He assigns a HUGE ammount of reading, although it all is pertinent to the subject. He expects a lot, so don't take unless you really want to learn and are interested in the class.

I thought lecture was great, but the readings were long and kind of hard sometimes. He grades tests hard, but also adds a curve which helps. I learned a lot about the subject matter, though. A class worth taking, just be ready for the readings.

I don't know what that first reviewer was thinking! Professor Cooper is an awesome discussion monitor. He can parse the value from ANY comment (like a seminary teacher, only in a genuine, good way). He has a hilarious sense of understated humor.

Prof. Cooper was awesome! His lectures were interesting, his tests were straightforward, and the readings were all classic Poli Sci essays...a bit long, but worth it. I'd highly recommend this class to anyone! Sit in the front. Sometimes it's hard to read his writing from the back.

Prof. Cooper is an AMAZING teacher. His class was thoroughly enjoyable and interesting. He is hoilarious and cares persoanlly about the students. He prepares his students well for exams and tell you what will be on them. However, the exams are somewhat difficult, but duable. He was by fare the best teacher I have had in a long time.

I thought his 170 class was farely easy. He does asign alot of reading but almost always tells you what he wants you to get out of it, so you don't really have to do it but it helps. I liked his tests becuase if you took good notes and reviewed them well they weren't too hard. Although Dr. Cooper is a bigged boned hes a pretty good lookin chap.

I loved his class. I hope to get him again for another class. He is a good lecturer and as long as you go to class and study your notes you will do fine on the essays.

Best Political Science teacher I've ever had. He's so cute when he talks and you can pay attention during lectures. Readings are long and hard and tests can be rough (you rush through them in class), but overall, it was a beautiful class.

Not gonna lie, this class is a lot of work. Lots of reading, lots of assignments, but it's do-able. Lectures are really interesting; don't miss class. Tests are hard and you're rushed, but he gives you detailed study guide and if you study it's not too bad. I recommend this class.

Dr. Cooper is a good guy, and keeps good discussion in the class, but I found it hard to pay attention to the discussion or find relevance in it. This class requires a ton of reading, and quite a bit of writing. There's no multiple choice on the test, but if you pay attention in class you'll be alright.

This class definently is not a slacker class, but if you put forth the effort you will learn a ton and an A is very possible. There is a lot of reading, but usually he will go over what he wants you to get out of it the next day in class. Tests are essay and short answer. Great lectures! very helpful and nice professor.

Great professor. Very interesting lectures. Just keep up on the assignments, that is what killed my grade a bit. I always enjoyed coming to class.

Do not take this class if you don't plan on doing all the reading! That said, Professor Cooper is an excellent lecturer and gives students all the help they need to do well. BE SPECIFIC WHEN ANSWERING TEST QUESTIONS!

It was a good class, you really learn a lot and Prof. Cooper is helpful and an interesting lecturer. You HAVE to do the readings! It was challenging but worth it.

Cooper is a pretty good teacher, his class is well organized and is assignments are clear and consistent as are his grading procedures, he is not easy and is somewhat demanding. He is also fairly serious with the exception of a few inside joke asides, probably not the funniest or most entertaining teacher but not the most boring either.

Great Intstructor. Has a good sense of humor and keeps the class fun. There are a lot of readings but you don't really have to do most of them if you go to class everyday and take good notes, highlighting important concepts from authors. Be very specific on tests. Not too hard to get a B. An A would be tough.

A very interesting class. Lots of readings, but they are interesting although some are a bit tedious. Very good lectures.

Cooper's awesome. I would highly recommend taking this class. Just a word of warning to those who try to be first to finish tests: you won't do well in this class. You MUST be as detailed as possible in your responses. With that said, if you study hard an "A" is definitely possible in this class.

Awesome professor. A lot of reading for 100 level class but tests are straight-forward. An A is easily attainable with study. Take him!

I have taken 170, 372, 376 from Cooper. My favorite teacher so far at BYU. I have also TA'd for him twice. LOTS of reading, but it is never just busy work. Great clarity and his passion for teaching is very clear. A++++

Prof. Cooper is a great guy and a nice teacher, but this class is very difficult. Tons of reading, tons of work. Long, detailed projects,and weekly quizzes and practice assignments. He was very helpful and his lectures are clear and help a lot. This class is do-able but its a huge workload. If you have to take it I recommend Cooper strongly.

Professor Cooper is great! He gives you a study guide telling you exactly what to study before each test and not one question will stray from that study guide. Get together a good study group and just go through the study guide and you will have no problem. No outside assignments, just reading and the material is fascinating!

He is awesome professor! He is very kind and care about students! I really love how he teaches his classes! His class is not easy, but it worths! Don't worry! He can take care of you!

I really hated the class, especially the math parts, but Cooper always had such a lively and kind attitude. He provided everything students needed to have success in his class. Just do all the assignments, go to all of the labs, attend all classes, and you're guaranteed to get a B!

This is a typical PoliSci elective class (i.e. good teacher, boring subject, irrelevant to your education, arbitrary grading, etc.) If you're interested in Russia then you'll love this class. It was just okay for me. Prof. Cooper is a very good teacher though his grading on the tests is very subjective.

This class is extremely difficult, but Cooper made it bearable. He is a great teacher, very helpful and accommodating in a very tricky class. That said, it's 200 and it sucks.

Great class, well taught

Prof Cooper is truly a wonderful teacher and person. I had him during a study abroad he did in London, and as an econ major, I was honestly not used to someone teaching in such a clear and concise manner. He is genuinely interested in the success of each of his students. I highly recommend taking a course from him, even if PlSc200 is nasty

Prof. Cooper is probably the most fair teacher you will ever have. You have to put in the effort, he expects a lot, but he will tell you exactly what to expect for readings, assignments, and tests. Also, he knows a ton and, unlike some teachers, really knows how to communicate it clearly to his students.

Excellent professor. He was very organized and helpful. His class required a lot of work but grading was fair and I learned a lot.

Hard class, lots of reading, lots of things to know, and lots of time. A "2" page paper, which was an 11 font, single space paper (so it really turned out to be around 8 pages double spaced)

Good class. I love history and politics so it was pretty sweet. Some of the readings are pretty dry but he explains the concepts well enough for you to do well on the test. He can get annoyed when people don't show up, nobody does the readings, or students turn in essays without being in class.

Professor Cooper is one of the best professors there is. He comes off really hard the first week of class, and you will work a ton in his, but you will also learn a ton and if you do what he tells you you will do well. He is very clear on what he wants and that is so helpful. 200 is super hard, but you will use it the rest of your life.

Extremely organized and extremely fair. This class is tough for an intro-level course, and there's lots of reading, but it's very interesting and it's possible to do well. You will know what to expect on exams because they are exactly what he says they will be: taken from the study guide and reading questions. Highly recommend.

Excellent professor who not only knows the material but knows how to teach it. Go to class, takes good notes, and cram before each test. Follow the study guide and be very clear on the essay questions. The rest of your points are participation -- easy A. Textbook reading is not required. People who say this class is difficult are lazy/unintelligent

This class wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Cooper made it really interesting and applicable, and doing well isn't hard. Tests are based off of the study guides and readings, so keep up with them. You'll regret it if you don't. Besides the reading, which was a little heavy at times, the work load was completely manageable.

I loved this class with Dr. Cooper! He knows so much and makes class very interesting. While you do need study hard for the test, I don't find it overly difficult and he is definitely willing to help anyone. I would recommend this class to anyone as he is a really great professor who is makes class fun (he's pretty funny) and interesting!

One of my favorite professors! totally easy to understand and always willing to help! Work load could pile up a bit sometimes, but he always provided excellent teaching and study guides to help on the tests

Prof Cooper is awesome. His class was extremely well organized and his notes were very easy to learn from. The tests were difficult and graded intensely, but the study guides were very helpful. The only bad part of the class is the massive reading load, but the reading is entirely necessary.

I got an A in this class. It was actually my favorite class that I took at BYU. Dr. Cooper makes everything very clear, and you always know exactly what is expected of you. If you buy the previous editions of the text books he will give you the parts that you need to read from them to get the equivalent education, which means that it is cheap!

Be ready to read. A lot. Dr. Cooper's a great teacher, though. The class isn't easy, but you know exactly what you need to study to get a good grade. Lectures are engaging and interesting. Dr. Cooper goes out of his way to make sure his students succeed in the class.

Professor Cooper's class isn't the easiest, since the tests are killer and he has very high reading expectations, but his lectures are the best I've seen. He's happy to help anybody, and knows a ton about what he teaches. If you study for hours to prepare for each of his tests, you'll probably do pretty well in the class.

Professor Cooper is awesome. I took this class for GE credit and had little interest in Poli Sci but he made me love the subject. A lot of ready, but it is pretty interesting if you try to understand it. Tests are semi difficult but the study guide tells you everything that will be on the test. No surprises

Cooper is easily the best professor in the department. He explains very complex concepts in ways that people unfamiliar with the subject matter can understand.

Be prepared to read and participate in the lectures. The readings can be quite long and dry, but the topicsthemes are super important and interesting. Bro. Cooper has great lectures, with the expectation that his students take an active role in discussions based on the lectures and readings. His tests aren't that bad if you study the study guides.

Cooper is my fav professor. I have taken 2 classes from him, and he is very good about setting clear expectations. I always knew how to prepare for his exams. His lectures are incredible and engaging. The class is a lot of work, and there are lots of readings, but I think he makes sure that anyone can succeed. Take this class if you can!!

The professor is one of the best I have had. His lectures constantly fascinated me. He does give about seventy pages of reading a week so beware.

I liked the lectures and the subject is great. He explains the subject very well and I am engaged through the whole class. My big beef with this professor is his grading system, especially on tests. He gives a lot of essay questions on the test which require a lot of detail and will dock a lot points if one of those details is missing. uncool man.

Prof. Cooper is an amazing professor and incredibly intelligent. He knows the answers to every question posed in class and is always willing to spend more time explaining to ensure you understand. He is a tough grader but if you do the readings and participate in class you will do well and learn a lot. He keeps you interested and makes you smarter.

Prof. Cooper is an awesome teacher, but incredibly tough. He is very willing to help students, but you will get your butt kicked in the class if you don't study hard. His tests are really subjective and it's easy to get docked on little things. But if you spend a few days studying, you'll do ok.

Dr. Cooper has to be the best professor I have had at BYU. His expectations are always very clear. If you do what he asks then his classes are not difficult. They do require a lot of work, but he tells you exactly what you need to do to get an A. He made International Political Economy as interesting as possible considering the subject matter!

Professor Cooper is without doubt the best professor I have ever had. He is engaging, knowledgable and has a sense of humour, something I think is necessary for the topic. However he has a reputation as an incredibly tough grader and I would have to agree. You have to work very hard. I would take him for everything if my GPA could handle it.

Really interesting lectures. No surprises. Homework is very doable. Not graded harshly. Study guides are great help for the exams.

Professor Cooper is passionate and gives very interesting examples. I learned a lot about international relations and definitely am interested in learning more after taking this class. Not an easy class though. It's graded based on 12 reading essays (1.5 pages), 2 current events essays (3 pages), and 4 difficult timed essay exams. Take good notes!

I loved taking this class from Prof. Cooper. He's a very intelligent man and knows a great deal about International Politics. His lectures are very organized and easy to take notes along with. If you go exactly with the study guide for exams and do the readings, class won't be a challenge, Cooper is a very fair grader.

Amazing at teaching and really knows what he is talking about. There is a ridiculous amount of reading and the tests are incredibly hard, but he uses a grading curve that makes it manageable.

Poli 170 with Dr. Cooper was amazing. His expectations are clear and fair, and if you attend the lectures and study for the exams, you'll be fine. I would definitely take another class taught by Dr. Cooper.

Prof Cooper is one of my favorites! His lectures are really interesting and he uses great examples for students to understand the subject matter. LOTS of mandatory reading: Sometimes 75 pages a night! If you do not read or skip on readings, you will not pass since he ties it all together. Tests are hard if you don't read or do the assignments.

I looked forward to the lectures every day. Though there was lots of readings and tests were tough, the expectations were clear. Dr. Cooper is an amazing teacher, and I would definitely recommend this class or any other class he teaches, especially if you're interested in international politics. You will learn so much in this class!

Get ready for a rip-roaring good time in this class. The reading is heavy, but if you think the subject matter is as much fun as I do (and Professor Cooper makes it very fun and interesting), it'll be easy enough. Just make sure to do all the reading very closely.

Professor Cooper has it going on! The class was funny, pushed me to work hard, and enlightened my understanding of international theory and has been a great basis to the rest of the major for me.

I took 4 classes from Dr. Cooper at BYU, and they were probably 4 of the classes that taught me the most. He is an excellent teacher. He makes you work hard, but his expectations are always crystal clear, so if you do the work you'll get the grade you deserve. You owe it to yourself to take some classes from him!

Professor Cooper is definitely one of the best professors at BYU. He knows his stuff through and through, is a good teacher, has well prepared lectures, and genuinely cares about his students. He's the reason I stuck with the major. The class is hard but worth it. Do the readings (which I often didn't) and you'll love the class more.

There's a lot of reading in this class. Expect 70-80 pages per week. Very solid lecturer and clear grading criteria. His lectures are very participatory--he takes a lot of questions and comments which makes it more engaging.

Professor Cooper is a great, interesting professor. The class is based on a lot of article readings. Attendance is mandatory because most of what he says in lectures is on the tests. Make sure to take good notes. The lectures, to me, are really interesting and the time goes by quicker.

Awesome professor! Lectures are very interesting and even though its such a huge class (150 in mine) he always gives people the chance to participate/have class discussion. A ton of reading. Keep up with it and take good notes in class.

I've taken this class and his intro class and they've been two of my favorites. Professor Cooper is my favorite professor in the political science department, and maybe at BYU. He's incredibly knowledgeable and makes information easy to understand. He sees grading as a necessary evil and is really fair about it. Take good notes and you'll do well.

Cooper is INCREDIBLE; lectures are engaging/funny/interesting (DO NOT MISS CLASS.) But I studied harder for this final than I ever have for a test in college, and still didn't do well on it. The tests (there's 4) are just so specific and so challenging. Assignments are straightforward and posted from day 1, and beneficial to course. Tough & great!

Prof. Cooper is awesome! His teaching is on point. He loves teaching and teaches in a way that you can understand. You do need to read a lot though. The assignments are reading responses which are easy. He doesn't grade hard on those. The map quizzes are also easy. I would love to take his other classes!

Dr. Cooper is a fantastic instructor. He has an ability to convey the material in a way that makes sense and matters. His knowledge will intimidate you, though and he expects you to be able to glean the material from his lectures and reading. US Foreign Policy is extensive and broad, but Dr. C makes it accessible and unbiased. Do the readings!!!

Best professor I have EVER had. If you are on the fence about taking a class from him, DO IT. I would take every class from him if I could. He made me an EXPERT on soviet politics and made me think differently about the world. this class is life changing.

Awesome class! Lots of reading but it usually provides multiple viewpoints so it's perfect for getting a more nuanced approached to issues. Excellent lectures, accessible to students, great study guides, clear about test criteria so you can study effectively, clear about class priorities so you know what to focus on most.

Professor Cooper's lectures and discussions make the class interesting and understandable. He is a very fair grader and everything in the tests was either clearly mentioned in lectures or made obvious in the reading. Tip: take good lecture notes. I plan on taking more courses from Professor Cooper.

Prof. Cooper makes you work for your grade, but the class is worth taking. He is very knowledgeable in his field but still gives students the chance to form their own opinions. Tests are graded a but strictly, but the class is worth taking. Lots of reading.

Dr. Cooper does a great job answering questions, keeps his test purely fact based (his opinion doesn't shape grading). Explains concepts well. Highly recommend this class from him!

Absolutely brilliant!! Dont expect this to be an easy class at all, but if you put the work in, Dr Cooper will make what would otherwise be boring, a fascinating subject! I highly recommend him for those willing to learn

I actually really enjoyed this class and the subject material. He is a great teacher and knows what he is talking about. That being said, he expects you to really know what you are talking about and his tests are REALLY hard. There is also a ton of reading. He doesn't use powerpoint so you have to be at pretty much every lecture to do well.

Cooper was my favorite professor in my entire BYU career, especially in the Political Science department. You will learn a ton that will stick with you. Go to his reviews and study the review sheet and you will pass the tests with flying colors. I felt unprepared before reviews and got 80+ on each test before the very generous curve. TAKE HIM!

Dr. Cooper is extremely smart, but the world's hardest grader. His tests are very difficult, and I go to class every day, do the readings, and visit his office hours. I'm no slacker! I will probably lose my full-ride because of this class. I've learned a lot, but for me it's just not worth so much work for so little reward. Save your scholarship!

He is a great teacher and super interesting but EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. There is a lot of reading and the 4 tests you take in the class are near impossible. I usually do pretty well on in class exams but I failed every single one of them. Plan on taking tons of time to study. Luckily he is great with making time to meet with you if you are struggling

Dr. Cooper is by far the best International Relations Poli Sci professor at BYU. He provides very clear guidelines for every assignment, gives great feedback on papers and tests, and even though there is a lot of reading, he provides reading questions to guide you through the texts. His lectures are very engaging and he uses the readings often.

I love Professor Cooper! He assigns a lot of reading, but nothing crazy. His lectures are engaging and everyone has a chance to participate and voice opinions. He cares a lot about his students and is passionate about the subject. Amazing professor, always willing to help, meet with you, answer questions, etc.

Tests are really straught forward. Pay attention to lectures and you have everything you need. Tough grader on papers and pretty strict about late policies etc.

Professor Cooper was great. He assigned a lot of reading but he expects you to skim not read the whole passage. He was very clear what you needed to know for the test and would answer any question you have about things on the study guide. I want to go into IR, but if you're just taking this to fulfill a requirement there is probably easier classes.

This was honestly a fairly easy class if you just read the assigned articles and understand what they're saying. Great lectures and a fun topic to discuss. The tests are all writing based and in the reviews he gives you hints as to what you'll need to write about.

Great Lectures. Do the readings, they help. Caring and understanding. You have to do 12 small essays on the readings, and the the early ones. Take good notes and study well for the exams. Its a decent amount of work, but an intriguing class nonetheless. You can get by alright without the textbook.

He's an awesome professor and this class was super interesting, but the reading load was like 120 pages a week of dense material. And if you don't read it, you won't do well on the exams. Love professor cooper though !

Professor Cooper was one of the most caring professors I have had. He genuinely cares for every student. I had COVID really bad in the middle of the semester, and when I reached out, he let me turn my assignments in when I felt better, and opened the test back up for me when I was feeling better. There is a lot of writing and reading! Amazing class

This class is AMAZING! I learned so much about Russia and the Soviet Union. He is very knowledgeable, and if I could I would take the class again, just without the tests and papers lol! The papers are easy and straightforward, but take notes on everything during the lectures. He is one of the most caring professors, and wants everyone to succeed!

One of my favorite professors. Dr. Cooper is super clear on his expectations. Good amount of readings required, but definitely not anything crazy. Grade is based off four quizzes, two exams, a paper, participation, and 12 reading responses. Lectures are great, super informative. If you're interested in intl politics, take classes from Cooper!

Challenging class, absolutely worth it. Some of the most interesting lectures I've had in college. The paper is difficult and the tests are quite specific, so make sure you take great notes in class. Lots of reading, but most of it is quite interesting. I would 100% recommend Professor Cooper over and over again.

One of my favorite professors, truly. He knows and loves the material, gives really good lectures, and is the sweetest man on earth. He's like a religion professor but in the Poli Sci department.

This was one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. Dr. Cooper is super intelligent and just a good guy. He is easy to talk to and always makes time for students. Highly recommend Soviet Politics.

I took International Political Econ from him and it was maybe the hardest class I have ever had. Mind you, I am not an IR, Polisci, or Econ major. Excellent lecturer. He really knows his stuff and teaches it well. The readings and lectures are SUPER important if you want to pass. Take very detailed notes because this class is content heavy.

One of the most engaging professors I've had. His tests are difficult, but the material is very worthwhile. You're graded on few things, the class is exam-heavy. Lots of reading. He's always available for students. Straight-A students will be upset they don't get an A in his class, but POLI 376 is absolutely worth your time. Class is heavily curved

Dr. Cooper is incredibly well-read and intelligent, but his kindness is most impressive trait. I've never had a professor go more out of his way to help his students. Kind, helpful, and sympathetic to student life. Exceptional lecturer. High expectations, but bends over backwards to prepare you for tests and give feedback on papers. 10/10.

He is a great professor who cares a lot about your success. If you make an effort to improve your grade and talk to him, it will be a helpful experience. He offers great advice on papers. The content is just hard to absorb because there is so much! So come in with some experience in the topics already.

Dr. Cooper is an amazing professor. He taught very clearly and created a good environment for learning. He did not force his political views on us and taught about all schools of thought equally. There is a lot of reading to do and tests are difficult, but if you study hard and dedicate yourself to learning it is an awesome class and passable.

Dr. Cooper is the most supportive professor you'll meet. He is not only brilliant, but he is also super prepared for every lecture and gives amazing feedback to those who seek it. I learned so much from his class and became a much stronger and confident writer. Highly recommend!

Professor Cooper is knowledgeable and gives fascinating lectures. His class is very reading heavy and there is a lot of material to get through, but he gives you plenty of resources (TAs, review sessions, study guide, time to ask questions in class, office hours, etc.) to succeed. He cares about his students and expects you to put in the work.

Professor Cooper was the best teacher I have had so far at BYU. He was very clear in terms of expectations and the readings (which you should always do) though numerous were all directly related to lectures and the course curriculum. Despite the class being mostly lecture-based he did an excellent job of encouraging class participation and debate.

Tough but very fair grader with good feedback. Interesting class & really challenges you, I'd recommend it! Willing to work with you & invested in your success. A few options for extra credit on tests & when you go above & beyond with assignments. DO THE READINGS

Prof. Cooper's POLI 376 class is very difficult (at least 50 pages of reading a night and hard tests), but I learned so much. Prof. Cooper is genuine in his concern for his students, and you can tell he really wants to meet with you and hear what is going on in your life. I would totally take the class again!

Professor Cooper's PLSC170 is a challenging but rewarding course. The lectures are engaging, and the readings are relevant. Though exams are tough, using resources like Unstuck AI and attending office hours can help you succeed. If you're willing to put in the work, it's an excellent class.

INCREDIBLE CLASS. Take Soviet Politics! Dr. Cooper is everything I feel a BYU professor should be. He was funny, engaging, and brilliant and lectures flew by. He's a tough grader, but he cares about his students so much that I found that to be even more motivating. I feel like a better citizen and scholar because of this class.

Incredible professor, probably the best I've ever had. Knows his stuff. Easily accessible. Do the readings, take good notes, and you'll be fine. Not as difficult as people say he is.

He is super fun and his lecture's are easy to understand and engaging. You will have a lot of reading but make sur

He is super fun and his lecture's are easy to understand and engaging. You will have a lot of reading but make sure you keep up. The test are difficult but he is willing to help and offer review sessions. Attendance is mandatory but you only takes it on random days but if you miss class there is no way to get the lecture notes.

Professor Cooper is obviously super knowledgable about all of his class lectures. He is compassionate and engaging. in his lectures, and is able to handle questions very well. Heavy reading class, and tests are graded pretty harshly, but he gives clear guidelines after the first test. Would recommend!! He's awesome