He's really easy if you do well on exams. Found major exams, no homework. Just go to class and take good notes, you'll never have to read the books.

The best class I ever took in my life, and I've had quite a few. You learn essential but common knowledge; almost like a pre-law class. A must take for all Mt. Sac students!

The best class I've ever taken.It is like taking a class in a Ivy League School.Dr Allen's class is a feast of reason and critical thinking.Anyone who'd like to go graduate school someday should take Jerry Allen.

His test are fair, they are mainly based on the notes.You'll pass the class unless you are a mediocre student who does not do his/her job and want everything to be easy.

Awsome teacher. The know it all of Political Science. Everyone who is a history major or political science major should take Politicial Science 1,5,and 9 with him. Anyone who gives this man a bad rating is probably a C average student.

This is the best teacher in the school; the smart kids will love and admire him for the Poli-Sci God that he is. He is brilliant, and a true advocate for the learner. Stupid kids won't enjoy his class much, and will think it's hard.

Very academic and a true professional! I will take his theory class next semester! If you are a former student of Carla Olson, you will like him because he's such a nice person...

A true teacher. His brilliance and dedication is unparalleled. You will not find a better professor at any major university. An intellectual who will engage and encourage you to learn.

This Guy is Mental, but I LOVED his class. He's got really interesting points of view.

No Comments

Good teacher, I got a D in the class but it was my own fault, make sure you go to class though, or you'll end up like me, tells you what will be on the test. Cracks lame jokes but that's a lot of professors. A little too much of a democrat for me...

great teacher, yet very liberal, just take it for what its worth and youll do fine! No Homework easy A!

Great teacher. Interesting class, all you need to do is go to lecture and follow the study guide to pass. If you want a strong A, you will need to read the text books.

No homework, but must know material for tests, not to mention he's a pretty tough grader. First 4 weeks are hell, lectures are long and sidetracked to the fullest extent. After, it's OK, but by then you're already totally bored of the class.

WARNING: If you are anywhere to right of moderate left (politically), you will not get higher than a B. IF you disagree with him, you will NOT GET HIGHER THAN A "B". Kiss his A$$ and you will be fine. Even if you are a liberal who happens to understand the right, you will be punished.

I loved this teacher. Very interesting. I would recommend him.

Great at laying information out so the average layperson can have a clear idea of these ideas relating to political science theory. he goes in depth and is available for discussion in and out of class. his regular poli sci class is also very very good. reccomended for both classes.

Good teacher. Test essays can be hard if unprepared. Easy to understand his lecture process though a little disjunct. Not hard if you take notes and study a little.

very basic, the only way to pass the class is to keep up with current events and take notes if you can stay focused.

highly recommended; but only for those who are eager learners. if youre a slacker, forget about it. the materials necessary requires extensive research such as: current events(req. for all essay exams), and 10-pg. term paper. the testing is moderate.

This class is not that hard if you keep up with current events and actually come to class *every week*. He gives you a review sheet so you know what to take notes on, and he covers all that stuff in class. You really don't even need to read the books if you come to class, which saves a lot of time,

He challenges you. Unlike most professors he spends time grading exams. He really cares for every student. If you want to take a real college course, take him.

He is very liberal yet even though I dont necessarily share the same views politically he was interesting and very forgiving with due dates. Tests were easy and as long as you go to class there should be no problem getting an A or B.

No one can teach the class as intelligently & beautifully as Dr. Allen. His many experiences in life help the students understand in greater depth the theory and application of all material discussed. You will definately leave the class with a greater insight in today's global & political affairs.

Could be easily confused as hard although he is not. He lectures most of the time but he brings BOTH viewpoints of an argument. People easily confuse him as siding with an argument, but if you listen carefully he mimics BOTH sides of the point. 1 Term paper, 2 midterms and a final. MUST study and read the onthology to even get a B/C, more for an A.

Probably one of the best professors I've taken. Great lectures/group discussions. Not exactly an easy class. Bombed my first test. You have to analyze and show how you come to your conclusions on the tests and paper. This class integrates Phil., Socio., and Poli Sci. Just remember, keep an open mind. Great person to ask questions or talk to.

He is a great professor. I started off not liking philosophy and in the end was infatuated with political theory. This is by far the most challenging course I've taken at Mt. Sac. If you study hard, work hard, and do the reading there is no reason why you can't get an A. Be prepared to learn!

Every good comment I've heard about Dr. Allen here I find to be true. I really have nothing to add other then my concurrence with everyone's positive assessment of his teaching abilities.

Dr. Allen was not just a teacher for me. He's been a mentor. This man changed my life and taught me how to think independently. Every student who approached Dr. Allen, enjoyed his support and help. His search for truth is admirable. Want to see a change in your educational life? Take his theory class. Mt. SAC without Jerry Allen is just another sch

it's the hardest class i've ever taken. but, i enjoyed the class a lot. we learned different philosophers to understand politics, it was interesting and challengin. Dr. A argues for every sides, not just the liberal side. i always thought i was a liberal, but after his class, i lean more toward conserv. only take this class if this is ur major.

this teacher is very smart, very kind, very funny. he is very lenient with anything if you just ask, and you learn a lot of interesting facts along with what you need to learn. his essay questions are very easy if you studied and follow the format. i highly recommend this teacher.

A great person. Just take good notes, he provides study guides. Expect short essays with each test (except final). Many say he's anti-republican -he is ANTI-BAD POLITICIANS- not the system. He dislikes Bush and his administration (don't we all) and he'll say it outloud. Very helpful and funny too. I recommend his class.

In my aquiring 60 units to transfer from mt.sac I found that this professor was the best professor I ever had and I couldnt have paid enough to take his class. Hes down to earth and full of wisdom I learned alot from him and im not even a political science major. I learned interesting facts and how to think and write more logical arguments. hes #1

Probably one of the best professors I've ever had. He's even better than the ones that I've had at the cal-state university. Don't expect this class to be smooth sailing. He's a brilliant man, but the essays are challenging. The multiple choice portion doesn't trick you. Go to class, take good notes, read the book, and you'll be fine.

Do you want to take a REAL college class...than go add his class....he is the only professor at mtsac that probably knows that you are in college and teaches as an actual college professor....he is very knowledgeable.

It amazes me how ridiculous the student ratings are for Professor Allen. "He makes you read the news."! Allen is difficult, however, if you are looking to transfer I recommend taking more Professors like him. Allen cares very much about his students and he will help with any question/ concern you have. If you wish to remain ignorant look else where

okay so he is not the most exciting professor, but academically he does good job. He is the only professor I know who holds a study session on the day of the final right before the final and answers whatever questions you have. I would definately recommend taking him.

One of the hardest teachers at Mt.Sac subject matter can be boring sometimes. In order to do good in this class you have to have knowledge of the subject before hand. But Dr. Allen is one of the MOST helpful professors around, he goes out of his way to help you succeed.

Really down-to-earth; one of the smartest people I have ever met and a true inspiration! He can be intimidating at first, but nothing like this site makes him out to be. He really cares about his students and their futures, and loves helping you outside of cl****. He does expect you to do your part, and dislikes slackers!

i must admit his class is sometimes kinda boring.. BUT if you'll try and listen to him very carefully you'll learn a lot of things. he's really helpful.. go send him an email and he'll answer it asap. he'll reply even 1 in the morning.. he's really a brilliant guy. he knows a lot. he can also be very funny sometimes.. his jokes are silly..

Excellent professor! Will help a student, no matter what. Only hard if you don't attend, doze off, or don't pay attention. Tends to go off subject, but those stories usually tie in with the course material. Insists you keep up on current events, which will help on exams. Term paper is NO JOKE!!!

good professor. does go off topic but will always take the time to clear anything up outside of class. Be prepared to study and read. He comes off as hard but if you stick with the class and go to his office hours youll do fine.

This man is brilliant and hilarious. Very helpful. Take him if you can handle essay questions.

This guy is hilarious, he can make you understand united States politics with ease. He's been doing it for more than 20 years and it shows. He is a great teacher. His tests are hard but only with reason. He wants you to understand and not just memorize. To put the logic of the political world to critical thinking use, once you get it,its gold

I took this professor for Poli Sci theory, and he is extremelly!!!!! helpful I have always been interested in politics and he makes me see it in a different light. he is amazing, goes off topic and is a very hard grader he always grades the first test very hard but gets easier towards the end.All exams are essay!!!!

Take him! He knows what he is talking about. He makes the lecture content funny. He is helpful and wants you to succeed. The essay portion of the tests can be difficult but he wants you to understand the material not just memorize. I didn't even buy the books.

Hes a very difficult professor. hes a really nice guy,but i really wish i dropped the class. im not into philosophy but im interested in politics and his class is very difficult, take this class if you have a lot of time to study and be prepared. if not i would not recommend it.

A difficult subject no matter who the professor is. Dr. Allen makes the class as interesting as possible. He is a great teacher and conducts the class in a manner that prepares you for the 4 year universities. he is always accessible and will answer all questions. I had him for Poli1 and Poli5 and would not hesitate to take him again.

enjoyable, and very enlightening, pay attention to lectures and you will succeed, goof off and you will fail

Great teacher. Funny at times and easy going. So far the class has been enjoyable. Not finished yet so we will see what happens!!!

What I don't get is why people expect a college class to be like grade school. Heaven forbid a student has to study independently. Suffice it to say that Prof. Allen's class is not the easiest, but if that's all people want in a college class... Good luck with your basket-weaving class. I liked the class, studied, and got an A!!!

Allen is a GOD! This man knows Poli Sci like no one else! He challenges you; he isn't going to give you dime-a-dozen lectures. If you are aware of the times, have a sense of humor, and not brain dead, you will grow and learn. He pushes you to think. Why are you in college? To make something of yourself-right?- you and the world-correct? Step up!

great professor very funny and is very intelligent as well as EXTREMLY WELL INFORMED test are all essay form but will work with you if you lack writing skills!! he is a fair grader and if your truly interested in politics i recommend Dr. Allen

HE IS A COOL TEACHER BUT MOST OF THE TIME HE GOES OFF THE SUBJECT, SO READ THE TEXTBOOK AND YOU SHOULD BE FINE FOR AN EASY A.

I worked pretty hard in this class and actually read the material, but for some reason his test questions seemed like trivia. I knew the material but the way the questions were worded seemed confusing &I got a B. However his lectures can be interesting to listen to; very knowledgeable. 2project papers due at the end of course, 3exams+1final, no hw.

You get out of what you put into this class. He is by no means easy but is also not in any way unfair. If you are willing to work for you grade you should be able to get an A. Is very willing to help students with any problems they may have. My advice is to go to all the classes and participate in class! I received 105% by reading and participating

His lectures are very interesting and he keeps up with current events. He gives you 200 extra credit points, no hw, and 4 exams...He is pretty helpful and a nice guy... His tests are very hard though so be prepared...he used to be a lawyer so that should tell you something...Good luck!

I dont know why everyone is complaining about Allen..yea he is hard, but he is always willing to help you before and after class..If you study, read, and attend class you should pass.

I cant understand why ppl are complaining? You all are just too lazy to read a book! Yea hes hard but not impossible to pass..just read, study, and take good notes and you should be fine. Always answers whatever questions you have, and if there is an exam you cant make it to, he lets you make it up, no points taken off. Cool professor.

Prof. Allen is a great guy he is extremley nice and willing to help you with wut ever u dont understand. He does go off topic sometimes but he is a very smart man just study and you should do fine. If you are not a poli sci major you will b bored not just with him with any one so i recomend him he is challenging and prepares you for transfer

Ok, he's very smart and very funny, but you could get away with not showing up. The textbooks are very useful & interesting & everything comes off the study guide, so just know whats on that and you'r golden.But he rambles A LOT! He gets so far off topic that he never gets back to the material. If you read everything on your own you'd be better off

I am taking this class as a Junior in high school and i think that he is a Great prof really funny in a way goes off topic all the time the books are pretty good esp democracy for the few im keeping that book didnt care that i showed up in the last 1/2 hour of the three hour class all in alll pretty good for a first time experience

Great teacher! Definitely would recommend. He is very nice and makes the class interesting.

Wonderful, had a great time taking this class,.. I'm 47 years old and last poli sci class for me was in 1979,.. take alot of notes.his stories have a purpose, remember the underlying plot and you'll get a lot of right answers, he does ramble but by asking specific questions will get him back on track.points for attendance-can make a big difference

Serious professor of the subject. Passionate, challenging, if you are looking for an easy grade, go somewheere else. If you want to learn, this is your professor. Oh yeah, calss can be fun.

I loved Professor Allen! He does lecture a lot, but he makes it interesting. If you show up everyday, take notes,read the text, and keep up with the current events (which is what you should be doing anyway) you'll do fine. He's not easy, but I would definitely take him again. No homework, just 4 exams, and a paper due at the end. Pretty basic.

amazing teacher, all the people that gave him negative ratings were just lazy because his class is super easy!

The people who rated him negatively are just whiners. He was a good professor because he makes you think. It wasn't a free A if people were expecting that.

Pay attention in class. Test are exactly like lectures. 98% of the questions are things he discussed in class while the other 2% are things he required you to read from the book, and are usually questions anyone can answer with common since.He's really nice and easy to talk to and he wants his students to succeed.Grades fairly on his 10pg final too

Mr. Allen is really funny, but sometimes he gets off topic. Use hid study guide to take lecture notes and notes from the book and then all the tests will be a breeze. READ THE PARENTI BOOK! he always asks an exam question about it. I enjoyed his class a lot and I recommend him to anyone who needs this class.

Such an intelligent man. I honestly really enjoyed his class because he passionately spoke about current political events. He always gives a study guide for all of the tests. However, you will need to fully grasp the study guide topics.

Allen isnt too bad. He gives out study guides for every test. Pretty easy going, likes to joke around alot, tends to get off topic most of the time during lectures. Exams arent too painful. Mainly based on lectures. Attendance is a must in order to pass. . Reading the texts is recommended, although not really required.

Very knowledgeable professor. His exams are all based on the study guides he hands out so as long as you study, you're sure to get at least a B. At first, I thought he was a little wierd, but I gave it a chance and he turned out to be one of the best professors I've had at Mt. SAC. He knows what he's talking about and has a great sense of humor.

This guy needs to do stand up comedy. His impressions are hillarious, and his teaching is good too. He gives you a study guide for the test and goes over each item in order one by one, and everything on the test is on the study guide. He does offer extra credit that is easy to do.

i took Allen for Political Theory. it was a cool class because we learned about philosophers and how their ideas became the modern political ideologies of today. it's pretty much philosophy + politics. the material is cool but he tends to go off topic during class. you can always speak with him during his office hours and he'll help clarify things.

Its easy to fall asleep during this class so make sure you're prepared for lecture. He jumps around subject often, but everything on the test is discussed on a study guide he gives you for each exam, so pay attention and the notes he tells you cuz he doesnt always write them on the board. He gives generous extra credit to help your grade.

pray he gives only multiple choice test cuz he only covers that portion essay portions which he may include will annihilate you they are on any part of reading and the book is looong. easy to decipher his multiple choice just use his pov. other than that he lectures only the truth which people are blind to see. ALLEN for '12

Prof. Allen has a great personality, very intelligent and is passionate about his field of study. He often tells jokes and uses stories to connect ideas. You must attend every class and take thorough notes if you hope to get an A. He offers special study sessions before big test which are extremely helpful!The tests are challenging, few get A's.

I really enjoyed his lectures. I earned a "B" in the course and I honestly do not even remember opening the textbook.

interesting in some classes, but he is a very wise man with a lot of opinons. he opened my eyes to the world of politics. He gives you study guide and you fill it out while he lectures. i had to read the book to understand some of the concepts he skipped over or rushed through. essay and multiple choice tests. Was not an easy class, but fair.

I loved taking his class. A lot of people don't like that he talks a lot about things that are not directly related to the lecture, but his rants are helpful when you have to come up with examples on the essays. I got an A, but not many did. Don't take this class if you're not up for a challenge and willing to put in some effort.

He laughs at himself a lot, but I appreciated his discussions. He just wants his students to stay engaged in politics and be aware of whats going on and how to make educated decisions. Dont take his class if you dont plan on paying attention or are extremely conservative. It was easy for me to get an A but politics are interesting to me anyway.

I left this class with something that I did not enter with. You learn wisdom, not just book knowledge. I highly reccomend. Not an easy class but well worth the effort. Dr. Allen is the definition of a teacher.

If you have common sense, you are capable of rational thinking, and you are capable of critical thinking, then this class should be a piece of cake! Sadly, most people don't have common sense and will not do well in this class. If I got an A with minimal effort, I don't see why other rational thinkers can't.

He is knowledgeable professor.

He is difficult but you learn a lot. He teaches you a theory and gives an example in real human events. If you take time to analyze what he says and interpret his work, every class is exciting! He is very helpful. Wonderful human being.

Prof Allen was one of the best instructors in my academic career. He was engaging and took interest in his students. He encouraged me to attend UC Berkeley. I did and graduated in 1978. I am an countywide elected official today. I give credit to Prof Allen for igniting my interest in intellectual pursuits and governance. Thanks Jerry.

Best professor I ever had in any of the colleges & universities I attended. I took 3 of his classes. I am now a professor myself getting ready to retire and wanted to express how much Jerry contributed not only to my intellectual development, but also my character and ethics as a human being. Thank you Jerry!