3.6
Quality4.0
Difficulty50%
Would Retake372
Reviews50%
Would Retake
372
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
372 total ratings5
178
4
63
3
32
2
50
1
49
What Students Say
“He's a great teacher but made the course harder than it needed to be”
POLS1101 - 3.0 rating“If you are not good at gov, do not take this class”
POLS1101 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
46%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.92 avg changeRatings by Course
4490
5.0
(2)110058
5.0
(1)POLS4434
5.0
(1)POLS4438
5.0
(3)IUAC
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
IUAC
5.0
POLSCIE
5.0
POLS
5.0
POLS1107
5.0
POLISCI
5.0
Reviews (300)
This is a difficult class, but he's a good prof. When he gets mad he can sound a little condesending. Attendance is not mandatory, but if you do not go to class you can't pass the tests. If you go to class the tests are easy. He gives an extra credit essay oppertunity as well. Note: Do not leave in the middle of class- it really annoys him.
He is AMAZING!!! I had 0 interest in gov or what's going on in the world and he really got me into it. He is such a good teacher!! To get a good grade here are some helpful hints: read the chapters before class, take really good notes, read the articles assigned, and actually study. If you take time to study you'll get a good grade.
Take his class! He makes you read a magazine but it's not that bad because he goes over everything that shows up on the tests. Reading the book is a good idea but not necessary to get a B. He loves what he does and it shows! Going to this class is enjoyable because there is never a dull moment.
This professor is FREAKING AWESOME. Is the class hard? Yes, but that's because he challenges you because he knows you can do well. To all the haters that say you have to go to class, read the text, etc...get over it! YOU'RE IN COLLEGE. DEAL WITH IT. WHAT A NOVEL IDEA it is to ACTUALLY STUDY! OH MY GOSH!
This professor is one of the BEST I've EVER had. He is extremely passionate about his teaching, & if you weren't interested in POLS before, you will be now! He applies it to your life & you feel like you are actually learning something valuable. What a novel idea! SI sessions, reading your text, and going to class=KEY. MUST STUDY HARD to get an A.
I've never been to Yale, but this prof. is Ivy League quality in my opinion. So smart, so interesting, so informed and current with global news. He's fast paced and so funny/witty. 4 tests and that's your grade. Love that. You MUST take him for government. I walked out knowing so much more and actually cared about world events. Got an A somehow.
You know those professors everyone tells you to get & how you should make your schedule to specifically fit and work around that class because of it? McK is one of "those professors." :) MAKE YOUR SCHEDULE FIT ANY CLASS HE OFFERS. One of the best professors at KSU by far.
If you attend college because you're an intellectual and seek to actually learn and get a well-rounded education, take McK! But yes, if you're just here to go to keg parties and socialize, you probably won't succeed in his class. You actually have to work; you can't show up to class comatose and expect an 'A'. Hate to disappoint. He's brilliant!
He is the best teacher I have ever had at KSU. I had put off taking this gen ed class and I'm glad that I got him as a teacher. He makes me want to change my major. He doesn't put many notes up, so attendance is necessary. But the class is so much fun you wont care about going. Take him every opportunity you get!
Great guy and a lot of fun to listen to. Definitely must go to class. While he is entertaining, he is very scatterbrained and hard to follow sometimes. I recommend taking notes on a laptop so you can reorganize them later. Overall, a teacher that is wonder and a must-take, but be prepared to work for your grade.
LOVED HIM!! He is smart, funny, helpful and really knows his stuff. My friends and I quote him all the time! A really nice guy and KNOWS SOO MUCH! The class is not bad if you study the study guide and take notes you will be fine, Super interesting, I learned so much! A MUST HAVE teacher. He made political science fun and easy! FANTASTIC PROFESSOR!!
GREAT PROF! Very interesting, helpful, understanding, funny, and actually cares about his students. Final grade consists of 4 exams and an optional extra credit paper. Attendance not mandatory. Hardly read text book and made high A in the class. Exams are from the lectures and whats posted on WebCt. Learned alot in this class. Study! :)
AMAZING PROFESSOR! Not my favorite subject, but it is required, and he made it very interesting. Economist is actually interesting too. Very lively fun guy, definitely recommend him!
I loved this class! I am an english major [who doesn't care much for politics] but this class was great!!! It is hard though, he doesnt give A's, but it is worth while. Kind of cute too : )
Really one of the best profs at KSU. He has the tough reputation w doleys & hallaward but he's well worth it. The class is intense but you never get bored. He'll do anything to help you out, too!
DON'T listen to the haters who said he doesn't give A's. They either were 1 pt. away or didn't like to work. Here's the thing-grow up [you're in college] and actually do the work...and AMAZING! You can get an A! I had to study a lot---but because I did, I ended with a HIGH A of a 95 average. Do the work, and you'll EASILY get an A. No problem.
I don't get how he got so many great reviews. He went SO FAST each test would have like 7 chapters on it. Tests are impossible. I had to study like crazy and I still got Cs on everything. One of the ONLY classes I've EVER had a C in. Would never ever take a class with him again. It was torture.
NOT easy at all. Wonderfully educated man. Quite enthusiastic about his teaching, & you can learn a whole lot. But WAY too difficult. I studied very hard for each test w/ unsuccessful results. ONLY way to succeed: read SEVERAL political articles (assigned readings) each week, in addition to attending the SI sessions each week. Too much for gen. ed.
He knows what he is talking about and loves to teach. BUT if you miss class and do not do the assigned reading and memorize the reading you will do awful. He will tell you the firt day that maybe 2 people get an A about 5-10 might get a B and the rest get a C or lower. Would never take him again!!!!!
This class was one of the hardest classses I have ever taken. But he knows what he is talking about. Attendance is not mandatory but you have to go to class to get the notes. I really enjoyed this class and I now have an intrest in political science. If you want to take a class where the teacher knows what he is talking about take this class.
Take him for Global Security. Do not take him for POLS 1101. The man is a genius. If I was ever President he would be my Sec.of Defense. Love him. Fantastic teacher and the class is so much fun! My only complaint is that he won't stop teaching you freshman and offer another upper division course.
MCK is the greatest teacher to ever live. Its an awesome class and he is a super happy to teach it. He is a crazy man, and knows his****....You will have to work but it is well worth it. MCK I love you man. GLOBAL SECURITY..
I learned so much and was excited about going to class to find out what's going on in the world.ON THE OTHER HAND,he is terribly disorganized, difficult to follow cuz he gets so excited about many things all at once.Failed almost every freakin test cuz I couldn't remember every terrorist or prime minister's name.Or who had a brother in Iraq.Dislike
McKelvey is excellent. Really knows what he teaches. I liked that it was more like a Global Issues class than an American Government class. On the other hand, if you want to get an A, you MUST go to class, take notes, study, and go to the SI sessions. The extra credit paper doesn't hurt either.
Be prepared to learn and like what you learn. If you don't like the topics of terrorism, nukes, humanitarian aid, etc... you might after taking this class with McKelvey. He knows everything there is to know about the topic. LOTS of reading.
if your trying to learn american gov. look for a diff prof. i learned everything ab other countries, nukes, un b.s., wmd theories etc. he has def. watched one 2 many conspiracy theory movies or smoked to much pot lol SERIOUSLY!!!
So wish he could stop teaching 1101 and teach more upper division because he's great-seriously best prof at KSU! Complaints about his toughness and teaching style are ludicrous as he's simply incredibly intelligent. Be grateful for a prof that actually knows what they're talking about and loves teaching students! It's really a rarity at KSU!
McKelvey kept my 8 am class interesting. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY!!! (If you want to pass) All of his exams are from his lectures & the Economist. You are required to subscribe to the Economist magazine & read certain articles he assigns b/c they WILL BE ON THE EXAMS. If you miss ONE day you will fall behind b/c you must take notes on his lectures.
*continued from below* He also goes over current events before starting his lecture & the main topics he talks about are all about the Middle East & countries over there. He also talks about nukes & you MUST learn the names of the leaders he mentions over there too. Difficult class but making a good grade can be done if you put in the time & effort
He's hard to keep up with in class. He's usually all over the place and taking notes is not an easy thing to do. He bounces from one topic to another. We hardly get to anything in the book, but it shows up on the exams. He's an interesting teacher but more for die-hard Political Science junkies, not those taking the class to complete GE courses.
Very entertaining, but pretty difficult. All the test questions are in the lecture, but i strongly recommend buying the book and definately must subscribe to the economist (about 30 questions a test). But i have learned more in this class than any other class i have ever taken. People stayed in his class even if they were failing. very fun class
He has to be the best Professor that I have had in my college career. He is very knowledgeable. He does go a lot in to things in other countries but if you think about it, it really does play a major part in our government. He also teaches a Global Security class. He keeps class interesting for sure. Make sure to read ALL Economist articles!
Class attendance is a must to obtain an A. Even though it was a political science class, he covered A LOT about the Middle East. Not my cup of tea, but was definitely interesting and educational. I used a voice recorder which I found was helpful when studying. 3 test, 100 questions. Economist magazine is a must.
McK is fair and extremely knowledgeable. Economist readings and textbook chapters are a must. An A is possible but if you don't keep up with the material after every class you will be lost. If you seem interested in the topic and participate he will be more favorable.
YOU MUST ATTEND CLASS! You will fail otherwise. The most interesting hard class I've ever taken. His teaching style and the subject matter make the difficulty worth it! No matter what people say, he DOES favor his Model UN students greatly! Definitely one of the most difficult professors in the department. Take this class, but be prepared to work! All-time favorite!
A lot of people fail his class, but if you keep up with the work you should be fine. He teaches from the economist and the textbook is a must.Take him he's hard but he makes class interesting
McKelvey is a pretty good proffessor. He knows what he's talking about, and his lectures are interesting. Funny guy. Test are not the easiest but as long as you study youll do fine. Only pain is all the economist articles you have to read. So if you hate having to read dont take his class cause you will fail if you dont read the economist articles.
good professor, this guy really knows his stuff. his test can be very difficult, and you have to put forth effort to get a good grade. but, you will learn a TON about the world we live in and actually be an informed citizen
If you go to class, pay attention, and do all your required reading the class is actually very easy. He made U.S. government fun and interesting. I took him at 8am and it was the only class I ever looked forward to going to.
Great teacher. He really enjoys teaching and loves the material. Class is not mandatory but I recommend going to class because his lectures will be on the exams. Detailed study guide that covers 75% of the exam material. 4 exams about 70 questions each. I will take him again if I have the opportunity in upper level courses.
Professor McKelvey was an awesome professor. He told you exactly what would be on the tests, so if you pay attention during class then you should do fine. He was also very entertaining. I looked forward to his class each week. The economist articles killed me though!
Hes the best prof I took at kennesaw. He is extremely passionate and he makes the class interesting. COME to class if you want to pass,and read the book and the economist other wise you will be lost on the test. I do not take him if you are slacker who's afraid of hard work. Most likely you will fail
Awesome professor. Really knows his stuff, and he does a good job making you think for yourself. You have to read the economist if you want an A
Great guy, very sporadic in lecture but never ceases to amaze with passion and knowledge. Attendance is crucial and what he says in class you better give "A flying fig" about. Very good, useful, and fun class. Made me think about our government and how we should all be a bit more involved.
This class is difficult but as long as you make flashcards, study economist articles, read the chapter, take notes in class yo'll be fine. Oh and the extra credit paper is a must! Mr. Mckelvey is brilliant and a bit unorganized but I've learned A LOT!
This class is horrible. I studied everyday and went to all the lectures and still barely got by. He is hard to follow and note taking is almost impossible. I wouldn't recommend this class unless you are IN LOVE with political science.
Fantastic class! Don't be afraid to take at 8am; he'll keep you awake. The kind of guy you'd enjoy having conversations with even if you weren't in class. I worked my tail off...lots of reading. He doesn't take attendance but no way you'll make an A if you miss lecture. Skip him if you don't want the work, but it's your loss!
This professor is great. He is very passionate about the subject and although a very hard class, I enjoyed it and learned a lot.
I had this guy first semester. Only 8am I didn't mind attending! He's funny and approachable. Don't be afraid of him. He makes political science interesting! YOU HAVE TO READ THE MAGAZINE ARTICLES! They can make or break your grade
Great teacher, a bit scatter brained. RECORD HIS LECTURES. I started doing this half-way through the semester, and it makes the WORLD of a difference. Read the articles, and attend SI sessions if available. DO NOT MISS CLASS!
Intelligent and Hilarious. Dr. McKelvey will keep you entertained the whole class. He is very passionate about political science. He gives only 3 tests and a 10 page extra credit assignment which can be difficult with such few grades. He has a lot of hilarious sayings and makes funny faces while he runs at you talking about some political something
The greatest teacher I have had this semester. I am not interested in American government at all but his class was interesting. He's very interesting and hilarious. You HAVE to go to class and take good notes, read the chapters and economists. I loved this class so much but it's a lot of work.
This was absolutely by far the best 8 am class I have ever taken. He is very enthusiastic about the subject and presents it with humor. Never had a problem staying awake that early in the morning. The magazine articles are the key to getting a good grade along with taking excellent notes. You should give a flying fig about making it to class. ;)
McKelvey's class was difficult but well worth taking. The man knows more about government and history than any one i have ever met, his lectures are extremely interesting and he is always happy to take questions. This class will challenge you but you learn a lot but be warned the 3 test in the class determine your grade.
Professor McKelvey was seriously the most interesting professor ever. His lectures keep you interested (even at 8am) and are relevant to the class. You HAVE to study for all of the exams - there are only 3 exam grades and an extensive extra credit assignment so to make good grades on all of them is crucial. I got a 93 and worked hard. TAKE HIM!
Agreed...even at 8am, Mr. McKelvey keeps the class very interesting. He ties current events into class lecture, or sometimes we might only talk about current events. Perhaps the best professor I've taken all year. If I had the money, I would switch majors just to take him more often. GREAT professor.
I am not a social studies person. I took this class at 8 AM and while he was very entertaining, he only offered 3 grades which were the tests. This made it hard to bounce back if you don't understand the material.
He's very lively and he loves what he teaches.
By far the best Professor I have studied under. I subject myself to his classes because that is where I feel most passionate in my studies. He will push you to achieve all that you can. The payoff for the hard work is a great feeling. This will be my 4th class with McK.
This was definitely the hardest class I have ever taken. I worked crazy hard and will probably get a C. However, I learned SO MUCH in this class that I do not regret taking it. You have to read the articles he assigns and although not mandatory, you need to go to every class. It's a lot of work, but it will pay off.
He is smart, funny, intelligent and will make you want to learn and know as much as he does. He does not give free A's only excellent students earn those with lots of hard work, he is amazing professor, my favorite thus far, if you really love IA and POLSCI then take him and you will learn so much in one semester its super worth it, get ECONOMIST!!
McKelvey is such a great teacher! He's so passionate and into what he teaches, and makes it really interesting everyday. However, he is NOT easy. You MUST study, MUST read the Economist, and you MUST try to understand the material. But, he's a fantastic teacher and I've learned so much. 3 exams (that's it) and 1 extra credit paper. SI sessions too.
3 tests and an extra credit paper. He is enthusiastic and extrtemely knowledgable/passionate about this class. We probably had 60 people in this class at beginning of semester, now there's a little less than half left. Very difficult class, but YOU WILL LEARN. Can't pass w/o reading The Economist. Rare that people get an A in the class/on tests.
Super hard tests. Really interesting professor. If you're looking for an easy A forget this class... unless you want to hear really interesting stories.. then stick around
Awesome class, lots of fun. Come expecting to actually read the textbooks.
Great lecturer and just an awesome professor in general. His tests are hard and that's all you're graded on, but if you go to class and read everything assigned you will do well. Always passionate and very knowledgeable and interesting. TAKE HIM!
He isn't easy but has to be the single best professor I've had in my college career. I considered my self pretty politically educated but this guy really brought it to whole other level. Very passionate and interesting! Learned sooo much! INCREDIBLE!
McKelvey is an amazing professor and is SUPER knowledgeable when it comes to political science and the events going on in the world. You must go to class to pass any of his tests and also read the Economist Magazine and the text.if you're looking to learn a tremendous amount from a knowledgeable, funny, and passionate professor...TAKE HIM!!!
McKelvey was definitely the best professor I've ever taken. Hard tests, but study hard, and go to lecture and you will do awesome. Be vocal, and share your opinions with him, he loves that. All in all, amazing professor that you will learn so much from! He's also very helpful if you are doing what you need to do.
I attended every class and still had to withdraw after the first test. I passed the first test along with 34 others out of the total 90 students enrolled. He is very interesting but if you do not care about this subject do not take his class. He is very excessive in rabbling on about world issues instead of what he should be teaching American Gov.
Professor McKelvey is AWESOME! His Global Security class was by far my favorite I've taken at KSU. His passion is a little overwhelming at 8am; however, I have never learned so much from a professor before. Tests are average and there is a book report due at the end. He makes this subject exciting and you'll want to come to class. TAKE THIS CLASS!
If you are not a good test taker do NOT take his class! His tests are very hard!
This class is difficult. If you do not have a clue about what's going on in the world today, I do not recommend his class. You have to read the Economist thoroughly to pass the test, and even then, the test contains questions that were never discussed. He talks very little about American Government itself and speaks more about current issues.
McKelvey is a very good professor who definitely knows all about American Government and current events. Be sure to get The Economist subscription. His test are only difficult if you never come to class. He definitely has a passion for his job and what he teaches. I would recommend him as long as your are willing to put forth the effort.
Professor Mckelvey is extremely knowledgable and passionate about what he teaches. His class is not "easy" but it is also not hard if you do your work. His tests are extremely straightforward and it all comes down to if you went to class and read the readings. If you do this, you will be fine. The papers seem intimidating but they are not that bad
He is extremely passionate and smart. I LOVED hearing him talk but i dropped that class. If you don't already know pretty much everything about the american government or have a photographic memory RUNNNNN!!!!!!!!! but it would be fun to sit in on the class and learn since it's so big he probably wouldn't notice. he's awesome. but run.
I LOVE McKelvey. He is SUPER passionate but does not believe in giving A's easily. Do your work and GO TO EVERY CLASS. If you study and go to class you'll be fine but it's ALOT of work and his tests are long and hard. If you're looking for an easy grade, drop his class. But he's passionate and his class will help me for the rest of my life
Well, what can I say about Professor McKelvey? Way too much. Simply put, he's the single greatest professor at Kennesaw State. Super passionate and funny, but very knowledgable. To this day, I don't know how he remember everything in such great detail. His class is hard, but YOU WILL LEARN!!!
Excellent teacher. Passionate, knowledge, and cares about students performance. He will not hand you a good grade you have to earn it, but if you attend class and keep up with your readings you will be fine. He will try his best to assist you if you are struggling and steer you in the right direction.
Professor McKelvey is one of the only teachers at KSU that brings the concepts of his syllabus into reality. Classes are spent conversing about current events with a great mind. Anyone who is not self obsessed will realize the value of this course years down the line.
This professor is a genius, funny, and informative, but my class hardly pertained to American Government. Be prepared for a low grade unless you know current events from the 1950's to present and watch the news all day everyday. So unless your a proffesional in the field of world events, I wouldn't suggest him. Good luck.
Professor McKelvey is the best professor and mentor I've ever had.
He is an amazing professor and has my respect but his tests are HARD. Be ready to study more than you ever have. He expects a lot and his class has been my hardest class so far but still a great professor and passionate about what he does. Overall, I would suggest another professor if you are expecting an easy A or B.
Unless you know everything since 1950s and are wiling to do a lot of reading do no take his class! This is he toughest class i've ever taken !
Incredible professor; knowledgeable, friendly and intelligent. You will work VERY hard to get a good grade in this class; I worked for my A, and I follow US politics and world events very closely, and had already considered myself well educated in this regard. Don't take him looking for an easy A; take him if you want to learn.
Prof. McKelvey is the best professor I have had to date, hands down. He is tough, very tough. He expects your best. There is a ton of reading and you have a ton you must comprehend, but isn't that what college is suppose to be? He is the kind of professor that makes your degree worth something! I wish all of my professors were so amazing!
Very good professor. He is very inspirational and gives amazing lectures.
By far the most amazing class I've ever taken. His enthusiasm at 8am will both make you love the subject and pump you up for the rest of the day. That being said, his class is not for those who are afraid to work hard. He has a midterm, final, and two position papers (7-9pg). Read the assigned articles! When in doubt, always answer Poland! TAKE HIM
Professor McKelvey (my favorite professor ever) changed my life. His passion for International Affairs, Poland, and bison (most importantly) makes 8 AM exciting! His class has a midterm, a final, two 7-9 page position papers, and a presentation. Intensive workload, but worth every second. Attendance is essential to passing, and The EconomistLife.
I took professor McKelvey twice and both were great learning experiences, Global Security and NATO. He is very knowledgable and will help you at every chance if you need. Give him a shot. Be warned there is lots of work and reading but you will not be disappointed. Also, if you take him do yourself a favor and get a subscription to the Economist
He makes comparative politics interesting. Detailed note taking is important. The class materials are expensive, but its worth it. You have to read both the text and the Economist.
I would not reccommend this class to my worst enemy! It is almost impossible to even make a B even after countless hours of studying, he acts as if this is your only class, so if it's not avoid this class like the plague. I should have listened to the bad reviews he has on here already!!
Oh MY GOD!!! Do not take this class, it is extremely hard. For the first exam, I studied for around 10 hours for this exam and still got a 69. When I came into college, I had a 4.4 GPA, so its not like I lack good study habits. In lectures, he rambles on about everything and gets extremely off track. Also, this class involves tons of reading.
McKelvey is by far the best professor that I have ever taken, and I would take him again any day. He made political science interesting, although I do warn that this class is not for the faint of heart. The Economist readings are a must, and you do need to go to class to do well. Pay attention to what he writes on the board.
His tests suck. You only have 3 test grades and an extra credit essay thats only worth 10 extra points on a test (which probably wont help most). Awesome guy, funny comparisons but not worth all of the researching and consistent hand cramps from taking notes.
Dr. Mckelvey is a very bright and inspiring man. He's very proficient in his field of study and extremely knowledgeable about politics. However he expects his students to be experts as well and made this course entirely to difficult and life altering be to considered an intro class. Study till you pass out and you may possibly get a C- Dont take!
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!! The tests are impossible. He is an excellent professor as far as being passionate with the subject matter however there is so much material that it is hard to retain it all for the tests. You will have to work extremely hard for an A.
If you sign up for an American government class with him DROP IT. He won't teach anything on government. He spends class time ranting about terrorism every single class. He puts things on the test that he never covers because he expects you to watch and read the news. He makes his political views very noticeably.
Dude is wack, If you want to here about random( IMPORTANT THOUGH) events and have a 80 question test than go for it. Its a intro level class he has you studying 5 hours.
McKelvey is a BRILLIANT individual. He is incredibly passionate about what he teaches. I've learned a lot from him. I won't lie, his tests aren't easy and you NEED to show up for class to make a decent grade, but his lectures are nothing short of amazing. He genuinely cares for his students and helps those who make an effort to do well in the class
I have almost zero interest in government and politics, but this is the most interesting class I've ever had. The lectures are fascinating, and he gives great examples. The tests are difficult, and you will have to study hard, but he seems to genuinely want everyone to do well.
This is the best professor at Kennesaw! If you want to learn and you want your degree to actually mean something TAKE THIS CLASS! not only does he know his historical information but he stays up to the minute on current events. If you care about your learning and don't mind working hard, take him! Otherwise don't bother or waste anyone's time!
College is meant to prepare us for the real world and shape us into who we will become. This class will do exactly that. McKelvey's knowledge is beyond believable and he has been a huge inspiration in my life. Study hard and you will make an A and more importantly you will earn a priceless knowledge and become a better citizen of the world.
Professor McKelvey is probably the most challenging, hilarious professor I've ever had. Having that said, his personality reminds me of Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting. He puts his whole heart into his work and is there for his students above and beyond. 43% of A's are given to college students and only 1/4 are proficient! McKelvey inspires.
I would never recommend this teacher! He is an awful professor. You will struggle for any grade you try to make. Trust me, this is a hard class, if this subject isn't your interest you will be sorry. I struggled & struggled but was never able to make progress.
McKelvey is a brilliant professor. He is extremely passionate about what he teaches and has very interesting lectures. He also really cares about his students who try hard and show some progress. The tests are difficult and you have to study a lot, but it was worth it in my opinion.
McKelvey is truly passionate about what he teaches in class. His lectures are on very up-to-date concepts and events, so if you watch the news in the morning or listen to a news radio in the car you will most likely hear some topics that he WILL talk about in class. I don't study much, but with his class I studied HARD. Nice guy, but tough class.
I am definitely dropping this class. This professor treats it like an upper level class when it's supposed to be a lower level gen ed. BEWARE of taking this class, you will regret it.
This class is very challenging. This is supposed to be an entry level course and it is treated as if it is an upper level one. You have to subscribe to a magazine which you will have to read daily. The tests are impossible and he is a very tough grader. I would never take this class again.
Global Security was one of the hardest classes I've taken but it was one of the most beneficial. I learned more about global issues and research than I have in most other classes. If you're in International Affair/Political Science this class would be very helpful. Showing up to class, and a hard copy of the Economist are essential for success.
You have extensive readings everyday. This entry level class is treated like a senior level class. Very hard to keep up with readings and tests are very difficult. Had to drop!
If you are not good at gov, do not take this class. He lectures as if you already know the information. He requires you to subscribe to a magazine in which you read about ten articles a week which will be on the test. He also adds information from the text book and his lectures on the test. He is very passionate so if you like gov you'll like him.
If you enjoy reading then take this class. His tests are over the textbook, lectures, AND The Economist magazine articles that you have to buy. A LOT to keep up with. Go to SI SESSIONS (if offered) and he is always willing to help during office hours so don't be scared to go! He's a great teacher but made the course harder than it needed to be.
This class is a ridiculous amount of work. It is almost impossible to get an A. Waste of time and waste of money!
This is a very hard class. You have to work very hard for an A and even a B. His tests are very difficult and he is a very tough grader on his papers. Here is a big hint for the papers though: get the rough draft to him a week or so before the final draft is due. He will be glad to mark it up, you make the changes, get an A on the paper.
Professor McKelvey is a very smart professor and loves what he teaches. The one problem is he believes he can stump the Trump!
Professor McKelvey is probably the best professor I ever had. If you actually want to learn something, you will probably learn more in this class then any other. He is funny, engaging, and all around a good professor. Yes, you do have to show up for class but it is worth it. I encourage people to take him!
By far the best professor Ive had at KSU. Yes, the class is hard. You will work for your grade. Dont think that you can take this class and not put in the effort but I promise you that if you do the rewards will be great. Do the readings and you will be fine. The bad reviews here are by the people who think they can not work and do well. Take him!
Students giving Prof. McKelvey poor reviews are clearly just lazy and prefer being ignorant to what is going on in the world. I've taken Prof. McKelvey's American Gov., Global Security, & NATO courses, & he is the best there is. His lectures are information-packed, interesting, and passionate. He will go out of his way to help you. Just work hard.
Only serious students should take this class - students have to be involved with course, and not slackers. Excellent class, professor, and material to learn, that is real-world relevant. Introduction to Chicago-style papers, and skills in analyzing and absorbing information will be gained. I recommend recording lectures due to wealth of information
First off, I would highly recommend taking Prof. McKelvey in the summer, with it being your ONLY CLASS. Because if you cannot find the time to work hard and study hard this class is NOT FOR YOU. This class really makes you think and engage in current events. This is not your usual government class, but it is worth it in the end.
Very difficult class! If you have a lot of other tough classes on your schedule avoid this professor. It was hard for no reason! You will have to dedicate all of your time to this class and purchase a magazine subscription.
Prof. McKelvey is a wonderful & proficient professor, but only to students who have the desire to learn and work hard for their grades. This class will take a lot of time to grasp the concepts, but once you dedicate yourself you can make an A. My advice: study a least a week in advance for his test, attend every class, and be ready to take notes!
Great Professor, make sure to follow his instructions on what to read from the book and Economist articles, he gives extra credit on all tests based on knowledge from the Economist articles he assigns but also provides it through a essay on a current topic that can help your grade as well. Provides lots of handouts that he will test you on as well
He's a great teacher, and really does want everyone to succeed. Many of the reviews here make the class sound far more intimidating than it actually is. Take notes on everything and read the articles as you go. If you have all that and follow his study guides you'll have an A, even without the research paper
Prof. McKelvey will go down in history as one of my favorite professors ever. He is beyond passionate, engaging, and knowledgeable about what he teaches, and is very unbiased when it comes time to talk about politics. I'd go sit in his class in my spare time. But be warned, you MUST read to pass! There are only 3 tests plus an extra credit paper.
Mr. McKelvey is a wonderful, passionate teacher, but his tests are extremely difficult. Go to every class, and READ! SI sessions are also helpful, but if you are not a good test taker then good luck.
This class is truly awful, steer clear from this evil professor, he isn't helpful & I failed miserably. I tried so hard but alas my efforts were futile. I am a Biology major and I definitely am a good student.
Prof. McKelvey is one the best teachers ever. He is very enthusiastic and energetic during class,and will try his best to help you succeed. Attendance isn't required,but you'll miss vital info if you skip. This isn't the typical,"easy-A" Gov't class, but it is SO worth it. His class truly is inspirational,and makes my degree worth so much more.
He is an absolutely wonderful professor. Taken him a number of times now, never regret it. Amazing lecturer! Its a rather hard class and you will have to read a ton but it is so worth it because you learn so much. If you are willing to work hard then you wont regret it. The bad reviews here are from the people who did not put in the effort.
Professor McKelvey is my favorite professor I have had so far. His lectures are thought provoking and easy to follow. Attendance isn't mandatory, but if you want to do well, go to class. He tells you what's on the test, so they are pretty easy. SI helps a lot, too. Four tests, plus an extra credit paper towards the last test. I'd def take again.
He is an amazing professor. It is a ton of work, dont get me wrong. If you dont stay on top of the work and dont do the readings you have no chance at an A. But if you put forth the effort and show him that you care and dont make excuses for yourself he will be the best professor you have ever had.
McKelvey is the best professor I have ever had! His passion is so contagious! He is an incredible lecturer; very knowledgable about a variety of subjects. Be warned, he doesn't give homework so all you get is 4 test grades. He is tough but fair and if you are willing to rise to the challenge, it could be one of the best experiences of your life.
Inspirational professor who's passion for the subject is contagious. Tons of work for the class but if you do the readings and go to class its not too bad. Just stay on top of the articles and you'll be fine. Best professor Ive taken.
The class was super challenging but I loved it! He gives awesome lectures and SUPER detailed study guides. Do the extra-credit essay.
Very challenging class, if you can pick another professor definitely do so. The professor is here on Tenure so they can't even get rid of him. Even when you study daily you will not see results. You WILL struggle for a B!!!!
Professor McKelvey's class is by far the hardest class I have ever taken. There are only three tests and those are the only grade for the whole semester. There is an 6-8 page research paper that you can write for extra credit. He is an amazing professor and he 100% knows what he is talking about, but the amount of material covered is extensive.
He was a great teacher who I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know last semester. He is passionate about the topic and cares about his students. He is always willing to meet outside of class for extra help. His lectures are very information heavy so make sure to write down everything he says and read the economist articles if you want to pass.
Absolutely loved Mckelvey. So passionate and knowledgeable. A difficult class, but one i would totally take again. Keeps you up to date with current global events. You GOTTA show up and listen to this man.
McKelvey is probably the best professor I've had, or will have, at KSU. His passion for international affairs is infectious, and I ended up switching from poli sci to IA after taking both his US Gov't and Global Security classes. The lectures are intriguing, and attending every class will prepare you for his papers. Take a ton of notes and show up!
Professor McKelvey is by far the best professor I have ever had! He is passionate and extremely knowledgeable about what he teaches. His lectures are riveting, and I was never, ever bored during one of them. You will be amazed how much you can learn in one semester! Go to office hours, read the Economist, ask for help if you need it, and enjoy!
Good teacher in the sense that he actually teaches you the material unlike others. His lectures are very informative so get ready to take notes. Only thing that pissed me off about him was that he tested us on like 100 pages of Economist articles every test. So with that being said, about half the test is from Economist articles
This teacher is extremely tough. He is here on tenure & he takes full advantage of that. Taking this class is the biggest regret of my life. I study for this class at least an hour every night just to try and keep up... Don't do it to yourself, half the class dropped
You will definitely leave this class with more knowledge, however THIS IS NOT AN EASY A!! Take detailed notes, read/highlight the economist AT LEAST 3 times, study for the tests in advance, pay attention to things he repeats in multiple lectures, don't ignore the strategic atlas, use the study guide and actually listen/pay attention to his lectures
If you've gotten the chance to take Professor McKelvey you've made the right choice, one of the best teachers I've ever had. He genuinely prepares you to be able to talk about subjects in the real world. If I was a Polysci major I would take every single class he offers. DO NOT take it lightly, if you don't read you WILL fail. Also, Economist!
Mckelvey was one of the most interesting professors I have ever had. The class was hard and I did struggle with it since you only have three grades, but I loved his class. It taught me a lot and his teaching style is very easy to follow, the only thing I struggled with was the Economist, you really have to be on top of that. I'd take him again.
Inspirational. His lectures are so important and really make you feel like you're learning something. Super hard, but definitely rewarding. I think everyone should take his class, and he's funny. Rare to find a professor this good.
He talks the whole time and doesn't have powerpoints and he doesn't write on the board. The few times he does write on the board it is very sloppy and hard to read. He talks extremely fast and will half answer most of your questions. I went to the majority of the SI Sessions and still struggled. Avoid if possible.
McKelvey's class is a hard A, but you will leave knowing so much more. You will have to read the Economist diligently if you want a good grade, and you will have to attend class religiously at take copious notes. Read the material on the study guide twice before the exam. Also, he is EXTREMELY available to students who need help. Great Professor!
If you are not a pols major or pay attention/ like learning about the news take another professor. Is he a nice guy, yeah did his class give me nervous break downs, yeah. Its just a lot of material over world politics, there are study sessions but I had to neglect my other classes to pull a B (im sure he bumped my grade by a point or two).
This is the second class I've taken with Professor McKelvey, and I can honestly say that I've never had a better professor. You will definitely have to work for your grade and keep up with the readings, but you will learn so much from this class during one short semester! Just be sure to attend class conscientiously and ask for help if you need it!
This was my third class with Professor McKelvey. His class isnt easy but you will learn a lot. If you do the reading and work hard, you will get an A. I have never met someone as passionate about what he teaches as this professor is, and taking him is a privilege for those who are willing to put in the work.
Worst professor I have ever encountered in my entire life. Don't bother working hard because you can really only get a C. I worked harder in this class than any other and it is an intro course. BEWARE
Professor McKelvey's class was the most informative, relevant, and interesting classes I have ever taken, but it had a few downsides. You will be taking notes nonstop in his class, if you want to do well on the exam you have to read a lot (especially The Economist), and his exams can be extremely difficult. Take this class if you want a challenge.
Great Professor. Would take again!
Professor that is heavy on lecture, notes, outside reading, but very informative and relevant to today's news. If you want to pass, you NEED to read what he assigns you. Honestly, I went to SI sessions, skimmed my readings and was shook that I ended up with a B in the course, but I wouldnt recommend not reading. pls read. im trying to help u.
You have four tests and that's it. The tests are extremely hard, unless you're a polisci major- get ready to work. Read the Economist at least 10 times before the tests and if you can, record and listen to his lectures as many times as you can. If you want an easy A, THIS IS NOT THE CLASS FOR YOU. GET READY TO WORK.
AWFUL!!!!!
I took McKelvey for POLS4437 & POLS 4438. He is a tough professor but you will leave his class feeling like you've actually learned something. He is there to help you if you ask for it! He's tough but his classes are worth taking. You can't procrastinate in his class and although attendance isn't mand. make sure you attend!!
He is one of the most energetic and engaged professors I've ever had. He talks a mile-a-minute so RECORD him during class and go back over his lectures. He wants details so take good concise notes. Hardest class I have taken at Kennesaw, but by far the most rewarding class I have taken as well.
The most interesting instructor youll ever take and the most enthusiastic one!!!!! Used to love your classes Steve (25 years ago). Leonid
Professor Mckelvey is an amazing teacher and lecturer. Most of class is lecture, but his lectures are incredibly spirited, energetic, and very entertaining to be honest. Focus on the lectures! Entire grade is quiz average mixed with a couple tests. Also an extra credit essay. If you're a good student and read the magazines you'll be just fine.
I absolutely loved this class. It will be a lot of reading, but the class itself is very interesting. McKelvey is a real character and made the class that much better. Definitely go to the lectures and take good notes. He loves when you ask questions about the material so don't be afraid to. I would take again just for fun.
Great lectures
Great Lectures passionate about the subject, and you will know the state of world politics by the end of it. Definitely great for the people interested in learning how the country works and the current state of things.
Super lecture and textbook heavy, if you arent majoring in this trash you wont get an a
McKelvey is passionate and knowledgeable. He's the best teacher I've taken so far in college and has made me interested in the topic despite my major being in mathematics. He also manages to have a great sense of humor in his lectures. Grading is tough but fair and won't punish you so long as you are prepared. Take him if you get the chance.
McKelvey is one of the greatest professors Ive had. He makes the subject likeable, his lectures are interactive and interesting. Tests and quizzes are very detail specific but if you do the readings and go to class, youll do very well. Im not a PS major so Ill probably never get to take him again but take him if you get the chance!
Honestly.... just make sure you have all of your resources
Very energetic, and shows he cares... his lectures are entertaining even on dry topics, politically he hates everyone which i find funny. Getting an A is not out of the question but you will have to work for it. He gives 4 test and quizzes his test are very straight forward no trick questions.
I did not read the textbook and did well. Must get Economist magazine subscription and updated Strategic Atlas. You will have to read many articles during the semester. The class is a hard, but thought provoking and interesting. Just put in effort. McKelvey is great. He has his quirks but they make him awesome. Would definitely take him again!
Really knowledgeable about the subject. It takes a good amount of effort to get an A in this class, but it is not hard.
I had professor McKelvey for one semester because my major did not line up with any of his other courses. In the beginning he comes off as extremely intimidating, but as the semester went on, I saw him as the sweet, caring human he is. All though the class was tough, he was very accommodating and always willing to help with concepts. Take him!
During the first two weeks of class, I wanted to find a way to drop this class. After three weeks, I have grown to love Professor McKelvey as a person. He is very fun and caring! There were 3 exams including the final and one essay (3-4 pages). This class requires heavy reading of The Economist magazine and Atlas. Do not take if you expect easy A.
Super energetic and gives interesting lectures, but unless you are super interested and motivated- I wish you luck. Very detail-oriented when it comes to information found in The Economist and his Strategic Atlas. If you are willing to put in a lot of work to learn this stuff then you can definitely learn a lot from him, but would not recommend.
McKelvey is a great professor. Every day is lecture but his lectures are enjoyable and entertaining, which directly reflects who he is as a person. He is inspiring and relatable. Expect him to come in disheveled and tardy more than once (never over 10-15 minutes late), but that just adds to his character. He understands the rigor of his coursework.
Great professor, who extremely passionate and knowledgeable about what he teaches. He is also really funny and approachable. Sometimes his lectures can be hard to follow because there so many different topics so you always gotta pay attention. The Economist and Strategic Atlas will prove to be very helpful.
Great class with a great professor. The class was challenging, but I learned more in 1 semester than I have my entire time in University.
I took him for POLS 1101 & this was the hardest class Ive ever taken. This class is strictly lecture. There are no PPTs to guide you. You have to be able to devote at least 75% of your personal time or you WILL FAIL! There were 5 quizzes (only the highest 4 are graded,) 3 test & with 1 extra credit opportunity. If you take this class GOOD LUCK!
This was the worst class I ever took. He teaches it as a global issues class and not like and American Government class. I would not recommend him at all. Anything and everything he says can be on an exam. I feel like we barely even talked about Government I did everything I could to get a good grade and I didn't. Run far away! PLEASE!
The class can be intimidating for the first couple of weeks, but it got easier. He lectures for each of his classes and the topics can go all over the place, but his lectures are very engaging if you're interested in global issues. He was easy to talk to and sat down with me for an hour discussing my exam and how I could do better.
Do not take him for POLS 1101. For your own sake.
Professor McKelvey is probably the best teacher I have ever had. I took him for Global Issues and was blown away how much I learned. The world would be a lot better place if everyone took this course. It really gives you insight into the decisions that are made and why they are good or bad. Thanks Professor - you're the BEST!
Was expecting this class to be organized. It was definitely all over the place. He teaches it as more of a Current Events class rather than American Government. He is all over the place himself, and almost every word out of his mouth he says to remember because it'll be on the test. I withdrew after failing the first test and I am an A/B student.
Horrible decision to take this class! It was the last one left during registration so I got stuck in it. I was forewarned about how intense this professor is and how hard the course is as well... dont do it to yourself
His lectures are hard to follow so youre basically teaching yourself because he also makes you read the Economist. Your grade is made up of about 3 tests and a paper. Just take someone else for Global Issues.
He is so unorganized and all over the place. One minute we're talking about 9/11 and the next we're discussing The Berlin Wall. Save yourself and don't take this class.
Prof McKelvey is honestly the best. Attendance isn't mandatory but if you don't show up you don't really learn anything. No textbook but make sure you have your economist, most all of the test is from the articles. 3-4 tests and 1 paper. I learned more from him than any other teacher I've ever had.
McKelvey is well respected, be ready for heavy lectures, he's very very passionate on what he speaks on, really have to dedicate lots of hours to studying, if you build a solid study habit for the first test then you'll find the best way to get As on other ones, attend SI if applicable, pay attention, must read books assigned, politically unbiased
Don't let my rating fool you. He's extremely knowledgeable and a great political science professor. I am a biology major though and it was the 1st semester of my 1st year when I took him so I was NOT prepared. I didn't mean to take is class in the first place. Prepare to take A LOT of notes and go over them every night. A lot of effort is required!
dude is all over the place. he goes back & forth between hist of American government & current events. no focus. you're tested on stuff he barely mentions or even never talked about. insane amount of work & impossible quizzes. WAY too little time; 35 Qs, 40 min & you have to read a paragraph per Q. do not take summer class. this was the worst.
Professor McKelvey has thus far been my favorite professor. His lectures are very high energy and he is extremely detail oriented. He is very clear about what will you will be tested over, and he is accessible outside of class regularly in case you have questions. His class is difficult, but he is also your greatest asset for success. Recommended.
Professor McKelvey is a very passionate professor and will keep your attention during the lectures. The issue for me was the quizzes were extremely long and you take them every week with very little time to do them. You have to take a ton of notes but his lectures are all over the place and very disorganized. I would not take his class again.
Horrible leadership! This class was truly a nightmare, it was impossible to understand the concepts and this teacher gives you no support. I was failing the class as soon as it started. This professor was here on tenure and thinks he can't be replaced. Beware! Don't choose this professor!!
If you are not a POLS or foreign affairs major dont take him.. otherwise this is your guy. Sure he might scream at you about the current deployments in Syria one second then 17th century Polish uprisings the next but you will learn more in this mans class than you will in 5 other classes combined. His retirement will definitely hurt the department.
Professor McKelvey is such a smart man, and can teach you so much if you are willing to learn. He can sometimes get over excited about a topic and go completely off track,but will get back to the initial topic. The class is 5 tests and one regional paper. Take him if you are truly interested in world politics! You wont regret the knowledge learned
McKelvey is a good professor but their are "quizzes" that are basically exams every other week on material from class and the economist magazine. The most important things are to attend class and read the economist and you will pass. Also respond to his questions and he will start calling on you by name which is good.
Wasn't a cakewalk but all very do-able if you do the chapter readings and take good notes. Test heavy but they're open note and online. McKelvey himself is a pretty cool dude and does a really good job explaining things.
If you want to get a decent grade or even pass you NEED to attend lectures. Its a tougher course and requires a lot of attention so dont take if youre not prepared to work. Professor McKelvey is super energetic and has great lectures!
I have learned a lot from this class and the professor is a really great person. That being said you will need to put in the work for this class. Attendance is not for a grade but it helps tremendously. You will have a "quiz" almost every week and you HAVE to read the articles he assigns to get a good grade. No "hw" but you HAVE to read and study.
Excellent professor. Class was tough, but I felt like it definitely gave me a new perspective on the world. Tons of personality, lots of fun. Make sure you read The Economist!
A class to remember forever. It is hard to see humanity sometimes, but this Professor is all about it. He does not lower the bar, but he is extremely nice. I was surprised when he acknowledged the hard time I was having in classes for summer and sit with me to motivate me. This made the whole difference! He is energetic and fast passed but helpful!
Be ready to read, read, read. But at least the reading materials are not boring. The lectures are very important and I highly recommend to show up to class. First reason is because you learn so much and secondly, he is an amazing professor. If you love learning and having an energetic professor than this is the class for you.
Get ready to essentially take a world events class and not an American government class. If you don't read the Economist and know what he thinks is important in them good luck on the test.
avoid this class at all costs! over half of my class dropped after the 1st test and then half the class made an F on the second test AFTER a 15pt boost! tests are incredibly hard and he expects you to remember and insane amount of details. information on the test comes from 6-8 economist articles a week, textbook, lectures, films and etc. terrible.
I had his honors gov class, worst class I've ever taken. Super nice guy but incredibly unorganized in his lectures. Half the time we weren't even talking about american gov bc he would go on tangents about random things. Tests were 60-80 questions and very difficult (my whole class failed the second one). LOTS of reading, no clear study guides.
worst class ever. not worth the effort and stress
He's very passionate about what he teaches, but often gets off topic which makes it difficult to take notes. He's very disorganized & uses too many sources for us to study from. Multiple economist mags, textbook, lectures, outside videos etc. No clear study guide. I studied with the study guide and a lot of that information wasn't even on the test.
Professor McKelvey is very passionate about his job no doubt, but his teaching style is questionable. His exams are 60-80 questions and include insanely specific details from the lectures and vast amount of articles that he assigns. He also expects you to already have a good background on history, politics, and American government day one of class.
He is so passionate and such a great teacher but just not for me.. his way of teaching didnt fit the way i learn and the test were extremely rigorous
He actually cares and lays out everything you need to know to succeed. I have seen him take hours out of his free time to help struggling students succeed. I understand his classes are tough. I don't blame those who think that at all! However, whoever told you that college would be easy has failed you and that does not warrant a bad rating.
Professor McKelvey has an amazing hold on his knowledge. He delivers what he wants to and keeps the students engaged by calling their names, putting in-jokes, and using voice modulations to not let the students get distracted. He will work with you until you get what you deserve. The course can get heavy if a student is not on their toes.
This man is really passionate about global issues and honestly, I was looking forward to learning more about this topic, too. BUT his way of teaching and the way he curates his tests were not up my alley. The only way to get away with a B in that class is if you absorb every tiny lick of info from the several readings that he gave you. Stressful.
Doesnt even teach about the subject, just goes on rants every 10 mins and expects you to know every detail about the smallest history events. Over half the class failed the second exam with bonus points. The only good thing is he was funny and nice.
Yeah, the class may not be the easy A you were looking for, but taking his class is worth it. There are a handful of extra credit assignments and he's more than willing to work 1 on 1 with you if there's something you don't understand. He's a passionate teacher that wants you to succeed. If you read the material and try, you'll pass the class.
Professor Mckelvey is an extremely difficult professor. He is very unaware of who he is lecturing to. He speaks as if he is talking to congressmen and doesn’t understand that many of us are just beginning to learn about politics. There are only tests. Most of the class fails every test. I never saw more than 2-4 A’s per test. Class of 90.
Amazing teacher with an awesome personality. However, if youre a nursing major taking biology classes (especially A&P) this isnt the class for you. This class requires a lot of studying and may be even harder than your science classes. :)
Do not take this class. No assignments no quizzes only tests so unless youre a good test take youll be fine. Talks so much and goes off topic so its hard to take notes. Only took this class cause I had to would not recommend.
Although there are only 3 tests + a final in the grade book, there are MANY extra credit opportunities that really help out. He's definitely a global issues professor first, US POLS second, but that's ok IMO. He genuinely cares about his student's success, so if you're struggling say something! He will definitely help! TLDR Long test Great lectures
McKelvey's class is lecture-heavy(attendance is not mandatory but if you want to achieve a high grade you should get into the habit of going to class)he is very passionate about what he teaches. He provides extra credit opportunities so take advantage of those. Make time to study on your own and if there is SI meetings accessible make time to go.
Although McKelvey is a tough grader, he is by far my favorite professor so far. He doesn't take attendance however, if you don't attend the classes and take good notes, you wont do good on the exams. This was fine for me because he makes his lectures super enjoyable and entertaining and even has me considering if I should switch my major.
He often went on little tangents in midst of his lectures, and we had to do a lot of reading from a few different sources for the tests: lockdown browser + webcam. The tests are like 80 questions with 80 minutes or something like that. There's a couple extra credit options too, HIGHLY recommend you do them whether or not you're passing the class.
This professor was great. He always had something witty to say, which made class so much better. This class was only 50 minutes long, which sucked because he deserved a good 1 hour 30 minutes because he talked so much about everything because there was so much to talk about. (So get ready to take notes because he talks a lot and he doesn't stop.)
If you are into taking test more then doing assignments then this class is for you. He never gave assignments out. Only gave 80 question test with lockdown browser and webcam. Lecture heavy, and if you miss one day then youre screwed. I wouldnt recommend to anyone just trying to pass POLS just because they have too.
Very difficult class, if you don't take a lot of time outside of class to do readings and review material, don't expect to pass. In my opinion, he takes this class way too seriously for what is meant to be a gen-ed. You'll sign up for American Government, but get ready to be tested on every detail that's happening around the world and more.
I have a lot of respect for McKelvey. He was deeply passionate about what he was teaching. This isn't the class for you if you are lazy and just trying to get by, but if you are interested in learning political history from WW2-present, he's your guy. Do the work, earn the A. Little grades besides massive tests, but if you are prepared, its ok.
Ok so, Dr. McKelvey is a outstanding guy who defiantly enjoys what he does, but his teaching style and class is so confusing and stressful. Despite this being a gen-ed government class, it feels more like a Current Global Issue's class with a pinch of government mixed in. Do yourself a favor and save your HOPE/GPA and dont take this class.
Great Professor but HORRIBLE teaching style. If you want to keep your 4.0, 200% would not recommend this class. He said on the 1st day of class that it would amaze him for you to pass the class with an A or a B. Very Heavy reading and tests are basically set up for failure unless you literally are a political science major or you are a genius.
McKelvey isn't a bad professor he's just an ideologue. Believe his worldview and reflect it in your papers you'll do amazing. Quizzes are hard, but you'll do fine if you devote your life to the readings. Emphasized how hard his class would be but ended up rounding up most the class by a letter grade (or at least it seems). Wouldn't take him though
His lecture style is extremely sporadic and all over the place, BUT he makes things interesting, is invested in his the success of his students, provides worthwhile extra credit and is very funny dude. 10/10.
McKelvey is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to global issues. He is passionate and a funny guy. His class is difficult I will not lie to you. You MUST read the economist articles he posts to do well. He does not take attendance, but you will not pass if you do not show up. All tests are online with lockdown browser/camera.
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY HIS HIGH RATING. As a person, Stephen McKelvey is a good guy. However he isn't a good professor. 90% of what he talks about is world events and 10% is about the American government. He treats this gen-ed class like an upper-level class and unless you adore Economist articles, you will drown in the mountain of articles assigned.
McKelvey is the most passionate and knowledgable teacher/instructor I've had in my life. You're guaranteed to learn a lot about the world in his class. The content he teaches is extremely important and fascinating. However beware, his course is very difficult and thus not for everybody. Overall an incredible professor with a great personality.
Pay attention to the details!!! As a professor, he diligently tries to teach his students the subject material without overcomplicating things. He is a straightforward guy to talk to if someone has a question or concern. His teaching method takes some time to get used to, but after the first test, you should be able to get into the rhythm.
Passionate professor but material is very complex and specific. Going to class is important, would not recommend missing a lecture. Heavy on note taking so be prepared to write.
offers extra credit but the tests are lockdown with camera and 90 questions. lectures must be attended otherwise you will not know what the content is
Be ready to read! He treats his Gen Ed classes as if they are honors classes. No room for mistakes or make up
This professor or class was not efficient. It is a gen ed class, but it feels like a honors class. There was four assignments all year which were only exams, so no room for error and study guides were posted two days before the exam most times. If you are taking this class because you want easy credit for a gen ed, he is not the professor for you.
This was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. The tests (4) are just shy of 100 questions and are so specific that it's impossible to rember the answers. There is an insane amount of reading to do each week that is difficult to stay on top of with other classes. Material is a lot of current/global events for a political science class.
quizzes are on the most obscure facts you could think of, this class is a joke there is 0 learning going on just memorization of random nuggets of information. very little transparency as well from the professor. Would stay clear as possible from this class
Professor McKelvey has engaging lectures, however, none of his lecture material is accessible outside of class so if you fall behind taking notes or can't come to class there's no way to catch up. He also does not respond to emails. He also requires article readings outside of class that make up 1/3 of his tests. Tests require lockdown browser.
Unless you can remember everything this professor says word for word you probably won't do well. He does not offer any other work so if you don't do well on the tests you will fail this class. He posts the study guides a day before the test and the test are lockdown. When in lecture he talks so fast and it feel like this is an AP class at times.
He's engaging and the class is quite entertaining but we've had a 50 question exam/quiz almost every single weekend and those are our only assignments. Theres no discussion posts or any other form of grading. Every exam has tons of information you're expected to memorize. If you're a great test taker then take him, requires webcam and lockdown.
worst professor at KSU
This professor was really good, I learned a lot but there were like 10 exams with 50 questions each. It felt like there was an exam every weekend. I liked him as a person but very stressful and a lot of information.
would not take. the grade was made up of about 10 tests, nothing more. there was an extra credit quiz in the beginning and an extra credit quiz at the end that could add up to 10 points on your final grade. the tests were over articles he assigned that were hefty reads, a few things from the actual module, and a few things from the textbook.
This professor isn't as bad as many say. His tests are difficult and closed notes. But overall, he does tend to have a sense of humor. Still, would I recommend this class? I would if you are able to read multiple articles and memorize them. If not, then your best shot is finding something else.
This professor is absolutely terrible. There are 50 questions tests every single weekend. Posts the study guide a day before each test. Has the test cover a lot of different materials that were never brought up during class. Seems like he is out to make students lives harder. Overall he is a terrible professor and i would never take him again.
Extremely tedious to prepare for this class. Grades are only based on tests with material from- lectures, textbooks, and online articles. Attendance isn't mandatory but VERY MUCH NEEDED if you want to do well in this course. Overall prof. was very thorough, knowledgeable, and passionate.
Prof. was a cool guy, but his lectures were like rapid fire and weekly exams were awful and long. The TA's did a lot of the work for him and I recommend going to study sessions. If you have an immaculate memory, you'll be fine; if not, good luck.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a passion for government. The difficulty and stress throughout the semester felt unnecessary, and I feel like I learned more about discipline and not giving up rather than things about government. My advice to those taking this class is go to the SI sessions and do the extra credit that's offered.
Do not take this professor. His lectures are awful and don't even cover the actual material you are supposed to be learning in this course. The test/ quizzes are also heavily based on a text book that he wrote himself and requires you buy for $75. If he's your only option as a prof for this course just wait until he retires to take it.
I regret taking this class as his midterm has 100 questions. Do not take this class and avoid at all costs. Wait it out for someone else to teach it, your mental health and GPA are more worth it over this.
McKelvey is a very knowledge teacher who is passionate about his work and is extremely willing to work with you on the material to help you learn. However, I don't like how his class is structured. Lectures have no notes and tend to be all over the place. The only graded material is exams and a group project based on all materials. Very unorganized
Worst professor I've ever had. There were so many articles to read, his class was very lecture heavy and he talked too fast, and your grade is made of only five tests. He gave two extra credit quizzes and he added points to your test to help boost your grade. The only way that you would be able to pass this class is if you had good memory.
The entire class is just memorizing random trivia. If memorization isn't your strength, you WILL fail the class. Memorization is not my learning style, at all, nor does it actually reflect competency in the subject material beyond mindless regurgitation. There is also way too much focus on Ukraine, NATO, Russia: this is like 60-70% of the class.
Hands down the best prof I have ever had at KSU. Was it hard? Yeah, but it was 100% worth it. He is so passionate and gives fantastic lectures. It is probably the first class I've had where I look forward to lecturing because its so well presented and engaging. Not the kind of prof for people who just want to turn their brain off and get an easy A.
The way he talks about others is very disrespectful, on many occasions students had questions at the end of class and in a very rude way he said, well you should have asked that during class, the exams are 100 questions, you must buy a book that asks questions for the exams cost $65 and they are just pictures. I would never take a class with him.
I am currently in this professor's class, & this is the first time I have ever struggled with keeping up with a professor. He jumps back in forth between topics which makes it really confusing when trying to write notes. He lectures the entire class & he has an outline of the topics he's supposed to go over, but he forgets to go over parts of it.
This professor is lecture heavy & is hard to understand. He states that he will begin talking about a topic, & does so, but within a few minutes he falls down a rabbit hole of things that do not relate to the topic. He gives 5 tests which is crazy bc that's what makes our grade. He does no slides with notes or points, he passionate but very lazy.
Although his lectures can be very loaded, he is very passionate about his work and teaching others. He provides helpful insight into what he'll include on the exam and gives his students many resources to be more knowledgeable of course content. He's also witty which makes his lectures easier to sit through when he can throw a joke in there.
His class is like being preached to by someone the internet might call an 'enlightened centerist' who also loves The Economist. He really pushes the SI sessions but if I have to essentially take another uncredited class to do well in yours, you aren't doing a good job somewhere. He references a bad review on this site a lot too, haha.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! he seems to know a lot about what he teaches but during class he doesn't use notes or any outline, lectures really fast and expects you to know what he said by the end, I don't learn that way, so this class was really hard for me. He only uses tests as grades nothing else. Please save yourself a headache!
He wasnt a good professor at all. He taught with no powerpoints at all and nothing to go off of.
Extremely interesting lectures - it's clear he's passionate about teaching. He's very approachable and nice to students. Attendance isn't required, but the exams are very lecture based. Overall, a super fun and interesting class, totally recommend.
This professor is disrespectful and give horrible lectures. Shares his unwanted opinion far too often. Dropped it because I was sick of having to go to SI sessions to learn any of the actual material.
Professor McKelvey is extremely passionate and funny about his classes. They're tough, and graded solely on 5 tests, but take good notes and go to every lecture. I know he seems scary but don't be afraid to ask questions, he's very nice.
McKelvey has easily been my favorite professor at KSU. He has a truly resounding passion that inspires me to learn deeper and engage more with class. Certainly, he is one of the most difficult professors I have ever had. He expects a lot from his students, but he also provides a lot, giving extra credit, extra test time, and great feedback. 10/10
Mr.McKelvey is one of the most interesting teachers I have had at KSU. He is extremely passionate about what he does and beyond knowledgeable. He lectures quickly and you have to be attentive in his lectures in order to gather all the information. However, he is extremely interesting and very fair and understanding to his students and helps them.
I wouldn't recommend taking this professor, especially if you aren't used to fast-paced lectures and lots of memorization. His lectures are disorganized in the way he presents information, and half of the time, he doesn't teach about the American government. I understand that foreign affairs are important, but he spends too much time on them.
Mediocre and rambling. Tests cover minute details (specific statistics in infographics). Tries to make you buy an $80 book HE WROTE on top of the textbook; I refused to buy it and did fine. Lectures are sometimes interesting: he is very energetic and often funny. Prepare for lots of digressions and make sure to take copious notes on them.
I personally loved his class. I will say, in order to get the grade I got, I had to go to the SI sessions. So if that isn't your thing, you might have a hard time in this class. Attendance isn't mandatory, however HIGHLY suggested. He's a great guy who is very passionate, but this was definitely the hardest class I took this semester.
Mckelvey is a tough to follow but great lecturer who you will learn a lot from! His exams are the worst series of random trivia question nonsense devised from a bottomless source of readings. If you are not IA then don't take 2401, and if my description scares you at all do not take him.
Professor Mckelvey is an excellent teacher, there are times when his lecture seems to get off topic but it all connects in the end. His tests can be difficult, but he makes himself available all the time. He also has an SI most of the time, so going to those sessions are definitely helpful.
He was extremely passionate about the subject, and had answers for every question immediately. Extremely lecture heavy with some assistance from the "textbook" he wrote. Pay attention, take good notes, and you should do well. If you fail the first test, drop the class. By the end there was about 40 left of the 150-200 that took the class.
Don't be fooled by the "passionate" ratings. Yes he is, but it is only useful if you have clear interest and knowledge of the topics. He uses his passion to talk non stop with no blueprint, making note taking hard, yet it is essential as he doesn't use slides or the board to organize his lectures. Very test heavy.
Loved McKelvey, he's clearly very passionate about the subject he teaches but there are 5 total grades, all tests. If you fail one of them it's going to be a challenge to bring it back up, but he curves test grades regularly. Show up for the lectures and go to the study sessions the SA leaders have and you'll be fine.
So much reading. Textbooks, articles, he wants you to have a $80 atlas SPECIFIC to his class. He's nice and willing to help and an entertaining lecturer but pushes it onto the SI sessions to get information. Unless you're taking an upper-level POLS course I don't recommend taking him. Only grades on tests and a little extra credit if you're lucky.
- has trouble staying on task, must write notes on everything he says. There is no slides or board to help you out - Tests are extremely hard and a lot of questions aren't even gone over during class. No other graded assignments, so good luck - doesn't check emails, so good luck - Too much focus on NATO and niche things about war and military
This professor is really passionate about history. However he made it really hard for me to enjoy history & be passionate about it too. IMO, only giving 4/5 tests a sem., making short 1 paper bullet points of lecture, no assignments, no homework, no discussion posts is lazy. Sounds like he doesn't want to have to grade any work. Tests are hard!
The Professor uses his political bias in his class to pick questions for tests. The class requires massive amounts of studying. The class is an only test class so if you mess up bad enough on one of the tests you may have to drop the class together.
Very passionate on subject. Some other comments refer to how much you have to take notes and pay attention, grow up. Take online classes if you want to learn nothing. Yes, lectures go over a good bit of information, and you must pay attention and take notes on what is being said and presented. Not too hard if you actually take notes and study.
Do not take this professor for American government. No homework, no attendance, you are only graded by 5ish exams with lockdown browser and a final exam. The study guides for said exams consist of a 1 page word document with bullet points telling you a wide variety of textbook pages and articles to read. Youre cooked if you take this.
He is enthusiastic about what he teaches and is ready to have a discussion with you after class if you want to talk more. The only issue is with the exams. They are quite difficult, with many readings and atlas pages, and there are only 5 exams in total. You do get some opportunities for extra credit, though not a lot, but it still helps.
Don't do it. Prof assigns from 3-6 articles/videos per week (2/3 day class). Prof goes on 20 minute tangents. If you are taking this class to satisfy the POLS 1101 req, do not take him this is your warning. Lockdown browser for all 5 exams, 50 questions and exams are one you see the question you cant press go back. Class is not structured at all.
the reviews i read about him being good definitely sold. this class is prob amazing for political science majors but the rest of us would actually like to learn structured material instead of sitting through the informational tangents he goes on. hella passages every week, but 5 exams all lockdown are the only grade u receive
Be prepared to take a lot of notes, write down everything said in class, because every little factoid or stat will be on an exam. Also, make sure to read all of the articles, and if you don't know something, he will call the class part "unwashed heathens" who don't know about foreign policy. Tests are hard because you can't go back to a question.
He gives up to 3 readings per week, doesn't have a clear curriculum, and goes off on tangents during lectures. Tests are a pain bc once you answer a ? u can't go back. Everything is closed note & lockdown, but he expects you to remember stats from the $60 book. The wisest, most patient student would not survive this class.
This guy is a challenge. If you want a loweffort gov glass, this is not the one. If you want a class that will challenge you, grow your understanding of politics/current events, then this is the class for you. Weekly article readings and talented lecture notes abound, this class will test your note taking skills. He will curve all 5 exam grades.
I took Mr.McKelveys class in the summer, and I can say that Mr.McKelvey is very funny, certainly passionate about the subjects he teaches, he is caring and truly wants each of his students to succeed, and is willing to help you out if you're in a tough spot. If you take his class, I do recommend you -actually- set aside time to study for it.
Prof. McKelvey is enthusiastic about the constitution and current state of the U.S. Had a lot of resources, clearly answered questions required two textbooks and they were necessary Wrkload was an hour a day, not the worst Remained mostly unbiased by pointing out flaws and achievements of both party's presidents. Gave overly detailed lectures.
I took one of the 4 week courses (summer) for context. In that short time, showing up to every possible class and even the supplemental instruction sessions was very important to getting a good grade. He also really likes to assign economist articles- not optional. Just because of the time constraint it was a lot- hard work rewards you.
Something that most people don't talk about is that his lectures are SO BORING, especially for engineering majors. He even noticed my disinterest in the class.
No structure in the entire course. No chronological lectures. Inhumane amount of material to cover which are not even connected to one another. No assignments or grade recovering opportunities. Makes you think about how qualified one must be to teach at a university.
Make sure you know how to take proper notes for this class because if you don't, you won't do good on his tests. You will know something is on his test if he repeats it multiple times in the lecture. He allows you to record the lectures, has modules of what you need for each test, and has good SI sessions. Each test gets easier cause he repeats q's
Class notes are only based on lectures and articles. He gives no assignments and your class grade comes from your test grades (lockdown and webcam). Avoid this class if you can!!! The class overall has no structure and lectures are boring and not engaging at all.
Super lecture and reading heavy but if you pay attention in class, take good notes, and read everything he publishes you'll be fine. The biggest thing is to just review a bit of material everyday because there is WAYYY too much material in exams to cram last minute.
Prof. McKelvey's class can be interesting, but there is no presentation to guide from so it's hard to take notes for exams. Exams are 50 questions, some questions have 6 answer choices and they can be very wordy. His lectures cover topics from the textbook but also current world events which definitely make the exams more complicated.
His teachings were entirely lecture-based; no PowerPoints were used. The only grades for the entire semester are four exams, each with 50 questions. The exams are worded in a very confusing manner, and he grades them harshly. Overall, the class is set up in a way that makes it very difficult to pass.
He's not a bad teacher, and he makes his lectures fairly interesting, but the only grades you'll receive are from tests and a few extra credit pretests or a handwritten in-class 2-page essay at the end of the semester. There are four exams (40-60 q.) and one final (100 q.), all of which are online and administered on webcam lockdown browsers.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
46%
Textbook Required
50%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.92 avg changeRatings by Course
4490
5.0
(2)110058
5.0
(1)POLS4434
5.0
(1)POLS4438
5.0
(3)IUAC
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
IUAC
5.0
POLSCIE
5.0
POLS
5.0
POLS1107
5.0
POLISCI
5.0