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Prof. Sides is extreamly intelligent and well hottt..... he's an awsome addition to the psc department. Very smart, funny and an excellent teacher. Makes class very enjoyable...

Sides is the man, his class is informative, entertaining and thought-provoking. A good amount of reading and tests are based on lecture notes and readings. Great geust speakers. Gives attendence quizes based on celebrity gossip and likes panda bears

His class is one of my favorites. He makes the class interesting and I have never fallen alseep once. Oh and he is very good looking which also makes the class worthwhile :) My favorite professor so far at GW

Sides is the best Prof I have had at GW. He is smart, enthusiastic, and very entertaining.Take good notes, read the material (which he sells for cheap!)and you will do well. He gives attendence quizes for bonus points! I have to mention that he is adorable, well HOT is more accurate.Adorable-HOT-Sides. Take his class!

Sides is the best prof i have had at GW. He is great in lecture, enthusiastic, fun and hold your attention. He gives a ton of info in leacture so take good notes because his tests rely heavily on the notes. Always helpful after class and in office hours and really cute too which doesnt hurt.

GREAT professor. Made a class of 100+ students seem like a small discussion group. Very interesting & entertaining, assignments were reasonable & reinforced the material. Take good notes on lecture AND the readings. The exams are tough but very fair and you'll do well if you study. Easily one of the best professors I've had.

An excellent lecturer. He is funny and good-humored. Lectures are full of quality information and hold your attention. Readings improve understanding, but are not fundamental to it. The exams make sense within the rest of the course. Success corresponds to attendance. Good, fair grading. He explains grades and is open to discussion of them.

Great lecturer, funny and tries to keep your interest as best he can. The tests are easy IF you come to class and you get bonus points at the end if you attend, which could help your final grade. He isnt easy but its not too hard either.

An AMAZING Professor! His lecture are great... funny, entertaining, and very educational. He is really helpful if you ever have problems and extremely understanding. This was such a good class! As long as you go to lecture and do the reading you should get an A in the class.

Prof Sides is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. His lectures are extremely clear and the exams aren't too hard. The reading isn't necessary but obviously helps for the exams. He is funny and makes everything in the class interesting. I highly recommend taking his class.

Sides is a funny guy who has an easygoing, entertaining lecture style. Papers were easy, midterm and final were harder, making it fair in the end. His pop quizzes for attendance are entertaining and give you bonus points if you get them right. He also doesn't assign a million books and rack up your student loan debt any further. Recommended.

Sides is the best prof I've had so far at gw... His lectures are clear, well organized, and usually funny and entertaining. Tests are not always the easiest but if you attend classes you should be fine. Highly recommended.

Lectures are interesting and funny. Readings aren't terribly necessary but help for exams. Class attendance important because he gives pop quizzes (for extra credit) which attendance for counts towards a participation grade. Exams aren't too tough.

Great professor, entertaining, knows his stuff, and grades very fairly, I studied what I thought I should know for the tests and got an A. (And no papers! Not as heavy as other PSC classes) Loved the class topic and his use of materials which were varied, interesting, and completely up-to-date on everything. Extra credit possible through attendance

He is one of the most engaging professors I've had at GW so far. He knows his material and how to deliver it to a lecture. I always attend class, not just because he is a funny guy, but also because I mainly rely on my notes to prepare for exams. Take good notes and you'll be all set! Take this class, he's extremely attractive

Great guy, very funny. This class was essentially my third choice for a social science course. Im soo happy i got to take it, probably my best class this year. Very clear in lectures take this class.

Easy intro. class resembling AP US Govt. Prof. Sides is funny, young, energetic and engaging. He'll never bore you and he'll have music playing as you come in to class. Exams are straight forward; based on key terms and reading. Disc. are fun, especially during campaign season.

Professor Sides is funny and interested in the material as well as interested in making it easy to understand and accessible to students. The lectures are sometimes boring but he acknowledges it and tries to avoid it. The readings are a little on the long side, but there is not a lot of other work and tests are easy.

Sides is an engaging and witty professor. Even though attendance wasn't mandatory, attendance was always high in our 250 person class. It is a pretty standard level difficulty for an intro class. Tests are straight-forward and the essays aren't too challenging--especially if you are a PoliSci major.

Quite a bit of reading... but I haven't opened the book yet. Don't even have to go to class, but he is hilarious if you choose to. Buy the review packet before each midterm off of GWClassNotes and you're golden. Straightforward exams... interesting lectures... not too many papers... and he is HOT!!!!!

I LOVE JOHN SIDES! I never did any of the readings and still got an A, but I went to every class because he is hilarious and he's extremely attractive..He makes the lectures interesting and he is very understanding and smart. Exams are very straightforward and he gives you study guides before each exam. Great guy, great professor! I learned so much

I'm taking my second class with Sides this semester... he can be a little strict on some things (ie: this semester he banned laptops), but he is definitely the best professor I've had at GW. He knows what he's talking about, his lectures are interesting and funny, and its clear that he really cares about his students.

The BEST poli sci professor at GW. Brilliant, funny, and relates well w/ students, and tells great stories. Never learned more from a class. MC questions can be tricky, and it's not an easy A, but do the readings and take notes. Study for the exams and you should do very well and learn a ton in the process. Kudos on him saving us money on books!

Pretty good teacher and the material is interesting. Reading is absolutely mandatory because if you don't do it you're not going to do well on the MC for quizzes or tests. Pretty easy grader but the MC are really tough and need to really do reading to get answers. Would've had an A based on essay parts of tests but only got B b/c MC is that tough.

Sides is a great professor. Yes, you have to go to class. And yes, you have to do the readings. But we are in college, people, this is what you are paying for! He makes class interesting and intriguing and tests are very fair if you do the readings, attend class, and study. Do not take for an easy A, but if you are willing to work it is worth it

By no means am I a PoliSci major. In fact, I'm majoring in finance - quite a different animal. I was not interested in this class before I took it, and took it only to fill a requirement. That being said, Professor Sides made this class one of the most interesting and engaging I've yet to take. So much so, in fact, that I am now a polisci minor. :)

Loved him! He makes the material interesting, and is knowledgeable, funny, and very engaging. Do ALL the reading if you expect to do well on quizzes. Exams are reasonable if you take good notes. Bonus points for NO textbooks! I liked his class so much I want him and him only for my Pro-Seminar. Plus, he is adorable, which never hurts.

Sides is an awesome professor. Though class is not mandatory, it is so fun to go because he has great stories and makes the information relevant. His lectures are always well organized, and its clear that Sides is very knowledgeable. I hope I have the opportunity to take more classes with Sides

Sides is probably one of the best Professors at GW. Yes, the course can be challenging at times, but its definitely worth taking. Reading is important but i was able to use the class study guides to get A's on both the midterms. Honestly this class is a huge plus because its a WID and there are only two paper. Take this Class!

Best professor. Really interesting. Loves his job. A born nerd.

Brilliant, one of the best in his field by far.

He is probably one of the hardest professors at GW, but with that said I learned more in his class than I did in any other. He was highly accessible, and went out of his way to let you help your grade. Loved the class, loved him. Take anything he teaches

The best professor I had at GW. Prof Sides was always helpful, clear and very interesting to listen to. His was the only class that I ever read for in all of college. Not becuase I wanted a good grade, but because Prof Sides made the class so interesting I actually wanted to read the material.

He is the reason I am interested in politics. He taught me everything I know and his is the best class I have ever had at GW!

I worked my butt off and got a B, but learn a whole lot a/b public opinion. The class is hard, but folks its college. His lectures are worth the 930 class. BTW TAs do grade hard, but if your not happy with your grade give it to him and he'll usually give you and extra 5 points or so.

Fair, reasonable workload, good lecturer, funny guy, good looking. At the end of the day though, your experience will all be about how good/easy your TA is.

Best professor I've had at GW so far. Knows a lot about American Politics and is passionate when teaching. Lectures aren't mandatory but I always made an effort to go because he's absolutely hilarious. Overall, it's a relatively easy but very interesting class.

This is college, we're supposed to be challenged and learn how to do things on our own. Yes, there were a lot of readings but honestly, it was worth it and I definitely took a lot from his classes. Not mandatory but he's pretty smart and notices who makes an effort and who doesn't. Plus, he's hilarious so why would you miss his class? Excellent.

Sides is one of my favorite professors at GW. His lectures are clear, entertaining, and genuinely interesting. His quizzes and tests aren't easy but definitely manageable if you go to class and do the readings- which are generally interesting and not too excessive. Unless you are just looking for an easy A his class will not disappoint.

I am disappointed by the recent comments about Sides. You have to go to class and do the readings. Boo hoo. If you don't, then yes, this class will suck for you and you will not get a good grade. For those of you who enjoy learning for the sake of learning, his class will be great. He is a great professor and rewards those who put in the effort.

No, it's not an easy class but why is anyone expecting it to be? He expects his students to walk away having learned something. Take another class if you want your hand held. Take this one if you want to learn something.

Sides is a great prof and I don't know what those ppl are talking about either. Willing to help if you do the work and show up to office hrs. chilli pepper for the TA.

This was a harder class than I thought it would be and its nearly impossible to get full credit on his short answers, but he is very helpful during office hours. not an easy class but good professor

Best professor I've had at GW! I don't know about the barrage of negative reviews but, his expectations seemed clear from the first day and he did not baby anyone. This is college, and this is what is expected of college students. This class is not an easy A , nor should it be, and some effort is a must, but it is well worth it.

He is a very good lecturer. Keeps you entertained and speaks very clearly. He basically explains the important parts of the readings so you don't have to keep up with them for the lecture. He is very strict about phone use and computers. he will scream at you if you have your phone out. Other than that he is adorable.

This is a really great class. Sides is funny and his lectures are interesting. Expect to stay over 5-10 minutes.. every class. The grades on essays and tests really depend on your TA but there are only 2 essays throughout the semester, a final, and a midterm. Take this class if you need a wid or poly sci!

Very funny guy, good lecturer. Start working on the study guide early.

Professor Sides’ Public Opinion class is a pretty good option if you’re looking for an upper-level PSc course. It overlaps a lot with Media & Politics. Sides tends to belabor his points in lecture. He scatters quizzes throughout the semester which are worth 3% of your grade each, which has the potential to really help or hurt you. Do the readings!

He was a good lecturer. His humor was a little corny but provided relevant examples to the concepts that kept most people engaged. 2 tests and 2 papers that are very doable. Get a nice TA and this class is a piece of cake.

Take home midterm, in class final, fun group project, reading quizzes response papers every class. Engaging professor. Highly recommend even for non- poly-sci majors.

Sides is the man. He's incredibly knowledgable about campaigns and is able to answer any questions students have. Lectures were enjoyable and he brought in a few guest lecturers from the industry. I learned a lot and graded assignments weren't too tough. Take as many classes as you can with Sides--he's the best prof I've had at GW.

Rather than having a final exam, Professor Sides has almost daily 5 question quizzes on the readings. They are straight forward and easy if you did the reading. He does drop the lowest three. Overall, he is a very intelligent and interesting person. Class is usually very interesting and engaging. I would take his class again.

Sides is the funniest professor and possible the funniest guy ever. His lectures are very clear and he has stories to go along with every topic. I enjoy his teaching style; he lectures with a powerpoint there as an outline rather than reading off the screen. GRADING COMPLETELY DEPENDS ON YOUR TA! He doesn't grade anything. Mostly vocab-based tests

There are quizzes every day instead of a midterm and a 10 page paper instead of a final. The class is difficult, but he is very clear. Professor Sides encourages a lot of discussion and is passionate about his subject, but sometimes lectures can drag on. Note: he is very clear on not curving or allowing laptops in class.

Great class. Highly recommended! Very approachable and easy to talk to during office hours.

American politics is bullcrap anyway, and Sides tries to make it digestible. If you are very passionate about American politics then this is your man. No midterm, just lots of quizzes and a final.

Professor Sides is a great lecturer! His class is very engaging. He's one of the best professors at GW and is very politically active. The only grades are from in-class quizzes (do the reading) and the final. Overall a great guy, very funny and a must-have.

25 quizzes- basically every class and drops lowest 5. Take home final - 3 essay?s- graded fairly easily. Lots of reading, quiz questions can be misleading and tough sometimes. Interesting lecturer and a pretty interesting class for freshman. Go to class, pay attention, and review your notes from the class before for each quiz and you'll be fine.

Great professor, very humorous. Quiz every class out of 5 points, so if you do bad it can drop your grade qutte a bit. Always have 1 trick question in them

Sides' lectures were funny and engaging. Every class there is a five question quiz on the previous lecture and reading, so he makes sure you put in an effort for your grade. Regardless of whether you are interested in politics, his class is both informative and fun. If you get the chance, take a class with him!

Best professor I've ever had at GW. Just do the reading, take the quizzes (you'll get better as time goes on), and spend some time on the final--don't leave it until the last day. Utilize him outside of class, even if you don't know what to talk about, go to him, he will talk to you. It makes the class so much more fun.

Campaigns & Elections was hands down the best class I've ever taken at GW. I genuinely enjoyed every minute. As long as you're interested in the material and do the assigned readings you'll be fine. Daily quizzes sound daunting but they really helped me learn. 20 quizzes (50%, drops lowest 5), group project (25%), 8 page final paper (25%)

I LOVE John Sides. He gives amazing lectures, he is extremely funny, and makes the material interesting. It's hard to get an A because of the daily quizzes, but he drops 5 so the lowest few won't matter. You really have to do the readings in order to pass his class, but they aren't too long or complicated. Highly recommend this class

He gives pop quizzes, but if you do the reading you'll do fine. They're only 5 questions and he gives a study guide for every reading assignment. He's super entertaining and makes the lectures really interesting.

King of political science. I loved this class so much he is a GREAT lecturer and seriously knows how to organize a class. There is a 5pt quiz every class and it was pretty frustrating because even if you get 1 point off its an 80%. Hard to keep grade up. You have to take good notes and read a lot for hw v carefully. But its a great class trust me.

Sides is a really cool guy. The lectures are definitely repetitive but overall he tries to make the material fun and accessible to all. Responds to emails very quickly, and you can ask to send him your study guides and he'll edit them which is super helpful. However, the quizzes are insanely hard even if you follow his guides so ask for help!

by far my favorite professor at GW so far. sides is funny, engaging, and a very well polished lecturer. I genuinely wanted to go to lecture. theres a lot of reading between two textbooks, but review your notes and take advantage of the resources he provides throughout the semester on blackboard before daily 5-question quizzes and youll be fine.

Anyone who says this class is hard just didnt do the readings. The study guides he provides for each class literally give you the areas of the text book you should focus on. This class does require a lot of reading but if you arent lazy its very manageable. Cool guy and a great class

I love Sides! He's very helpful if you go to office hours. Although there were quizzes every class, they were pretty easy if you do the reading. And I'd say the study guides were helpful in keeping track of the reading. Everyone complaining on here didn't do the reading. But he also drops your five lowest quiz scores. And the final was very easy.