4.3
Quality3.6
Difficulty89%
Would Retake348
Reviews89%
Would Retake
348
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
348 total ratings5
251
4
43
3
20
2
15
1
19
What Students Say
“I don't know how anyone could like this teacher”
216 - 1.0 rating“Our average was the worst he's seen in 20 years”
POLI205 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
86%
Textbook Required
42%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
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Improving
+0.66 avg changeRatings by Course
POLIAA
5.0
(1)POLI398I
5.0
(1)POLI298H
5.0
(1)POLI644
5.0
(2)POLIB
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
205
5.0
216
5.0
POLIAA
5.0
POLI398
5.0
POLI400
5.0
Reviews (299)
Class consists of 2 midterms, 2 assignments,final exam and 20pg research paper.Very effective professor who gives a lot of feedback. Heavy workload for a summer course but would recommend for fall or winter. Midterms are based on memorization of key theories and principles, all notes for this are online. Paper is long but prof is available to help.
Brilliant professor, extremely effective feedback, fascinating lectures. This class was one of the best I've ever taken. The main assignment was a 20-page paper; there were also two midterms, two short math assignments, and then the final exam. Don't miss a lecture! Knowing historical examples and case studies are KEY for the exams.
Great teacher. The paper is rather long, but go see him in his office, it'll make a world of difference. He speaks quickly so take down his examples- they are key to doing well on his exams. Just know the key concepts and a relevant example and you'll get your A. Try not to miss a lecture because he explains the material well, and it's entertaining
really enjoyed the class. renewed my interest in the field
the best professor at the University. He is extremely helpful, happy and very good at explaning material. He makes his courses worth while attending, and is extremely helpful outside of class during office hours. If you are to take any professor in this department it should be professor Schofield
Be on time. Go to his office hours and ask a lot of questions. E-mail him. Review your notes. Talk to people in his class and study for the midterms. Don't give up on your paper proposals! Be passionate about your paper and you will get the best reward! It's not about the grade, it's about how to organize yourself to succeed in a challenging class!
If you're not worried about the workload, then go for it. This is by far one of the most intereting professors I've had in university with the most intersting classes. And his level of commitment is really great. Easy of approach, willing to help, he gives the students every chance to do well in his classes.
Expect to put a lot of dedication in class. If you can't, forget about taking him.
If you're not planning on living and breathing this class with research, don't bother. That being said, far and away the most interesting class in the school with by far the best and most dedicated prof. One of the few Realist perspectives, but airs contrary arguments. Your grade depends on your dedication to the course - as it should be.
Prof Schofield is good at making the subject matter interesting and fun. He speaks a little fast, but besides that, he's the perfect teacher for political science as he knows what he is talking about
Very good prof. is very dedicated to class and extremely helpful. But a lot of workload, you ll learn a lot on his class, but you have to work hard too.
TONS of reading for his UN online course but assignments and midterm are easier to grasp. the final was difficult but he curved the grades to help us out. he is fair even though you never communicate with him. For this reason hope you get a decent TA.
I took the online class,A LOT of reading! he asked a min of 3 times a week on the discussion board. The midterm was ok, but the final was a lot of work because he did not give us any guidelines on what to study, so everyone studied the whole book, but he did bellcurve the results. it was a lot of work for an intro class.
This prof knows his stuff so well its intimidating!.. you have to work a lot and read a lot. He makes pop quizes almost every day about the lectures and theres 2 midterms, a term paper and a final.. all of them are hard, but not surprising.. he gives you all the notes, you just print them and bring them to class to understand and theres a text book
If you are interested in IR, this is the professor for you. He is an expert in his field and his lectures are very interesting. Expect to work hard in his class, but he is a fair marker. His class is worth the work load.
He talks too fast about things and places we do not know about...then he expects us to give examples for every question on tests, examples worth 50% but he does not give us time to take notes! He loves war, hates peace. Super big realist, wears shorts in January, and is not funny but thinks he is! tip: do your own research! forget his lectures!
super good, knows his material, very helpful if you show up during his office hours, tolerant to others opinions. would like to take his other classes
Speaks incredibly fast. Doesn't slow down and never wastes a second. Must read textbook for quiz every class. Fair marker but criteria used is way too harsh. If you are new to politics AVOID.
Be prepared to study the text in detail. If you want anything better than a b- you should read the text three times or more. Expect to work very hard and do not look for grace, for none will come. The class average for a 200 level class was less than a c. I found that hard to believe.
Despite 40% drop rate, final class average was below a C. That says it all. Good prof. but avoid for this course
Grades for fall 2009 1A+ 1A 1A- 3B+ 0B 2B- 1C+ 7C 2C- 3D+ 0D 2D- 3F. Class was ok and I enjoyed the simulation game... final exam was not easy. You better study the the intro document for your final and know the book well. It was ok for a econcordia class.
If you are new to politics AVOID this course!! Hard and rough marker and criteria used is way too harsh. He talks super fast. The course is well organized but it's hard to understand... Be prepared to devote all you time for his class!!
The best teacher I've ever had. Very helpful, just come to see him during his office hours and you'll have a good mark.Just memorize his lectures and you'll have A+ on his midterms and final. He has very good TA's.
Great teacher! Very knowledgeable. If you do the readings, you are good, but bring a little recording device cause he speaks super fast :)
Prof Schofield is amazing,I was new to politics when I took him and found him to be very helpful and if you go to his office hrs he will explain more. If you are not prepared to do university quality work this is not the guy for you. If you read his notes well you will get an A in this class because his exams are easy and straight forward
Highly recommended
Fantastic.
If you like IR and or strategic studies this is the class you need to take. Doctor Schofield is an expert in the field and his enthusiasm for the subject is contagious. The class has a good balance of theoretical, pratical, and empirical components. However, do not take this class if all you want is an easy A. You will have to work hard. Be ready.
Amazing professor.Gets you to write a research paper on something you feel passionate about.Exams are demanding, but straight forward-a lot of material, but not designed to trick anyone.Many complain its hard, but he rewards hard work and respects OPPOSING ARGUMENTS!
Tough, but it made Ripsman's class easier! Hard, but fair so can't complain
This is an excellent class, with Dr. Schofield at his best. Assignments are varied and paced, though many. Take-homes are a breeze, make sure you follow the same outline as for the paper to maximize your grade.
He speaks so fast and without stopping, he gives a lot of examples. He thnks that he is smart but he is not.
Great course design...Not only do you have to know your theory bang on, but you have to be able to supply an historical example to prove you understand! It's tough, but finally someone is taking poli sci seriously. Very helpful, his exams are fair - no surprises.
Amazing class!!
One of the best classes I've ever taken.
Best intro prof out there
Awesome class. Keep up with discussion boards and you'll be fine!
It would be better if it wasn't eConcordia. Only reason why people don't do well is if they don't participate in the discussion boards or don't do what's required in the Sim..Its free grades!
Very helpful, works with you every step of the way.
Difficult class, but very interesting. Extremely helpful and enthusiastic teacher.
Very helpful and friendly prof!
Amazing class. What a blast (hehe)
Only a few weeks into the course, but its really interesting! A lot of work, but the teacher is very very helpful
Very interesting class
Lets you write your paper on anything you want!
Nothing is enough to describe this prof. He is amazingly friendly and always there to help you. Listen to him carefully and you will be more than satisfied. He makes the class very interesting and crack jokes every now and then. The simulations he makes are very interesting. DON'T GRADUATE BEFORE TAKING THIS CLASS WITH HIM! MY EVALUATION TO HIM: A+
He is a very good as a person, but not as a professor. He talks very fast, there is lack of clarity for doing the assignments; still at the end of the course, he students are very satisfied ith their results.
Great Prof, super nice and helpful!If you ever have problems with any of the papers, assignments or even if you dont understand the lectures go see him! :) Made the class really interesting, I recommend anyone to take him!
Highly recommended!
Its super easy to get at least a B+/A- if you read the outline and follow the instructions on the discussion board and take part in the simulation every day!
GRADES for summer 2010: A+0 A3 A-3 B+3 B3 B-6 C+6 C5 C-2 D+3 D0 D-4 F9. This is my second econcordia class with Schofield and I always get a good grade with him. His classes are easier compared to other econcordia ones. Only the final is really hard (20% of total grade) It also depends what T.A. you get...
The course is very interesting even if you don't know much about nuclear weapons beforehand. The prof gives a lot of material, but the class is full of war simulations and other interesting stuff. Reading is not mandatory, but attention in class is. Very organized, fair grader, extremely helpful. I would take any other course with this professor!
Amazing course. Lets you write about anything you want! Only strategic studies course in the school -- has tolerance for all views.
this online class was the most unorganized course ive ever done in my 3 years of university. so much work for nothing and the t.as are not even close to being helpful.. they dont know what their doing nor when the assignemtns are to be done. DONT TAKE THIS CLASS.. ESPECIALLY IF ITS FOR AN ELECTIVE!
Very interesting course, tedious work but simple. Post in a blog 3x/week, one 2 pg paper to write, and UN Simulation 1 post/ day for 2 weeks. Prof and the TAs ruined it. Unanswered emails and blog questions, bumped the simulation from 2 to 4 weeks, vague grading with no details, no leeway to discuss anything. Good course, badly run.
Easy course if you know how to follow the directions. Some syllabus issues, but was fixed. Follow the instructions and you get an A
The class is very interesting but the teacher is demented or has serious ADHD problems. He talks 10000 words per second and is extremely unorganised
To the poster below: such a shame that you could not keep up, since the notes are online in advance. Had you been smart, you couldve printed it out and have been actually prepared for class. The course is extremely well organized, very helpful prof. Don't listen to that student who is evaluating the course after less than a month!
This comment is more for the TA's as the teacher is non-existent in the online course. So much work for nothing. Not helpful and unclear. Sure, you can get a decent make if you post the required amount, but this class is really not worth it. Interesting subject though, too bad it is only offered online.
Professor Schofield is an extraordinary professor not only because he masters the subject matter, is extremely well organized, brilliant, and demanding in terms of breadth of work assigned, he is always available to help his students, extremely patient and open to different ideas. Also, he never makes one feel 'stupid' unlike other professors.
This course offers the student not only, an understanding of the characteristics of nuclear weapons, it provides a better understanding of its influences states? behavior and the effects in political dynamics. One need not have a background on warfare or strategic studies to successfully complete this course (personal experience). This course is v
To understand what it takes to win at war and why states chose their strategies when they go to war, you must take this course. It gives you the tools to understand and apply the theories of warfare. You need not have a background on warfare, just plenty of perseverence to successfully complete this course. The professor will help you all the way.
An excellent and teacher. He knows his material very veeerrryyy well. He's not easy but will make sure you succeed, which in turn allows you to learn even more. Thanks professor, great term!
You will learn strategy. Is a hard course but what you learn is priceless. You will learn the principles of war and the strategies that states follow to go to war. Methodical battle, maneuver, irregular, air, sea, land, classic warfare, etc. etc. you name it. All but nuclear.
The course is super fun! Unless you wanna squander your time and energy in Concordia, POLI419 definitely merits consideration. It's a challenging course, though. Do what you should do for the study, and you will be gratified to see the good coming from the course. Professor Julian Schofield is extremely helpful and friendly. Highly recommend!
This is a must take class! Lots of work but a a great prof and great material (which the prof knows quite extensively). The work can be quite overbearing so if you take it try and do the small assignments early. For those who are interested, this class is about nuclear weapons, mainly strategy or strategic uses of nuclear weapons. Enjoy!
he is one of my favorite teacher at concordia. There is a lot of work to do but you learn so much and in a fun way that you don't see times running. A must take class to know everything about nuclear weapons.
The course is super fun! It's a challenging course, though. Do what you should do for the study, and you will be gratified to see the good coming from the course. Professor Julian Schofield is extremely helpful and friendly. Highly recommend!
poli 216 online. lots of effort needed for a good grade. 3 posts a week of a minimum of 10 lines each on 3 different days. 2 page policy paper, 2 1 week long UN simulations where you must post daily.final exam of 30 short answers with literally no guidelines. teacher is invisible, the class is run by ta's who offer close to no help
Poster below is wrong, 3 posts/wk,10 lines is participation.Plus itsFREEgrades!Bet u post more on facebook. 2 simulations is FREE grades as long as u post.30short answer questions,were you expecting them to email you them in advance? The prof sent an email with good instructions. TA's responded to ALL emails within hrs. Maybe youre just being lazy
Poli 419 was a great class. Professor Schofield does an amazing job of retaining your interest in the topic no matter what your opinion of Nuclear Weapons is. The simulations toward the end of the semester were always fun and provided a great twist to the classic seminar type class.
One of the most gratifying classes I've taken at ConU. A ton of work - Don't take this class if you're looking for an easy A. If you're not sleep deprived and living off caffeine by the end of the semester you're doing it wrong. Very interesting material with a very helpful and knowledgeable professor. He's very reachable - emails within hours.
Extremely helpful and interesting class!
It's a sick class. Although don't take it if you're stupid or don't want to work. The more your interest level in the class, the higher your grade. He wears sandals until December, 'nuff said.
You have to work to get your grade in this class.. but it's so simple to do well. Schofield is so amazing in so many ways, he is the poli-sci department's best asset. I almost felt like failing on purpose just so I could retake the class with him. That's how interesting this man is.
This is really a class for political science people. If you are not interested in the subject, do not bother taking the course. It is a hard course that requires a lot of work, but still very interesting. The teacher is tough but fair, you really have to earn your grade. Nevertheless, I did not feel like it was an introduction class...
really hard grader and hard to follow in class, this teacher is not great
Speaks very fast, I thought the material was tough to understand (ive taken multiple courses at concordia). Quiz every class. 2 tests+paper+final. Too much work for a 200 class I would recommend you steer clear.
Very happy with the professor, the grades, and the class overall.
he is the best teacher you can get in terms of allowance of time for assignment. He is not too obsessed with the datelines like other typical profs.
the best teacher ever, the questions for the mid-term and final is from the sample that he gives out in advance and for the term paper you can give in as many times as possible he would enhance your mark each time. not obsessed with the datelines. overall amazing teacher
Great Prof !!! Exam questions are available prior to the test. Very interesting material and great teacher (well organized)!
Overall great experience. He is a nice person and that makes the learning experience more pleasant.
He's a tough yet fair marker. He is extremely knowledgeable on the topic and great at engaging students. I didn't do as well as I would of liked to in his class, but I didn't do poorly either. Lots of studying, don't miss class, or you will be lost.
Incredibly good teacher. High knowledge. Fair marker. Do not miss class or youll be absolutely lost. Loves creative topics for essay as long as the evidence and research is there...
Excellent professor, most interesting lecturer in the university. Attendance is not technically mandatory, but missing class will definitely hurt your chances at a good grade. Very approachable and helpful, loves creative essay topics.
Easily one of the best profs at Concordia, is extremely helpful with students. Although he is not an easy grader, he is absolutely fair, and getting a good grade in his class is extremely rewarding, because you actually earned it. If you put in the work you will get the grade. I would recomend him to all poli sci students.
Absolutely fantastic professor!! Very helpful and extremely knowledgable but be prepared to put the work in. Lazy people STAY AWAY!!!! FAR FAR FAR FAR AWAY!!!!! You've been warned. Ps: MATH.
Most knowledgeable & experienced professor in the Department. Very interesting lectures and course content; only used CP material; grading is strict, but fair and clear about what he wants; some math, but he explains and helps; good class talk; extremely approachable. If you like strategy, IR, war, or nukes, Schofield is the best at the university.
Professor Schofield is an amazing teacher. Certainly one of the best in the department.The class is extremely interesting and engaging but there are a lot of readings. Not an easy grader but he is fair. Avoid if you are looking for an easy A.
Alright, I just wanna say that he is by far the best teacher in poli sci department, he knows his stuff well, hes very flexible and easy going. tough marker, but again definitely not an unfair marker, I would love to take his class again and plus hes really a cool guy to just sit down and talk abt current affairs! v friendly!
This prof is a very hard marker. I got an okay mark. There is no bend with him. Unhelpful.
This professor easily is my most favourite in all the Political Science department. He is a very hard grader and his classes are difficult. This is not an easy A class but in the end you get so much out of it. The professor is very well knowledged and if you are a sucker for realism like I am this is the professor you want.
I heard good things about him, I took his online course though, big mistake. Never had a single one of my questions answered. The TA was terrible as well. Just a complete lack of assistance and interest on their behalf.
Get ready to work really hard. Prof Schofield is the best. If you want to have a good grade, get ready to work...
Understanding and helpful. Nevertheless, it is all hard work to register a good grade. I advice students to take this class..
The syllabus was unclear about certain course requirements and looked like it had been written in a rush. He's also a bad lecturer because he talks way too fast.
I took him for an online class and it is really frustrating. You will have to do an online UN simulation. A lot of students got confused because he did not write the instructions clearly and when we emailed him, he asked us to ask the TAs who are very unresponsive. It is not a hard class, it is just very unorganized.
Lots of readings and assignments but you learn A LOT! He is funny, know lots of stuff. Clearly cares for his students. Office hours are always packed as everyone wants to get his perspective and simply interact further. He is the best prof at Con U, hands down!
The professor is order, well-organized, approacheable, extremely helpful. He talks pretty fast in the class, however, he gives the notes in advance. Exames are simple questions, straight forward, need one example. 8 assignments are easy, but some of them take time. showing up in his office hours, you can talk current issues with him.
Amazing Professor! tough grader but fair! not fussy about deadlines. very easy going - his office hours are always packed, he is someone that you can talk about current affairs and increase your knowledge! he has so much wealth of knowledge! exams are fairly easy!
AMAZING. Helpful. You will learn so much from him. Not an easy class though. You need to follow class material and work hard, but well worth it. If you go to concordia, and didnt take his class.... you are missing out!
Took over the class with about a month left. Raced through the lectures so that it was impossible to take notes, let alone pay attention, even though he usually ended early. Changed the course topic entirely and his advice for the essays was misleading. The simulation was completely disorganized and he did nothing to ensure that all were involved
Great and entertaining lecturer, no verbatim PowerPoint slides, and joker. There's a lot of content covered, and it's a demanding course (readings, assignments), but you'll actually learn something. Very inspiring scholar as well; he has countless relevant experience and travels. Could trigger an existential crisis in yourself.
Prof took over class half way through the semester and i thought he was simply brilliant! It was a pleasure to learn from him for the few weeks we had, if I was not graduating would definitely take more classes with him. simulation was confusing initially but fun and interesting the more you thought about it. great lecturer, great prof!
you are a super inteligent and well informed and educated prefessor,great notes and dynamic in class
Easily best teacher in the Poli Sci department. Not an easy effort class, talks fast but still extremely interesting. It is very easy to do well in his class if you clearly listen to the tips he gives you on note taking, exams etc. Actually concerned with teaching and not just deadlines and very passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.
Took over halfway through semester. Completely changed the direction of the course, to focus almost exclusively on warfare. Although a smart guy, didnt take into account what we'd already learned w the previous prof, said the textbooks were useless & was sorry we had to buy them - ouch. Recycled same notes from his 400-level classes for this one.
This class was brutal in terms of workload: 7 assignments, 2 midterms, 1 research paper + final.BUT I would take it again in a heartbeat because professor Schofield is a walking encyclopedia! Very, interesting lecturer + has hands on experience with military affairs. Also, he's easy on the eyes and very funny, which compensates for the workload!
The best, however, if you came to dance a slow waltz, forget it, this is caffeinated break dancing.
Highly entertaining & motivating- for this class and academia in general. Came into it with a human rights perspective- am leaving with questions, which have greatly challenged the way I've always thought about war. He puts a lot of effort into his students, same is asked of you for this class. Bring recorder, he talks super fast.
This was hands down one of the best classes I took my entire undergrad. It's not a class where you can get an easy A, you really have to work hard, but when you leave his class you will feel like you've learned something. He is extremely respectful towards his students and a inspiration. He's a real Mr. Miyagi!
i took his strategic studies class. His class is not easy but as long as you do your best and do the work you will do great, the hardest thing was his term paper. His assignments were really challenging but you will definitely learn something from them! I thought I made a mistake taking this class but I am so glad I kept it. Learned ALOT HE'S GREAT
Took Schofield's Strategic Studies- Nuclear Warfare class and it was by far one of the best classes I've taken in my undergrad! This class is NOT an easy A. There is a significant amount of work and preparation for class but it is all worth it. Never missed a class- attendance mandatory. Knows what he is talking about and very helpful! Great Prof!
I can easily say that Dr. Schofield is the best professor I've come across in my four years at Concordia. An expert in what he teaches, as helpful as can be, and as demanding as a professor should be. Learning with him was an absolute treat.
Not the easiest prof to get a hold of, but his class is really fun. Despite rolling through the subject extremely quickly, he does so clearly and explains any contentious points. Dont take his class if you dont wanna work much, heavy course load. Also dont skip, hard to understand his notes sometimes. Super smart guy though.
Poli 318 is fun, a bunch of small assignments and a big paper. All the notes are posted online but attendance will give you a solid grade. Take him if you like security studies
Excellent teacher, really makes it possible to succeed but you do have to put in the hours. Not a bird course, lots of assignments but they can be fun if you get into them. Interesting material, he really gets into the matter of the subject. Most interesting course I have taken at Uni.
One of the best professors in the political science department. This class isn't an easy A; if you want a good grade, you'll have to earn it. Subject material was fascinating, and Schofield is a tremendous wealth of knowledge, and incredibly helpful.
Prof Schofield's poli318 is absolutely fascinating. This class would appeal to any serious student, regardless of background. Don't be put off by the content, the presentation is worth the blood and sweat. Lectures are mandatory, but are a pleasure. They are lightning quick so do your readings ahead of time.
This professor is fascinating, if you're looking to be mentally stimulated & interested in social science, you will love his class!
Lots of work for an intro class. Participation is extremely important (3 time per lesson a week + everyday during simulations). Instruction for the final are non existant and it says that if you ask question on how to improve to your TA and you apply is recommandations your grade will improve but it doesnt. Every assigment was unclear.
AVOID, very frustrating class, extremely unexpected final questions. I've studied a lot and I still don't understand how an exam that is not supposed to be too detailled because we're not allowed the book with us can ask for so many precise answers for example, on a treaty mentionned once in the book and never in the online discussions.
He is a very good teacher. Classes are very interesting. Unlike other prof in social sciences he is kind approachable and friendly. 1-Attend all lectures, do the readings in advance 2- Use his office hours actively, benefit from it 3- Review the notes after the class and definitely record the lectures. You will thank me after. Do these and get an A
Schofield is by far my favourite professor. He is fair, helpful and full of knowledge. His classes are fast paced and loaded with info so I suggest recording his classes. Schofield will motivate you to do your best and reward you well for it. If you're a slacker then I recommend you avoid him or take the challenge!
Dr. Schofield is the best teacher in Concordia. Lazy people be warned! His classes are -NOT- easy. They are very demanding as there is always something to do. However if you are interested in the subject you will love going to class, also don't miss class! His simulations are the stuff of legend. Take him if you're passionate.
Prof. Schofield inspired me last semester. I had no prior knowledge on the subject and oh boy did I learn! Teaches at a very quick pace, stay on track with assignments! If you are lazy, dont like attending class, and not interested in blowing things up STAY AWAY! Extra hours required for lab and group meetings...by far BEST CLASS AT CONCU.
No help at all from the TA or from the teacher when asking simple questions. A lot of reading, and posting 3 comments a week on 3 different days (exclude saturdays and sundays) is ridiculous. I needed help with my policy paper because the instructions were so unclear but nobody answered.
Good teacher and exams are easy using his notes as opposed to long readings (tho he did assemble the course book). If you have trouble following quick instructions or don't like opinionated teachers, you should avoid.
Terrible class, terribly communication between the TA and Professor Schofield. Feedback from Schofield was very vague and never answered any of my 400 questions. Would never recommend this class to anyone!
Busy and fast-paced class: 5 simulations, 4 assignments, in-class quizzes, 2 mid-terms, one final and a book to read. However, this professor is just so fascinating and he has real knowledge of his topic. Recommended if you want to learn!
Brilliant prof. Funny, informative, engaging and very much into what he teaches. Lectures are fast paced, but notes are supplied and anecdotes make the information easier to digest. The simulations are all kinds of fun when you engage yourself. grades are spread out so tanking an exam won't kill you. Work hard and you'll have a blast.
Really good teacher
Great course and passionate professor. The material focuses almost exclusively on war. The book only served to do quizzes, and we not needed for the exams. Not a hard grader but asks very direct questions that demand you read the course notes. You don't need to show up but you will fall behind.
Solid class, prof knows his stuff. Take if you like poli sci and IR, not if your looking for an easy grade.
He is one of the most effective and knowledgeable teachers you will ever come across. Class is fun and stimulating. Attendance is the key for success with this teacher. He is very helpful and strait to the point. His class is hard, lots of info and lots of work, but it is definitely worth it! If you're awake in his class, easy B grade & higher...
Lots of work, but definitely worth the effort.
Not an easy class. I found it harder than most 300 class I've taken.Better than his poli 318 and 419. You can't BS your way through an exam (unlike 90% of the poli sci classes). You either know it, or you don't. Which means you HAVE to study, and a lot. BUT, extremely interesting. You will learn a lot. Recommended to serious students, not clowns.
incredibly interesting classes! Prof is very knowledgeable and advanced in his field. I attended every class to get examples on the theories in the notes (he tests you on) but stayed because it was so damn entertaining! If you're a serious student, this professor is definitely the way to go!
If you study for the format of the midterms and final that he gives, then you should do really well. Also, make sure you do ok on the hypothesis assingments, otherwise it will bring down your grade. Textbook is only used for quizzes, which aren't even worth that much. I recommend Schofield.
2 Midterms, 2 assignments, 1 paper proposal, 1 paper (15-20 pages), 1 final. Must study. If you can't memorize, avoid. It's not a class in which you discuss/debate. Very good class if you want to learn. Not an easy grade however. Very good prof. In my opinion, the finest concordia's got to offer in poli sci. Stay away if you don't like guns/bombs.
great professor, seriously, i took 2 classes with him and not only did I learn more than I did with any other prof, the things I learned were actually of interest and usefull. honestly would take him again. memorization for midterms but interesting concepts. Dr Schofield is also supper helpfull in office hours.
Schofield is an entertaining speaker, very intelligent and keeps his classes fascinating. He goes out of his way for his students constantly, get there early for office hours (and go to office hours!).
there are lots of activities in this course, both physical, for example, climbing Mont Royal, and mental, like playing simulation exercise (kind of challenging your IQ and EQ). Several assignments are easy, excluding the Naval Assignment, which is time-consuming. Two midterms are not hard because the Prof gives sample questions in advance. continue
You just need to study the notes that the Prof gives you on moodle in advance as well, skip the textbook if you do not have too much time. The most important factor is writing a good paper. Prof is fast paced, and talking like machine gun. He is extremely helpful. Go to his office, ask him for advice, you will do fine.
This is the hardest course I have ever taken, compared with his other courses. 10 pop quiz, two assignments, two midterms, five simulations and reports, paper proposal, paper and final. You have to work very hard to get good grade. However, it is also the best course he offers. He is an expert on China issue. If you really want to do well (continue
If you really want to do wel this course, you should take it when you only have two or three courses a semester because you need to put a lot of effort into it. Dr. Schofield is great, but crazy.
It is the easiest one in all his courses. There are only two midterms, two assignments, one proposal, one paper and 1 final. The key to succeed in this course is to write a good paper which counts for a big percentage of the grade. You need to prepare at the beginning of the semester, look at his notes, (continue)
(Continuing)Look at his notes (he gives those at the beginning of the semester), find a topic that you like, find a relevant reference book, write a proposal (you can revised many times until you get perfect marks), then finish your paper, you will be fine.
The trick to succeed in this course is write a good paper. Prof grades most students' assignments and midterm around 80%. If you want to get a good grade, you need to write a good paper. You have to prepare to write a proposal, the earlier the better. Go to his office, he will give you advice, then you can revise your proposal. (to be continued).
(CONTINUING) Then you just find resources (books, journals), you will do fine in your paper. Simulations are fun. Dr. Schofield is great, he is intelligent, well-organized, extremely helpful. He is an excellent lecturer and expert in IR, you will not regret taking his courses.
Don't take this class unless you're prepared to work A LOT. I love this professor to bits but he is a hard ass. Schofield is fair in his marking and always willing to help you out in office hours. I recommend going to office hours (and class obv) for the sheer entertainment of hearing different perspectives, bits of history etc.
Stop. If you're looking for an easy A, log on, go to Course Registration, and drop the course. To the remaining folk, Schofield is easily in the top 3 at the department. Ridiculously helpful during office hours, highly interesting course material, and the freedom to do topics that interest YOU. This is a no-holds barred, ethically concerning arena.
Great prof and cultivates interested students so atmosphere is enjoyable. Keep disciplined and organized or go home.
Incredible class and incredible teacher. The class is challenging but you are motivated to succeed. I highly recommend this class.
Dr. Schofield made me like school again. His classes are fascinating, challenging, and entertaining. Not easy, but if you put the effort, you'll be rewarded. In my opinion, the best teacher at Concordia, he truly cares about his students and their success. Invest in your future. Take his classes, be prepared to work, you will not be disappointed.
Professor Schofiled is very passionate about his course and explains it very fast. He is a very difficult teacher but if you are confused he tries to help you as much as he possibly can. Office hours are a must and it is not recommended to miss any of his lectures.
I don't know how anyone could like this teacher. His online classes are EXTREMELY demanding especially for the 200 level. You must participate online 3 separate days a week + his midterm exam is mostly trick questions. I should have dropped the class at the beginning of the semester. The content is interesting however.
The subject matter is not the easiest, but that is a reflection of the quality of the course, in my opinion. Professor Schofield is very likeable and makes sure you are on the right track.
he is extremely passionate about the material he teaches beware he gives a lot of assignments, at least one due every week. office hours consist of sitting in a circle and discussing topics for an hour, not always helpful because there are always so many people there and he doesnt always get around to your questions. all in all, a good teacher
Schofield is an amazing lecturer, he provides the notes so just listen closely to what he says. The topic is fascinating and he teaches it with passion. The class is not easy but you will definitely learn a lot. I definitely recommend his class. A lot of students taking it take also his other classes just to say.
Great professor and amazing lectures. Expect homeowork, a paper, two mid terms and a final. Still worth it. The material is fascinating and worth the effort.
Overall great professor!BUT- BE PREPARED TO WORK, he types +sends you all of the class notes. MEMORIZE THEM! It seemed like a tough class at first but I managed to get an A at the end. That doesn't mean it'll be easy, study well in advance for midterms and the final. Do the readings and the assignments. Go to his office hours and put in the effort.
Dr. Schofield is a great professor. Very knowledgeable, he has a lot of experience in his field and shares it with his students. Lectures are fast paced, but very clear. The workload is pretty heavy, though: 3 exams, about 4-5 short papers and quizzes based on the readings at every lecture. He's a fair grader. I would definitely take him again!
Don't take the course if you are not ready to work. Dr. Schofield is an extremely passionate professor who expects a lot out of his students. There is either an assignment or quiz due every week but if you are organized it is very doable. Don't get overwhelmed, go see to his office hours if you can. He also had a helpful T.A. Wants you to succeed.
I'll definitely take Prof. Schofield again, he's a great teacher. He makes the subject very interesting. He's also very knowledgable.
Decent workload, a bit heavy on the readings, clear and concise lecturing style. He speaks quickly but clearly - refer to his notes for guidance! Very helpful if you go out and seek his help. Overall, engaging professor who expects his students to work for the grade - not an easy A.
The class is very interesting and he is hilarious . At times it was a little confusing and the lectures were long but he is a great professor and his class is really worth taking .
Professor Schofield may speak fast, but his lecture are organized and he provides all the course material in organized lecture notes. He starts each class with a 5 minute, one question quiz on the readings, but it's usually on a broad theme. No essays, but he gives interactive simulations and assigns a post-simulation 1000 word paper.
Julian is a great teacher! He does his best to make Poli 205 (IR) as interesting as possible. His Sim's are pretty complicated but if you have a general understanding of the rules going in you'll do well. Textbook is essential as he has quizzes on them every week, these add up pretty quickly and can really boost your mark. Would take again!
Amazing prof! Sooooo passionate about the class. Do not take him if you easily get offended. He is a genius and he knows it lol. Classes are super interesting and he will give you many examples. During lectures he actually tells you what is going to be in the midterms so listen carefully.
Schofield talks very fast, he gets through the material very quickly and you must take notes quickly. His class notes will prepare you for the midterms and exams so as long as you study, you should do very well! Very fun class I recommend taking him!
This is a class where if you don't buy into what he is trying to do you are going to hate going. Simulations are really fun in my opinion, everyone could find something to do depending on what they like. Preparing for exams is cramming and spitting it out onto test, define the terms he gives. Nice guy, teaches you a lot not just about Inter. rela.
This course is highly unrecommended mainly for the fact that the TA's do not respond at all. If you email the prof, he simply tells you to refer to the TA who is inexistent apparently. There is too much material for the final, no way you'll be able to retain all the information, but the final is only worth 20% of the overall mark.
Great prof, great course.
The lectures are non-stop but worth it
Gives great feedback. Show up to office hours for the best part.
As an exchange student, Professor Schofields class was the best class I've taken in 4 years. Super interactive course material that requires a lot of attention to details and time devotion that will make you want to drop but trust me, if you pull through and realize that if you weren't lazy his class is actually a breeze. OFFICE HOURS! MUST! GO!
Great class! Poli 313 was a course on Chinese security policy. Dr. Schofield was extremely knowledgeable in the subject and very passionate. The simulations were a great addition to the course. Term paper was long and the format was very specific. If you followed the instructions, you did well.
Great class! Poli 313 was a course on Chinese security policy. Dr. Schofield was extremely knowledgeable in the subject and very passionate. The simulations were a great addition to the course. Term paper was long and the format was very specific. If you followed the instructions, you did well. Would definitely recommend!!
Great class; had a lot of fun especially during the simulations. This class is quite difficult considering the work load, but it is well spread out over the semester and the teacher is sincerely fair. Do the work and you'll get the grades. For any student without background/special knowledge in military stuff; I recommend to take his 200-300classes
Very good class but EXTREMELY difficult. Do not take if you are looking for an easy A or a GPA-booster. Best part is deadlines are flexible and students are expected to be independent. This prof has LOADS to offer, but only if you're willing to do so.
Become a nuclear weapons specialist; but be prepared to work your butt off. If you show up to class, participate in the sims, and hand in the (VERY flexible deadlines) assignments you're guaranteed a pass. Best professor at Concordia for social science students, amazing lecturer and really passionate about his students. But be prepared to WORK.
LOTS of memorization of people/ places/ tanks/ missiles with quizzes every day, which you can retake in office hours till you get perfect. Show up for the lectures or you'll have no idea what is going on, and study every single list (a,b,c) in the notes for exams and you'll be fine. Amazing prof, 10/10 would recommend and take again.
Course was very work-heavy, but all instructions were very clear, and we had the option to redo many small projects with a focus on really learning the material to correct our initial mistakes. If you work hard, you will get a good mark. Crisis simulations were great.
Exuberant, exhilarating, occasionally exhausting. Infuses an irreverent personality with profound knowledge on subject matter. Nothing he does compensates for a students inability to meet work expectations. Meet the expectations and no other professor can be of greater assistance to you in concordia. Brilliant professor.
Very good teacher. Engaging and makes the work fun. Also shows a different, more down-to-earth perspective to political science with his in class 'simulations.' Get ready for a lot of work though!
Brutal courseload and intense readings, no easy grades hare, and not for the faint of heart, it will consume the better part of your life, though it's easily one of the most rewarding courses you'll take. Attendance isn't mandatory, but you'd do well to visit during office hours. Dr. Strangefield is the best, and he'll make you better.
This is by far the most terrifying course I've done, if you don't like stats, and near-weekly assignments on top of the usual course load, I'd advise staying away and leaving room for those who want to be in the course. The subject matter is intense, and you'll come out with a whole new appreciation for stat. studies. The coursebook is brilliant.
I took this in my first year, and transferred into polisci afterwards. The lectures are intense, and fast paced as there's a lot of material cover, but he makes it fun and engaging. Dr. Strangefield knows all, and he'll make sure you do too. If you're planning on continuing into IR/strat studies, take this Tough grader though, lists and examples.
BEST TEACHER I'VE EVER HAD! TOOK HIM AGAIN FOR AOTHER COURSE THIS SEMESTER!
Too much to do at the point where it is not worth it. It will affect your performance in your other classes due to the large amount of work required.
Excellent and informative. Genuinely cares about his students. Passionate about what he does. Take him if you aren't scared to work and want to learn.
Passionate about the subject and energetic, lots of assignments but you get to redo them if you got them wrong.
Very clear expectations, and transparent grading. The prof is helpful and its always possible to resubmit homework where you got a poor performance. Overall one of the best profs in the department.
Best teacher in the entire department, you want a challenging class with a stimulating professor, then this is your guy. You got to do the readings to understand the material, and attending the lectures is mandatory if you want to have a good grade. Nothing bad to say
If you plan on taking Schofield pay attention! The work load is huge. This does not mean that there are a ton of essays but rather that there is a 6000 word essay, 2 midterms, a bunch of smaller assignments and a quiz each lecture (multiple lectures per class so multiple quizzes). No real due dates on assignments and allows redos. Worth the Work!!
302 is a lot of work, but absolutely worth it. Professor Schofield is really passionate about the subject and goes the extra mile to make sure that everyone in the class has the opportunity to understand the material and do well. The course also included some basic statistics and SPSS that isn't usually offered in other courses. Excellent class!
Great Professor, If you do the work he assigns and attend every class, participate in group work in class you can get an A. He lets you submit assignments and term project even after the end of semester
Amazing prof he gives a lot of work and it isn't easy but he lets you redo the work till you get an A on it. If you put in the effort you won't regret taking him!
A great teacher, a great class BUT be warned- the course is not easy, an A is not achievable without doing ALL the quizzes, there are 4 papers for a total of over 10000 words, and the stats are not for the faint of heart. If all this sounds doable, i highly recommend the class- it truly is excellent!
Probably the best teacher I have ever taken. His classes may be tough, but this is what a University class should be like. He has a lot of energy, cares for his students and is extremely passionate about the subject of the course. I took him twice and did great in both classes, you just have to put effort in it and you'll do fine.
Fantastic Professor who obviously cares about what he is teaching and those he teaches. There is a significant ammount of math involved in his courses. On the bright side, you can usually redo those assaignments till you get perfect. That all being said the workload is high. You are also expected to write a paper which is at least 6000 words.
Amazing Prof. Lots of math though so if you're weak in the stomach at the thought of it then I'd think twice. Go into his class willing to work hard and even if you have bad math you'll be fine. Give 100% and the teacher will give you the same. Very fun class. Not a walk in the park though. Expect a good, healthy, fun challenge. Teacher is a gem.
Had this awsome proff for a repacement seminar and I am glad that he changed the topic. Super interesting and passionate about the subject. Workload was madness though. He made us read the entire encyclopedia of military history and provide weekly reflections of our reading, that is 2000 pages. Also made us write a 6000 word paper.
Best prof at Concordia by far. He is demanding but fair I'd recommend anyone try his class.
Lots of simulations, interesting class, lots of homework. Prof is fair and very caring. Best prof at Concordia.
Fantastic class and teacher if you like International Relations take this class. That being said there is a lot of work. Weekly quizzes, two midterms, several small assignments, and a 7000 word final paper. In addition to this there are several enjoyable simulations which really make the class.
Best international relations professor at Concordia. Have taken his classes twice an loved both of them. Lots of work but everyone helps each other out in his classes. Office hours are excellent. Take him if you want to Learn.
Prepare to read a lot, work a lot, and learn a lot! The workload is ridiculous and the statistics will drive you crazy, but all of this are necessary for your personal welfare. Be aware of the weekly quizzes, two midterm exams, and 7000 words-paper. If you are looking for an easy class to skip or slack off, you might as well attend high school :)
Pleasantly surprised by this prof - wish I got to take more of his classes. Loved the amount of feedback from assignments. Prof. Schofield has a cool + informed perspective for sure. Learned a LOT during this class, DEF need to be committed + put the time in. Weekly assignments + a lot of reading, around 2000 pages. (Entire encyclopedia.)
Amazing Teacher, but really makes you work for it- If you turn up to every lecture and follow his guidelines in the class guide and talk over your essay with him, you are guaranteed a B+ at least. A great class and Prof
Most challenging but very rewarding class and professor
Schofield is a great teacher! Would definitely take one of his classes again. You NEED to get involved with the course material and take the time for readings, assignments. The class is heavy in terms of material and very challenging. I recommend to not skip a class! But the teacher is very educated, funny and knows his stuff!
This teacher gives a lot of reading and assignments however he is always there to help and wants his students to succeed. He also makes the lectures very interesting! I would definitely take his class again even if it was the most demanding class I have ever taken! Amazing teacher!
One of the best classes I've taken so far. If you're willing to put up with the amount of work, you'll likely enjoy it.
Math used to scare me, but he's a master at this stuff, and he'll go out of his way to make sure you come out of 302 as one too. I now do linear regressions by hand for kicks, and can navigate through SPSS in my sleep. Stats is so important in political science, and 302 demystifies it completely.
419 is easily one of the most difficult courses I've taken, the subject matter is dense, but it's quite fun. Interested in nuclear weapons and warfare? Julian knows everything on the subject, and he'll make sure you do do. There are a lot of assignments, but they're outside the box and fun. I can now write a 20+ pager inside of a week.
Schofield gives lots of assignments which are unusual for PoliSci such as stats and naval combat assignments, however always spends lots of time helping students in his office hours. This is the best class to learn about everything related to nuclear weapons and Schofield runs class simulations which are the highlight of my university experience.
Scary-smart, passionate about his subject, cares about his students. Among the very best professors at the university. The huge work load would be unreasonable from another professor... Professor Schofield goes the extra mile (and then ten more for good measure) to make sure every student understands the material and can handle the assignments.
Amazing prof! So passionate about the topic and he really cares about his students--he wants you to learn the stats and do well. But you need to be ready to work! Workload is VERY heavy so don't wait last minute. But if you do the work and show up to class it's actually fairly easy to get a good grade.
The course is only for hardworking. The course is not difficult BUT there is are many assignments. I spend for this course 2.5 times more time than for other classes. Do not be frightened by many assignments, do them all in time and do not leave for the end. An easy grader if you work hard, go to his labs, office hours. So far the best Professor!
This class is very demanding but consequentially also very rewarding. You will develop your quantitative and qualitative methodology skills, and this professor is always available to his students through e-mail, with very prompt replies. If you are looking to challenge yourself and are prepared for a heavy workload take this class!
If you are looking for an easy class, turn away. On top of lectures jam-packed with information, there are weekly quizzes, multiple assignments, and a substantial final paper. Many students drop the class. The ones who don't are battle-hardened and experienced. If you work hard and put in the time, Schofield will do the same for you.
This course was the highlight of my university experience. The workload is immense and you are expected to read about 60 pages per week as well. If you put in the work, show up to class and read the material, you will do well. More importantly, however, you will a truly rewarding experience.
The best teacher I've had in my entire academic career. Passionate, knowledgeable and personable, Schofield will make you work for it. Weekly quizzes and assignments due, a maddening amount of reading to do (learn to skim, read headings and move on). He is approachable and not here to wreck your GPA. You must, however, put earn it. A true gem.
Dr. Schofield is the real MVP of the department. The stats class was legit so SPSS heavy and everyone was lost with his unclear assignments. THAT BEING SAID, he allows for unlimited redos until you get 100%. You can see him and email him whenever, and he is super personable. Loved the guy and the class! Everyone does well, but do the work.
Schofield is hands down one of the best teachers I have had at Concordia. Not only is he super understanding, he makes himself accessable to students to ensure their success in his class. Lots of assignments worth 1-5% but they add up. He doesnt have "strict" deadlines but don't wait till the end of the semester; it will bite you. Would retake 100%
Professor Schofield is perhaps my favourite prof of all time. He cares about his students and will go a long way to ensure your success. However, you must put the work in to get good results. That being said, the assignments are interesting and rewarding. If you have a chance, take a class with him. You will not regret it!!!
Dr Schofield is truly an amazing professor, very inspirational and passionate. However, you ll need to work hard (2x than an average 300 class) He is very helpful and available for his students and will do everything for you to do well in his class. Im scared of number and was afraid of statistics but now I am able to use SPSS easily
A lot of work in this class but definitely not punitive (you can retake quizzes or have extensions for your homework for example). At the end, I found it easier to have a good grade in this class, but fairly, in the way that Professor Schofield is pushing you to give your best. His lectures are also very interesting, you will learn a lot.
Hello, schofield is by far one of the best teachers at the entire school but it should be noted he will expect a lot of work from you. He will be available to help you and give good feedback in exchange and is very knowledgeable on the subject. Be prepared for math and lots of work but in exchange a class that really lets you become knowledgeable
An excellent opportunity to learn on China and develop your critical thinking skills. Expect A LOT of work, the more work you put in, the greater you'll do. Beware of quizzes and statistic assignments. If you are looking for relaxed and lazy class, skip this class, however the Professor is a gem and so is the TA.
Professor Schofield(Spencer-Churchill) was a really engaging teacher, the class topic was based around nuclear strategic studies however the goal of the course was for him to prepare you for a heavy workload, war game strategy, some math based on the in and outs of war and nuclear effects. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE A LOT OF WORK.
Amazing professor always offered support during his office hour which was a blast. Really made you work for grades but would offer the chance to redo many of the assignments so if you wanted to work you got the grades. Even with a massive term paper he was there to help with every aspect and he wanted to see his students do well. Be ready to work
Professor Schofield's classes are heavy but he gives you every resource to succeed and is always available to answer questions. He is very engaging in class. Be prepared for a lot of work.. he gives a daily quiz, assignments, 2 midterms, a final and a research paper (7,000 words). If you do the work you'll get a good grade. He's extremely fair.
You need to take Professor Schofield at least once in your academic journey at Concordia. Take this class when you have a light workload and plenty of time to give the necessary attention. This class teaches extremely valuable methods and research skills. Professor Schofield will give you honest and invaluable advice to help your academic career.
I have no idea why Schofield is loved by so many students. He came to class without reading his lecture notes and taught outdated stuff (which he admitted during class). Too many assignments that require a lot of work which doesn't contribute to your grade that much. No understanding of what the students might be experiences during the pandemic.
Mr Churchill is a god tier teacher, sure his class has a ton of work and assignments but honestly never learned so much in a class and been so engaged. He is willing to help you as much you wan but you have to inquire, seriously you can do this class just don't be lazy and keep up with the content. If your lazy dont take this class.
He isn't the Grandson of Winston Churchill but definitely is the Jason Statham of IR and War Strategy ! You will learn a lot through extra-rich material! Get ready to work. Get yourself proper learning of IR and become the next Pentagon Advisor with this class. He is available and reachable at anytime, cares a lot about your success. Recommend !
Heavy workload, but if you do the work you will be rewarded. Very accessible out of class for help with any of the assignments theres 7 of them, also a multiple quizzes each week that are easy if you do the readings. Tests are not easy (2 mid terms - 1 Final), and a term paper due at the end of the semester.
The work lot is heavy. However professor schofield is one of the best teacher Ive ever had. He is more than present for his students. He can help you with most of the assignment you just need to show up and do the work.
Professor Julian Schofield (spencer-Churchill) Is the best professor you can take a course with at Concordia. His 419 & 302 courses whether online or in person are just amazing. The workload is very tough but you learn quite a lot and you enjoy it. in summary ,you enjoy the lectures & you actually learn. He is helpful, motivating & inspirational
Strategic studies with Professor Schofield was the highlight of my online semester. The lectures were engaging and interesting. If you enjoy studying the use of nuclear strategies across the globe, with practical simulations that keep you involved, take his course. It requires participation and work, however the prof works with you to succeed.
POLI 205 online, best class I've taken. Prof Schofield is super knowledgeable and approachable, he responds to emails & stays before & after class to answer any questions. Classes are also really fun and engaging, awesome simulations. He expects you to read a lot and come to class but he also goes above and beyond with the amount of work he puts in
What a professor! If you are willing to participate and put in the work you will have a blast in his class. He appreciates your time and will put a lot of his into helping you with what you need throughout the whole semester. I definitely recommend taking any of his classes.
This profs WANTS you to succeed. His syllabus scared me so much at first but pleaseee stick through the first 2 weeks (it gets better). The midterms/final are kinda difficult bc u have to memorise a lot of material, but he does not grade strictly. The simulations are very fun. Overall an amazing and kind teacher.
Professor Spencer-Churchill is a great man.
Makes you grow.
Was amazed at Prof. Spencer-Churchill's knowledge, engagement & desire to help students think outside the box not only for the class but university as a whole. He also gave some great insight as to where a Poli Sci degree can take you. Class was intense, required lots of reading & studying. Amount & quality of work you put in pays off in the end
Professor Schofield is probably the best teacher at Concordia. The courses he teaches are difficult and are meant to punish lazy people. Additionally, he is passionate about history and war. There is free speech and free thinking in the class. You might only feel uncomfortable if during a war simulation you decide to nuke a nuclear power.....
2 short quizzes every class for the reading and lectures you need to take up outside of class. Our TA had issues with grading and was so much harsher than the prof himself. TA's grades had to be disputed for every paper and test, and prof will only regrade after you speak to TA. Our average was the worst he's seen in 20 years. a fluke?
Schofield's class is a wild ride. You will never work so hard for a grade in your life. There is an insane amount of assignments to complete. There are 2 quizzes every class. There are video lectures on top of live lectures. It's a huge effort. But Schofield is also an extremely enthusiastic prof who will do everything in his power to help you out
He started off semester by telling us to drop his class if we got covid because the courseload would be too much if we were sick. average on midterm was 25%. Students struggling and told it's our fault for not knowing how to study due to covid. worst TA
Dr. Schoefields class was an interesting experience. He had me loving it but hating it. His TA was a very tough grader so the class average was extremely low, but Dr. Schoefield honestly did a lot at the end to make sure that we would be given the best chance to pass. Exams are pure memorization but there are A LOT of things to learn.
Very interesting class. Learn how to memorize (quizlet really helps). If you like international relations, this is the class to take. You have to attend every class since there's a quiz at the beginning of each class based on readings and video lectures.
Avoid. Average for the 1st midterm was 35% & this trend generally continued on for the rest of the semester. SO MUCH MEMORIZATION. Quiz every class. Lots of reading. You have to present group work in front of the class. Recorded lectures are long, have to watch on your own time. Pros: he's knowledgeable, funny, his class is interesting.
Took POLI 318 and 205 and got an A+ in both classes. Would recommend only taking the classes if you're willing to do the work. Both classes were a lot of work but Prof Spencer Churchill is amazing--super enthusiastic about the material, willing to discuss and help you with assignments and always answers his emails within a day or two.
By far the greatest professors I've encountered at Concordia, he's extremely helpful and goes above and beyond to help his students succeed. That being said, you will never work harder in your life. There is an insane amount of assignments, weekly quizzes on over 200 page readings and a massive final paper. If you're not prepared to work, drop it.
Prof Schofield is a clear, engaging teacher, eager to explore every example/concept in-depth with his students. None of the assignments are weighted heavily, so participation counts for a lot. However, to pass well, expect to memorize min 25 pages of concepts per Midterm (2 mids + cumulative final), and show up every class ready for quizzes.
This was by far my most difficult class this semester. The amount of work was unreal and it was usually for assignments worth 1-7%. Expect 2 quizzes per class (one on reading and one on lecture), LOTS of memorization for midterms and final. That being said, Professor Churchill is incredibly knowledgable and flexible if you put in the work.
By far the most engaging and fun class, yet one of the heaviest in terms of the workload. Dr. Schofield is a real gem, he is very smart, cares about his students, and wants them to succeed, however YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT. Please stay away from this class if you are not willing to put in the hours to memorize the material for the midterms/finals.
P318 Strategic Studies Take this course if you WANT to LEARN and are READY to LEARN! This course requires strong commitment/organization/good memorizing skills/discipline/interest. The results are amazing resources/grades/skills/methodology/knowledge/and learning experience. Results will only be proportional to your personal work! I recommend100%
BE PREPARED TO WORK! There's a lot of material and he makes you work for it, you need to be ready to put in a lot of effort for this class and you will see results. MEMORIZE AND YOU'LL DO WELL ! The key to his exams are memorizing everything word for word. Go see him for help on assignments. Don't skip quizzes and classes those are easy marks
Passionate and devoted. 2 quizzes per class (1 on reading hw, 1 on pre-recorded lecture), 2 midterms + 1 final (ALL MEMORIZATION), 5 small assignments, participation activities. His class is very demanding but you will be rewarded if you work hard. Curved our marks after finals. Maybe don't him in your take first semester. Trust the process.
"I will evaluate this course as if you are in high school, but the contents will be in grad-level because I am bored of teaching the same thing" ... in an undergrad course. Expects way too much, approx. 11 asgnmt for the course, excld quizzes. Quiz contents never mentioned in class, completely unrelated to course. Doesn't care AT ALL if you learned
He is the most engaging and understanding professor in the school. He will work with you on just about anything from deadlines to regrading assignments. However, this privilege is only open to people who go to his class and during his office hours. If you show an interest in the class he will show an interest in you.
Schofield is the most amazing professor I have ever had. He is hilarious, captivating, and so knowledgeable (he's like a walking encyclopedia of everything & anything). I'm not a great student and I usually barely go to classes, but I went to almost every lecture of his. Not the easiest material, a lot of assignments, but so so so worth it.
Prof.Schofield is the best prof at Concordia and offers a really interesting course in poli 419. The course has a heavy workload but he is very understanding,wants his students to do well, & very accessible outside of class to help his students.If you show up to class & participate,do the readings,watch the lectures,you will do great.100% Recommend
If you procrastinate and you do not do the assignments and the readings, do not take this class. They have a lot of workloads, readings and assignments. It might look intimidating but they are beneficial because we do learn a lot. You might do some simulations in class. Those simulations can help for a better understanding of the theories learn.
I echo the same comments previously made. This class is not one you can simply coast through. If you are willing to do the work, you will get a great mark! Workload of a 6 credit class but his grading is not strict. Prof Schofield is very responsive outside of class. He is the best professor I have ever had. Take his class and you will be inspired.
He's very passionate, if you work hard you will do well. He can tell. There's a lot of work but it's doable. The paper is long but he will help you every step of the way. - Start early!! Overall was an incredible class and I would not hesitate to take any of his classes again. Good Luck!
Best prof I have ever had, but oh my lord was that class hard. A book a week (min 250 pages) + 800 word critique + present it to the class. That was TOUGH but I will forever be grateful for how much he helped improve my writing skills. He is the epitome of good methodology. The best of the best. They don't make them like him anymore.
Professor Schofield is a great teacher who is very responsive. He will reply students' emails even in weekends, usually within the same day. He is a fair grader, as long as you follow the instructions he will give you good grades. The workload is heavy with many small (2%) but time consuming assignments. An inspiring but tiring experience.
Professor Churchill's classes are very demanding, but they are there to push students to become even better. He deeply cares about the success of his students and always gives time during his office hours to help. He is also extremely funny. Easily one of the best professors at Concordia, if not the best. Highly recommend!
IF YOU REALLY LIKE POLITICS TAKE THIS PROFESSOR. THE CLASS IS NOT EASY A LOT OF HOURS ARE REQUIRED AHEAD. YOU WILL BE A BETTER SCHOLAR AFTER THIS CLASS.
Trust me, I am quite critical, I don't compliment ppl often; but you will learn things from him, the things you learn are important and useful. He is one of the few good professors at Concordia. He is flexible and he has a good heart.
Fair warning, if you are not interested in Political Science or are looking for an easy elective do not take Professor Schofield. Just under 50% of my class dropped the course, however very few professors care as much about their students or are as available as professor Schofield. If you are interested in the subject, take this prof. Tons of work
Show that you care and he will respect you. It is so easy to build rapport with this man, he's an absolute gem. Best office hours and he will curve (upgrade) your grade if you display exceptional commitment and participation. He offers opportunities for employment and experience to help his students grow outside of class. Heavy workload but worth!
He is a genuinely nice prof who cares about his students.
Genuinely cares about students and the material, and will work with you to make sure you succeed. My best advice for anyone taking this course is to attend the office hours. Seriously, he will answer questions you have and will help push you to where you need to go. You can even just hang out in there and do your work, I strongly recommend it.
I can't believe that I am saying this, one of the VERY few teachers at Concordia's political science department who knows how to teach. Yes, the workload is heavy, but you will learn a few things that can be actually useful. He is super flexible, caring, a real human being. Take him, you won't regret it.
The professor has a great passion for teaching, which motivated me to be more interested in the topics presented. His office hours were very accessible, and he welcomed students to drop by frequently. However, if you struggle with lecture, reading and memorization-heavy classes, this might not be the best choice.
Professor Schofield truly cares about his students. He always makes himself accessible outside class hours and responds to emails at all hours. Get ready for a challenge because this class is very demanding on a weekly basis, there are no breaks. However, if you put in the effort, not only will you do amazing but you will also learn a ton!
Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT take this class unless you are prepared for the massive tsunami of assignments. Quizzes, exams, stats, breakout presentations, 6k word paper, dataset creation, you name it. Having completed this course, however, you will feel enriched from the valuable knowledge and skills you will have gained. Great professor.
There is a big emphasis on methodology, which is great because very few classes in POLI will actually apply quant and qualitative research methods! It is quite a big workload, but if you do your work in advance and keep track it is very manageable.He is also very approachable and knowledgeable!
After 2 years study in Concordia, I have to say Mr. Schofield is the best professor and most enthusiastic teacher in the school with his students. Please go to his office hour, if you decide to take his course. You will find a comfortable way to communicate with your teacher.
Super awesome prof, more invested in his students then any other I have taken. He actually cares, but if you arent interested in Political Science do not take any classes with him. The workload is huge, you'll learn more than any other class but his classes should be worth 6 credits.
Professor Schofield is truly dedicated to student success. The workload is heavy, but engaging with the material and attending office hours pays off. unstuckstudy ai was a lifesaver for preparing for exams and assignments. Definitely worth taking this class if you're interested in political science.
He's a good professor, but only if you join the cult of personality that he creates around himself AND you are a competitive person for no reason. The course grading is split between a bunch of stuff worth 1% to 3% which makes the class messy and unorganized. He makes you team up with others constantly its annoying.Not good for first year students.
Okay, look. You need to be ready to read. You have two quizzes per class about the lecture that he puts online and the readings, which can be 80 pages long. BUT he is here to help you. He is very patient with you, and if you go to his office hours he can ALMOST do your papers with and for you. And EVERYTHING is by heart.
He thrives on a cult of personality and unnecessary competition, which seems aimed at boosting his own ego rather than fostering learning. The grading is disorganized, the constant group work adds frustration, reflecting his laziness. You need to praise him and agree with him and not expose the wrong things he kept spreading, a false "know it all".
It hurts me to say this about prof Schofield (he used to be my fav prof at concordia) but taking this class is one of my biggest REGRETS at concordia. It is an enormous burden of work that is extremely unfulfilling -- he does not even care about you. If you care about your grades or mental health at all, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Do not take this class if you can't memorize well. The teacher is fun but totally unfit to teach. Most people dropped out before the final and those who stayed were crushed by endless readings quizzes and assignments. For first years especially international students this is way too much. Don't waste your time or money.
work for your quizzes, once you get the right study method its fairly easy to get a decent grade. Mid-terms and finals are just lots of questions so learn as much material as you can untill you can't anymore and you should be good.
One, if not THE the best teacher of the department. His courses are hard so you need to put in the work but the classes are engaging and interesting, he is super passionate about passing down what he knows, he will teach you to be methodologically rigorous. He's close to his students and will not fail you if you show up. Go to his office hours !
Run for your life, for real.
You would have to read a lot not going to lie but once you get the hang of it it's good (i got 56% first midterm and 98% in the second one). Don't take it if you can't memorize for the life of you
Dr. Schofield is deeply passionate about his work, and has incredible empirical knowledge. His classes are extremely difficult, but he goes to heroic lengths to help students who are willing to put in the work.. The courses are amazing but the pace is psychotic. You'll be dragged, kicking and screaming, into mastery of the positivist methodology.
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