspired me to do well. Great teacher!

Very disorganized but very knowledgeable. Make sure you read and attend class as she will help you out at the end. The essay topics are straight forward as she will hint about them in class. Multiple choice straight from the book.

Bermann is so brilliant that it's almost intimidating! Truth be told, though, most of the grade depends on the book-reading. Also, make sure you look at the online source of the book and their quizzes, too. The essays come from her lectures,so don't depend too much on the slides! You will be guaranteed an A if you heed my advice :)

(scholars) Dr. Berman is amazing. She is very knowledgeable and is passionate about what she teaches. 2 map quizzes, midterm paper, midterm essay test, final research paper. GO TO CLASS and DONT be late. Loved everything about the class and her. Never a dull moment.

Exams are based on her lectures and textbook readings. She sometimes circles around the topic and goes off into tangents. However shes a generous grader. An amazing teacher that you will learn A LOT from. She's def worth taking and will give you a good grade as long as you meet her half way.

I liked this teacher since she was very realistic but a little too biased for my taste. Unfortunately, she is very disorganized which makes it difficult to keep up. The test aren't easy at all but are easy if you know what she wants. Overall, out of 10 I'd give her a 7, so she is alright.

Read the textbook, attend class, think and talk in class. Grade is based on 3 tests (mc and essay). Holds office hours and can talk to her after class.

I had no previous interest in Pol Sci until I took her I.R class! Show up to every lecture & you will get an A on the essay portion of the tests. Read your textbook for the MC portion of your test! PAY ATTENTION! That is seriously ALL I did to obtain an A. Don't be lazy!

I wish I could write an entire essay about how incredibly stimulating Berman is. No joke, this woman is a wealth of knowledge and we as students should only be so lucky as to have her share it with us. Follow her instructions and you'll do fine. Oh--and remember to enjoy the ride!

I took her 2012 Fall.....and this professor is full of knowledge...I personally think her lectures are very interesting and opens up your mind.....I don't think she is the easiest teacher but she isn't impossible...I actually really liked her class...I did an extra credit at the end of the semester and I think my grade boosted to an A

This professor is amazing. I just graduated college and would go back retake a class with because her lectures are so educational and entertaining. She's made political science so interesting and fun. In addition, she speaks from her own experience by living in South Africa. She's a fascinating woman and it's rare to come across people like her.

PROS: Very nice teacher, easy to talk with, very funny and knowledgeable when it comes to politcal science. CONS: Three quizzes, two exmas, one paper, no extra credit. If you bomb an exam, kiss that A goodbye. OVERALL: I recommend Berman as she very understanding and if you study her slides, you will be fine.

Great professor for Comparative Politics. She has a wealth of knowledge and is entertaining to listen to. Focus in class, study your notes, and you will do fine. I got an A and really did not try at all. Her style is narrative with a historical perspective of state development. Take her.

She is great teacher and its a fun class. Never really reviewed your grades and I'm not the best student but I thought I did enough to pass the class. I guess i was wrong. Lesson learn, attend office hours.

This class involves one to READ THE BOOK! Her lectures and summaries alone will not help you pass her class. She will help you out in regards to your grade. If you fail a quiz or test, it won't mean you will land with a F or D. She may be off topic at times due to class interaction, but if you read the book you WILL get an A. Plus go to class!

I loved Berman, her test are hard but you just have to keep up with the reading. Shes not a stickler for numbers, she grades more on your improvement and understanding of the material.

You have to read the book and understand the course material to do well on the exams. There is no homework, just two exams and a few quizzes.

If you're a poli sci major and you don't take a class with Professor Berman you attended SMC for nothing. She is by far the best professor. She always keeps her classes interesting and funny, her humour is contagious and i can't emphasise how helpful she is if YOU ASK HER for help. I took all her classes, and do not regret a single day of attendanc

She's not liked by those caught up with the point system & strictly following the syllabus. I found her fluid style refreshing & stimulating; lectures are conversation-based & very Socratic. I disagree with her politics, but she's logical, presenting material honestly & without bias. Not an easy A, I'm a PS major & I really had to earn it.

She is easy going, gives you all the notes she uses in class, and discussing the lesson in the book. She fair in her grading, this is the second class I have taken with her and I would take another class with take should would teaches.

Dr. Berman is such an amazing professor. She is very helpful and makes the class interesting. She's nice, but don't think you can take advantage of that. Multiple choice on tests are based on the book and essays are based off of lectures. She covers the material very well. If she sees you've improved, she'll give you a better grade.

AMAZING!!! I loved her class, she is so much fun. All what she use during her lecture is posted on eCompanion, she totally prepare you for midterms and finals, there is no surprise. I am totally taking her again !!

Tough essay grader, but accumulative grade. Lectures off powerpoints. No homework. Final group paper and in class essay. Few written response assignments. Great professor. Very knowledgable.

First of all, you have to attend this class every lecture because she gives attendance randomly, Do not be a slacker who thinks grades should be fed to you like a hand feeding a baby. Read and write down an outline on what you think she might ask for the essays. When she gave back exams back she called me a Star, all due to hard work.

She is really nice. Tests are really hard though. Even if you learned all the stuff there still will be questions that you don't know.

5 tests/ quizzes. Optional final. Also had her for pol sc 2. Hilarious professor but knows her stuff.

Professor Berman has a clear-cut syllabus that tells you everything that needs to be done and by what date. Assignments are very clear and you know what you need to do to receive a grade. The only issue is that she hardly responds to e-mails so for an online class, it was a little bit more difficult but it turned out being fine. I'd take her again.

350 characters is not enough to describe how wonderful Professor Berman is. I took her class just for the fun, and boy am I glad! She is very knowledgable, and also very hilarious. She has an extraordinary personality to match her simple and easy teaching method. Read the chapter and it's a guaranteed A on the exam! Take her, you won't regret it!

it was a good online class, It was an easy A all the stuff is in the book so it's not bad at all if you just read you will be fine. She's nice she did respond to my questions and emails. Anyways it was a good class i recommend.

BEST lectures given by a highly intelligent professor! Wish she teaches more classes. Purely for the interesting lectures did I drag myself up at 6, brace the morning 405, then the battle scene at SMC parking to make it to her class at 8am. No HW, no paper, no roll call. 3 exams of multiple choices and essays. Material covered in powerpoint, notes.

I also took her for Political Science 1 because I needed more credits and loved her poli sci 2 course. I love politics and enjoyed learning about other countries. The grades are based off her exams which are based off of the readings. Do the readings! Her lectures are to reinforce the readings. The more you show that you read the better.

Awesome Professor! took her and inspired me to major in political science. great with students and really genuinely cares about all in class, which she notices and takes into account when you go and ask questions or clarify questions. 4 10 point quizzes, drops one, a paper, and a final. Best prof ever

Only reason I didn't do well was because I didn't take it seriously enough. If you pay attention, stay up to date on and frequently check canvas, and do the reading then you can easily get an A. The readings not even 100% necessary (but extremely helpful for the quizzes, answers are literally cited from the book). Online quizzes/assignments.

Prof Berman will teach you things you didn't sign up to learn, but nevertheless they are valuable and priceless. She's extremely intelligent so just listening to her thoughts on anything is an eye opener. Participate, ask questions, go to office hours, show youre a critical thinker. She'll love you and odds are you'll get an A!

Not an easy class. Muss Read the book thoroughly if you want to get an A. Go to office hours.

Best Professor at SMC laissez-faire! Poli Sci won't make sense unless she tells you how it is. Definitely recommend

The tip top of the SMC poli sci department - hands down. She's got great stories with fun turns that lead to deep insights. She doesn't play around, so if you're looking to get your boo-boos to get kissed go take Tahvidrian or whatever his name is. Would take again, if only to hear her meander on about whatever she deems fit to speak about.

I'm at USC now but I still miss the class I took with Prof. Berman. Her lecture style was inspiring, full of insightful perspectives. She encouraged interactions and questions. Very funny too. Class had 2 exams, attending class and reading PP was enough. If you think her class had too much to read, you haven't aimed high enough for yourself.

Professor Berman is one the most practical professors at SMC. I always suggest other classmates to take her PolySCI. Show up to class, make sure to write the power points down. What she goes over in class is whats on the test. Read. This class is not difficult, its up to you to come to class. She educates truth about the world. Amazing Class!!!!!!!

Dr. Berman is a great knowledgeable professor who understands and is passionate about the material she teaches. Quizzes on Canvas can be tough so read the text and lectures given. She uses her own lectures and Text on the quizzes and exams so study both. She likes class discussions so ask questions or else she will threaten to end class early.

Professor Berman made waking up for an 8AM class something that I actually looked forward to. Her lectures were very interesting, and her sense of humor was very engaging. You definitely have to work for your A in her class, but as long as you show up everyday, take notes, and refresh yourself by reading the textbook, it should be very manageable!

If you put effort in her class, she will put effort into you! If you take notes during the lectures, then you can notice that she highlights pretty much everything that'll be on the tests. Though it could be hard because she goes on tangents quite often. Sometimes you gotta look up what she says b/c not always 100% accurate. Overall great professor

I took both her polsci 7 and 2. Words can not explain how amazing she is. If you take good notes and read the textbook you will definitely do well in this class. If you slack and don't come to class you may be in trouble. Lectures are super interesting and she is one of the most amazing professors on campus. YOU NEED THIS CLASS.

Dr. Berman leads a great Global Studies class! Would take her again any day. This course is not for the student who is looking to phone it in nor one ready to apply themselves in their studies. That being said, this course's studies are socially important and Dr. B does an amazing job at providing all the tools and lectures her students need!

Super class, learnt a lot but you have to work for it.

If you read the passages the class is not hard. The course was relatively easy for me since I already took a similar class in HS but still. Make your own notes it'll help and Message her if you have any problems, TRUST. AP students take her, the course will feel familiar.