Very smart prof...went to lawschool and thinks you are going to one too. Gave maybe 1 or 2 A's tops to our entire class of 30-some...the class average on essays and tests was a B- I would take him once; hes a nice guy...just be warned about the grading.

He would go out of his way to help, but he got off on tangents too much. He couldn't just not answer a stupid question, and there were a lot. I got an A though

He teaches very interesting courses.

Dr. Chen is warm, funny, smart, fair, and his class is open & inviting. He is one of the most genuinely nice professors ever, will jump through **** hoops to help anyone. Class is challenging but fun and interesting. Awesome.

Prof. Chen is engaging, funny, insightful and very well prepared. Definitely knows his sh!t and he will make sure you do too. This was my second class for him and I will definitely take him again. The tests are tough (all take home essays in summer quarter) and he grades tough, but it's worth it.

He's has a ton of education, and his knowledge of the subject makes that clear. He's very organized with class notes, and always interested in talking with students that don't understand a given topic. My only complaint is the randomness with which he grades (you don't really have any idea how you're doing, and when you think you do, you're wrong).

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Chen is smart, funny, and interesting. His lectures tend to involve tangents, and his speach style is one that jumps around a lot. (if you're an ENFP this guy is PERFECT for you!!) His class is dificult, but worth it.

First midterm beware, read and re-read the stuff on jurisdiction. 35% of grade is first essay exam and it will be some crazy jurisdiction scenario.

This class was probably the first I took here that lived up to the supposed difficulty of a 300-level class. The tests were difficult, but fair. Chen was involved in the class, emailed students when there were changes, and was available for office hours more than the usual prof.

Though the tests are really intimidating, I enjoyed this class because Chen is a great teacher, fun to listen to, knowledgeable and helpful. Reading is very light, and he provides all his notes/slides online.

chen is wonderful. SUCH a nice guy, hes funny too. one word of advice...if you dont agree with his scores on your essays, take it to him during office hours with arguments ready. he is very negotiable and most likely will raise your grade if you are right. worked for me and a few others i have talked to!

This class seams easy, during the lectures, but don't let your guard down; the objective tests are hard, and the essay-tests are toughly graded. Make sure, when you're studying, that you don't just have the general idea, but know all the details.

Chen is a really nice guy and pretty funny too. His teaching style can be a bit scattered at times, but its effective enough and he makes sure students understand the material. The objective tests and essays are challenging and definitely something you should prepare for and spend time on.

Prof Chen is amazing. He is funny and engaging and a great lecturer. The cases we read were interesting and useful and all of the things we discussed were well taught and fun to learn about. He is very helpful and excited about law but his tests will kick you in the butt. Make sure you study and on your essays put as much legal info in as possible!

Funny guy. Really knows his stuff and genuinely enjoys teaching it. Class had a mandatory attendance with I dislike in general, but he is actually pretty interesting listen to, so lectures weren't completely boring. All lectures online with slides. Exams are tricky with him. He often does checklist exams, so don't stray from the lectures too much.

Think. HARD AS HELL. Great guy very tough grader. This man will chew you and up and spit you out. He's great as far as out of class meeting with you and is awesome with the E-mails. Did I mention a tough grader. Many 4.0 students in the class struggled dearly with this man. VERY TOUGH. Take this ONLY IF U NEED IT.

This class was HARD. Chen is a great teacher, funny, helpful, very knowledgeable. But the tests and essays (2 of each) were quite tough. This class was very worth it for the material, but may come at expense of your grade

Yes he has some difficult material on his exams,you're babies he definitely prepares you for them with the lectures and assigned reading. Suck it up you can do well if actually put some effort in. Super personable, nice guy, enjoyed the material immensely.

Prof. Chen is the man. PERIOD. If you are considering attending law school take one of his classes. Ff you don't like the class,DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY GOING TO LAW SCHOOL! The assigned material is demanding, but not as hard as real law school. He is very helpful and much kinder than any law professor that I have had. And his office is eerily clean.

Professor Chen is one of my favorite professors at WWU! I took him a year ago and he still says hello to me in the halls. He might scare you by saying that he'll randomly call on people throughout the quarter, but don't worry, just print out his lectures and follow along. Chen is tough, but he's a great professor!

Honestly, Professor Chen's course wasn't as great as I expected. He got off-topic easily and didn't make the material very intersting. He's intelligent but needs to be diverse with his teaching methods.

I had Prof Chen for PLSC 311/314. I loved both classes! Teachers like Chen create a high academic standard & are crucial to their departments. There will always be ppl who dislike Chen bc his classes are HARD, but you learn a lot. If you're a PLSC major, it's a challenge & tests your strengths. STUDY THOROUGHLY. Chen is a good person & cares a lot.

Dr.Chen told our class on the first day that "this may be the hardest class you will take at Western." For myself, it was. After doing poorly on my first two exams, I began to study his online slides and ended up with a decent grade. This is a challenging course, so be ready when you sign up for Chen's class.

would do again

Good professor. Yes its kind of a tough class, but its not like law school will be easy. And really its not as tough as he makes it out to be. It will only be hard if law isn't an interest or its just a difficult subject for you. But Chen himself is thoughtful, helpful, and keeps the class engaged by asking lots of questions.

You will learn from him but beware, your gpa will take a hit. His essays and tests are brutal with an average test grade around 72% with little to no curve. If you take his class, make sure you put 110% effort and never miss class.

Professor Chen is great. The tests are challenging but fair. If you read the cases, memorize the rules of law and understand how to apply them to individual scenarios, you'll do well. Great course!

One of the best professors I've ever had, he is tough but very willing to work with students, if you get the chance to take a class with him don't pass it up.

Dr. Chen is learned from a law insider's perspective and a politically-minded perspective. His credentials are superb. He is thoughtful,well-spoken and helpful. His classes are among the most difficult at Western, but if you enjoy the subject matter, and use resources available (including office hours) you will be golden.

Prof. Chen is wonderful his class is difficult only if you fall behind and dont apply yourself. He makes himself availble to his students and is willing to work with you so you improve do the readings go to class and really participate in small group and you will be fine tests are based directly from the slides he likes true and false questions

This class is a lot of work, but if you are very interested in Poli Sci, it's worth it. Chen is very enthusiastic about the subject, he is helpful when answering questions and during office hours, and is humble enough to be cool with being corrected in class. Do the reading, go to class, participate and know the slides and you will be fine.

Chen is a prof you should make sure to take if in the plsc major. He is tougher than other professors but you will learn more so if you want to make something of the $80 or so you spend on each class take a class with Chen!

Easily one of the best professors in the Political Science department at Western. He's an incredibly enjoyable person to talk to, incredibly personable, and comparable in teaching style to a mix between Abedi and Hoffman (much less abstract than Hoffman, but much more involving and conversational than Abedi). All in all, find a way to take him.

most rewarding classes you'll take at WWU. His lectures are precise interesting, cases you study are mesmerizing, and his expectations for students ARE EXTREMELY HIGH. He cranks out future lawyers, &has no problems with a class grade average being a C to B-. Do the work, don't skip class, and ALWAYS meet with him before a test, & you'll be fine.

Chen is hilarious. You will love him and his quirkiness, but the class is honestly the hardest class I have ever taken. Be prepared for a whole new language, late nights, lots of coffee, and learning more about the law than you probably will in your first year of law school. Have fun kiddos

Funny guy, not much work, but lots of reading. Few assignments you do get are difficult!

if you go to class, you can pass his tests. He does both tests and essays, so there are a lot of opportunities to get good grades- there are over six assignments in the the two courses I took (intro to law and judicial process, as well as law and society). hes so kind, & very friendly. he likes calling on people in class and is really nice about it

Took several of his classes. I'm at law school now, and I'd say sitting in his classroom is the best thing for you as a student at Western, if you're serious about law school yourself. But if that's you, you probably already know that. He is super supportive and accessible. A great person to have on your team in your academic adventure.

Chen is a tough grader, there's no getting around that, but all in all, he's a really solid guy. I had a terrible quarter with personal things going on and he was very accommodating. If you see him during office hours, he's super willing to help. Lectures go off on tangents fairly regularly but nothing he tells you is useless.

Dr. Chen can go off topic at times, but he is truly one of the most brilliant teachers I have ever had. He never fails to make you laugh or email you back within five minutes.

Took Chen back in Fall. Went into it thinking I would do well. Struggled when it came to his tests. But, all in all, I enjoyed it. His grading style is tough on tests, but his homework assignments seem more lax by comparison. His lectures were enjoyable, and the prof himself is a really great guy. Recommend for anyone interested in law.

Paul is clearly very smart and knows his stuff. In lectures, he will often get off topic, but we amazingly rarely fall behind. He is a tough but fair grader. I don't recommend taking this class for just a GUR though-- probably only take him if you're going into poli sci or something similar. He's a super nice guy and replies to emails in 5-10 mins

My 1st yr I was in Intro to Law & the Legal System. I was so intimidated being a noob that I dropped it the day after. After taking a Chen class my 4th yr I understand why he's so respected. He's straight forward with expectations and is incredibly caring, just be consistent in communicating via email. I've never read everything for a class b4 this

Prof Chen is the best teacher Ive ever had! Exams are very difficult- not bcuz I didnt know the material, his questions TWIST your mind. Essays/objective tests are split evenly. Textbook is unnecessary- all needed info given in lecture and on slides. I never considered law, and took this class cuz there were no other PLSC options. Glad I took it.

Chen is a lovely and hilarious professor however this class will hurt. He sends warnings before class starts, heed them if you're not super serious about law school. You will work hard and you will almost definitely fail at least 1 assignment. Essays are short but painfully complex. Attend class every time. I didn't use the "required" textbook.

While he is a little over the place with assignments being given that week, he gives you a 6 hour grace period after the due time, where there is no plenty. He also assumes that if you do not come to zoom lectures that you are doing something more important with your time. He is just an overall sweet professor.

Amazing prof who aims to prepare you for law school. Very knowledgeable, lectures aren't required but you'll get way more from the class if you go. 2 homework assignments weekly plus a few essays, which are challenging and he's a tough grader, but is fair and genuinely wants you to learn. Anyone considering law school needs to take a class with him

Prof. Chen is one of those teachers you would like to get to know, hes very intelligent but at times can be vague on what he expects for his tests. Apart from that his classes are very structured and well laid out and he makes things very clear. He is not an easy grader but if youre thinking of law school hes the guy.

Professor Chen is so sweet and understanding of his students. Assignments were very easy, however he is a very tough grader when it comes to the 3 essays. Although he does have a strict rubric of what his pet peeves are etc.. my peers and myself included could not get higher than an 80%

One of my faves! He's a tough grader and his papers are difficult but he wants you to succeed and is very helpful in office hours. Homework is to read 2 cases per week and write briefs about them. Not a crazy amount of reading! He tries to make his course as similar to law school as possible - anyone considering law school needs to take Chen.

Prof. Chen is one of my favorite professors I've had so far. His lectures are engaging, he can get off-topic from time to time though. He is a harsh grader on essays and there is quite a bit of homework in his classes. But if you need extra help or an extension he is more than happy to help. He genuinely wants his students to succeed.

Overall good professor, a bit of a rambler but classes are engaging. Tough grader and somewhat inconsistent. Tests are vague and don't seem to be a good indicator of actual knowledge.

Professor Chen is very educated and engaged in the topic of Political Science. PLSC311 is very much based around the idea of breaking down real-life cases that changed the legal system. Professor Chen was consistently doing his best to make the classroom environment a positive space for learning and I am very grateful for him and his class.

My new favorite professor at Western, material is objectively difficult but he's more than happy to help as much as he possibly can.