Great class discussions, very easy going. Great teacher

great teacher but not that hot!!!

you may not want to go to class at times, and for some essay exams he gives you, go to his office and lunch hours with other students and he'll help you on tests. GREAT teacher. not boring. current stuff.

Hes awesome and interesting,,

He's a wonderful professor who wants his students to succeed in his classes.I would highly recommend his any day!

This was the most challenging class because of the essay exams, but this man showed me what I got! I managed an "A" and learned a TON and found out that I CAN achieve, even when thrown an essay exam. Entertaining and passionate on his topic!

His class isn't too hard besides the fact that all of his tests are essays. But, he tells you exactly what you need for the test and if you need help go to his office and he'd be more than happy to give you answers for the tests.

This guy rocks! He is a surfing professor. Lectures are interesting. He definately does prepare his students really well to pass his essay exams...which are easy.

Great guy, knows what he is talking about.. Go to class, study for final and mid term and you are good.. Definately should take this class!!

This class was fairly easy; just put in the work, and you'll be fine. He's super cool, too.

VERY GOOD CLASS! Teacher was interesting, energetic and informative. Also helpful and considerate. Knows his stuff!

If you get the chance to take his class, do it!!! Very insightful.

Nichols is an easy-going professor with a firm but fair grading system. Act like you give a damn, put in an effort-be sure to take thorough notes and you'll do well. He is always happy to help and has a great sense of humor.

I didn't like Nichols at the beginning of the semester- he is overly sarcastic & stubborn. But Nichols has grown on me and after speaking with him in office hours he has become one of my favorite professors. No text book assigned- he uses articles, no study guide given, mid-term, final, research paper, and 7 HW assignments that are like study prep

I hate poli sci, so I found the class pretty dull. But he is a very laid back, young prof who jokes around a lot. Lectures were pretty clear. My only problem was that it was hard to know what to focus on for the exams-no study guides except for the final. Did 1 MC test, 1 essay test, final MC/essay combined. Gave random 2 pt quizzes for attendance

He is very helpful, and laid back, many might get the impression that he is easy by his laid backness, but he is not. But the test arent hard as long as you study and take good notes, and understand the material. Awesome teacher, and would take him again.

Definitely thought I would hate this class(I hate math) but it was actually one of my favorites and I love quantitative research now! Nichols is kind of a sarcastic jerk at first but you get use to it(and love it) and he will grow on you. He is SO helpful if you ask... go to his office hours early in the semester to get your project set up :)

Such a funny teacher and makes learning the material really fun. He talks a lot about current issues and if anyone has anything they want to talk about he will allow it. Come to class and maybe quickly look at the book for an A in the class. And he's hot! Take this class!

No book when I took this course, all readings were online. Show up, do a little studying and this class goes by easy. Good teacher, probably the most helpful. Even gave out personal contact info if we needed help on the projects.

Awesome professor!His enthusiasm (and good looks) make the otherwise boring material a bit more interesting. If you look over the reading and go to class you can easily get a "B".

Nichols made this class so fun and easy. He lets you choose ur topic so its not boring! chill dude and will help u all the way! loved his class

Very smart and knowledgeable. He makes his lessons relatable and is fun to interact with. Loves getting class involved and is fun to listen to and converse with. You will learn a lot in his class. He is very passionate and extremely intelligent. I would recommend him to anyone.

Professor Nichols is the coolest! I highly recommend! Super chill and you actually learn a lot!

I have taken Nichols many times and plan on trying to take him ONE MORE time before i gradutate. He is truely one of the nicest teachers out there. even though its obvious he is extremely liberal he is understanding and open to all student opinions. I would recomment him to ANYONE, psci major or not.

Very easy. If you are extremely involved in politics and current events, then this is the class for you. If not, you might struggle when it comes to the midterm. Never any homework. Really cool guy. Doesn't take attendance. Lets the class choose different discussions. He really stresses you read the book though

professor nichols was an AWESOME professor! before this class i had no interest in politics but after i was much more aware of things. no homework and class isnt mandatory but his lectures are important for the midterms and final. 2 midterms, 1 final and 1 term paper. book is super useful for study guides! STRONGLY recommend taking him :)

He is funny. He is easy. I wasnt into politics before this class but then after his lectures i started getting more interested. i can honestly say that im going to miss this class. Not hard, but definitely study really good! and you will do fine :) i passed with a B

if you are a PSCI major - take him! you will not regret it! interesting cirriculum! key to success in his classes is showing up! take good notes and study for tests thorougly...you will be stoked you took him! super on top of current issues too! see him in office hours (to talk/help clarify/and give direction)

To the 1 negative comment on here, he is just REALLY sarcastic. He is also so laid back & chill, and so willing to help if u ask. He never makes you feel bad, you can ask the same question a million times until you understand it. Take him! 90% of the time he's just joking, and he doesn't mind you taking pics of his notes w/ ur phone or audio record

Professor Nichols is one of the best at CSUSM. I thoroughly enjoyed his class. He made it fun.

Great teacher!! Really knows his stuff. Enthusiastic about the subject and uses great examples. The class is very relevant to everyday issues. I really enjoyed going to class. Learned A LOT!

Great Professor!!! Really knows his stuff. Enthusiastic about the subject. Uses great examples. Class is very relevant to everyday issues. Really enjoyed going to class. Totally reccomend him!

Awesome professor! His class is really easy to follow. Pretty straightforward with grading.. do all the work and take good notes off the power points. I never opened the textbook once and got As and Bs on every test.

This professor is awesome, if you pay attention in class and do your study guide with 100% accuracy you won't have to open your textbook once. (perhaps for the first text just a little reading). Go to office hours he basically GIVES you answers to his tests

Such an amazing professor! I have to admit I was dreading this class when I registered but hands down it is now the class I found the most interesting! His teaching style is so helpful and makes the class so much more interesting and enjoyable. You have two tests, one term paper, and the final. Extremely helpful, take advantage of his office hours!

You need to read the book in order to pass the tests. Hes a cool teacher, very nice and laid back. He is also very understanding of personal issues especially if you are honest with him. Study guides very helpful! He relates political things to other things and it makes things make more sense.

Great teacher and great class. Obviously liberal but he does a really good job of trying to show both sides of the spectrum.

one of the most charismatic people I've ever seen. Girls love him, guys want to be him - seriously. Awesome guy, people all laugh at his jokes, he's nice and down to earth. Do the reading and you will ace the class. He leans FAR left politically but does a good job at trying to show both sides - if you hate "liberals" don't take his class ;)

One of the best teachers I have ever had! He is all about learning and thinking critically. Class is fun a really enjoyable you will never want to miss a class. Tests and paper not too difficult just do the reading and if you hit a speed bump ask for help. He is always willing to help and he is extremely approachable. TAKE HIM!!!!!!!!!!

Great professor! He really has a passion for political science and his classes are very interesting. He such a nice person and as long as you pay attention to all his lectures and read the chapters he recommends you read, then you will get a good grade

Very great teacher, I am doing very well in the class. Funny, clear, goes out of the way to help you and most of all NO SUPRISES. I am taking his other class next semester. Food for thought, even the people who aren't doing well like Dr. Nichols. If you studied hard, he will give you the credit you deserve. Doesn't try to steal points from you.

Professor Nichols is very passionate about his subject. Doing the study guides completely will make the tests easy. He's also pretty chill guy. I didn't feel uncomfortable asking him questions about the study guides or the final term paper whenever I was at his office hours.

VERY easy class. I skipped class a lot, and when I did show up I was... lit, if you know what I mean. The Midterm and Final study guides are exactly like the test. Also, I only wrote 3 pages for my final paper (supposed to be +5) and I still received 100%. TAKE THIS CLASS!!!

Very helpful professor. Two exams midterm and final. The book is needed because exams are on the readings, but mainly on the lectures.

He was pretty cool and I liked his personal stories he had to tell us. Tests were a little hard, with a lot of "all of the above"/"none of the above" statements, but if you read and take notes, you should be fine.

Super easy class, even in the large lecture hall. Tests are based on lectures, rarely used the book. Take notes on his lectures, or take pictures of them. He knows what hes talking about and is very engaging. 2 midterms, a final and and essay (you choose from a long list of topics). Thoroughly do the study guide and youll pass the tests. Must take.

He is a great teacher! One of the best teachers I ever had, and his lectures are so good. He is really interested in this subject, and he explains it with good examples and makes it easier to understand.

His lectures were absolutely amazing. I left really interested in the subject. Also he is very clear what the tests are going to be about

I wasn't all that interested in the class in the beginning but I actually ended up liking the class.

He is a pretty chill and sarcastic professor. His tests are pretty straight forward just pay attention to lectures(which he post online) and read the text and articles he post on CC. The only assignments you are graded on are about 3 test and the paper due at the end, so make sure you work hard at each one. His tests aren't cumulative which is good

I've taken Nichols for a few classes. He gives very interesting lectures and is clearly knowledgeable. The readings are sometimes dense, but he will expect you to read, and will quiz you and expect you to refer to readings on written tests. Very interesting and dynamic professor. Highly recommended to anyone with the opportunity to take him!

Excellent teacher. I took his class for PSCI 301 and the class was very interesting and I learned a lot. There are 7 Assignments throughout the semester, one research date base and based on your topic of research you write a 10 page essay on it towards the end of the semester, but the essay is very easy and if you need help, he will help you.

Excellent teacher. I took his class for PSCI 301 and the class was very interesting and I learned a lot. If you need help, he is there for you

Great class learned a lot. There's a research project but he guides you step by step so you're prepared.

Best professor by far that I have ever taken at CSUSM. Truly cares about his students and is willing to help in any way he can. I've taken him for 3 classes and every class has been amazing!

Professor Nichols has got to be one of the best professors out there. His lectures are always to interested and intriguing. He is also funny which helps make the class not boring. He encourages you to ask questions. There are 3 tests in total but he provides a study guide that is really helpful. Would take him again if possible!

Awesome online class! Professor Nichols graded based on forum posts and three essays. Interesting material and a thorough introduction to political science

Amazing professor. Lectures are online for the most part so take notes because its the same as the test. Also study guides are exactly like tests. TAKE HIM HE'S AMAZING AND ATTRACTIVE.

HE IS SO FUNNY. I have never really been into politics, but he makes topics so interesting. Not that difficult as long as you attend class and watch video lectures! He is also very attractive in a rock and roll way.

Definitely the best professor I have had at CSUSM. He is extremely passionate for Political Science which makes lectures so interesting. I was excited to go to this class every week, didn't miss one lecture! If my four year plan allowed, I would 100% take more classes taught by him! Hands down, a must take!!

He is the best professor Ive had at CSUSM. I was always excited to attend his class because he makes politics so interesting. TAKE HIM you wont regret it! As long as you show up, watch lectures and read its an easy class. But it is not hard because his lectures are so interesting everything sticks with you!

There are sporadic quizzes both in written form and calling on people (for extra credit). All lectures are online videos that you watch before coming to class, as well as some online articles. 2 Midterms, 1 Final Exam. A cool professor, you wouldn't want to pass up on an opportunity to enroll in his class for a requirement or for fun.

One of the best professors on campus! His lectures are straightforward and hilarious. He made politics fun for me. The class is not hard at all. Make sure you do the study guides and actually study them. THEY HELP A LOT! Read the chapters in the book too. There are 2 test and 1 final. The final is like a normal test (easy). Beware of quizzes!

Super chill guy. He grades easily and there are not many assignments but there are pop quizzes. Test curves and his hot TA made the class worth it. Would recommend everyone to take him for the GE political science requirement.

Professor Nichols is the best professor Ive had at CSUSM thus far. He is personable, funny, and you can tell he likes what he does. Hes also there for his students. Take his class!

PSCI 100 was one of the few classes I enjoyed taking. The lectures aren't mandatory, but I recommend them because they are engaging. The class isn't too hard. Just pay attention and it won't be too difficult to receive an "A."

Go to class for his lectures so it can help you pass, but if you dont read the testbook to help u out, but read it religiously

Prof. Nichols is easily my favorite instructor at csusm. His lectures are engaging and relevant to current politics, he makes sure to give a well-rounded view of current events. Your grade is determined by 3 tests and 1 essay (no classwork/homework), so if you rely on classwork/homework to boost your grade he may not be the prof. for you.

Attendance isn't graded but his lectures were so great I didn't miss any of them. Great professor and fair grader on the tests.

I LOVED this class. Your grade is only based on 3 exams and 1 paper due at the end of the semester. He didn't take attendance but I never wanted to miss class because I loved going. His lectures are a bit fast sometimes but it was fine. There are review days before the exams where he goes over everything on the study guide.

Political Science is a pretty challenging class overall, but this Professor is absolutely great! I completely recommend taking Professor Nichols, but I also recommend taking this class in person because there is so much reading from the textbook and so much material to learn, and in an online class, it's so easy to fall behind.

Professor Nichols is great! The Winter intersession is a heavy workload but that was expected. He answers emails and grades assignments quickly. Everything is set out in a clear schedule. There are 3 essay exams and discussion boards. There is a lot of reading but the material is interesting. Overall, great class.

I took his winter intermission class and he was great! He made class enjoyable and was clear on what he wants from us. He made sure we had time to spend the holidays with our families but was great with time management with the material we are supposed to learn in 4 weeks.

Professor is very clear on what is expected. He answers emails and is very nice. Has a good sense of humor and makes politics more interesting than usual. Would take another class, if possible.

He is an overall good professor. He has a political bias which can be a little difficult to listen to if you disagree, but the whole point of the class is to understand politics so the lack of restraint might be a good thing. 3 exams, 1 term paper, not too much to sweat over. He is a nice guy, I wish him well.

10/10 prof! only graded by few things but he explains how to do the assignments and the exams he released the possible essay questions before hand. I didn't feel overwhelmed over the work for the winter class. The only downside was that the discussion boards are due before 8pm the day they are assigned. Other than that I definitely recommend him.

Very understanding professor when I had to explain outside circumstances. He was also very helpful when I had questions. The only thing I could about him is that he doesn't post his lectures, so while attendance isn't mandatory you can miss out on info. Doesn't assign homework so your grade depends on how well you do on the exams.

He's awesome!! Attendance is not mandatory, but his lectures really do help with the exams and the term paper. They are also just very interesting in general, I personally was never bored. There are three exams in total and just one term paper! He basically gives u everything we need on the study guides as well. Overall, he's a great professor!

He is very caring and understanding. Class is a lecture with no attendance, but it's a lecture with slides not posted on Canvas. The grade in class is based on the 3 exams total (Including the final), and the term paper so exam success is key. He is very caring to each student and loves to hear opinions as well as connect.