4.0
Quality3.3
Difficulty68%
Would Retake218
Reviews68%
Would Retake
218
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
125
4
40
3
16
2
15
1
22
What Students Say
“I took both core GOVT 2305 & 2306 classes with him, & both were amazing”
GOVT2306 - 4.0 rating“2nd worst professor I’ve had”
GOVT2306 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
66%
Textbook Required
26%
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A-
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GOV047
5.0
(1)GOVT2304
5.0
(2)POLS4468
5.0
(1)GOV1310
5.0
(2)GOVT1310
5.0
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HISTHIST
5.0
GOV047
5.0
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5.0
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4.0
POLS4468
4.0
Reviews (218)
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This guy is a walking encyclopedia and a stunning professor. Come prepared to defend your ideaology. You'll never want to miss a lecture due to incredible academic AND entertainment value. He's very fair when it comes to grading and willing to work closely with his students. great guy all around
His knowledge of the subject matter is astonishing. He wants the class to participate and learn. He cares about the students, and I agree totally with 9/7 comments. I never missed a class and took everything he taught. He can also draw a mean map!
He is a great teacher! You can tell that he has such a strong passion for educating people because he really get's into what he teaches. He is a great teacher, I would recommend everyone to take one of his classes!
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He is a good teacher........ sometimes you can tell the class gets lost in some of the topics however he seems to really get into all of his lectures! He is fun to watch at the very least but more than that he is very passionate about the subject!
Professor Casagranda is an awesome teacher. He is intelligent, clear, energetic, and overall, interesting. He will make you question your preconceived notions and think about things in a new and challenging manner. His exams are tricky, but if you study and present your information clearly, you will do well. He gives extra credit opportunities so t
Casagranda is the most entertaining teacher you'll ever meet. dude should seriously get his own stand up show. an amazing and committed teacher who makes you think and see things differently. his tests blow though, but even if you fail the class, it's still worth it!
This professor was the most anti-American and hateful one that I have come across. This is the truth, and my comment will probably get deleted because people don't like the truth getting out there, but this guy spent half the time raging about what was wrong with America. I stuck it out because he's not worth the class withdrawal. Horrible teacher!
I'm a senior majoring in photography and this has been one of my favorite classes thus far. I would recommend taking Casagranda because he is the type of teacher you only get for every ten teachers you have.
if you have to take a government class, take his. The time goes by fast in his class (but 1/2 of the time he gets off topic) His exams cover the chapters in the book. I made an A in both of his government classes.
Casagranda is the teacher to get.He draws you in with his scruffy hippie look then hits you with all this knowledge. He makes you want to learn about the goverment. Me and another classmate even go to his office hours just to try and learn what he doesnt have time to say in class & its eye opening. Get Casgranda, i vote him best teacher at ACC.
He grades really hard on the essay portions of his test. He doesn't count for attendance, but if you want to do well on the test you should show up to class. Also, he gives plenty of extra credit opportunities. However, you have to be willing to brave his fan club, or watch long boring movies.
If you ever take another class in your entire life you MUST take Professor Casagranda's class. You will an opportunity of a lifetime if you don't...He is brilliant, hysterical, and very nice to look at plus he truly wants to see you succeed in everyway possible.
amazing teacher. very fun rebelous. interesting to listen too. youll enjoy going to class his test are easy if you go to class and do some reading of the book. overall loved the class deff. take bighouses for govt.!!
Great Professor! I was not interested in government affairs before and now I really want to participate and help change things! Prof Casagranda's enthusiasum makes you excited and hopeful. Take his class!!!
you will love this class regardless of your interest level in government- casagranda does a great job stimulating your brain cells and your want to learn- he will be the best professor you will ever have- bar none-
Probably the best professor I'll ever have. He is quite the character with his abundant cursing, sharp wit, obvious disregard for authority and intense passion for his subject matter. He's like an expert on everything and his ability to teach is incredible. If you have to take a government class (both U.S. and Tx), TAKE HIM. You won't regret it.
he is crazy! i mean like he is really cool but not helpful. we would spend the 3/4ths of the class time talking about "current events" even though were behind schedule. he doesnt give a review, doesnt tell u whats gonna be on the test. very harsh grading on essays and his multiple choice questions on tests are his opinion not what the book says.
best professor I have ever had after 3 years of college... inspiring, hilarious, passionate, energetic... I never wanted to miss a minute and most students were willing to meet for hours outside of class to keep learning so much from this brilliant, brilliant man...
the most brilliant professor and man I've ever come across. Witty, immensely intelligent and endlessly passionate. Very lively. I want to clone him then take him everywhere so he can teach me everything about everything...
Everything you believe will be challenged. This is not an easy prof, but he is very entertaining. He tells stories. At first you may not be sure where he is going with them, thenin the end he loops everything back together. Pretty cool to watch unfold.
He's a great professor! I just love listening to him speak, he really opens your mind to so many things you never think about. It is a hard class, usually hard to study for, but overall you will NOT regret taking his class. He makes other teachers look like zombies!
Easy if you pay attention. All you really need to make an A on his tests are good essays. Take a clear side. If you don't feel strongly about the topics he gives you, fake it: reword his opinions. Multiple choice questions are from the book, but don't spend too much time reading. Skim it the night before a test for bolded words.
The best prof I ever had! Very smart, wit, knowldgeble, and very open minded..It was a great class. Very eye opening course!
casagranda rocks. Everybody should have a govt teacher like this
This professor was VERY interesting. His lectures are vivacious and informative, though they cover a variety of topics. His tests are mostly from the chapter reading, which can range from 50-100 pages per test. There are three tests and one paper throughout the semester.
I had Casagranda for both Tx and US Government and he is the best professor I've ever had. I keep wishing I will find someone like him at Tx State. He isn't easy, but I pulled Bs in both classes by showing up to every lecture and writing solid essays on the test. I actually loved going to class, and how many of us can say that?
There is so much I could say about how poor a professor Casagranda is. His syllabus is strict. He is slack and he does not care that he is inconsistent with his own rules. He's digressive and this year put the first test off for four weeks straight. Very assuming AND biased. He thinks his students have been lied to all their lives. Avoid him.
Casagranda is extremely intelligent, has a wonderful sense of humor, and is very worldly. He is the kind of professor that you wish you could hang out with. Not to mention his personality makes him very attractive.
Smart, funny, and a seriously good lecturer. It would be impossible to be in his class and not be highly engaged with the material. For all those haters who don't like what he says: why not challenge his ideas? He's a political science professor, and opinion is a part of politics. There was plenty of space in class to express your point of view.
He's the most amazing professor I've had so far. His class isn't easy, but it's very rewarding. Not to mention he's very attractive when you get to know him. He makes you want to go to class. I highly recommend taking any and all classes taught by him!
I went into this class unexcited and uninterested in the topic.Casagranda made gov't interesting, and I looked forward to his class every week.He may get off topic, but the test essay question is about what he talks about in class;reading the book is done on your own time and should be done for the multiple choice portion of test.
Professor Casagranda provides a great deal of information relevant to undertstanding the nature of government, and is an excellent professor. He is also quite funny! Earning an A is not easy but is very feasible if you put in the time required. I wrote 7 900-1100 word essays in this class to earn an A so be prepared to write alot....
Awesome teacher really cares about his students and will help you. Do all the extra credit it helps a lot.
i've taken both his government classes and hes amazing! definatly one of my favorite teachers. hes incredibly smart and makes what can easily become a boring subject really fun. i actually looked forward to going to his class and am gonna miss them. its not an easy class but definatly worth it, tests are a bit hard.
He feels TX govt is a bunch of lame gossip (his words) and so teaches the class as US govt 2 with a minimal TX component. He's fond of making sensationalist claims and giving his opinion on unrelated topics. His grading methods are capricious. Some in class seemed to like his incessant cynical sarcasm, perhaps perceived as intelligence and humor.
You will learn from Casagranda. It's challenging and all lecture but it's a fun class. Take good lecture notes and keep up in the book and you'll do fine. We ended up having two take home tests and a final, he gets distracted and held back a lot. I bumped my grade up 2 letter grades by doing all the extra credit he offers.
Oh my goodness...Professor Casagranda is hands down the best teacher that I've ever had. He's incredibly intelligent and interesting, and yes, he might be biased, but you will still learn MONSTROUS amounts from him. Can't wait to have him next semester. Take him if you have the chance, but hurry. His classes fill soooo quickly.
There is a reason his class is always filled last when it comes to registering. Ya, he's funny and keeps the class interesting, but be prepared to study the book because he does not teach from the book but the tests are 40% textbook 40% lecture and 20% whether or not he likes you. But he's a VERY SMART guy!
I wish I could take his class more. I took three of his classes, and I would come back from Texas State to take more. He is mind blowing. He is a walking reference book. I still wish he wasn't married...
He is the best teacher! I am taking his class right now and he covers a lot of material on world events, local events and information from the textbook. He is not afraid to tell you what he thinks about a certain event and will stand his ground. He knows his rights as an American and is not afraid to use them, learn well and be open minded!!
Prof. Casagranda is the BEST!! He is so smart and likes to be challenged. His tests are hard but keep up with the class and read the book and you will make a easy A. I am taking all three of his classes and I wish there were more of him! He likes to talk about current events and the effects on Americans. TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!!! You will love it!
Gov sucks, but gov with casagranda ROCKS. He will really lay it down how it is, no bull. Opens your eyes to a lot of how things really work and how it came to be. goes beyond the boring structure of things & adds interesting stories/facts. The best! Teaches on a curve, but exams are not easy. take him a million times if you can.
Casagranda is the greatest teacher I've had. He changed my perspective on learning and gave me a new outlook on the world. His lectures are unique and interesting. He will steal your attention and wake you up from the slumber any other teachers have put you in. If you want the average cookie-cutter course where you are spoon fed, don't take him.
Second semester with Casagranda, and I still loved going to class. His tests are not easy by any means, and will require you to work hard. He offers a plethora of easy "auxiliary" assignments so you can recover your A. Unless you are profoundly closed-minded, you will love this guy. My favorite teacher of anything every, and the most influential.
Roy has been my favorite professor so far! He is extremely smart and knows how to keep you interested during lectures. He lets your bring a sheet of notes to tests! I liked him so much that I still go to some of his out of class speeches and lectures. A-mazing!
Roy is the greatest! Take his class! I took all of the classes he offers and wish he taught more!
He is amazingly knowledgeable on the subject and has incredible stories relating to Government. If you are Conservative you may not want to take his courses. He is extremely inspiring that is why I took him for both of my government courses. I love me some Roy!
Rough class. Brilliant teacher. Has a massive ego, but it's easily forgiven. One of the few people that has earned the right to have a massive ego.
Very enjoyable lectures. I took both his govt classes, and was expecting a typical vanilla govt/history type class like most are but his are much more interesting. Exams may not be the easiest but if you read the chapters and write what you really feel about the essay topics it can be a for sure A
He is such an awesome prof! I loved attending his lectures!
Professor Casagranda, please come up to the Round Rock campus and teach!!!!! You will not regret taking this teacher! He is very inspiring and inspirational. I HIGHLY recommend taking his class. He teaches you stuff that is not in the textbooks. Stay up with current events and not matter what you think, your opinion matters in this class.
Roy Casagranda is the best professor I have had during my entire college career. He is over flowing with knoweledge and great stories that you don't learn from reading the text books. He makes class fun and exciting and keeps the class up to date on current events. I wish he taught every subject!
It was amazing to be finally EDUCATED. You don't realize the inaccuracy of the information taught in public school, but Roy sets a goal to replace our fairy tales with some fact and perspective. He is not biased, because everything is based in historical text. If you are conservative, he will burst your bubble- but worth it no matter what! GO ROY!
I had Casagranda for TX Gov't & U.S. Gov't, and found him insightful, engaging, and funny. His greatest strength is his ability to paint the big picture. He presents history in a beautiful narrative form; I learned so much from him. He is friendly, & challenging. If you are diligent & work hard, you will walk away with a lot more than an A.
Cannot recommend Professor Casagranda highly enough. One of the best professors I've ever known. I only wish I hadn't done Gov't 2305 already. We need more people like him on earth and more professors like him in our universities. You can check him out doing a teach-in every Monday night at Occupy Austin. Brilliant. The one you want.
okay if you do not take him, you will be doing your quest for intellect a disservice. His "colorful" lectures will not only give you a great insight to your world but keep you laughing throughout the semester. If you are a conservative, take the class to give yourself a new perspective. I'm pretty bummed the semester with him has ended:(
Roy Casagranda is a brilliant teacher with a true talent for lecturing. Hands down best classroom energy of any course I have taken. Don't be afraid to ask questions in class because he likes contributors. He has a club that meets a few times per semester called Twelfth Revolution that is unrelated to the class but totally awesome. Read the book!
AWESOME PROFESSOR. If you are religious or conservative he will get on your last nerve, but he is so charismatic and smart it is worth it. I LOVED this class, and I LOVE him as a professor. I disagree with him on SO many things, but he is an amazing professor and I reccommend him to everyone who takes goverment.
Lectures... Good class... Kindof tough exams.
Awesome teacher, the best one i have had. He really knows his stuff. Because of him i am interested in politics and real news. I wish i can take his class again.
Man where can I start? I took him for both of my governments this summer. He was an awesome teacher! he knows his stuff and he makes the class really fun! He is so straight up about things which is awesome! I totally recommed him!
Great class over the summer! Not an easy A, but worth the work. Seriously one of my favorite professors.
This professor is awesome! Hands down one of the best I've seen yet. He is trying to get students to see things from more than one perspective. If you have a different opinion, that is cool, but speak with him about it. Btw, the extra credit is worth it.
THE coolest teacher I have ever had in my long college process. Against the grain kind of professor who makes you forget the nonsense high school teaches and gives you real knowledge and facts. Very interesting guy with awesome theories and stories. Makes you want to attend class every single time. His passion is teaching and it's easy to see it.
2nd worst professor I’ve had. Doesn't teach TxGovt at all and instead discusses world history and conspiracy theories. Seems like an interesting person to know, but since he never talks about anything related to the class he’s supposed to be teaching it’s terrible to be one of his students as the tests are on TxGovt-which you've never been taught.
Great prof. Smart, interesting and helpful. You may agree or disagree with him, but you will learn a lot and you will never be bored.
He changed my life. Never before did I LOVE going to class. Heck, he even made me want to start a political science club and we did, Twelfth Revolution! I will remember him for the rest of my life.
Absolutely wonderful professor. A great learning environment and he's extremely knowledgable and passionate about ALL of his courses. I've taken all of my possible government courses with Casa. READ THE BOOK. Classroom interaction and extra credit will get you far, as well. Best professor I've ever had. Also, Look into his Twelfth Revolution.
I highly recommend Professor Casagranda, he is one of the most iconoclastic professors you will meet in your college career. He will force you to reconsider everything you believe to be true, yet leave you to come to your own conclusions. His tests are difficult, just study the text and take notes on the lectures and you'll get an A. Study group!
Great Teacher. He will not just reiterate all the same information you've heard all your life in government and history classes. He actually teaches you things so if you take his class be ready to learn.
Casagranda was AWESOME. I never had much interest in Tx Govt before this class, but all of his lectures were so interesting and entertaining! This is a man who really knows his stuff and you will learn a lot from him if you're willing to listen. He's very opinionated and not afraid to share those opinions. Loved how honest and real he was. A++++
Casagranda is a great teacher who takes you through our political history but does so in a way that makes you enjoy and want to keep coming back to class.
NOT a good professor at all. He does not review the textbook ant the tests are all textbook with essay questions from what he talks about in class. I made a C in this class. If you have time to read a textbook then take his class otherwise don't. But there are a lot of extra credit assignments and he does allow 1 pg of notes on the tests BE WARNED!
One of the most influential and informative classes I have ever taken. The textbook is not covered in class, but if you read it on your own, you'll do fine on the tests. What is covered in class is real history and philosophy from a non-traditional perspective: this is really interesting material you probably won't learn anywhere else. Worth it!
Let's just say that after I completed his US Govt course, I immediately signed up for his TX Govt course next semester. Great teacher, great course, interesting material. He made me think about things in ways I normally wouldn't have.
Roy is one of the better lecturers that I have had.He does not lecture from the text,he expects YOU to read that.His tests are notoriously different than most,80% from the book and 20% from class.READ THE BOOK! If I had to have another gov class, I would take him again.Take advantage of all the extra credit he offers,sit back,listen,have fun.
I loved this class! I always looked forward to attending class because he kept it interesting. I would reccomend this class to anyone, in fact I think everyone should take it if they have the chance. I thought government would be boring, but I was impressively surprised. It is very important to read the text book and study! Good Luck!
Roy was by FAR my favorite professor. He talks to his class like able-minded adults unlike many other professors I've had. Since he does not cover much test material in class, he allows 1 page of notes to use on tests. The writing portion is always worth more points and is based on his lectures. The more you write, the higher your grade.
Prof Casagranda is an iconic teacher. He is the instructor who dogs deeper into the meaning of the class than a standard book and offers class credit for attending govt and politically oriented lectures which are fun and educational. You'll leave feeling like an expert on all matter govt
He definitely will make you fall in love with the subject he teaches. The tests are super easy if you read the chapters, the essays are a little bit harder to master. Do the auxiliary assignments! You'll really thank yourself later for getting the extra points. The only grades he will take otherwise will be from the tests.
He is very awesome. I love his rants. Almost every class period he goes on a rant about something and most of what he says is spot on. He gives tests like weeks late most of the time. He is kindhearted, hilarious, and intelligent.
He is a great professor. Not hard to make a good grade because he has a lot of extra credit, but his tests are hard. Gives great lecture and he keeps you interested throughout the class.
Hes an awesome professor and also a personal friend. I love his Lectures and would recommend him to anyone! He's the best and very inspirational!
Really funny and opinionated guy. Tests are hard if you don't study and include essays, which I still have no idea how he grades them. Really awesome lectures. One of the best public speakers I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. He docks your grade for skipping, though, so don't take it if you won't show up.
Professor Casagranda is a very intelligent man. His lectures are interesting to listen to. He gets off topic often, however, and his lectures sometimes have nothing to do with what is on the test. You re expected to read the text book, but don't expect to go over much of it in class. He offers tons of extra credit, up to 2 full letter grades.
Most of his lectures have NOTHING to do with whats on the test. You definently have to read the textbook outside of class to get a good grade. He's super hilarious and has some really good views on the word. There are only 4 grades for the entire semester not including Extra Credit.
I'm taking Roy for a second time- though he dismisses the entire swath of the US I am from (the Midwest) there is just something interesting about a self-described "flaming liberal" teaching government in the heart of Texas. I would also say he is full of what some might call "conspiracy theories" but he backs it all but with irrefutable data.
I CANNOT stress enough what an exceptional professor he is. Not only was this class the opposite of dull, but I learned so many legitimately beneficial things to help me understand my role in today's society. He challenged so many things I was blindly taught in the past. First professor Ive ever had in 2 years of college I could listen to forever.
He doesn't tell you, but you have to read to the textbook chapters more than his lectures. He lectures all class and is kind of funny, but very closed minded. Talks about the Middle East (which you don't need to know) and you have to go to his out of class lectures. Test is mainly over textbook and isn't too hard but decent. Did not enjoy him.
Gets extremely off topic in Lectures. Tests are extremely hard, nothing about what was mentioned in class. Never follows syllabus. A paper of notes is allowed on test, but most likely won't help. Awful,l Awful Prof.
I took both core GOVT 2305 & 2306 classes with him, & both were amazing. No, he does not follow the syllabus at ALL, but once you get a feel for him you really enjoy the class itself. Its obvious he wants his students to get a grasp on the real world, so he gets off topic a lot- but it's WORTH IT. Tests are tough, but gives room to improve.
Fantastic Professor! I cannot recommend him enough. Very interesting lectures; you can tell he knows his stuff. His tests are mostly out of the textbook, and you have to actually read the chapters to be prepared for tests. Highly accessible outside of class and is happy to talk to you. Can be scattered but only because he covers so much.
Really great lectures that actually make me want to wake up early to go to class. Grades based on 3 tests, participation, and extra credit (which you need to do if you want to get anything above a C). Offers a ton of extra credit and tests are from the book. Lectures get off topic pretty quickly, but it's all related in some way.
I loved coming to class everyday! He is so entertaining-- makes you want to pay attention and learn. His exams are difficult and mainly based on details in the textbook, but he gives you chances to redeem yourself. If you're taking this in the summer, it's a lot of material packed into 5 weeks, but so enjoyable, honestly!
He was awesome. The tests are multiple choice questions pretty much straight out of the book, and the essay is based off lecture. He is super informed and very entertaining. Lots of reading in a short amount of time if taking over the summer. Would definitely take again.
Very opinionated but also very socially conscious. Lectures are told like stories and Roy is good at making the topics interesting enough that you'll want to pay attention. Friendly, hilarious and one of the best professors at ACC. If you're politically conservative though I wouldn't take his class unless you're willing to have an open mind.
I took GOV 1301 and 1302 with him during the summer. He does not follow the syllabus, very open minded, & cares about the students, However, if you do not participate or pay attention, it will reflect in your grade. He is blunt, friendly, & gives great life advice. If he taught any other subjects, I would take him again, & that should say a lot.
I took Casagranda for both 2305 & 2306 simultaneously and he's easily my favorite teacher I've ever had. Teaches it like a history class. His lectures are like stories and they're incredibly fascinating since he knows so much. Read the chapters a few days before the test and take notes on lectures! Opinionated and funny as hell. Truly enjoyed class
Fantastic and fun professor. I've been in both American Government & Texas Government with him. Lectures are real life knowledge. He tells his stories like History, so if you take this along side History 1 and 2 like I did, it's very useful. Just do the Auxiliary assignments at the end and you're guaranteed to make an A in the class.
Let's just say that if there were 10 more classes taught by Professor Casagranda, I would take them all. Hilarious, intelligent, thoughtful, and extremely passionate about politics and history, Professor Casagranda is easily one of the best professors you could ever have a class with. You will not regret it one bit.
As a professor, I'm not a huge fan; but as a person, he's hilarious. He doesn't go by the syllabus and his lectures are off topic pretty much all the time. READ THE TEXTBOOK or else you're going to fail his tests for sure. Make sure to include his lectures into your essays. Really struggled in his class but still got an A.
This guy is a real work of art! Very engaging and talks about issues that truly matter! Beware, he is a liberal activist and is not afraid to tell you his opinion, but that is what makes him such a character! Loved this class, very lecture heavy, you are expected to read before the test, but tests aren't bad. Extra assignments pulls your grade up!
He is a tough grader but if you work for it an A is achievable. One of the greatest professors I have ever had, he opened my mind and made learning fun again.
Really enjoyed this class. Best teacher I've had at ACC so far. I'd love to take more classes with him. Tests are mostly over the text book so make sure you read the book. Really enjoyed his lectures.
Every professor should teach like him! He made going to class fun and considering he was my first class in the morning I didn't mind being there so early and listening to the lecture. He is smart and full of knowledge would seriously take him again for future courses!
I like him as a person; however, the lectures are never about the reading in the book. You are on your own with following what's on the exams. The only way to go over what's on the test is the attend his student assistant study hour if you have time.
Great professor when it comes to lecturing about current events in the world but don't expect him to cover testable material in class. You are required to self-teach by reading the book and are lucky if an exam is actually on the given date posted in the syllabus. Brilliant man and speaker but not too great in the teaching aspect, look elsewhere.
Dr. Casagranda is one of the best professors I've had at ACC. You must attend every class, take great notes, and read the book to make a good grade. He offers soo much extra credit also and as long as you do the extra credit and write about how you feel in his essays you should make an A. His test are 50% multiple choice and 50% essay. Loved him.
Casagranda is a really cool Gov professor. He peaked my interest in politics and has inspired me to further learn about government. He's definitely liberal so if you're not, expect your beliefs to be challenged. His lectures were never boring and he offers lots of extra credit. Pay attention, take good notes, read the book and tests should be fine.
If you want to learn the material, this is the prof. If you're looking for an easy filler class and easy A, this is NOT your prof. Be thorough in your notes as you will need them for the essay section on tests (50% of each test). Must have detailed memory of textbook. Amazing lectures but he makes you work for that A. Slack, and you will pay for it
Casagranda is a great lecturer and really gets you engaged in the material he teaches. While tests can be difficult, they aren't impossible. Make sure to go to TA office hours for test reviews. TAKE VERY DETAILED LECTURE NOTES! This is crucial for essays. Be sure you do those auxiliary assignments as well, it can bump you up a whole letter grade.
Casagranda is an intensely charismatic and intelligent individual with passionate political worldviews. His lectures are exciting, informative, and he always inspires and expects the class to get involved in the discussion. My favorite teacher of the semester. His expectations are rigorous, but his overall grading system is very generous.
He spends most of the class time talking about what was on the news or about Donald Trump & the last 20 minutes about something in book. He gives a lot of extra credit opportunity, He does not go by the syllabus at all. 2 test were take home and the last one (final) was taken in class. Would not recommend since his class was very unstable.
If taking summer course be prepared to take home first two tests, still read lectures though. Tests are difficult, multiple choice is based only on textbook and essay only on lectures. Lectures are interesting, but Casagranda make you work for an A.
Casagranda gives amazing lectures. He knows how to keep you entertained and also makes sure you get the information you need. He doesn't really follow the syllabus, so get ready for take-home tests. Multiple choice is based on details of the book, so read carefully! Essays are based on his lectures, so always refer back to them for a better grade!
One of the best professors I've ever had. I took Texas government with him and ended up learning more world history than I ever had before. You have to attend lecture and take detailed notes, lectures fill in everything that isn't in the book and then some. He's opinionated and passionate and treats you as an adult so don't expect to be coddled.
Dr. Casagrandas class was not difficult if you engage yourself and go to class. His wisdom carries so much weight it is worth going to lecture. Casagranda has a great deal of pride with teaching and it becomes infectious. Had an SI and made things alot easier. Would take again and would recommend.
I love Professor Casagranda, he was very honest and open about his political views and his lectures were very funny and entertaining. His SI was awesome this year, she really helped us out throughout the semester!
very lecture based, so its important to go to class. u will miss a chunk of info that is guaranteed to be on the test, + he makes it interesting/engaging to where you want to go to class to hear what he has to say. He never mentions anything about the textbook but its good to check your syllabus to make sure youre on track, its easy to fall behind
Very into his job, talks A LOT and his class gets quite boring. Good professor overall, however very boring.
The BEST professor to date. Pay attention to the news, and his lectures or you won't do well. He hates phones. Incredibly passionate and extremely intelligent, this translates to his teaching style. For the test essays, be original, even extreme.
This professor is "WOKE", take his class, engage and do NOT bring your laptop or phones. He is super passionate and unlike any other professor at ACC. I highly recommend his class to anyone and everyone! Oh ya, go to the auxillary functions! You won't regret it and you will have a new outlook on our world!
Professor Casagranda is a great person! He is funny and his lectures are entertaining. The only issue I faced in his class was not being able to see my grades. He does not post your grade so you kind of have to estimate. It is very hard to know how you are doing in your class and stressful to wonder iff his points match up with the points you have.
I loved taking this class. It's a real world take on government. The class goes over, not just American government, but the basis for government throughout history. He is also a very caring person, and you can reach him after class. He does talk about sexual abuse in history, which is difficult and shocking, so if you have triggers beware.
The best professor I ever had!!!!
Prof. Casagranda is a great lecturer. His class is a bit confusing at first because he lectures on things, and tests you on the textbook. With this being said his lectures are very interesting and it is easy to make a good grade if you read the textbook and study for the tests. Profesor Casagranda is awesome, I would love to take his class again.
Tends to ramble a lot but still pretty good. Most of the material in class WONT BE COVERED ON THE TEST! Make sure you read the text book religiously, almost all test material will be in there. Does not give out study guides, so make sure you have a study group.
The best professor I have ever had. You will learn so much and love every moment of it. The tests can be difficult but he tries his best to help you prepare. He is always so happy to talk to his students, I see him in the halls engaging with us all the time. Take his class!
Casagranda is a very cool professor. If you show up to class and take your notes you will be fine. He does use a textbook but he does not really follow it and is can be funny in his lectures to keep things exciting. Tip: DO Auxiliary points throughout semester and not last minute.
Extremely negative person. Doesnt talk about Texas government at all and spends most of class talking about how terrible public education is and ancient history. Very belittling towards some students including myself. Tests are based on readings from the text book, so textbooks are mandatory. STUDY GROUPS A MUST, NO HELP INSIDE CLASS!
He a super cool professor
Dr. Casagranda is absolutely an amazing person whose even produced published writing! He has a very "unique" smile when giving lectures (hint to write down what he just announced) and creates an amazing atmosphere to get you involved with his lectures. Don't try to text in his class its pointless. Take his tests seriously and write detailed notes.
Tests are split between MC based off of the reading and essays based off of lectures. Most multiple choice questions are just random facts from the book. Great lecturer.
Funniest professor I've had to date. Lectures were very interesting (and hilarious) and learned new things about the world that I would have never known before. Just read the textbook, participate in class and you'll be fine. (tests are mainly textbook + current events)
His class is not easy. He will make you work for that A and he expects you to treat the class seriously. However, he is not against you. He gives a lot of opportunities for extra credit that I highly recommend doing. He is a cool guy with a good sense of humor and does a good job of keeping his lectures engaging.
Amazing lecturer and great teacher, especially if you would like to become more informed about the world in general. However, he is extremely disorganized with his subject matter and very vague about his academic expectations. Would only recommend taking if you are a PoliSci major or have a special interest in Politics or history.
I will never EVER take one of his classes again. His lectures barely relate to the material. His tests are ridiculous, arbitrary and impossible to study for. 90 pgs txtbook notes, 30 pgs lecture notes and the first test had 15 textbook questions, 7 lecture questions and 9 questions on current events, 6 of which did not apply to Texas or government
This is one of the few professors I can say has left a positive impact on me. Hes very passionate (and hilarious) about what he teaches and I learned so much from his course. Grading is straightforward and his syllabus is very well put together. Hes easily accessible outside of class, attending his office hours helped me a lot. Amazing professor.
Really funny teacher but the exams make no sense, i wouldn't recommend buying the textbook because you will never use it.
Very hard class. MC from textbook mostly. I had to record lectures to use that info in my essays because theyre so packed w info. lectures are not about TX GOV. participate. Would not recommend for an easy A at all. Its very difficult, but you learn lots. Wouldnt recommend. Our first two tests were takehome but I would have failed if they werent
I don't like him; he curses a lot. Besides, he does not give you feedback; he just put grades on randomly. The last test is not easy at all; no one has enough time to finish it. He does not curve at all! He speaks super fast in class; he doesn't talk about the course. Unfair grading!!!! Not recommended.
do yourself favor and dont take his class for heavens sake! there are so many other good gov professors to choose from. Casablanca does not care like other prof. He rants all class. doesn't prepare you for test and I never knew what my grade was the whole semester since he never uploads them!
Professor Casagranda is an excellent professor if you need to take Texas Government. Lectures can get a little off topic at times but, the professor makes the lectures engaging for students. There is no reason one should fail his course. Professor Casagranda gives students ample opportunities for extra credit. If you need Texas Govt take him
Hands down my favorite Professor! This is the place to be if you want to learn; he is generous with his vast scope of knowledge. This is my second of his classes, and I'll take more if I'm able. His tests are not easy - you won't pass them if you miss too many lectures. However, there is ample opportunity to improve your grade with extra credit.
Favorite professor, he gave us take home tests, lots of extra credit. He is also super funny, and gives great lectures he keeps it interesting
He is by far the greatest professor I've ever had if you get the chance to take him don't hesitate. there are so many opportunities to raise your grade if you aren't doing so well. I expected to hate this class but he truly made it so fun. his tests are take-home but do require an essay so beware of that. I absolutely would recommend him
I really enjoyed Texas Gov with Dr. Casagranda, and I'm taking US Gov with him as well since I enjoyed his lecture and class structure. It's best to go to every class since little details from each lecture end up on the exam, but you'll survive if you miss a couple. I will say he could be more explicit with grading criteria, but overall he's great.
He is literally the best professor. If I could take him for all my classes I would. Keeps you updated on current and past events. Makes you wanna change the world. Im more now eco conscious and less meat eater. I now love knowing whats going on in the world because of him. We only took 2 tests and 2 essays. Read the book.
Took Professor Casagranda for U.S government and I will definitely be taking him for Texas Government. If you know how to take notes you will pass his class. DO NOT MISS ANY CLASSES. We only had 2 exams throughout the semester, and 2 essays. Both exams were material from your notes and the book. He makes me want to be more involved in my community.
Great guy. He really knows his stuff. Take his class, you wont regret it.
He's funny and intelligent, but opinionated at the same time. Show up to class even if it's not mandatory, you will fail. He tests you on the lectures and make sure you not only understand the event but also his opinion on it. The textbook he requires doesn't show up much on the only two tests we took. Speak up, he likes it when people contribute.
Casagranda is amazing. He knows what he's talking about and genuinely cares about your success. I thoroughly enjoyed his class. Just make sure you're responsible and pay attention to deadlines because you have to complete assignments on your own time to make an A.
He is a great professor. I did retake this class because I failed the first time with another professor but taking it with Casagranda is way better. I love his teaching style but tends to go off topic a little bit. Pretty easy for a grade wise also as long as you know what you are doing and pay attention during his lecture.
Lectures have absolutely nothing to do about Texas history, but still, a phenomenal professor who has eye-opening lectures regarding the world and its current state. Midterm and final were take home and you will have to attend a few lectures outside of class to rack up points.
Our first day of class (TX govt) he walks in, says absolutely nothing and writes Egypt 500 B.C. on the board and says "Okay we start here." Just trust me and knock out your TX govt and US govt credits with him. Just do it.
Lectures are long. Get a tape recorder and ask questions. Also attend the study sessions this will help your grade. You can not afford to skip class. His test are based off him and his lectures the book helps some but not much. Wouldn't take him again because he tends to be all over the place but you do get tons of extra credit opportunities
He only grades a midterm and final that are open-book, take-home, and due after a week of having the material. All he asks is that you show that you listened in class. Hilarious, with a darker sense of humor. Well-versed in many cultures, so his class doesn't present just "the winner's side" of history. I took him again for American History too!
Dr. Casagranda was such an interesting class with his opinions on government topics. Class is never boring but lectures can be confusing when the class goes off-topic. You have 2 tests (a midterm and a final) and then you have auxiliary assignments due on the last day of class. Attend lectures to get AUX points and complete assignments.
Prof. Casagranda has a very unique and weird grading scale, and you're not allowed to turn in anything till the last day of the semester, other than the midterm and final exams. But his lectures are INCREDIBLE. He's woke and teaches truth, things you couldn't find in any US Gov textbook. Truly made me interested in government and politics.
Get ready to really learn. Casagrande knows what he's talking about and puts things into perspective like no one else. I loved his class. The exams are essays and the rest of your grade depends on extra credit, but nothing's too hard. It's honestly such an intriguing course with him. Best gov professor I've taken.
His class was by far the most interesting class I took this semester. He is hilarious and actually teaches you facts. He tends to go off topic but I think it makes class interesting. Make sure you attend or watch the recordings because he grades based on how well you incorporate it on your essays.
Casagrandas us gov is a very fun class (especially if you enjoy politics). He is opinionated and a tough grader but I looked forward to each lecture and learned a lot. You are graded based only on midterm and final, but there is lots of chances for extra credit. Would recommend if you enjoy politics and writing essays.
Professor Casagranda is an amazing lecturer that really makes you want to show up to hear what he has to say. His lectures give you more than just basic info and really open your eyes. His exams were about whether you were paying attention to him in the lecture or not. His lectures weren't mandatory to attend and could be accessed through youtube.
He is the most interesting professor you may ever have, you don't have to take notes on any of the lectures because it may not be needed for the test or paper but I took notes every class because the lectures were so interesting. It is easy to make a good grade as long as you buy the book because answers come from there at times.
While I'm not certain I learned everything I should about US gov't, it was a very enjoyable class. His grading on his very few assignments is pretty subjective, and class discussion tends to spiral into multiple tangents. For this reason, taking notes is difficult, and you don't really know how you're doing until after the midterm.
One of the best profs I've ever encountered. No exaggeration, I wish I could stay enrolled in his class forever just to hear his lectures or that he'd do his own podcast &keep ppl up to date with the world. He's hilarious, knowledgable, relatable, passionate, and caring. Midterm&Final: 2 separate 1k word essays (incorp. notes), 5 aux assignments.
He does not teach anything from the syllabus, he rants a lot, cusses a lot. Since he has a lack of structure and didn't actually teach Texas government, I didn't learn anything. I wish I never took his class.
It's almost been 2 years since I've taken this class and to this day I find myself thinking back on it. I remember back in 2018 he'd warned us that all the signs pointed to a big event in 2020, though at the time we pictured it more like the 2008 recession. I've never had so many 'aha!' moments in any other class.
This class was listed as an asynchronous course, but the professor had class meet-ups for his lectures and gave out extra credit for attendance. This is fine, but it is a nightmare watching his uploaded lectures. They are extremely disorganized. I would not have taken his class if I knew this. The midterm was graded four days before class ended.
You either love him or hate him! Professor Casagrandas lectures are a little disorganized and he tends to get off topic but I personally enjoyed them as I felt more engaged this way. You still learn a lot and hes super funny. You have a lot of ec opportunities and the exams are essays which are graded fairly. I am taking him for tx govt too.
He is a charismatic guy and because of that class is often interesting, but still, I HATED this class. I found it impossible to take notes because every other thing he. says is a 20-minute tangent. He is unorganized and grades assignments last minute. I can't say I learned much from him. I don't think he even looked at my final.
He is a blunt and compelling instructor. The take home MidT and Final will be questions that he will cover during his class, the issue is that he provides a sea of info, as long as you can locate what he said and simply summarize it, you will get an A. Liberal grader. Same thing for the EC. Make sure you start early to not get overwhelmed.
I took Dr. Casagranda's class during the 2nd 5 week session over the summer. He only had two tests, but both consisted of two 1,000 word essays each, as well as a few multiple choice and short answer questions (over the lectures). The lectures were very vulgar, and he typically would go and rant on current events that we weren't tested on.
If you want a more cerebral class where concepts matter more than memorization, take this class. He is incredibly passionate about what he teaches, his stories are off the rails and funny. He is not by the books in any sense, and it's fantastic. I can't recommend him enough. I wish every teacher would conduct class as he does with this one.
He's really cool and nice. But you only have 2 test the whole semester both consist of 2 essays 1000 words each. Plus he doesn't have slide shows to follow along with what he's saying instead it's just him talking which is really tough. Like what most people said he goes on tangents that have nothing to do with what were talking about.
This class is more like a live podcast than a govt class. I stopped watching 1/2 way through the semester. Midterm was an essay and a few multiple choice questions. Final was two 1,000 word essays with the prompts given 4 days before it was due but also extremely biased. I dont think he reads the final essays. Only 2 grades the whole semester.
He is confusing but everyone gets an A. Take for easy credit.
Casagranda is not a traditional teacher. You must attend class to successfully complete both the midterm and final. His lectures are fun and engaging (sometimes vulgar), but overall he is one of my favorite professors. He is always available if you need anything. Gives "extra credit" but he calls it something else!
I took Dr. Casagranda's class during the 2nd 5 week session over the summer. He only had two tests, but both consisted of two 1,000 word essays each, as well as a few multiple choice and short answer questions that were over the lectures. The lectures were very vulgar, and he would rant on current events that we weren't tested on.
Only grades are midterm and final unless you do extra credit. Not hard to get a good grade!
Do not worry at all about this class. I promise. Two papers (midterm and final) that are basically your opinion or saying what he has said in class. Some extra credit that takes 2 or 3 hours max to complete in total. No textbook. Lectures are entertaining. He does say controversial things, but just take your notes and leave. Don't sweat this class.
Hi, I am a licensed professional engineer, and I just took that class for fun. I been through at least 48 clases in my Bachelor degree, and 11 different classes for my Masters degree, and I must say of all the courses I have ever taken, this course was the best and most entertaining class ever. My advice,take his courses even if it was for audit
This man is a gem. A wealth of knowledge.
Any negative reviews dont make sense as it is a pass if you show up and just do the work. In addition, he keeps classes entertaining and delivers history in a way that is easy to understand. Ive taken atleast 30 classes and this one was by far the most stimulating. He enjoys what he does and truly has a passion for it. Thank you or all that you do!
I like his lecture, he makes it so clear that it looks like a story
There is one midterm and one final. Both consist of 2, 1,000 word essays, you get to choose out of 4 topics. You need to be able to have time to watch his lectures or show up to his lectures online in order to earn points towards your final grade. I enjoyed his class and appreciated his support when I told him I had a newborn. Great teacher
Marked as an asynchronous class but that's not the full picture. Final and midterm can add up to 800 of 1080 points with the rest coming from attendance and extra papers. Honestly, an extremely easy A just don't waste your time actually listening to the nonsense lectures. I used 20 minutes of the 38 hours of lecture between the midterm and final.
This class was listed as an asynchronous class, so I took it because I knew I would not have much time over the summer. There are no slides or notes posted online, so the only way to get the material is to watch the 2 hour long recorded zooms on youtube, so it might as well be synchronous. He also goes on 30 min. tangents on unrelated material.
Great lecturer. Weird guy, said some out of pocket things that made me uneasy but that's college. He is outspokenly far left and has added or left out key bits of info about our current and past state of affairs in America; however, you are far too scared to call him out because of the fear that you will be belittled by him and classmates alike.
I would take him 100x over again if I could. He is so wonderful! I can not recommend him enough. He is by far the best professor I have ever had.
2 years graduated, still remember Roy C as one of the worst professors ever. What stood out is he lectured about subjects that were not course relevant (politics, travel to Egypt and Mediterranean history in a US History/Govt course). He canceled an exam so he could lecture. When asked why, he coldly advised me to drop the course.
Professor Casagranda needs his own podcast. That is what this class feels like. Very little govt and mostly personal opinions on current govt policy. Left leaning, refers to TX politicians as the TX Taliban. I prefer a more unbiased instructor for a govt class. Final was 3 essays and he assigned them 4 days before the due date.
Don't even know where to begin with Dr. Casagranda. I saw a review saying he needs a podcast- couldn't agree more. Extremely left leaning lectures that often challenge common belief. Grading system is odd and only has 2 major grades. On our midterm and final he encouraged us to cuss, if that gives you an idea about this class.
Take this class! He is a great proffesor and I have never been as interactive and engaged in a class like I an for this one. He is caring about POC and women's rights which I heavily appreciate, always felt safe and unjudged in his classroom. Grades fairly and pretty nicely, just turn in your midterm/final on time. No homework, do the extra credit.
Worth it
Presentation is heavily lectured in format. I would compare it to a show. 90 percent opinionated, therefore fact checking is a nightmare. The best example is his tale of how Iraq got its name. That "Casagranda" fish tale speaks for all the rest.
His lectures are very funny and enticing/interesting. I could listen to him for hours.
The lectures were similar to a podcast. Very little info on govt and mostly personal opinions on current policies. Very far left leaning, refers to TX politicians as the TX Taliban. Very vulgar as well - seemingly every other word was the f bomb. Final was 3 essays and he assigned them 4 days before the due date.
(5-wk session) You should be okay if you take notes and are a good writer. Synchronous 2-hr virtual lectures Mon-Thu. Watch every lecture, take notes, and/or then review any missed lectures on YT. Only grades are a midterm and final, each 2-3 essays and a few MC/short answers. Warning: nice guy but he can be a little vulgar, didn't like this.
Gives engaging lectures. Not focused on TX Govt, more of him discussing random historical events. Regardless, he is very informational and you can tell how passionate he is about lecturing. Very vulgar. Overall, an amazing professor who cares about his students and provides knowledge.
He literally just grade the two essays. I tried rlly hard on the first one and got very low grade (low to a point where there's no way i can get a C or above even if i get full score in the final paper) . i hated his lectures . do not take
You won't know your grade until the end, but I think everyone gets an A as long as they do their auxiliary assignments. This made me super anxious because I was in PACE but I think its a rite of passage. Just write down most of what he says and do your work and you'll be ok. The midterm was hard and he was abroad for a while but overall ok.
Didn't know where I stood with my grade until the last week of classes. Heavy liberal rants during lectures. Do at least 1-2 auxilary assignments or you won't get an A.
All over the place in the lectures. Even though it's a TX Gov class, we barely talked about the Texas government. If you want to really learn don't take, if you want a fairly easy A then go ahead. He's also extremely opinionated and liberal and will argue if you don't agree. If you at least do the assignments he curves grades at the end.
If you want an easy A, take this class. However, if you expect to learn about Texas government, try to look elsewhere. During the lectures, the professor frequently veers off topic, making it harder to discern between information about Texas government and about himself. Additionally, you have to take your own notes since he doesn't use slideshows.
He was alright, tech savvy but overall a nice professor.
Professor Casagranda has a distinct teaching style that can be hit or miss. The lectures are lengthy with tangents, but engaging if you can stay focused. Leveraging resources like unstuck ai alongside the textbook helped me grasp the material. Overall, a challenging but rewarding class.
He has no idea what he's talking about, if you show his lectures to historians they laugh and debunk it. So much of what he claims is nonsense.
Class was very easy and fun. Professor obviously enjoys what he is teaching. Assignments allow for student creativity and he is a very light grader.
This Prof doesn't teach, he simply lies and "invents" history as he pleases. Nothing he said was true.
I don't even know where to start... He just talks to hear himself speak, it feels like. His lectures are 2 hours long, and I could never decipher what was US Government, what was random information, and what was his personal opinion. I took his 10-week summer class, and he doesn't unlock the assignments until 5 weeks in.
Terrible at organization. Only cares about making the class convenient for himself. Took it upon himself to make it easy for him and no one else by removed everything from blackboard and posting it on google classroom. I could not figure out where to begin with the class, he does not post any of the work on google classroom like he said he would.
This guy is too smart for his own good. He was the first professor I know that truly taught his lectures based on his experiences and academic knowledge, so he doesn't teach by the book. In my semester he was invited to stay with a prince in a middle eastern country to discuss the time period of 800-1200. He taught me so much I will never forget.
Roy Casagranda is a prime example of someone who speaks confidently but wrongly about historical topics he knows nothing about. Dude tried to claim that Coca Cola invented Santa Claus - that's how much of a joke this so-called "historian" is (BTW he is not an actual historian). And yet, millions of gullible idiots on Youtube buy his lies.
Horrible teacher Gave us the wrong google classroom (he should use blackboard) never communicated. If you are online you are penalized for your lack of attendance (even though there is nothing you can do about it) I have done 10 essays as make up for simply being online. Completely opinionated history (Texas not a state? Egypt not a country? crazy)
Rude and snobby. Very opinionated lectures. No quizzes or weekly assignments, instead a midterm essay + MCQ and a final essay + MCQ. If you don't attend the online lectures, you have to do "auxiliary" assignments, aka essays, to get an A or B, which completely defeats the point of the class being asynchronous. Doesn't respond to emails.
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100%
Attendance Mandatory
66%
Textbook Required
26%
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