TOUGH BUT GOOD

Hardest techer I ever had, but leanred more from him than any other teacher I ever had. Worked my tail off for a B+ and I am a straight A student.

Hard teacher, but you do learn alot, although if you use the bathroom during class you lose perfect attendance. Find another teacher if you can....

Lanier teaches socratic method- take him if you want to learn and go to law school...

Yes, he is a demanding teacher. However, you will learn more in his class than in any other at UCF. It *is* possible to walk out with an A; I did, and was exempt from the final.

The guy makes me break out in a cold sweat whenever he enters the room! You'll work your butt off and might be humiliated in class, but you DO learn a lot.

What a great instructor! He makes you work but you'll enjoy the interaction in his class.

AWESOME professor! Seriously, if you want to be a lawyer or learn anything about our government, he's your man. Yes, the class is pretty difficult, but if you follow instructions and actually DO the work, you'll be fine. TAKE THIS CLASS, HE ROCKS! :)

Awesome teacher, you will work hard but learn a ton of info.

Dr. L uses the Socratic method in his lectures which is challenging for many people. however he deeply cares about your success, and if you simply pay attention, take some notes, and freaking GO TO CLASS then you will do fine and learn a lot :)

Participation in class is a must. This is a very hard teacher and in order to do well on the tests you must read the book. Do all the extra credit because it counts a lot! Class is all Power Point and pure lecture.

One word: wow. Great teacher! Very demanding, but on the same note a very rewarding class. Inspired me to major in Political Science. Again, superb professor!

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You have to bust your butt, and he's helful if you go to him for help.

Yes questions you daily for points but will only lose credit if absent/say "I don't know."Bring your book to class, participate/attempt to answer questions.I got a B working very hard.Will take a lot away from this class. Difficult mult/shrt/es

This professor has done more to help me academically than any other educator. He has inspired me to push myself, to question things, to think for myself, and to achieve. He is not for wimps, but wimps don't belong in college.

Incredibly challenging professor. Also, one of the best you will ever have in college. Would gladly take him again. Amazing professor. Amazingly thorough; amazingly difficult. But easily worth the sweat.

One of the most demanding professors you will encounter at this university. The end result, given that you survive this trial by fire, is a plethora of knowledge and deeper understanding of Government. Highly recommend Dr. L; great professor.

Not easy, not laidback. One of the best classes I've ever taken. This is an immense challenge but worth it- 100%. Take only if you are mentally tough. Take this course in a semester where your other courses are not time-consuming, because this one is.

May seem difficult when you first meet him, but you'll learn to get over it. Just do you work and participate in class. DON'T SKIP OR FORGET TO READ...BIG mistake. If you want to go to law school this is the guy that will help you get there!

if you want to go to law school TAKE LANIER! he's hard but i've learned the most in his class. He's intimidating at first, but he's nice. Willing to help (office hours) and will explain a concept to you until u totally understand it! I'm taking him again-he's fantastic.

This will be the hardest class you ever take at UCF, but it will also be the most rewarding. Here is an outline to at least a B in the class: Don't EVER miss his lectures, stay up on the reading, do any form of extra credit you can get your hands on, and by all means go see him for help if needed.

Dr. Lanier is definitely the most challenging teacher I've taken. I learned about 300 X more than what I anticipated. He is a very hard teacher that is stern and strict, which is what a teacher should be. I earned a C but am taking a second class with him because I value his Socratic method.

Hardest course I've ever taken. I was IB in high school and honors at college. I have always gotten A's easily. In his course I ran a C+. He knows what he is talking about but demands a great deal from his students. If you want to go to law school he's a wake-up call. He takes a lot out of you.

He will push you... but everyone needs a good push. You don't know stress unless you know Lanier. He is worth the trouble... you will learn SOMETHING! There is no escaping it.

Dr. Lanier is an amazing teacher. You will learn more than you can ever imagine. I have. But your grade WILL NOT, WILL NOT reflect how much you know. The exams don't seem hard. You think you aced it but you haven't. I admire this professor, but my GPA suffered. I'm thankful for all the knowledge.

I didn't think the class was that bad. I goofed off for the first test and his test murdered me but If you review your notes after every class and read before class you should do well. I have a hard time studying so his tests sucked but I learned a lot. You will write a paper a week.

The guy is not easy and he moves fast, but he will answer any question you ask that pertains to the topic. He is very helpful if you ask, and he makes sure everyone understands before moving on. He can be intimidating at times.

BEST TEACHER EVER. Will push you past your limit. Do not expect an A. But you will know so much when you leave. Get a study group together PRONTO!

Tried my hardest for this class and got a bad grade. I'm a B student otherwise. Lanier is a great teacher in class, and the expectations are outlined clearly, the tests are near impossible in difficulty and moot is too stressful. Take this if you want the biggest challenge of your college career.

Do not take this class unless you are willing to work extremely hard and are comfortable with not receiving an A (unless you are one of the blessed). On the other hand, you will learn a great deal. It's up to you to decide which one is more important.

Wonderful class. I worked my butt off, and was frustrated most of the time, but that made the A- I got sweeter. If you are unwilling to work, put forth an effort, and ask for his help when you need it, you will fail. If you do the work, and get the help you need...you can be breezing through law school stress free like me.

Ok, the real deal here is that Dr. Lanier is an immensely demanding professor. That being said, he is also by far the best professor you will have during your college career here at UCF. Will you struggle? Yes. Will you slave for hours in the library? Yes. Will you feel an immense amount of accomplishment when you finish the course? Absolutely. A+

I took him my sophmore year for Judical Proccess. I graduate next semester and it was by far the hardest course I've ever taken. You will work your ass off and you will most likely not get the grade you want. However, you will learn more in any one class of his than in a year of other courses. Recommended for anyone going to law school.

His class requires a lot of time, need to study and be untop of the reading. Be ready to appreciate a C on his exam. It is very difficult to get an A, although it is possible. If yu are not a political science major this class is too much to waste your time and hurt your GPA.

Ok honestly you will remember everything he ever says, but he will tell u off the bat, its very hard to get a good grade in his class, he makes it impossible, he says it to prepare you for law school, and thats total bull, in my opinion he suffers from napoleon complex, trust me dont take him, i wish i would have listened

He tells you at the first day, this is a hard class and he's not joking. This was the hardest class I have ever taken and it was also the best. I love the challenge and you will learn a lot. If you're the type doesn't come to all classes and have any ambition to be challenged, you'll crash and burn.

I loved Dr. Lanier as a professor. He is difficult. As he puts it, his class is a "Marathon not a sprint!" It is very true. If you do the home work & E.C., read the book and take good notes you can do well. Also, he is more than willing to help sudents who ask. I recieved an A- in this class and I worked hard to get it. I am taking him again!

Bottom line- he's very very hard. Period. A lot of people hate him for this, and feel like he is ruining their grade. Lots of people get F's in his classes. If you want to learn though, you will never learn more than from him. I am graduating and took him 3 years ago. While I hated life during his class, my struggle really benefited me in the end.

He's hard and will make you want to die.Your GPA will suffer and all that. However you WILL LEARN ALOT. Take if your GPA can handle it.

Great teacher, but when they say hard they mean it. I failed the first test, and then came back to make a 62 D on the second... and it was still one of the highest scores in the class! Not too shaby :D

He was the hardest professor that ive ever had... yet like he let us know at the first class that you will learn, like it or not. But if you want a good grade you must put in the study hours, and for god sakes proof read your papers because nothing sucks more than to spend two days writing him a legal brief and getting a 0 on it.

Not an easy class, but easily one of the best teachers I've ever had. Covers the topic thoroughly and clearly. Go to class regularly and read the material and you'll do fine. Tests are hard but there's enough other material to pad the grade.

Dr. Lanier is clear about his expectations. Lectures complemented the texts well, but by no means did they cover all the material on the exams. You must read the textbooks. His tests are tough, but graded fairly.

The basics: 1- You will learn A LOT, but do NOT expect to get an A. 2- READ THE ASSIGNED TEXTS, highlight and make notes in the margins. 3- Clear about his expectations, just read syllabus. 4- 4 tests, SPSS assignments, WebCT usage & class participation make up your grade. 5- Not recommended if you don't enjoy government. 6-Fair, but very hard.

-Dont take his class if you have a heavy load. It quite a bit of your time, but "you learn." He is great professor, he gives you some insites as to what law school feels like. Seriously though...dont take him if you want to get by, study your notes prior to class, ask questions (even though its hard sometimes),and dont get hit by the fright train.

Presidency class is much easier than Judicial. Not easy, but easier. You have to pay attention to the lectures, take notes and review them every night. You have to think about the meaning behind things. Tests are not based on factual questions - they challenge you to think. He is very helpful if you ask and you can learn a lot if you try.

I took his judicial process course online and it wasn't as bad as people make the course and the professor seem. He is a good professor, knows his stuff and really wants his students to give it their all. You must read the material otherwise you're doomed- you'll need to know the material to pass.

Online class-what a challenge! My 4.0 GPA will suffer. However, I learned a lot. To ALL future students: he is not that bad, if you have to take his classes, do not be afraid of him; communication is everything, always ask questions. I disputed several questions on both exams, and got a credit for them!

Dr. Lanier is one tough professor, but the key to doing well is to do what he says when you're supposed to do it. Very methodical. He is willing to help but you have to seek it. He won't hold your hand. He comes off as cold but he is very fair and very concise. I would take one of his classes again. Recommend.

Overall he is a great teacher and you will learn something from the course. However, it is NOT easy. If you do the assignments and read the material before class, you should be fine. Do not slack off or it will bite you in the end.

If your not willing to put in the hard work and time to pass this class, don't even bother signing up for it. All the rumors are true, this guy is hard, but you actually learn something in this class and he is a good teacher.

The people commenting are probably lazy and don't like to work hard. Dr. Lanier is tough but fair. His expectations are crystal clear and are reflected in the syllabus. Getting a B is easy, getting an A is hard. You'll learn more in his class than any other, guaranteed.

Dr L is a misunderstood Professor. Just becuase you have to read and talk about what you read people get the wrong idea.

Dr. Lanier's class is tough, but you will learn a lot. If you're trying to coast through college and not actually learn something I don't suggest taking his class. If you actually want to get something out of school and get your money's worth then take Dr. Lanier. I recommend going to his office to ask questions, he likes students who do that.

Responds to your emails quickly, grades fairly, and instructions are clear and precise. His tests can be tricky. I received two grades in the 60's. He gives sample tests though, which I figured out can sometimes be half the answers on the actual exam. I haven't finished my class with him yet, but whatever the outcome, he is a good professor.

POS 3703 was the hardest class I have taken. Lanier scares you from the first day, and that intimidation never leaves the back of your mind. He knows his class is hard, so he is always willing to help. You must have all 3-4 textbooks on the very first day or you will be behind. You must set aside several hours each day for work. It is draining.

Lanier was the hardest professor I have taken. His class was a lot of work, and his tests are extremely hard to pass. You do learn a lot from his class though. If you are looking to pad your GPA, do not take his class, but if you are looking to learn as much as you can, he is a great professor to take.

This class was great to me. Dr. Lanier makes you learn, there is no slacking allowed, but super super helpful and clear. Easy B, if you go to class, pay attention and read everything (3 books to buyrent). One of my favorite classes this semester, but if you're looking for an easy A this class if not for you.

If you can avoid taking this class then do it! Especially if you want an A. If you cannot, then be ready for a difficult time. The hardest class I have taken!

Dr. Lanier's class was the hardest I have ever taken, and I would do it all again. I learned more in this class than anywhere else. He is challenging and makes you work hard. If you are not willing to do that, avoid this class.

The rumors are ALL true. That being said, if you do not take professor Lanier, you will NEVER go to law school and should probably consider a new field. Time to grow up and actually work for your grade. Also, he makes us read this book called One L and omg he is literally like one of the professors in the book!

Three tests, 5 short assignments, and daily participation makes up your grade. Tests are over the reading and slideshows. You will need to study and take good notes. My recommendations are to read and make study buddies.

Be prepared, simple as that. Read before class, the books assigned and the uploaded documents befause he will randomly pick students to ask questions. Test aren't hard if you study and read, they aren't simple question because you have to actually think and apply the material, it's college grow up. Great proffessor, always there for you

Dr. Lanier was hands down one of the hardest professors i've ever taken, but he was also the best. If you want to learn and have material drilled into your brain, this is the class to take. If you're looking for an easy GPA booster, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. He's incredibly smart and yes, he is smarter than you so do not try him. Go to class & READ!

I walked into Professor Lanier's classroom knowing nothing about the American Presidency. I have never learned so much from one person in my life. Pay attention to the lectures, take decent notes and do the homework and you won't have any issues. He is although, slightly harsh, but professors are not meant to be your friends. Great professor.

Dr. Lanier's lectures are amazing. I love going to his class. However, he is one of those professors who likes to make tests as hard as possible and tries to trick you with the answers. The class average on our last test was 64% so be careful in selecting him.

Dr. Lanier is an excellent example of what every professor in this country should be trying to strive for. Yes, his class is difficult, but you will learn and take away even more than your moneys worth in his courses. Do not slack off expect an easy A! His class is hard work and readings and lectures are mandatory if you want to excel.

The difficulty mentioned in these comments is not over-exaggerated; failure is imminent without daily reading/review. Read, reread, & take detailed notes the third-time around. Textbook reading is absolutely necessary but not sufficient for an A or B; YOU MUST UNDERSTAND readings & all lectures very well. Attend ALL classes. He is the real deal

Prof Lanier expects you to always be prepared. Read ahead before each class, study your material often and ask questions! As long as you are prepared, your chances of passing increase. He will ask questions in class. Tests are clear and not cumulative. Be confident when answering his questions. He's a great prof & really funny.

Great Professor. He is extremely knowledgeable and is very competent. His classes (American Presidency and Constitutional Law) require work, but a FAIR amount of work. You get what you put in. I have learned the most from his classes because of this. Pay attention/ take notes SHOW UP TO CLASS Be prepared each day

Some may describe Dr. Lanier as a sadist or a masochist. I don't know his personal life, so that may be true. HOWEVER, any class with Lanier is the best way to find out your limits as a student and as a person. Taking courses with him changed my academic goals (law school is not for me, bro), but also my perception of what I am capable of a student

Tough because he wants you to overcome barriers and learn what it's like to suffer for a goal. Very informative, could listen to him lecture for hours. Do come prepared, work in groups, and start a Google doc with friends for facts of the cases to bring to class so you're always prepared. My favorite class I have ever taken.

Very difficult, but rewarding. He will come off as confrontational, and perhaps rude. This prof is not for everybody. If you like being challenged, and learning a lot, this is the prof for you. The class was a great experience. Protip: Do the extra credit briefs! And know the cases on the powerpoint before he gets to them.

Dr. Lanier is an amazing professor. You do have to read the material and show up to class, but if you're prepared than it isn't too hard. Dr. Lanier helps prepare you for law school and he truly cares about his students. As long as you're prepared in class everyday you will succeed.

Dr. Lanier goes by the book every day. If you don't show up to class, you will not pass this course. Wanna be a lawyer? Dr. Lanier is the sole reason I have decided not to go to law school. The class requires a lot of studying and while at times he may seem like he's being a jerk, he really wants the best for you. Trust me.

He can be a bit of a jerk, at times unnecessarily, so if you have soft skin steer clear. Yet he remains one of the most memorable and inspiring professors I've had. If you plan on going to law school, definitely take.

Best Professor I have ever had... Hardest Professor Ive ever had. Do all the readings, and go to class. Ask questions and be active. You will learn a lot in this class, but you will also be extremely stressed. This isn't a class to bump your gpa as the average for all his tests isn't over 70%. If you do what you are supposed to, you will be fine.

Best professor I've had. Definitely take him if you get the chance.

I took him for Judicial Process and Conlaw1. Organize yourself. Don't play catch-up or all-nighters. He will expand your knowledge and tool kit to get you ready to be a 1L only if you are ready to accept the challenge. Proof yourself you are ready for law school. The material is not difficult. U got this.

The toughest class I've ever taken. The assignments portion saved me, but w/the exams (after the curve) I got straight Cs. Questions are tricky; and I don't think he's mean - he was always nice to me through e-mail exchange, but who knows. Know the material like the back of your hand if you want an A. Highly recommend if you like a challenge.

Ight so here's the tea with this professor. He is really smart and teaches his classes like it's law school. Before going to class, make sure to review your notes and be ready to answer questions. Tests were alright and he gave decent reviews before the tests. This class and professor will be a challenge but you will learn A LOT. I recommend

DrLanier is more approachable outside of lecture. It's no joke coming to class unprepared, for every student who doesn't know (or doesn't try), he'll mark 'em down. Eventually, he'll refuse to give a curve on the next exam (like he did to my class). You'll need a class group chat, trading resources is key for survival. Do the extra credit cases!

Most challenging course I've ever taken at UCF, also learned the most from it. Hundreds of pages of reading a week and tons of essays. Assignments were graded in 24 hours with useful feedback. Dr. Lanier is extremely knowledgable, and is very approachable if you need help in your research. This class is ridiculously stressful, but you learn a ton.

The SPSS assignments were difficult at first, and you have one due every week. After learning how the program works it gets easier, but can be time-consuming. The class was more statistics-heavy than I thought it would be(I took Scope and Methods of Political Science). The exams are difficult, but he curves them.

This is a wonderful professor, with a very demanding reading list. The downside is that you will have to read a lot and turn in several assignments every week, but this man will teach you American politics like no one else. He cares about the profession as much as he does about the students, and his knowledge is unparalleled.

Hes a tough professor but if you go to the lectures and try thinking about the big picture he paints out in the lectures you will at least pass the class. I didnt do many of the readings and still passed but if you want to do well reading and attending lectures is a must! He may come across as mean but he just didnt like laziness. Great guy!

I learned more from Professor Lanier then any other professor at UCF. He is not a teacher for everyone, but if you can sit down and put all focus into his class, you will learn so much and be genuinely entertained with the reading. Some things to know: No laptops or phones allowed in class. You HAVE to read the cases before class.

Doc L is the most difficult and most knowledgeable Professor I've had at UCF. If you are used to figuring out complex situational problems, you will learn a lot from him about the material and how to approach complex situations in the real world. Provided, of course, you pay attention and spend time familiarizing yourself with the big picture.

Having taken 2 of Doc Lanier's courses now, I say with confidence that I've never learned as much from any 1 professor as I have from him. Engaging lectures packed with info and entertaining historical interjections that add to the class material's context, recording them and relistening to them is the best and most effective way to study.

Dr. Lanier is not for everyone, but if you can handle it, he is an amazing teacher, and it's clear that he's actually passionate about what he teaches. Will push you to do better, and might piss you off, but he does it because he knows that you have the potential to do great. Study, READ, show up, and you'll do fine! His TA sucked tho.

The only reason his ratings are low is because he's a hard professor. His syllabus is very detailed, has clear expectations, and gives you lots of material. His classes are not easy but they are doable. Took him over the summer and if you had an A before the final you were exempt from it. Overall, he is actually a great professor just a tough guy.

Challenging but rewarding class. Engage with lectures and use resources like unstuck AI to excel. Strict grading, but professor cares about student learning. Would recommend for motivated students.

Don't be scared by what others say, in all my experience he's been super forgiving and lax and let me submit a massive assignment later (even though his late policy is super strict). The work load is really heavy and you 100% need to read the textbook and STUDY but it's so worth it. The class was hard but really great.

Stick it out. He's a tough professor but he's brilliant & honest about his expectations. Always read ahead, go to class, & try your hardest. I dropped this class after family loss in 2021, I'm now pursuing law as a career & today, I used one of the briefs I wrote for his class, as my example. He sets you up for success. Ty Dr. Lanier!

POS4284 Judicial Process & Politics. Course designed to give students a broad understanding of US judicial processes. Assignments due each Sun night & I appreciated the consistency of the deadlines. Thought provoking assignments based on video & written media & data exercises. He's understanding & willing to assist. A very competent professor.

Great professor, compared to what everyone says. If you try, you can get an A, and make sure to ask a question every class bc at the end of the semester, a 10/10 for participation is based on questions. He has a different way of teaching but always answers questions to the best of his knowledge. Would recommend to those interested in law school.

I took his class online, the only homework was discussion posts every week that you can do without reading the textbook and receive 100%. The 4 exams are online as well and do not require the lockdown browser. He gives absolutely no feedback on the 2 papers required and does not drop any assignments.