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kind of a mean spirited old ****

He's a little intimidating but is very helpful if you need help with the papers or the readings.

Brilliant! Can be intimidating, doesn't give away marks.

Incredible prof. Educated in what he teaches, and is very active in what he specializes in. Has great stories, good lectures and moves at a good pace. Avoid if you plan on NOT attending classes (he hates that and will fail you if he can), or have no interest in his subject matter.

Dr. Rochlin is a great proff. He's flexible in his teaching style, and encourages student interaction far more than other proffs. His reading list is heavy, but if you can't read, that's your problem, and you probably shouldn't be in upper level Poli-Sci. Could use a bit more guidance in terms of expectations re: papers.

ROCHLIN KICKS ASS. i learned more from this guy than from anyone else in my undergrad. (i'm now a grad. student). he's a leftist, but not biased towards rightists (he treats all students equally, with grading and everything else). he assigns tons of reading, more than i've ever had even in grad. studies, but it's still worth your while to take him.

Awesome professor, as unbiased as you can expect a poli sci teacher to be. Very interesting lectures, but be prepared to do A LOT of reading, way more than any English lit or History class. Essays fairly marked and tons of feedback available

Rochlin is a good guy, VERY left wing and he's pretty open about it. All your marks come from papers, hes helpful,good lectures, but very hard and biased marker

A pretty good prof overall, expects you to do the readings but they're not that hard and he varies them quite a bit so there is a mix of articles and books and such. The class only had 3 essays so not too much work and no real studying. You do have to attend class though to get the participation marks and understand what he wants for the essay.

AHHHHH!!! The BEST Poli Sci prof I have ever had!! LOVE his lectures! They are so informative, you can't help but to listen as everyone gets involved! Essay's sound really tricky, but the catch is to make sure you are at all of his classes, take his notes!

Fabulous professor. Specializes in Latin America - more specifically Colombia, Mexico and Bolivia. If you are in Poli Sci, PPE, IR or Arts in general - do not graduate without taking a class with Dr.Rochlin. It will change your life.

Honestly, this man is amazing. He has changed the way i think about politics and he is an inspiration to all of his students. Mind you, it is not easy to get straight a's in his class, but it is definately worth it since you learn so much. Im a big fan.

Jim is not only an amazing prof, but he's also one of the greatest human beings I've ever met. He'll be missed this year.

Rochlin rocks my world! Take his classes!! He sometimes repeats himself from class to class.....but it's all gold! His papers are unique, and force you to actually think for yourself - I loves it! Loves it I say!

James Rochlin is the best thing that ever happened to UBCO. I was born a right wing and yet he has been able to open up my perspective, to the extent of appreciating Hugo Chavez. Offers unique and interesting lecture material. If you don't like reading, then don't take his class... and maybe don't go to university. Take a class with him!

Poli 221 with Rochlin has been my favorite course at UBCO so far. He's become my favorite prof. If you dont attend class or do the readings you wont get a good grade, but if you do go to class and put in the work expect to have your horizons broadened and come out with a good grade (I got a 85).

Amazing prof! Insane amount of readings but no exams! If you go to class and do the readings you'll do well. Take a class with him!!

The greatest prof I have ever known. He's not easy, but if you do the readings, pay attention, and follow his instructions, you will do well. He is incredibly fair and understanding. I've taken six of his classes now, and they have been the most important and valuable classes of my education thus far.

Going to class is a must. You will write 5 pages of notes every time which will be necessary for your essays. No exams or finals, just 3 essays. Tons of reading. You also get a mark for discussion. He makes the class very interesting and is available for office hours for essay prep. I recommend this class! He is a great prof, marks fairly.

An amazing prof! I learned so much from him and he fostered my interest in LA. Is a fair but a little hard marker, he truly wants you to succeed. Going to lectures is mandatory yet extremely worth it! I highly recommend this course

The hardest and most challenging professor the institution has to offer. He is also one of the most rewarding and fair Profs. Completely unbiased, always has his doors open, gives simple guidelines, returns papers quickly with honest and helpful feedback. This man will change your political outlook if you have an open mind. I did not even do except

James is a very interesting prof and is a very tough BUT very fair marker. It is important to go see him during his office hours to get his opinion of your essay. He is very interested in your own ideas more than any other prof I've ever had at UBCO. As long as you take time to show him that you've put the effort in, you should do fine!

I have taken six courses in total with Jim. He is an incredible instructor and an incredible human being. His classes are the very core of the value in my degree. Pay attention, do the readings. Yes, there are many of them, but he knows what he's doing. If you need help, email him. He'll get back to you in less than five minutes (seriously).

Professor Rochlin knows how to teach clearly and succinctly. If you listen to him and do the readings you can get a good grade, as well as learning alot of really important concepts. If you think you know it all already I wouldn't do this class. The most progressive professor I've encountered.

While he is tough, he is fair. I am an average academic student and currently sit at a B. We write 3 essays each wieghted heavily.. but he is willing to drop your lowest essay. He comes to class prepared and i have learned lots. All essays are based on lectures so dont skip! I recommend this prof to anyone who is willing to work hard

good prof, not nessecarily the easiest marker, however if you have an interest in the subject area its a good class to take. there is a lot of reading involved so i wouldnt recomend it if you have a large course load. He speaks fairly quickley so be prepared to write down notes quickley as a result

I look forward to his semi-formal dress code. It's very literally, semi-formal. Interesting prof, but take 3 or 4 courses only as there are so many dense dense readings. And 3 2000 papers :D

If you are willing to do the work, Dr. Rochlin is an AMAZING professor. I've learned more in his class than any other through my university career. I will be taking more classes with him. GO TO CLASS and do the readings and you will be guaranteed at least a B! He lays out what he wants in essays very clearly and is MORE than happy to help you edit!

Great prof! He is rather intimidating, but is more than willing to help out with papers and questions. Loves it when you participate in class - have an opinion? Share it! Very fair marker and his lectures were interesting. The texts were a bit dry (and some quite challenging), but I really enjoyed his class!

Professor Rochlin is the singularly toughest as well as the BEST professor I have ever had. He will not spoon feed you. He will not hold your hand. He will challenge the way you see the world, expect you to attend class, to read and to write. His marking is tough, but an A grade is fully achievable. Want to coast? This is not the class for you.

Best professor I have encountered in my four years, he is the reason I am an IR major. Attend all lectures, read all material (at least get the basic ideas), follow his essay instructions, and INCLUDE YOUR OWN OPINIONS... You will succeed and learn more than you ever imagined you could from one course. Fascinating, intelligent, tough but worth it.

3 8pg papers make up your whole grade, take good notes because you have to include them on papers, doesn't use slides. His outline for the papers is VERY clear, use it as a checklist and you'll be guaranteed a good grade, don't let the amount of reading scare you, he goes over it really well. Participation in discussions is a must.

Rochlin is one of the toughest profs you will ever have. However, if you are interested in the course material you will never learn more from another prof. He gives a HUGE work load. Attendance is a must. All marks are based on papers, no exams. Go to his office house. Bumps your grade huge. He marks the papers himself now, no TA's do. Great guy.

One of the most helpful professors around. His class is not easy but he is there for any questions and is always willing to help. If you show up and show that you are doing your best he will help you in order to help you get the grade you desire.

Dr. Rochlin appreciates when students put in hard work and are able to form an opinion. GO TO OFFICE HOURS!!!! He will help with your essays, and will take into account your attendance and participation in lectures!

Dr. Rochlin's class was one of the most enriching courses I have ever done. He encourages class attendance/participation by making lectures the basis for all papers (which make up 90% of your mark). If you haven't had a reading intensive course so far at uni I wouldn't suggest Poli 221. If you have, the books you read are fascinating! Would suggest

The BEST PROF I have ever had. He challenges you to become the best of yourself, gives you feedback and very helpful advises. The readings are amazing and the discussion is always the most interesting part. He brings his research experience to class and truly cares about his students. He will help you every step of the way as long as you care.

Definitely not an easy class, you have to show up to every single class or you'll be behind. He rarely makes powerpoints and if he does they say minimal so get in the habit of writing everything he says down. Really hard class, long readings, but talk to him about your paper to get a good mark. Decently interesting but felt more like a phil class

Great Prof. This class, like all his others has a long required reading list. He expects participation and discussion of readings. Grades fair, he opens office hours to read over/ give input on papers - use these hours very beneficial to improving grade. No tests, papers only.

Solid prof, even better a person. If you don't respect his class (his assignments and his lectures) you will feel it in your marks. However, if you show up and afford him the decent attention any prof deserves, at minimum skim read all the readings, and don't cram the essays too too much, you can snag an A easy.

Dr. Rochlin's papers were some of the most challenging I have ever had to write and the entirety of the grade for this class was based upon them. That being said, he gave very clear criteria for what he was looking for and helped out when you asked. His lectures were very interesting but he doesn't post his notes so you have to go to class

Really great prof. Leans hard left. However, so long as you provide arguments contrary to his own views he will never tell you that you're wrong. 2 papers (approx 4000 words) each worth 30% and an annotated bibliography worth 30%. Participation was worth 10%. If you are a strong writer and do the readings this class is not too difficult.

His lectures are really important to attend and extremely interesting. Though the class is made up of three essays if you improve as you go hes likely to give you a higher average. Participation on the readings in class is important. Rochlin is a good prof and if you ask help hes willing to put in the time.

These bad reviews from the last semester likely just did not get a good grade in his class and were mad having to read. You definitely needed to pay attention and do the readings to do good in this class, but Rochlin is a great professor and truly fostered my love for the subject. We were graded on 5 smaller essays, 1 larger essay and participation

Great professor! Go to every lecture and take notes. You won't do good if you do not attend class. Leave 5 days at least to do the assignments. Readings are not complicated as it is a third year class. Follow the guidelines on his assignments. He is very fair with grading. If you know one reading for each class you will be able to participate.

This class in particular was super great and he taught it well. I always went to his office hours a few days before an assignment was due and he gave me an A on every assignment I handed in. He's great, fair marker, and really encouraging. Just make sure to follow instructions for all assignments and go to his office hours if u need help.

An excellent course. Lots of readings were assigned, but a great selection of readings. If you take his courses, do the readings and take detailed notes with page numbers for each one. If you do so the courses are very easy and Rochlin will treat you very well. If you haven't done the readings prepare to be called out in class.

Extremely well researched and a great professor. If you do not mind getting a lot of readings and have a genuine interest's in the topics, you will get a lot from the class. So long as you put effort you will be treated well, those that complain likely did not try as needed. Great class and amazing prof.

Rochlin is a good lecturer and fair marker if you participate. Lots of readings but well-sourced and relevant. I felt a disconnect between him and his students i.e., would email him and never hear back/ felt he could be condescending answering questions. I respect him in his field but feel he doesn't overly care for his students.

rochlin is one of the best professors i have had so far in my poli degree. i have learnt so much in his classes. he expects you to read and participate, but thats a given for any upper level poli sci course. he is a super chill marker and gives great feedback. love this guy

great guy

very reading heavy course but he doesn't expect you to know minute details, just enough to be able to talk about it

Dr. Rochlin sets out VERY clear expectations for his class at the beginning of the semester and in his syllabus and looks over entire drafts of your work. It is very easy to do good in his class if you actually follow his expectations. PS: He does not make you summarize specific pages. That person lied bc they are mad they got a bad grade.

lots of readings but he is an easy grader if you follow his advice, amazing prof and very inspiring. learned a lot

Jim is incredible. The lectures are compelling, and he is clearly one of the most intelligent profs you'll have. He is a fair grader, and gives brownie points for trying, even if you don't exactly nail it. I have tried to take as many of his courses as I can, and find that his teaching has made the largest impact on my writing and analysis.

Lovely professor, genuinely a gem at UBCO.

He cares a lot about what he teaches! Grades are made up of: participation, 3 midterm essays, and the final. Gives very clear instructions for the essays, but there are one to two readings per week.