This teacher is a nice guy, but definitely makes an easy class not easy. If you like a challenge, I'd recommend him because he's a great guy. (funny) But, if you don't like a challenge I would recommend trying someone else.

Julian is kind of weird, but really hilarious. You can't take him too seriously cuz he is a little bit of an odd ball. But honestly, he was a good teacher, I learned a lot about politics from him and all the information he presents is very practical. I appreciate his humor and sincerity. The tests are decent and he gives a huge curve :)

there is no way to make the content of this course palatable unless you like statistics. If you show up everyday and take good notes then you will at the least get a B. Make sure to follow instructions to the T on all assignments and you will get an A on all of your work.

as long as you show up for class, getting an A or a B shouldn't be hard. The professor was nice and the class wasn't totally boring.

This class is easy if you read the text book. There is a website with all the questions he asks on the quiz, the website is in the textbook. Know the vocab and understand the concepts and readings. I got a 110 percent in the class if that says anything at all. Easy class.

If you read the book, take notes, and attend the lectures you will be fine. My high school politics class was harder than this. He is a good teacher with a vast amount of knowledge and even has a good amount of humor. Uses clickers so show up or give yours to someone you know is going to class.

When I see other POL 106 students complain that this class is too hard, I seriously question my generation. This teacher is great, he's funny in a goofy way. His tests are cake, as long as you know anything about our government your fine. If you fail this class, it's because your the bottom of the gene pool and won't last in college anyway.

Class was ridiculously too hard for a 100-level class.

Polisci stats class. Not easy topic, but he works hard to help. Go to class, get help in office hours, he will spend lots of time helping you if you make an effort. Nice guy. Funny

One of the best professors I've had. College should be designed to be challenging not a cake walk, and he's hilarious! He's always willing to work w students who truly want to do well. I missed the first test because I overslept and he cut me a sweet deal.... It required a lot of work on my part but it was worth it.

Funny, interested, helpful. Doesn't like slackers or people who text or read in class, but if you put in a little effort he's great. If you don't want to learn, don't go to class. Super helpful- I never had as much help in office hours as he gave explaining some things. I'm not super into politics, but now i'm paying attention to the news!

wow. it's a poli sci class, the terms are in the text, on the slides, explained in class. he talks about how to prepare for quizzes before each quiz -- says use slides as a guide to study text. if you go to class, read the book, take notes, and study some you'll do fine. if you expect no poli sci terms in a poli sci class and don't show up, well...

Really helps explain if you go see him. In POL140 quizzes were 45% of grade -- before in class he tells to study slides, key terms. Extra credit offered, if you go to class and try you do well -- it's not hard. If you text, skip class, and don't study, you won't. Your lazy rude act is not professor's fault.

This was my hardest class. He is cvery boring, but very helpful in office hours, and really likes to argue his opinion against others in class. Tests are decent if you have the clicker questions and read the book to know all terms.

I loved this class! Made me interested in what goes on in the rest of the world, and how it is all connected. Prof was funny, really into the material, and really helpful. Quizzes a mix of book and lecture. Class lectures made book reading more clear. Talked about how to study, (read, take notes, review slides), helped a lot. Great class, prof.

Really good class. Really interesting discussions. Good lectures. Tests good if you read and paid attention. Prof funny, willing to accept other views than his. Made me think, understand, want to get involved. Don't take if you are lazy and do nothing, DO take him if you want to learn, have a good time, and know more about politics.

Goofy. Says a lot of odd things. Good for not saying bias and open to your ideas. Pretty positive and not that difficult to pay attention. He can get off topic and then rush some of the really important information. Online tests available and they are the best ever. He takes some questions directly from online. He really makes you learn material

He was very witty and said a lot of funny things. However, he likes people to attend so if too many people dont he starts to make inclass quizes. its a pretty easy class and he is helpful if you ever need it.

I like this class. Good prof who really seems to care about students doing well. I wonder a lot about students who say they sleep in class and then call the prof a tool. Pretty crazy and rude. Also, if you want to do no work at all, why go to college? Westerhout does expect you to work some, but not too hard, and will help a LOT if you ask and try!

Westerhout is a great professor. I can see how some people do not like him though. He makes the course pretty easy to pass though. He hands out extra points all semester. His TA's are usually strict, but if you pay attention during class they will not bother you. You will write a two page paper every week. The test questions are all online.

Interesting class. Professor knows a lot, and does a lot to help students understand connections. Gives a lot of help for those who are trying. Doesn't like lazy slackers. I don't mind a little work and am learning lots about the world and why it effects me. One of the better intro classes I've had here, not a time waster like some. Good class.

He is a great professor who really cares about his students and connects with them through his own stories and IR examples. Lots of little papers but if you do them and pay attention its an easy A and you learn A LOT, really worth it

Class interesting, professor good, knows a lot, tells some good stories. Slides posted before class, lots of help on exams, lots of extra credit. Wants students to know stuff, do well, worked hard to help me understand stuff, really available. Nice guy,

Good teacher, really knows what he's talking about. He can be kinda boring, but interesting and funny at times. The class is somewhat easy, he gives out a lot of extra credit. Reading the book is mandatory.

95% of exam is off the slides. SKIP THE BOOK. Easy B for barely any effort. Gives extra credit and attendance extra credit when attendance got low.

Easy class, but the two page chapter reflections per week get annoying. Tests come straight from the slides and online website. You don't need to go to class and he gives a lot of EC. Class is easily passable

He gets the message across crystal clear and always tries to make it interesting to listen to. He doesn't always succeed at the latter. His class is easy to pass: all the test questions come directly from the slides, available online. Hint: in the weekly reflection, spit his words back at him! Don't reflect, regurgitate!

This class was ok, not super good but not super bad either! I suggest taking this class for an easy B (do all the article reflections, you will most likely get an easy A, i didn't but still got a B) He is not a bad professor always tries to get people to talk and be involved! Exams are not bad and the final project/simulation is actually fun! TAKE!

He's a nice guy, and his class structure is pretty simple to follow. 7/10 stars- would recommend. Just do the chapter reflections in lieu of studying and you should be fine.

Julian is a decent professor. He can be a bit dry at times and for a 75mn class felt at times a bit too long, however class is relatively easy, do article reflections and you should do well. I ended with a B, study for the 2 quizes and final and you should end up doing well.

You must go to class and bring your clicker. Also be sure to do the reflections. If you do the work its pretty easy. LOts of extra credit. He can sometimes be hard to follow but if you do the readings and reflections you should do fine. If you don't understand politics it is extra important to pay attention.

Very good teacher. Bit of a dork but that is how he keeps his class interested. As long as you take notes and do what you're asked you should expect at least a B.

Such a boooooring class. It's hard not to zone out. Four in class debates, one is extra credit (100 points), also gives out other ec opportunities. I study straight from the slides and get As on the exams (he calls them quizzes). Just know ALL the information on them. Even what's in the articles. Not bad if you put in a little effort.

Dr. W's curriculum consists of 3 exams (aka "quizzes") and 5 debates (with 1 being optional). For the debates, you are required to write a 2-page paper & 1-page reflection for each. Attendance is mandatory, as you are required to answer clicker questions every class period. If you do all 5 debates & look over the slides, it's an easy A.

You get out what you put in. Professor Westerhout is a very quirky guy, he rarely gets off topic but when he does - you're bound to laugh. I was able to get a decent grade without using the book, I might have done better with it. Have some respect, and put away your phone - he'll call you out in front of 200+ people if he sees you using it.

Lectures are brutal, slides are paragraphs and uses big words nobody has ever heard of. I missed 14 of the classes and didn't take notes once. Got an A in the class. Tests are impossible and not even worth studying for. Easy paper grader. Do good on the 2 page papers and reflections. and do all extra credit. Honestly, take 106 or 140 instead.

His slides tend to be very wordy. He responds to emails very quickly. His lectures are sometimes boring but he usually finds some way to make them entertaining. In terms of easiness, you're probalby a POL major if you're taking this and if you have a good background knowledge of politics, you should find it really easy.

Extremely intelligent, sometimes to the point of going over the heads of his students. Lecture can be a bit dry, but he makes International Relations as fun as it possibly can be. Tests are multiple choice, but challenging. Great class overall.

he does count if youre there or not and it will go against your grade if you dont show up. he loves group discussion, if you dont like to talk and participate in class he will get frustrated for the lack of participation and it will also go against your grade. he is very passionate about peace studies and overall i love this class. you read a lot!

Peace studies- loved the class, super interesting but u have to do the readings/reflections & go to class! participation matters. You can tell he is passionate about what he is teaching, and he is super understanding and nice if you talk to him and show you are really trying! He gets frustrated if there isn't a good class discussion lol so speak up

Really good teacher! Even though you have to learn quite a lot a very good class.

Julian is a pretty cool dude. He's fun in class and makes lecture interesting. There's 2 exams and you have to do 10 reflections through out the semester. Show up, pay attention, participate, do the readings and you'll be fine. The class goes over Gandhi, Einstein, disarmament, peace and women, the UN, social movements, and much more.

Good instructor. We went through each U.S. President. Make sure you do 9 out 13 reading reflections (2 to 3 pages), and write your 7-10 page term paper. You also have to participate, and he gives extra credit. You have 2 Quizzes and 1 Final Exam. Recommended. Also he does pretty good voice impressions.

Overall great professor, he's funny but can be a bit weird at time. Really has a tendency to repeat things/beat them into your head. Get ready to write a lot though.

He's actually a very good teacher. Very well informed and knowledgeable. However, the format of the class is terrible. Debates are a mess. Not much to help you study for tests which are easy though. I think he curves them because I remember missing too many questions to get such high grades. I recommend the class, but it is a bit disorganized.

This guy is the man. Had him for POL 101 and IDS 111, both were relatively easy. There is reading you have to do for 111, but the book can be skimmed and you don't have to pay much attention to the reading as long as you pay attention in class. He is super involved in class and makes it not too rough. Would take another class with him if I could!

Westerhout set up POL 101 to be super easy and hes not a tough grader at all. I never read the book and the class was an easy A. You take a quiz every week but they are group quizzes. You get an assigned group for the whole semester and that makes it easy to get a good grade. Theres two tests and they are exactly like the quizzes.

Really liked Prof Westerhout. Don't worry about low scores on the exams, the final at the end will help. Pay attention in class.

He has a really messed up sense of humor but makes some what boring material better he knows so much about world events and is a fun guy

Julian is great. He's tough, but he really cares about his students. If you are having a tough time with him, go to him and tell him that. He really wants his students to do well, even beyond the classroom. I've found he's a great friend in addition to being a great teacher. Don't let 101 fool you. That class is far different than the rest.

Julian is a great professor, its not his fault the material is incredibly boring. If you take POL 101, DO NOT SKIP. I did and it is the reason I am likely failing. He gives group quizzes but does not say when they are. As long as you show up and pay attention sometimes, you should pass with at least a C.

The guy is interesting and knows his stuff. Look over the powerpoints every day, participate in class to get one extra credit point per day, and you'll do just fine. If you get stuck with bad people for the group project, just don't put their names on the paper. He's really nice and both him and his TA's are available if you're confused.

African Politics was a very difficult class for me. The first test is over all the lectures up until the test, STUDY YOUR EXTENSIVE NOTES, because you need to be there every class. I personally found the book confusing and never read it, he does ask about it though. You need to really study for this class but overall i enjoyed it as time went on

Just go to class and say anything to get extra credit I failed all test but my extra credit boosted my grade tremendously!

Puts up slides on zoom during lecture time, but does not provide the slides to you for your use until after lecture. Makes it hard to take good notes and he goes through the slides pretty quickly. Intro class but if you don't know much about politics before this class, you are going to be lost very quickly. Quizzes are very difficult. No tests.

People are way too harsh on this professor!! Honestly, it is not him that is difficult, it's the material that is hard. He actually is very respectable and fun to have as a professor. There were two extra credit opportunities that boosted my grade a lot.

I had him for the peace studies class. He is a tough teacher, but eager to help if you are struggling. You will HAVE to do the readings and definitely study for the tests. I don't know why he has such bad reviews; he is very nice and I could tell he is passionate about teaching.

He's a really great professor if you're actually trying to learn what he's teaching. If you're taking the class as a gen ed and only want an easy A, go somewhere else. It's not exactly mandatory to go to class, but it'll end up affecting your participation grade and overall how you understand the material if you don't show up.

This guy is so funny. I loved coming to his class every day because he makes everyone laugh and brightens my day! The tests were pretty easy you just have to take notes and know the material :)

There weren't a lot of grades in this class, but it was all easy. group quizzes, group papers, and other pieces of work but it was all very easy. Show up to class, the book is 50/50, it's helpful but also not necessarily required. Off-topic at times but a respectable professor and materials was pretty easy if you have background knowledge

Highly recommend the course and the professor!

Lectures are very engaging and interesting. The material is not super challenging, but there is a lot of reading, especially for the weekly homework assignments. He is very nice and funny during class, I would definitely take him again.

One of the most committed and insightful professors. Cares about his work and that you actually learn something; flexible if you get on his good side, so make sure you do your work and are on top of assignments. One of the most awesome and well-prepared lecturers, definitely makes me glad I finally get the worth out of my tuition dollars.

Very engaging teacher with a lot of work. Easy class if you read your textbook and submit every single assignment

You have 6 tests throughout the semester - 3 planned individual quizzes online, 3 pop quizzes that are group quizzes. Gives extra credit for participating in class. Really funny and a story teller. If I was a poli-sci major, I would look for his classes to take. I hate politics and he made the class interesting for me. Final was online.

Passionate professor who clearly cares about the subject manner and tries to communicate in a fun and engaging manner. Sometimes these efforts are effective, sometimes they are not. Often he will ramble on about subjects totally unrelated to the course, but these moments can be a good mental break from otherwise long and information-dense lectures.

Professor Westerhout is a very well-versed and down to earth person. When you apply yourself you will succeed, he is very open to office hours, email communication, and other forms of help, you just have to ask or otherwise he assumes his students understand the material as any other professor would. His lectures are interactive and he is funny.

Professor Westerhout breaks down things really well, be present for the lectures, the information he says is more important than what is on the slides, he also now offers participation points to help boost grades. He isn't boring, he connects back to real life, tells stories, doesn't just read from the slides, it is interactive and interesting.

I really enjoyed having Julian as a professor. If you read the chapters and have a short summary of each one, you will be fine. Most of the topics covered are connected and it is easy to build off what you learned. I studied a few days before each test and got As. Don't let his rating scare you!! He's really kind and an understanding professor.

I took this class imply because I had genuine interest in it and can confidently say I'm glad I did and that I got him as the professor. He has genuine passion for what he teaches and keeps you engaged in class. If you just want to quietly pass by and dislike classes that rely on student engagement, then this is not the one for you.

POL 140 was by far my least favorite class I took in the department, but Julian was not the reason why. Reading some of these reviews leads me to believe he has changed for the better post-covid. Class was graded by exams with multiple choice and short response; both are easy. Genuinely great professor limited by a not-so-great class.

I enjoyed his class and found his lectures interesting, but they did go off on tangents. Occasional group pop quizzes.