A hard teacher that is very knowledgable. If you're expecting a glamorized high school class, this is not your professor, but for anyone else that isn't inept, give it a go.

Class requires quite a bit of thought but is well worth the effort. If you plan on skipping class or showing up late, this is probably not the class for you. If he uses power-point, just pray he posts it later: It only makes sense if you understand his lecture. If you have a specific question try office hours or email.

The other ratings are off the mark. No, Hancock's not easy but neither is political theory. Of course his lectures are hard to understand; that's the nature of the topic. I've never seen him behave rudely. He treats all questions/concerns with dignity If you work hard on your reading summaries and form study groups for the tests, you'll do great.

I've had three classes from Hancock. I've never seen him get annoyed with liberal comments or expressions of disagreement with the classical philosophers - only with some students' refusal or inability to give reasons for what they think or to make sure they understand before they disagree. If you want a crash course in thinking hard, take Hancock.

Ralphie is a very intelligent and demanding professor. He is not tyranically difficult but merely insists that you work for your grade. If you put the time and effort into this class you will come out on top. While some of the readings are tedious, (though necessary for a good basis in political and philosophical thought), many are fascinating a

He got hired because he's one of the best in his field and he got his doctorate at Harvard University. The man is brilliant. But I undersand some won't relate.

One of my fav. classes at BYU! Professor Hancock can go over my head sometimes b/c he is so brilliant, but just ask him to dumb it down and he makes it very understandable. If you want a class that will open your eyes up then this is the one. And no matter what people say Equality by Default is an amazing book!

Anyone who says this Dr. Hancock is hard, is correct, but he is hard so as to broaden your mind and get you to move beyond your current capacity for thinking. His is the type of class that follows you long after class is over and long after the final grade is given. If you don't want hard, skip Hancock, but if you want academia, he's your man.

Great class...it will change your outlook on politics and the world if you are willing to make the effort to learn -- it is difficult material. Dr. Hancock was friendly and helpful. I cannot imagine a better professor to take this class from.

Great professor! This class is well worth taking. Professor Han**** can open your mind to new ideas that are amazing. The trick to the class is to go to lectures and study his power points. There are questions on the midterm and final that come directly form his power points. Overall an amazing professor. Highly recommend him

One of the best classes I've ever taken. If you're tired of all the rational choice stuff being pushed down your throat by the political science department then take this class. A refreshingly edifying class.

Students often confuse Hancock for being a hard teacher when really he just wants to elevate the class's learning to a higher than superficial level. One reviewer suggested taking the course from Gilchrist instead. No offense to Gilchrist, but you can get by with an A-/B+ without even reading the book in his class. Hancock wants student to learn.

Really enjoyed the class, great concepts, Professor Hancock encourages class discussions. Somewhat nebulous concepts, I really liked it, some found it difficult to grasp.

This was a difficult class. Prof Hancock expects a lot from his students. The midterm and final were difficult. Every week a 1 page paper is due and a 3-4 page paper at the end of the semester. Plan on putting time into this class, but learning a lot as a result. I got a lot out of the class and would take other Rel classes from him.

Many previous comments said you have to think like him to get an A. That's not quite right. You don't need to arrive at the same conclusions he does, but you DO need to think as carefully as he does. That is a rare thing at BYU - thoughtful, careful, well-considered discussion. He demands this. And you must show it to get an A.

I actually thought that he was one of the clearest professors that I've had, considering the subject that he teaches. He teaches very difficult concepts require polysyllabic words. If you don't like that, then don't take him. If you want to leave a political philosophy class with some philosophical grounding, then I think he's one of the best.

He's a good teacher. He makes political philosophy easier to understand. If you go to class, pay attention, and read the readings you should be fine.. maybe even get an A. It's not a hard class at all. YOu just need to put effort in that class. Plus he's open to questions so you won't be lost.

Professor Hancock is a gentleman and a scholar. I mean that with some pun and quotation, but he really is, candidly, both of those things. I never felt like he wanted to convert me to Conservatism, but he did insist that I try to think as clearly and succinctly as he does, and I loved that about him. He doesn't bludgeon you with his brain...

I took 201 and 307 from him, and Hancock is great. I really like philosophy, so it was always easy for me to understand what he explains, but I think that it is not the best class for someone who is taking it for generals. However, if you are a PLSc or IR major, Hancock is mandatory.

If you regurgitate what he teaches and understand his catchphrases, and know how to use them in your essays and tests, then you'll do fine.

Professor Hancock is a professor on this site that gets alot of bad rap from the students that hate him. I think that his class isn't easiest but that is good! Some of the problems that top schools have with BYU is that alot of the classes give out too many A's to people who don't really deserve it. He is always open for questions.

Great Professor, very knowledgeable. It is a hard subject, but he makes it clear. Definitely take him.

This class is his baby, and he knows more than anyone should know about it. Take it!

Dr. Hancock is a fantastic teacher. This is one of the best classes of my college career. He is not the best teacher to take if you want an easy A but if you want to be challenged and inspired he is just the right one.

Had PlSc 201 from him. He's a good teacher. He loves the material. Grading tends to be a little more heavily weighted toward knowing the interpretations he gives you for the texts, but that is probably a disadvantage of studying things that have been read and reread for thousands of years already. Study the slides. Use what they say. You'll do fine

Don't take this class unless you love philosophy. Hancock is very knowledgeable in this field.Explains things in understandable terms.There are only 2 writing assignments and the final in the class.I knew the material well and got a 78 on the final.Grading is stingy. If you want an easier grade and aren't interested in philosophy, do another class.

I was hesitant to take this class from him because he has some iffy reviews, but I wouldn't take it from anyone else. Hes really smart and will teach you a lot. Course work is good and interesting but a lot of reading. No pop quizzes, tests are short & somewhat predictable.

This is not the class to take if you want to mindlessly breeze through to an A. Professor requires you to think about complex, abstract ideas. If you're not in tune with what he's saying the lecture's can admittedly be very boring. On the other hand, if you prepare for class, you will find the material very fascinating and pertinent to your life

Professor Hancock is a rare find in that he truly is an intellectual giant. He is very good at disseminating info but he will definitely make you read and think critically about everything. Plus he talks just like Liam Neeson so there's a plus.

This was such a great class! I loved the material. Get ready to spend 6 hours a week on reading and writing summaries, but this is one of those classes that helps you grow.

He does make you read a lot but it is pretty interesting. The work load really isn't that bad, just do the reading and write a summary essay of 600 words, easy. He is really intelligent but he does tend to ramble on. It is hard to concentrate when he does. If you have to take a civ GE, just take it from him.

I think many of the students reviewing this class failed to understand the purpose of it; which is to make you rethink your ideas about the role of politics in modern society. The class is philosophically challenging, but if you're taking it because you enjoy the subject, not to get an easy A or knock of a GE credit, it can change your life.

If you are looking for an easy GE double credit, stay away. That said, if you are interested in working hard, expanding your intellectual horizons and gaining a far deeper understanding of political philosophy and its meaning today, take Hancock. You will have to work and think hard, but anything worth having is difficult to obtain.

I highly enjoyed POLI 202 offered by Professor Hancock. If you work hard and do the readings, you will do well. You must think in this class, but Hancock sets up lectures nicely for discussion and the exchange of ideas. Lectures are inspirational, if work is put in and due attention is paid. From Machiavelli to Tocqueville, an incredible course.

One of the most interesting classes I have taken. Definitely changed my perspectives. Gives a ridiculous amount of essays and difficult tests, though. Don't take this for an easy general, but if the topic interests you I recommend him. He seems to want students to reflect his own opinions in their writing. I'm glad I took this class.

Dr. Hancock has a reputation for being challenging and straightforward, and for good reason. He is not the softest man in the world, but he is a) absolutely brilliant and b) very invested in student's success. He's not mean or degrading like some of the reviews say below, it's just if you're wrong about something... he'll tell you.

Professor Hancock is a brilliant professor with high expectations. Don't let that scare you! He gives lectures with well-outlined powerpoints. He is fair in grading. Lots of time for questions, usually each class. The SMALLER the class size the better so you can ask lots of questions. I've never learned so much in one political class, it was great!

Initially, I was going to complain because the class was hard for an online independent study class. Reading quizzes were straightforward if you did the reading. Tough grader on the essays but you can pass no problem with a C or above if you do the work. Be prepared to read. Professor is willing to explain a grade if you have questions.

He taught in harmony with the beliefs sponsored by the university. I shared his book and teachings with my cousin and they loved it. The important truths he shared will only be despised by those that benefit from a morally degrading society, so take that into account when reading negative reviews. Those that are not offended by truth will love it.

Professor Hancock's lectures are some of the greatest that BYU has to offer. The content is deeply rewarding both academically and personally. His critique of moral relativism using a primarily secular analysis of the modern world is profound. This was one of the best courses I have taken at BYU. Professor Hancock's courses are exceptional.

Rather than merely give a sightseeing tour of the political landscape, Professor Hancock presents the old philosophers in the context of his own (luckily quite sound, but very complex) opinions. The easiest path to a good grade is to accept his critiques of philosophers studied. If you want good exam scores, YOU MUST ATTEND THE EXAM REVIEWS!

Prof. Hancock likes to gather students in a round table for class discussion. He lectures heavily but if you write down what he has to say, that will help you to write good SEs. And the SEs will help prepare you for the exam(s). He's a really fair professor and wants all of his students to succeed. He's old school but laid back.

You have three different books to read from in addition to things he will add online. He has a lot of experience and sometimes forgets that he's the only one in the room with decades of expertise under their belt, but if you ask clarifying questions during the lecture, he makes sure to take himself back to basics so that he can explain everything.

Professor Hancock is one of the best professors I have ever had. He is not woke and rejects moral relativism. He does a great job at tying in the gospel to classical philosophy. The midterm was not overly hard and there is a weekly writing assignment. However, the writing assignment isn't hard and usually takes me about 1-2 hours to complete.

My favorite class and professor at BYU so far. Prof. Hancock's lecture style can be confusing, but it's meant to help students actually understand the concepts instead of just memorizing them. Highly recommend, especially if you are decent at writing and want to learn some really meaningful things!

I absolutely loved this class!! :) Dr. Hancock is extremely knowledgeable and insightful. There was lots of reading, but I felt intellectually and spiritually enlarged by most of it. The weekly 600-800 word papers were not at all bad if one paid attention in class. Weekly TA review sessions were also helpful. Dr. Hancock is open to discourse.

There is a lot of reading and a short essay every week. There are sometimes attendance quizzes, but show up every class!! Understanding the concepts is so rewarding (and crucial to doing well on papers and tests). I love how deeply the professor has thought about the subject matter.

Professor Hancock has contemplated the topics he teaches for many years. The material is thick, deep, and extremely worthwhile. Sure, not everybody may have an affinity for political philosophy, but one can still gain something beneficial from his class. Complaints of homophobia, racism, sexism, etc., are all unfounded. He is truly a good person.

Don't take the class if you aren't willing to do the work (readings, writing short papers every week, attendance). If you are willing to do the work, this class is one of the best I have ever taken. Amazing introduction to the world of political philosophy that's grounded in LDS doctrine.

His lectures were a bit difficult to understand, especially if one has no background in philosophy. Regardless the slides, readings, and weekly mini essays were enough to help me understand the material enough to get an A. The TAs were helpful, and the quality of your experience might depend on them, as they also make the tests.

Go to class, take notes, get a study buddy, and Poli 201 will be easy to succeed in. Don't get too experimental with the Summary Engagements because they're supposed to just sum up what was already discussed. Readings can be complex but take advantage of SparkNotes, alt translations, scholarly commentaries, etc.

Professor Hancock is one of, if not the most, knowledgeable professors in the entire Political Science Department. His lectures can be difficult to understand if you are unfamiliar with his basic premise, that is that liberalism is not entirely self-sufficient. Once you understand it, you can follow along. Find a Study Group.

There's a lot of bad reviews that I think aren't entirely fair. He's not a tech savvy guy, but he's a good enough professor. If you actually do the readings, show up for class, write down what he's actually saying and not just the slides, you'll do fine. the TA's are super accessible and helpful. Just show up to class, & you'll seriously be okay.