2.9

Richard Davis

Political Science - Brigham Young University

2.9
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
56%
Would Retake
103
Reviews
2.9
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
2.7
Helpful
3.1
Clarity

56%

Would Retake

103

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

20

4

27

3

15

2

24

1

17

What Students Say

Professor Davis is the worst professor I have ever had in my time here at BYU

PLSC110 - 1.0 rating

Worst teacher I had at BYU

PLSC110 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

57%

Textbook Required

88%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
A- (3)
B+ (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(0)C(2)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 12 reported grades
A: 5
A-: 3
B+: 2
C+: 1
Common Tags
Respected (1)
Tough Grader (1)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
GROUP PROJECTS (1)
Get ready to read (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
So many papers (1)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.32 avg change
May
Nov
Apr
Feb
Mar
May
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

PLSCI

5.0

(1)

PLSC316110

5.0

(1)

PLSC210

5.0

(1)

DANCE184

4.8

(6)

DANCE180

4.8

(4)
+28 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PLC110

5.0

PSC110

4.5

PS321

4.0

PS110

4.0

PLY321

4.0

Reviews (103)
2.0
1.0
PLSC110
Oct 20, 2003

If you want to be told what to think, then go for it. If you have any conservative ideas, stay away from this prof, because he'll hate you for it. His lectures are boring. He just reads powerpoint slides.

5.0
2.0
PLSCI
Mar 30, 2004

He really isn't bad. Not a fantastic teacher, but he takes an honest look at things, and only a reactionary rightwing nazi would be offended by his ideas. Lectures are dull, but so is the subject.

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Apr 15, 2004

What a bore. He ripped into me for my beliefs. Of all places, one would expect tolerance at BYU. Boring, canned lectures. Not very innovative.

4.0
3.0
PLSC110
Apr 18, 2004

It was an alright class. He taught the subject well, but it was kinda boring. He actually isn't rude to people unless you make really stupid comments. He doesn't rip on anyones beliefs, but he sometimes makes people look stupid, its actually quite funny.

4.0
1.0
PLSC110
Apr 26, 2004

Easiest class I've ever taken. Canned lectures, stupid people making stupid comments ("so you're saying we can't have a revolution?"). TA's give you everything you need to pass the tests in reviews. Focus on detailed arguments and refutation

4.0
3.0
PLSC101
Jun 11, 2004

His lectures were boring, but organized. The class pretty easy and the tests were straightforward. He offers plenty of extra credit opportunities. He also learns every student's name which is pretty cool since the class is huge.

2.0
3.0
PLSC110
Jul 26, 2004

Really really boring lectures. If he just gave us the powerpoint slide there would be no reason to go to class. Warning though, if you give your own insight on any essays you will be considered wrong.

2.0
1.0
PLSC110
Aug 6, 2004

As long as you make comments that reflect his liberal views, he will like you regardless of the stupidity of your comment. Otherwise, he will try to make you look stupid. The class is really easy as long as you memorize his powerpoints.

4.0
3.0
PSCI110
Oct 20, 2004

This class made me hate politics but it wasn't his fault. He had a good sense of humor, which is vital when teaching a poli sci class at BYU. I don't see why anyone would be offended by him, unless they just can't handle having their beliefs refuted; I guess this class is only suitable for adults.

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Dec 7, 2004

I agree with the previous poster. If you are not an open minded person I wouldn't recommend taking Prof. Davis. If you want a useful learning experience that allows you to think about politics from many different viewpoints, then you will have no problem with this professor.

5.0
3.0
PLSC316110
Grade: B+
Dec 14, 2004

Good class and very informative to those who have an open mind and are willing to learn. For those who believe the converse, it might be hard to get past the blinders they have placed on themselves to learn anything. Certainly not the professors fault, who presents material with clarity.

4.0
2.0
PLSC316
Jan 3, 2005

Professor Davis is a good professor who does his best to teach without partisanship. He provides arguements for both sides, even though everyone knows he's a Democrat. I really enjoyed his class. The tests were easy if you just memorized the class notes.

1.0
3.0
POLISCI110
Jan 9, 2005

Talk about sucking the fun out of the room... Take classes from this guy if you wish to lose all interest in studying poli sci (and life). He's rude to students (makes fun of people in class, gets off by making undergrads look stupid). Nice sweater collection though--if you are into that.

5.0
2.0
POLISCI110
Feb 3, 2005

Some people have a problem with him because he is balanced unlike the large majority of the political science department. His political views are moderate by any standard except the BYU one. He will make you back up your arguements and this upsets people who just go with the conservative flow.

2.0
2.0
MEDIAPOLITICS
Apr 1, 2005

Is this dude still teaching? And, if so, WHY?!? I remember (way back in '94) that trying to get decipherable information from him as to what he wanted us to get out of the course was akin to Nicolas Cage trying to decipher the mysteries of the Declaration of Independence in "National Treasure."

2.0
4.0
PS321
Apr 20, 2005

This professor expects everything on the essays. It seems that if I forgot just one thing I was marked down a whole letter. I'm an A student, but not with Pro. Davis.

3.0
3.0
POLSCI110
Apr 25, 2005

Class lectures can be kind of boring, but you have to go because he doesn't put lectures online. Tests are hard because he expects ever little detail! And on the writing assignments he is very vague in explaining expectations, but then grades way hard. This was the only class I got a B in.

1.0
1.0
POLYSCI110
Apr 29, 2005

I took this class a year ago, and when he had me tell where I was from I said DC area (where I grew up). He interrupted and said "You don't want to claim Texas? I wouldn't either, seeing as our current president." I'm fine with liberalism, but he needed balance. Maybe he's changed.

3.0
1.0
POLSCI110
May 17, 2005

Dr. Davis expects a lot from his students because we should have learned this stuff back in high school,. Some people feel that he is biased in his teaching. Well, it's true that it is obvious he's a democrat, but all he does is question your opinions, conservative or liberal. I didn't feel that his opinions were being forced on students.

3.0
4.0
POLSCI110
Sep 2, 2005

I took Professor Davis' class and did not get very much out of it besides frustration. He pretty much tells his TA's to be as anal as he is, and they definitely fulfill that responsibility. You can always try to reason with them for grades and such, but there's never any point. Thumbs down!

4.0
3.0
PLSC410
Sep 8, 2005

I had him for my capstone and loved the class. He was humorous, the class was enjoyable, and i learned a lot. He knows the subject matter really well. Classroom environment was great. He facilitated great discussion. id take him again.

2.0
3.0
POLISCI318
Oct 25, 2005

if you're into public humiliation and general rudeness, go for it.

3.0
4.0
PS110
Dec 2, 2005

His lectures were interesting, but the students talked more than he did. The essays on the test are all about the lectures, but the book sums up everything else on the test. I didn't enjoy this class overall, but did learn some things I didn't know before.

5.0
2.0
POLISCI110
Dec 7, 2005

Very good class, I really enjoyed it. And I had a very good looking and helpeful TA! :)

3.0
3.0
POLISCI110
Dec 29, 2005

I don't have any strong feelings about the class. You'll get out of it what you put in and everything is reletively straight forward. Tests are based on your book(multiple choice) and lectures(essays). The material is much more dry than Am. Heritage being that it deals with systems and procedures rather than history, but it is definately easier.

4.0
3.0
PLSC318
Jan 1, 2006

Dr. Davis is a great teacher. His tests are pretty easy (just essays), especially if you copy down all of his powerpoint presentations. I learned a lot, and had a lot of fun participating in campaigns.

3.0
3.0
PLSC410
Jun 19, 2006

Davis does a good job with this class. This is probably the easiest capstone that there is at the Y. He is willing to help you with your paper if you ask. You have to do a group paper/presentation, and you have to critique everyone else's 20+ page papers. It's a lot of reading other papers, but you don't have to do the book readings--no exams!

4.0
2.0
DANCE184
Nov 4, 2006

No Comments

4.0
2.0
PLSC316
Nov 12, 2006

I took this class independent study--way easy! It took me about week to finish doing about 4 hours a day (with an infant). If you have the $, this class is great to take during Christmas break or something to get 3 credits out of the way. The only downside is that Davis is cool and you miss class time with him :)

4.0
2.0
DANCE180
Nov 13, 2006

Very friendly and excited about dancing. Always encouraging. Solid knowledge base. Actively involved in dance performance and competitions himself.

3.0
4.0
PLSC110
Apr 25, 2007

I didn't like the guy at all. Lecture was very boring. In my one experience talking to him, he was very rude. He made fun of me in front of the whole class just cause where I'm from. Tests were not fair and didn't accurately reflect my knowledge of the subject.

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Jun 13, 2007

Prof. Davis is great. He is a very kind guy, but he does make fun of you if you deserve it. He gives lots of extra credit opportunities, but don't expect to to be able to beg for points outside of those. Lectures often include debates which he does a good job trying to keep them balanced according to a national standard of what balanced really is.

3.0
4.0
PLSC110
Aug 28, 2007

You have to do the reading to do well on the tests. Your constantly taking notes so you cant take in the lectures. If he doesnt agree with an opinion of yours, he'll call you out on it and make you feel dumb. I spoke with him once in person and then never cared to do it again. He's rude. Do the extra credit! I wouldnt recommend this class to anyone

5.0
1.0
DANCE184
Dec 14, 2007

Richard is a fabulous teacher! He is great at explaining concepts and will help you in any way he can. He's hilarious too... Take this class from him!!!

5.0
2.0
DANCE184
Dec 15, 2007

Great beginning teacher. He really takes into account whatever the class needs and works hard to help everyone.

5.0
4.0
DANCE180
Dec 15, 2007

He's a good teacher. He knows how to explain how to do all the moves, and he's a pretty fun guy. I guess some of the girls felt a bit intimidated because he's a little sarcastic, though.

5.0
1.0
DANCE180
Dec 16, 2007

This professor was a very good beginning social dance professor. He was very cheerful and helpful, and gave good constructive criticism to help us improve our dance technique.

5.0
3.0
DANCE184
Dec 16, 2007

Rich is a great dance instructor. He uses easy to understand language to explain difficult dance positions and movements and goes to great length to help his students at practice sessions.

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Dec 29, 2007

This class was pretty hard. The TAs were very subjective graders. The material on the tests was never taught in class, but came straight from the book.

5.0
1.0
DANCE184
Jan 1, 2008

Great beginning professor. He has a great sense of humor and the TAs are also really helpful and funny. Take the class and you will love it!

5.0
1.0
DANCE180
Jan 2, 2008

A really good professor with a pretty easy class. THe only thing I dint like is that everyone got pretty much the same grad on everything. All grades on tests were A- for everyone.

5.0
2.0
DANCE184
Jan 7, 2008

The class was a blast, and Rich is hilarious. He makes everything really easy to understand, and everyone in my section improved tons. Definitely take one of his classes if you get the chance, I'd highly recommend him as an instructor!

2.0
4.0
POLY321
Feb 14, 2009

He's more interested in you memorizing the text than actually understanding the concepts and principles. Tests and quizes are misleading and confusing. Main objective seems to be making the class difficult.

2.0
4.0
PLY321
Feb 20, 2009

More interested in making the course difficult and dropping students grades through tricky wording on assignments than actual understanding.

2.0
2.0
POLSC110
Feb 24, 2009

If you're looking for a class to actually learn something, this is not the class for you. It's exactly the kind of stuff you learned in AP Gov't. It is pretty easy however, as long as you do the reading and go to class. Take something to do though- otherwise you might fall asleep. The midterms and finals are in class too.

2.0
2.0
POLSC110
Mar 2, 2009

Completely biased and unhelpful. Unless you're a hardcore Democrat like him, I wouldn't take this class. The grading on exams/essays are done by the TAs, who can be worse than him. If there's another teacher, take it from them.

2.0
4.0
PLSCI110
Mar 9, 2009

Good person, but tends towards the vague. Requirements are difficult to understand and attain.

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Mar 26, 2009

I found his class boring, useless, and a disappointment. He is a very dry teacher, very liberal, and very hard to listen to sometimes. Don't expect to enjoy yourself...and don't expect to know how you are being graded. I would not recommend him.

2.0
5.0
PLSC110
Mar 29, 2009

Dr. Davis falls below the bar. Grading is subjective according to the TAs' opinions. He did not provide adequate help for students who needed it. The "review sessions" were a joke and the work load for a low-level Political Science class was ridiculous. His assignments were not as clearly defined as they should have been.

2.0
4.0
POLSC110
Mar 30, 2009

The most biased, opinionated teacher you will meet on campus. I'm an English major, and on all the essays (including the exams) there would also be written "incomprehensible. need to clarify". And if you go to the TAs about your grade, they will refer you to him,and he'll just lower it. take this class from someone else.

1.0
4.0
PLSC110
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely the worst teacher that i have had during my career here at BYU. Horrible teacher, comments do not even begin to describe the uselessness and frustration that came from this class, if you are deciding between him and another take another. If you are deciding to drop the class drop it. This "professor" should be fired by BYU, horrible guy

4.0
2.0
POL110
May 31, 2009

I really enjoyed his class. I dont know why people feel he was so biased as he allways presented the opposing view simply to get us thinking if it be liberal of conservative. Great way to learn about politics.

2.0
4.0
POLSC110
Oct 29, 2009

Definitely not a great teacher. Lectures are unbelievably boring and usually nothing from the lecture is on the test -- it's all book-based and no curve. Don't bother going to class. Not an enjoyable class. Didn't learn anything.

1.0
5.0
PLC110
Nov 19, 2009

Ok, I try my best to be optimistic going into a new class, so I disregarded what people say on "ratemyprofessor" and took the class from him anyway. BIG MISTAKE, he is really obscure in saying what he wants on essays, and his lectures are pointless and unnecessary. I would just read the book and skip class if i were you. The TA's are great though

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Dec 2, 2009

Don't listen to what people say, he is a great professor, but it is a difficult class. He always plays the opposing stance whenever someone makes a comment, resulting in him taking the left most of the time (because you are at BYU!), he is actually pretty moderate. The essays are easy if you go to your TA, the tests are somewhat difficult.

3.0
3.0
PLSCI110
Dec 17, 2009

he is smart, and if you like discussing politics, its a mildly interesting class. For the tests just read the book for bolded words and main concepts. His lectures are interesting, but don't really effect your grade. Your grade is 2 essays and 3 tests. The essays aren't to hard, just discussing and analyzing 2 sides of political topics.

3.0
3.0
PLSC110
Jan 4, 2010

I took this class for GE credit. It was boring. It was not too hard, but there are only 5 assignments so do well on all of them. Just read the text, go to TA help sessions, etc. and you'll do fine.

4.0
5.0
PLSC110
Jan 6, 2010

This class is a GPA killer.

3.0
2.0
POLI110
Mar 7, 2010

Grading is subjective according to the TAs' opinions. He did not provide adequate help for students who needed it. The "review sessions" were a joke. His assignments were not as clearly defined as they should have been.

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Aug 6, 2010

For those individuals that post comments defending Prof. Davis for his supposed enlightened teaching habits in order to refute his out front liberalism and blatant bias, it might be beneficial to know that he is the head of the Utah Democratic Party...so yeah, he's completely unbiased and objective...not.

4.0
3.0
PLSCI110
Aug 20, 2010

This class is super interesting if you're willing to listen to political views that may challenge your personal opinion. Professor Davis provides more extra credit opportunities than most professors I've had. There's a lot of reading involved, three midterms, the final, and two essays,but it's a doable class. I learned a lot!

4.0
3.0
POLS110
Oct 28, 2010

He was decent in his presentation of his material, and it was difficult for the first little bit to know his political affiliation (it gleamed through after some time). He doesn't care about the students. No mistake can be made. I ordered the wrong book for one of his essays and got a zero on the paper. out of 5 assignments. Not understanding.

4.0
2.0
PLSC110
Apr 4, 2011

Good professor! He can be somewhat dull at times but his slides are helpful. Not very much homework and the reading isn't a necessity. Go to the TA help sections and you will get a B+ or higher. Use the TAs!!!

2.0
5.0
PLSC316
Aug 18, 2011

Close-minded. No fun. Never let us know what was expected on tests/quizzes/assignments. He pretty much assigns you a paper topic & opinion. Hint: just take his "suggestion"; if you write something he didn't feed to you, it will get a horrible grade no matter how great a job you've done.

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Nov 1, 2011

A very interesting and interactive class. The TAs are very involved and will teach the reviews, but the reviews are extensive and cover everything that will be on the test. Prof. Davis actually has convinced me to double major in Political Science. A very useful class that covers many disciplines. Also, you get to hear from some amazing guests.

1.0
3.0
PLSC110
Nov 9, 2011

He was a very rude professor. After Obama's HealthCare bill passed he spent an entire class period talking about how wonderful it was and how long we've needed this. I'm not against debating both sides of an issue but blatant opinion based teaching is not education. He definitely shuts you down in front of the class.

3.0
4.0
PSC110
Dec 6, 2011

The hardest part of this class is he never tells you what he expects when it comes to grading. He gives a topic and expects an opinion and analysis. Without a rubric you are shooting in the dark and you only get a couple chances therefore odds are you lose. He has GREAT TA's use them and you should do okay. Just don't expect an easy A.

1.0
5.0
PSC110
Dec 13, 2011

This was the worst class I've taken at BYU. The grading is entirely subjective. He lacks basic economic knowledge. If you are not extremely liberal, the chances he will like you are very slim. He hates giving help to students. It really is a mysterious. When talking with him in person he is rude and unintelligible.

1.0
4.0
POLSC100
Dec 21, 2011

Don't expect the help you need in this class. Make sure you find a good TA. Davis is rude and unhelpful. If you can help it, don't take this class. If you have to, read and fully understand the main textbook. You can get by not knowing the others. Go to the TAs reviews. Do the essays early and pass them by your TA for review...and good luck!

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Sep 10, 2012

never knew what to expect on the test

4.0
3.0
PLSC316
Nov 29, 2012

American Political Parties was a great class. The tests were essay based but if you study the material from his power points no need to sweat. He is a great help if you go see him in his office hours, he reccommends it. Just from reading the comments below in the 100 level classes, these people are probably not poli sci majors.

4.0
1.0
POLI001
Feb 8, 2013

Davis doesn't deserve the criticism. He's a good professor and does his job-he makes people think. He can be a little feisty in the classroom but anybody who got offended can't take a little ribbing. I find him quite funny. My political views are quite opposite of his, but as long as you present your points intellectually you'll be fine.

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Mar 28, 2013

Davis knows his stuff. If you want to learn about American Government, Poli Sci 110 will teach it to you. Don't be too scared by grades. The average for my class of 120 is a 77. If you want perfect grades, don't take the class. If you want to learn from a man who loves what he teaches, take if from Davis.

4.0
3.0
POLISCI110
Apr 27, 2013

Great teacher, great class. Work required. If you would like an A in his class here is what you need to do: 1. Always have your essays/papers reviewed by your TA. 2. Take good notes in class (essay questions on tests are based off his slides). 3. Read the text (All multiple choice questions in exams are based off text and other readings).

4.0
5.0
PLSC110
Grade: A
Aug 27, 2013

BOO. This class was way too hard. Unnecessarily. Don't take.

4.0
4.0
PLSC110
Oct 28, 2013

The concepts that he covers in class are pretty basic, but the test will cover a lot of relatively obscure points from the textbook. It's imperative that you write well, because there are essays on every test, and the TAs are very particular and picky. Attendance is important, but if you copy what is on the slides, you don't have to pay attention.

4.0
4.0
PLSC110
Oct 29, 2013

This class is seriously tough. He's pretty intense, but he is incredibly smart and his lectures were really entertaining. He loves class participation and offers extra credit (limited.) READ THE TEXT. And make sure you take awesome notes, essays on tests are from the slides (word for word.) TA's are really helpful as well! No study guide for tests

1.0
5.0
PLSC110
Dec 6, 2013

Professor Davis is the worst professor I have ever had in my time here at BYU. He is very strongly liberal and shoots down any conservative comment made in class without hesitation. His grading procedures are far from fair, and his TA's are not academically qualified; rather they are the students who spent the most time flattering him.

4.0
3.0
PLSC110
Dec 7, 2013

Prof. Davis was great. It was so refreshing to have a teacher that was respectful of and talked all sides of issues.He has awesome speakers. The TAs are great and essential. Cannot pass if you don't read the text and take good notes. But if you do then its great. The writing requires a very analytical mind so get TA help.

1.0
5.0
PLSC110
Dec 16, 2013

First C I have gotten in my fourth semester at BYU. Boring lectures, very difficult grading; an overall a GPA killer. The class has a 75% mean, one of 213 students has an A, if you think you can be the 1 person out of 213 go ahead . . . take this class.

1.0
5.0
PLSC110
Dec 18, 2013

Worst class that I took at BYU. Professor Davis is inconsiderate. It is a GPA killer, and it simply is not worth the time you will spend studying. If you want to learn, and have a happy life I suggest not taking this class from Davis.

5.0
4.0
PLSC210
Grade: A
Dec 19, 2013

People really need to stop giving Professor Davis a hard time. Yes…the class is tough, but if you study the notes and read the book, you will be fine. I recommend Will as a TA…he's so much help. Yes, the course requires effort, but this is BYU. If you're not willing to put forth the effort, maybe another school is better for you.

5.0
3.0
PLSC110
Grade: C+
Dec 20, 2013

I didn't enjoy the class. Davis is pretty liberal. Has too much discussion instead of lecturing and in that he argues his point, sometimes with frustration. Tough class, but I got an A. You have to know completely what he said in lectures and book material. Really stingy on writing assignments. Very knowledgeable though. I recommend another class.

2.0
4.0
PLSC110
Dec 28, 2013

I was a Political Science Major and absolutely hated this class, because of Davis I will be changing my major. He is not helpful, I tried to talk to him multiple times. You have to memorize the textbook to do well on the test and the TA's are extremely harsh on grading essays. Take it from someone else and save yourself the trouble.

2.0
5.0
PLSC110
Jan 6, 2014

I wanted to minor in political science until I took this class. The tests were absolute killers, they never tell you exactly what they are looking for in the essays. I got one A the whole semester, which was on the multiple choice section of one of the midterms. My essay portion ended up bring my midterm grade to a B.

1.0
5.0
PLSC110
Mar 20, 2014

Worst teacher I had at BYU. Take if from someone else.

3.0
3.0
PLSC110
Apr 29, 2014

Horrible professor. Very liberal and disrespectful towards anyone with conservative views. Much of his agenda in the course is not related to political science and is trying to push his liberal views on freshmen by disrespectfully addressing people's conservative views in the class. One of the worst professors on campus. Take it from someone else.

4.0
4.0
POLSC110
Grade: A-
May 2, 2014

This is a great class. Yes, it is time consuming. If you put in the time then you will get a good grade. Professor Davis is a great teacher. You need to come to class and read the text book, but if you do both then you should do well on the tests. The TA's help out a lot too. Great professor. Really Interesting Class. Don't listen to the haters.

1.0
5.0
PLSC110
Jun 17, 2014

Worst class during my BYU experience. Davis is the worst. Avoid at all costs. He never sets clear expectations, so everything you do is a shot in the dark. If you have to take him, good luck. Barely scraped an A as a 4.0 student with a heavy political science/history background.

3.0
4.0
POLISCI110
Dec 12, 2014

Prof. Davis is a pretty hard grader and there are pop quizzes, but if you read the book and go to class you should be well prepare. The essay questions on the test are hard because you have to give examples, and sometimes instructions are not clear. The critiques can be hard, but teach how to critically think properly. Overall, great class!

3.0
3.0
POLI110
Grade: A-
Dec 13, 2014

Prof Davis really cares about your feedback in class, so that made the class great. The lectures can be a little dull, but the discussion parts are awesome. 5% of grade comes from in-class pop quizzes. You need the book for tests. Take the book's online quizzes!!!

2.0
4.0
POLISCI110
Feb 10, 2015

The worst class, I have taken at BYU... I went to his office once, he was brutally rude. I have gotten along with every professor I have ever had but Prof Davis. He is a flaming liberal... I never missed class, but the only way I learned was reading the book. I got a good grade, all on my own. I hated every minute of his class and studying for it!

1.0
5.0
POLI110
Feb 27, 2015

Awful. Completely terrible. He actually yelled at me once when I tried to take a picture of a PP slide at the end of class because he didn't give us time to write it down. I studied my brains out for this class and let every other class fall to the side and I barely scraped a C. Killed my GPA. BYU should heavily consider firing him. DO NOT TAKE.

5.0
2.0
FHSS200
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2015

I took Civic Engagement from Prof Davis and it was my favorite class I've ever had while attending BYU. I hadn't had a previous love for political science or just community service in general. Worthwhile class that will impact your whole life. Davis is great at getting to know every student and brings in awesome speakers.

4.0
2.0
POLI321
Nov 28, 2017
Would take again

At first I was really nervous about taking this class, but it turned out to be awesome. You have readings, but he reviews the readings really well in class. There are two tests, a midterm and a final that are essays. You also have a group debate (which was actually fun) and a research paper. The paper was killer, but he was a really fair grader!

Respected
4.0
2.0
FHSS200
Dec 19, 2017
Would take again

Not sure why people think he is so bad... He really is a lot nicer than people say!! He got some awesome speakers to come to our class and really helped me feel like I could make a difference. The readings are looooonnng with lots of work but the work is easy.

4.0
2.0
FHSS200
Grade: A
Apr 18, 2018
Would take again

I have a love-hate relationship with Prof. Davis. I've taken 2 classes from him. He sometimes rubs people the wrong way and doesn't have clear guidelines for assignments. HOWEVER, his classes are worth it! I've gained the most from his classes (being a self-starter, how to get involved, how to work without guidelines, etc.) He's reallynot that bad.

1.0
3.0
FHSS300
Grade: A-
May 3, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Do not do the Civic Engagement Minor! Dr. Davis is very unclear about what he expects with the projects but has very specific expectations in his head. He let us take a T grade to redo our project the next semester but then gave us the same grade after we spent another semester and many hours redoing it and trying to meet his requirements.

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
GROUP PROJECTS
2.0
2.0
FHSS200
Nov 23, 2019
Would take again

The lectures are kind of boring, but the guest speakers are cool and the assignments are easy. No final exam. Worth taking overall, but the class didn't really get me very excited about civic engagement.

4.0
3.0
POLI410
Grade: A
Apr 23, 2020
Would take again

Dr. Davis is a funny guy. He's really smart and kind, but sometimes that's hidden by his very dry exterior. This was a class on film and politics, and even though I didn't learn a ton, I enjoyed it. More work than I thought necessary, but it wasn't too difficult. Very understanding and generous on accommodations extensions. Good guy.

1.0
3.0
POLI321
Feb 25, 2021
Wouldn't take again

The book list is a better teacher than Prof. Davis. For "lectures" he reads his slides out loud (which paraphrase what you read before class) and asks narrow, dead-end questions. The class I was most excited for going into this semester is instead a headache of interpreting vague feedback and broad assignment descriptions just to protect my GPA.

1.0
4.0
POLI321
Grade: B+
Mar 8, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Do not take this class with Dr. Davis. The lectures are boring and the class is very unorganized (deadlines for papers constantly being changed and not updated). He is a hard grader and gives very confusing feedback after not giving clear instructions for expectations. I am a poli sci major and this class is my least favorite I've taken.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
So many papers
1.0
3.0
POLY321
Grade: C-
May 4, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I personally felt like his political bias showed the entire class when it really shouldn't be. He's pretty vague on grading, he just tells you that you didn't answer the question but doesn't say why you missed any points. He is obviously looking for one very specific answer, and if you don't nail it on the head then you will get a horrible grade.

Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

57%

Textbook Required

88%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (5)
A- (3)
B+ (2)
Grade Distribution
A(5)B(0)C(2)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(5)
Based on 12 reported grades
A: 5
A-: 3
B+: 2
C+: 1
Common Tags
Respected (1)
Tough Grader (1)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
GROUP PROJECTS (1)
Get ready to read (1)
Lecture heavy (1)
So many papers (1)
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