Great professor - he used to teach at Princeton. Very tough grader (my 19/45 on the midterm was a B). Good sense of humor and explains things very well. Highly recommended!

really engaging in lecture, helps you understand things well, gets really into it and has a good sense of humor

This Professor egts away with the work he give because he is a fabulous Professor. If ou intend to major i Politics, take his class by all means. he lives for this, and he will make sure that you work. But just because he is soo good, you don't realize the sting of something like 200 pages a week to read and impossible assignments. Go for it though

A good lecturer,but beware:this is an insane amount of reading and it's ALL on the exams.Rote memorization of authors from the 200 pages of reading that he assigns each week. Studying for the final brought me to tears. If you are really interested in comparative politics, take the class. But if you're just looking for a general intro go with Laver

The workload was intense, even ridiculous at times, but you do come out from this course knowing a lot of political theory. The lectures are extremely useful if you're having a difficult time understanding the 150-200+ page readings that you're assigned per week. Also, Tucker is an extremely hard grader.

Wonderful professor. Lectures were interesting and very organized. However the class is very difficult. 200+ pages of reading a week, insane midterm, final, and one paper.

ok i dont get why everyone complains about the midterm and final. yes this class is hard, and if you want to take it, be prepared to read ALOT. but its not as bad or impossible as people say it is. the curve is ridiculous, keep in mind that if you think the test is hard, so did everyone else

Clear and engaging lecturer, helps you understand the concepts and is very excited to teach you what he is interested in. Really helps you learn the concepts that are central to comppol- it's a lot of work but it is really really worth it. Probably one of the best professors I have had at NYU because he is so excited about what he does.

Due to this course my first semester of college was overloaded with works and literatlly all nighters at the library before the midterm and final exams, but i loved the class! Professor Tucker is a great professor: organized, clear, humorous, and passionate. Despite the workload and the difficult exams/paper,I don't regret taking his class.

One of the best classes I have taken at NYU. Very engaging, has a sense of humor, knows what he is talking about. Has a knowledge of Eastern European politics if you are into that. Hard class, but worth it if you enjoy the course topic.

I was required to take his comparative politics class and was expecting something awful, but he made the subject interesting and engaging for me. He is very knowledgable and likes to talk about his area of expertiece. He is a tough grader and you definitely need to stay on top of your work, but I actually enjoyed Politics for the first time.

I love this class. Tucker is a great professor. Not only does he really know what he's talking about, his lectures are crystal clear (even for non-politics people) and he is there whenever you need him!! The content of the class is great if you like politics. Definitely worth taking even though the reading load assigned is pretty heavy.

WARNING: Only take this class when you have a fairly easy coursework. Tucker assigns A LOT (not an understatement) of reading and the fact I was taking another core course made this class nearly impossible. Go to LCT but you just need to do the reading otherwise you'll be in hell. Talks very fast, but clear and it's A LOT of work. A LOT.

I was in Comparative Politics. Tucker is pretty good, but I had a crappy T.A. Overall, tough class but not bad if you go to the lectures and do the readings. Straightforward.

If you are not willing to read about 150 pages a week, do not take the class..and trust me you definitely need to do the reading, because he will ask questions about it on the exams. He knows his stuff, obviously so if you're willing to do the work, you'll get a lot out of the class...otherwise, don't bother.

BEST PROFESSOR AT NYU! Absolutely brilliant, intelligent, clear, and engaging. Knows all there is to know about the subject. Also very helpful! Couldn't ask for a better experience for a Comparitive Politics class.

I took his comparative politics class and it was definitely one of my favorite classes of all time. He's knowledgeable, energetic, funny, and easy to follow. There are 2 things you should know before you take a class. There is a lot of reading, 100+ pages per week. And he moves through material fast. You should always go to his classes.

Professor Tucker is one of the best professors in the politics department--he is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his field, an excellent lecturer, and able to make a large lecture hall feel like an small seminar. Classes are always organized and easy to follow, and his expectations for how to do well on the exams and essay are clear.

Definitely recommend taking his comp. politics class as a first politics course (especially if you are like me and have VERY little prior knowledge on political specifics and such). Lectures are engaging and he makes everything clear. But it is hard and there is tons of reading, which is a must for the tests. overall- great course

Professor Tucker is great. His lectures are clear and the outlines are really helpful. There is a lot of reading be prepared to always be reading. One thing to be warned about is that the TAs are not so helpful. Some are clear and some are just there.

Professor Tucker is one of the most engaging lecturers at NYU. He's not only clear and impeccably organized but he also makes comparative politics as fascinating to his students as he finds it. He is enthusiastic, sincere and his passion for his field is contagious. Top marks. Hands down one of the best courses I've ever taken.

Joshua Tucker is absolutely one of the best professors at NYU. His passion for politics comes through every single lecture. There is a lot of reading but if you are majoring in politics you will love this class.

Professor Tucker was absolutely amazing. He made every lecture well worth attending. There is a lot of reading that goes along with the class but it is necessary to do well on exams. If interested in politics, take his class!

EXCELLENT lecturer. Extremely organized. You MUST attend lectures and take great notes to do well - and you'll probably enjoy it, too, since he's so engaging and often funny. People say he makes the class a little harder each year, and I believe it. HUGE amount of reading - and I LOVE to read - but could never get it all done by the exam.

Amazing class and professor! Joshua Tucker is a fantastic lecturer and extremely interesting - he's had hands-on experience in the things he teaches and routinely draws on it in class. A must take for everyone, politics major or not!

Had him from Comparative Politics. GREAT professor. Lectures were interesting and engaging. He made it very clear which of the readings were the most important and which terms we should be sure to know for the exams. I would definitely recommend him.

Hard class with lots of readings, but Tucker makes lectures interesting. He loves the subject and it shows. Class and recitations aren't mandatory, but you need to go if you want an A.

Great Professor, you learn a loooooot about politics and international relations. Very strict grading, depends on the TA, make sure you seem interested in recitations. Too much emphasis on Eastern European Countries.

I didn't go to his class, which was a mistake. His lectures are a must because he's so good at them. He'll take the most difficult concepts and simplify them perfectly; too bad, I realized this too late. He's pretty fair, and helps you if you need it. Grading is strict, but the curve takes care of that. Last point: a ton of reading, so be organized

Tucker is AMAZING! He's the best politics professor Ive ever taken in my life. I took him freshman year first semester, when I was unsure whether or not I should major in Politics. I was too shy to speak to him but I looked forward to his classes every week. He will never be forgotten! Seriously 100% recommend him. Great lecturer, lots of readings!

Tucker is an absolutely wonderful professor. His passion for the material shined through his informative lectures. I learned so much and would definitely take a class with him again. He is really great at simplifying the material so that it is accessible to all. Take a class with Professor Tucker!

JT is great! TONS of reading but he's a fascinating guy.

Joshua is great. Very attentive, looks for participation and very interactive. great to talk to outside class as well. Crazy workload, too much focus on Eastern Europe, but fascinating readings nonetheless. Would highly recommend, even though grade and workload might now go your way, but you will LEARN. LOTS. OF. THINGS. Come to class!! Best.

He is honestly one of the best professors Ive had his lectures are very engaging and interesting. he is very clear in terms of grading criteria. if you do the readings and study for the exam it is not a hard class. he's very helpful and approachable

This man is so interesting. I could listen to him talk all day, but in the end, the workload was too much for me so I had to drop the class. I'd say, it would be a great class to take pass/fail, but there is a lot of work involved. He is very unapologetic about the amount of work, but he's a great professor.

JT was an excellent lecturer, makes complicated topics more simple. He is very helpful outside of class as well. There is however, a lot of reading. Make sure to go to the lecture, most of the material, if not all, is important for the final. I personally did not do a single reading (they were way too long, wordy, etc.) but did pretty ok.

I love Josh!!! he's amazing and cares so much about what he does. He grades hard but he really cares and is available if you need help. His lectures are engaging and amazing. Recitation sucks but what can you do.

Professor Tucker is one of the best professors I've ever had. You listen to the lectures and do some supplemental reading and you will get an A. By far, the most interesting politics class I've taken. Highly recommend!

A really great class and one of the best professors I've had. Class is difficult with a lot of reading and a large focus on Eastern Europe. Taught like a second year course with high expectations and tough grading. Do most to all of the required reading and attend lecture to do well.

Very very very good professor. Lectures are really good - he's super knowledge and funny too - horrible handwriting tho. Just go to lecture + recitation and a bit of studying and you'll be fine

His lectures are amazing, and the amount of reading has been reduced. Honestly, you don't have to do the readings, but you do have to go to lecture because he breaks down all the concepts really well. Learned a LOT! Grading is entirely dependent on your TAs, and I find the grading to be pretty harsh, but I still think the class is worth it.

Overall great professor with engaging lecture. The readings are painful sometimes and ignore them if you have to since they are only worth a few marks on the tests. Focus on/attend all lectures, ask questions in recitations and make comprehensive study guides for tests you will do great.

i love him. he's a passionate, respected, acclaimed, handsome genius and the best lecturer. only reason to not take him is if you hate learning. superfluous amounts of reading, but not impossible with good time management (& they align with lectures). attend/listen to lecture since he only speaks/writes. advanced material, but not a hard course.

Incredible and likable professor who gives very engaging lectures. There is a lot of reading which can help further your knowledge in the course, but its not necessarily necessary to do well in the class as long as you take great lecture notes and have a good recitation. Love the class, highly recommend.

I absolutely love professor Tucker. He basically covers the material in the readings during class, so the readings are more to further your understanding. I don't think it's a lot of reading, it's manageable. He's an amazing lecturer, makes everything very clear and he's clearly passionate and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend taking his class!

Excellent lecturer, one of the best at NYU. Course well-organized, never any surprises. Tucker always explains objectives & structure of each lesson, is clear & direct. Attendance not taken but you should go, unless you plan to teach urself through very dense readings. HIGHLY recommend for POL majors needing to fulfill core, start here or POL-UA300

GO TO LECTURES!!! There is no textbook so what he says in class constitutes most of the exams. His lectures are well-organized and super informational that little time for questions and chats is allowed. Though he is not that accessible outside class, I'm fortunate that I met a great TA. Reading isn't strictly required if your goal is to pass.

Prof. Tucker is the best! He is an amazing lecturer, and he is clearly very excited and passionate about politics. He gives an outline of every lecture in advance so you know what key topics will be touched on. I cannot stress enough how great he is. Your grade is really up to the TAs, but they were great and graded objectively.

very passionate about politics, caring for students, very organized lecture, best prof for the semester. comparative politics highly recommend. no need to do the readings, just listen to class and note down everything, u got A

Professor Tucker is an enthusiastic, extremely knowledgable and well published author in the field of comp. politics & elections. Great professor. Intro to Comp Politics has a lot of dry readings, but the lectures (while packed w info) are easy. Midterm 20%, 5-7 pg paper 20%, final 50%, recitation attendance 10%. Read and go to lecture you'll be ok

I loved this professor. Even for topics I wasn't as interested in, he was very engaging. Very nice, passionate about topic, easy to follow for notes. Prepares you for midterm and final very well. Recitations require a lot of participation but pretty easy to participate even if you didn't read everything as long as you paid attention in the lecture.

Comparative Politics was my first ever Politics class at NYU, and I could have not chosen a great start with Professor Tucker. Very enthusiastic and clear about the subject, even with topics that may be tedious he makes them engaging. What needs to be noted is that your final grade depends solely on your TA, not the professor.

He was my first politics professor at NYU when I took intro to comparative politics with him. He was so nice and kept every class interesting. Definitely learned a lot throughout the semester and especially appreciated how he applied class concepts to current events. Strongly recommend!

Professor Tucker was an inspiring, passionate, and focused teacher. His love for Political Science was evident in class, and his lectures were very engaging. He provided a great introductory class to comparative politics, and I look forward to taking classes with him in the future.

Difficult when conducted in person as exams are closed book. Lot to learn and memorize for the final which is 50% of your grade. The class is curved so top 1/3 get an A. Make sure you attend lectures and do the readings for a good grade. I enjoyed the lectures and the TAs were very nice and accessible. The other ratings are kind of harsh.

Attendance to the recitations is mandatory. Lecturers are easy to understand and are not boring, but the exams can be difficult if you take this class in person. Grades depend on your TAs and doing the readings is necessary.

i am currently in professor tucker's comparative politics class. he is an outstanding lecturer, very passionate about the material, and incredibly engaging. the TAs are amazing too. easily the best class i have taken so far at nyu.

This is a good class, and the recitation sections are amazing. Prof Tucker picks out great TAs to lead these sections, and you learn a lot in this class. The only issue is the curve in place, which limits As to the top 30% (harsher than the Stern curve).

The reviews about his difficulty are a bit harsh- grading and grades received are entirely dependent on the TA. Professor Tucker is a great lecturer who keeps class engaging. Participation is mandatory and as long as you attend lecture and do the readings you will do fine in the course.

he's an interesting and engaging lecturer, but be prepared to learn a lot about post-soviet politics on the way. few grades = no homework, which makes the class deceptively easy until the curve hits you on the first test. so many readings too. only take this class if you're honestly interested in the material, otherwise, it's too much work.

A phenomenally engaging lecturer who explains the material very well with examples. The class itself is reading-heavy, but all of the core concepts come out of lecture. Very accessible outside of class, and eager to discuss course material beyond lecture material. Would 100% recommend.

He definitely knows his material and has a good structure to the course, making it a fairly easy intro class

I was in his Social Media & Politics seminar class and he was amazing! Had great lectures and many of the papers we read were very interesting and challenged a lot of our assumptions of social media's impact on politics. I do wish he gave us a rubric for how the exams would be graded though.