3.0
Quality3.5
Difficulty26%
Would Retake95
Reviews26%
Would Retake
95
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
26
4
15
3
17
2
18
1
19
What Students Say
“He is a horrible teacher”
POS2 - 1.0 rating“Worst teacher I've had”
POS-2 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
40%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
C+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.09 avg changeRatings by Course
POLISCI2
5.0
(1)POS21816
5.0
(1)HIST10
5.0
(1)GOV4
5.0
(1)PS2
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
POS
5.0
GOV4
5.0
HIST2
5.0
HISTORY101
5.0
USGOVPOS2
5.0
Reviews (95)
The class sessions are easy, but the tests are SUPER-hard. Luckily he grades on a curve.
easy class, but boring at times and he marks on attendance
Gives handouts on everything that will be in tests. No homework, must look up and study info on handouts. Attendence 17% of grade, w/ 3 points a day just for showing up. Allowed extra credit amounts to one failed test. Lectures can get boring. Witty.
The tests were akin to statistical Jeopardy--how many billions were spent on Cal. prisons last year? 220? 231? Or 212? All tests were on obscure book facts/numbers, no concepts at all. Like all poli sci teachers at Butte he's riding o
He is the best teacher I have ever had. He is funny and knows the material. He cares about what students learn and wants you to do your best. He gives students lecture notes to study for the tests. If you know the material, you rock! He helps when needed
hard tests but a great teacher. It really makes a difference.
All information needed to get an A in this class is handed to you on a silver platter. Getting an 'A' in this class is a matter of short term memory. Super helpful, goes through all of the material including the answers with the class before each test.
This guy is great! One paper; final is a regular test; tests are semi-difficult but he gives you all the questions that will be on the test and way in advance; barely any homework other than test preperation study guides! Will excused absences for +reason
Nice guy when he wants to be. Always seemed to play favorites with students he liked. Exams are tough and need a substantial amount of time to study for. Makes his political views clear. That is, if you can read between the lines.
Mr. Masterson is a wonderful guy, but he does not fit my definition of a teacher. A teacher who is one who has taught himself. There is no real application of policies or concepts. Reading a handout and memorizing things is not learning. Just because it's a necessary GE course doesn't mean boring.
He gives you ALL the information you need to know. You have to answer the study guide questions yourself, but they're gone over in class. Class is devoted to reviewing the study guides. Only one project, and it requires little writing or effort. If you're good at memorizing, this class is for you!
Ridiculous representation of "teaching"
Master is a good teacher but his class is very difficult. if you are looking for a easy going class, don't take his class. He offers a lot of of works from California government to U.S government.
A very hard class. If you study you will pass. He also is a good instructor.
This guy is cool if you want to go snowboarding with him. But if you are looking for an A FORGET IT! He uses so many analogies trying to be cool that you never really get what the heck he is trying to teach. Forget about taking notes he's a basket case.
chill teacher. seems to enjoy bringing up legal issues dealling with weed. probably just to get students attention.
He didn't seem interested in teaching.. We spent a good number of class periods filling out our study guides independently. Also, on the essay portion of the tests, he didn't seem interested in how well we grasped a concept, but rather how well we memorized specific words and phrases. However, he was polite and "democratic" as a teacher.
I have had Masterson for 3 different classes and he is such a caring and concerned professor...he actually cares if his students succeed...He is definitly my favorite teacher on campus..
his class is easy enough but masterson is unique and kinda weird sorta on the dark side well theres no other teacher like him thats for sure can't say hes good or bad
He seems kind of like a hippy first off, but don't let that fool you, he is hard-core when the test comes. He is a good teacher though, will answer you questions and learn you name right away. He also adds a little fun to the class through interaction with students.
This class is very interesting and fun. Masterson always likes for the class to get into heated debates about hot topics in our current events. He is an awsome teacher and I'd take his class again.
8AM Class was way hard, the best grade on the first exam was a D!!! He may look like a hippy, but he is hard core on the exams. I was lucky and slid by with a C by the end of class, barely. However, he is very nice. When you ask questions he is very willing to help and answer them. He's a great teacher, just very hard, and remember your text book!!
I wanted to major in political science until I took his class. He makes zero sense whatsoever and when he talked in class, it had nothing to do with government or politics. I've never dropped a class in my life but I had to after two months because I just couldn't take it anymore.
I am interested in political science at all and this teacher did not help!!! I was so confused that I went to meet his to have him help me with my study guide. I got a D on the test after he curved it. He does not lecture!! He wants you to read and just know what he wants you to kow. He talks about himself in the 3rd person. Be aware!!!!!
May as well be an independent study course-- Masterson rarely lectures. Emphasizes memory techniques over comprehension. Maintains that he contains his Conservative political views, and perhaps honestly believes so, but does not in fact contain them. If you have no prior knowledge of US Government, the beginning reading assumes some.
As a teacher of Political Science Thomas Masterson fails on every conceivable level, and it would not be unfair to say that his attempt at teaching an International Relations class represents the absolute nadir of human endeavor. Really nice guy, though.
Basically indvidual study class. Follow the study guides exactly. The short essay questions must have the exact phrase as study guide. Even when what I wrote meant the same thing, I got marked down because I did not use the same words. Do this and you may pass but A is unlikely.
Masterson provides you with everything you need to know for the test. However, it is up to you to memorize the material exactly for full credit. If you are not good at high volume memorization then you might not do as well. The best advice I can give is to do the study guides early and rewrite them over and over and over again. Good luck!
The last comment was for the class POS 2 and not HIST 10 as it shows. Sorry for the blunder.
Favorite instructor so far. How well you do in this class depends on how much effort you want to put in. If you want the help he is VERY helpful but he won't ask if you need it that is your responsibility . He is extremely knowledgeable in his subject. He hands you all the information you need to succeed what you do with it is up to you.
i thought teaching was suppose to be about learning not memorizing..
His class was demanding, yet structured - no surprises. His teachings have changed my environment's reality.
hes great
Masterson is a good teacher. The material is interesting and his grading is fair. The tests are TOTALLY ace-able if you study at all due to the amazing studyguides that he provides. The final is multiple choice and NOT comprehensive. Masterson tends to ramble and sometimes he is pretty confusing but the class is good, i recomend this professor.
all you have to do is memorize the study guide!! its a lot to remember, but if you stay on top of it, you'll get A's on all your tests. He has no character, but it makes the class really funny!
Hard teacher. Too much to read and memorise, but if ur really good at that then youll be fine. The group project is so boring aswell. Nice guy in general, loves football.
he was really hard. he assigned ridiculous group assignments and has these massive outlines for you to study. he just wants you to get the material in your head for the tests. he is a real cool guy and i totally recommend him.make sure you don't miss class. he is almost funny...i ended u liking his class after all...just not the students.
Seen Ferris Beuler?? Yes, he sounds like that teacher. Feels like Nap-Time. He makes you call him 'Proffessor'. His class could be an internet course without wasting your time showing up. All you have to do is read the book and answer the studyguide. The group project sucks, he was rude and yawning while we presented.
He encourages you to memorize from his study guides. While he does give you everything you need to know on his exams, it's not about learning, it's about memorizing and getting through the next test. I can't learn that way - I need to understand the material in order to do well.
If you do the homework (study guide) then you will get an A in the class. He over-explains concepts, which can be annoying. However, if you leave the class not having learned anything or with a bad grade, it's due to laziness. He loves his field and knows it well. He's also one of most non-partisan teachers at Butte.
Worst teacher ever! He is sooo boring and monotone. He doesn't TEACH you anything. He just expects you to already know about the subject. For tests he gives you an 8 page study guide of questions that need to be memorized exactly how it is written in the textbook. I will never take him as a teacher again. I do not recommend him to anyone!
I enjoyed Tommy's class. I would not consider it a hard class, it's just a lot of memorization. The study guides are about 8 pages. If you memorize the answers you will get an A on the tests and in the class. I used flashcards made on studystack.com and memorized the answers that way. There's also a group project- least favorite part of class!
Lots of memorization, but not too hard. He is very organized and the study guides are REALLY helpful. He is a really cool guy and by FAR my favorite teacher I've ever had at Butte. I don't even like political science at all, and he made it interesting.
Tommy is very energetic and an overall great teacher! Loves to chat and easy to pay attention. Lots of memorization, and work for the study guides, and lots of notes. IF you study, and do well on the group presentation, you will do just fine! Good luck!
Tommy's a good teacher. He goes over everything you need to know. Write down all of the notes he puts on the board and study them for the multiple choice answers. You'll have to find the Question Sets answers on your own and memorize them word-for-word or you won't get points. The group project sucks but it's a big relief when you're done. Easy A.
you basically decide your grade in this class. If you study, you'll get an A, if not, you get an F. Your grade is only made up of tests, attendance, and a group project. NEVER homework
I took American Government with Tommy. He def gives off a creeper vibe. He likes his students to memorize--and only that--including the "essay". Don't try to think, he calls it b.s.ing. He is amusing, tolerable. Not a prof you hate. There's not that much to memorize and the format is fairly simple. Don't expect to learn much.
This teacher reminds me of the teacher on Beavis and Butthead. He talks like he's on Ritalin, but it doesn't disguise the fact that he knows what he's doing. Good teacher, some memorization on tests (specifically acronyms), book is required, big group presentation worth lots of points. Just copy ALL lecture notes on the board and you're golden.
Average professor. A lot of inclass lecture notes, he spends half an hour writing on the board every class period. Nice guy, sometimes makes off-color jokes.
He has NO homework so your grade depends only on tests and in which you have to memorize word for word and he will mark off if words are missing and if it's even out of order!!! If you suck at test DO NOT take and the group project is super super hard and most likely you will get a C. He is hard to understand when you ask a question.
He's easy going & when i missed class (without an excuse) he always gave me a makeup test. There's NO HOMEWORK! You only have one group project and 5 or 6 tests. The tests are all memorization & mostly multiple choice with 1 or 2 essay questions. The group project can be tough but its the only thing tough about the class. I definitely recommend him
Had Masterson in 2012 and could not stand him! Writes all the notes on the board 1st half of class with out a word.& hardly lectures afterwards, Hands out study guides and all you do is try to memorize those to pass the tests. It's basically pointless to attend class because he goes off topic. He is not helpful at all.
Most boring monotone instructor I've had yet. He is a horrible teacher whose class consist of 45 mins of note taking every class. What worse is when he goes over the notes and randomly calls on people to finish his thoughts. He gets an F in my book.
Easiest class ever, if you are not stupid.
I didn't learn much. He's too involved with the only project that we do in the class. It's very difficult. He tries really hard to relate to the class through pop culture references from the 80's and they never relate to the topic he's talking about. very confusing.
Exams and study guides are easy. As long as you attend class and take notes you will be fine...EXCEPT for the GROUP PROJECT! I'm a straight A student and received a D on my group project. When I asked him questions regarding the projet he did not give clear, concise answers. BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS! Or you will NOT pass.
Masterson Does not actually teach he spends 45 minutes writing on the board then turns around and asks if we have questions on what he wrote the class before. he does ask random questions ad if you dont know the answer he will respond by "if you did know it....." definitely been better teachers out there
I like Dr. Masterson. As soon as you figure out his angle, he is a very predictable person. He likes to ask questions that clearly no one knows the answer to. Just be friendly and actually semi try in his class for an easy time. His classroom is very relaxing and he doesn't care much about eating or tardiness or headphones.
I do NOT recommend taking ANY class taught by Masterson!! The only points in class are for the exams, final, and group project. The study guide questions are ungraded homework that he spends most of class waiting for everyone to write down the answers to before he starts talking and then expects you to stay late when he goes over his time.
He is pretty easy if you actually like the subject or understands the way he teaches. I don't like the way he teaches. He is not very clear. He writes down all the notes on the board and expects you to memorize it. He does goes over it but not very clear! About 1 or 2 people in the classroom will get an A on their test! Majority are C and below.
Horrible teacher, expects students to get a C in class, rarely gives out B's and A's. 1st 30min of class he writes his notes on the whiteboard. second 30min he has you write them down. last 15 mins he answers questiosn. No learning, no teaching. He has you read about 50 pages a night and is just not helpfull,he makes fun of you if you ask questions
YOU HAVE TO COMMIT TO THIS CLASS. A lot of studying, mandatory class, otherwise you'll be lucky if you pass. If you take the time to study, and memorize the information, you'll pass the exams, there is no, "I basically got the point across." He expects too much. He is a nice guy, but a terrible teacher.
You need to pay close attention in his class, read and do the chapter questions at the end for test and study the class notes with ACRONYMS they count for the most points on each test. There is no final for his class which was great.
Masterson is a really cool teacher but its not an easy class!To get an A you have to do the chapter outlines which consits of about 100 or so ?S. If you do those ?s the answers for the test are within those ?s. BUT the catch is that only 25 of those ?s are on the test. Theres no h/w but test every 3 wks on 3 chapters. FOCUS ON THE ESSAY QUESTIONS!!
I don't recommend this teacher if you have no prior knowledge of this subject. He teaches as if you already know everything on the subject. He does not give homework so all your points are from tests, final and group project(which he grades hard on) He also just talks all class period no powerpoint or anything. Study guides take 2 hours to complete
Where do I even begin? You HAVE to buy the $150 book brand new because he has his own study guides specially published in them. Ugh. Class is 100% book memorization: he teaches NOTHING. You have ZERO time in class to work on group projects. He nitpicks the projects on every single spelling mistake. He is a horrible teacher. Avoid at all costs.
His tests are super difficult. I studied my butt off and he still didn't give me very much points on the discussion questions because they were not word for word like the book or his lectures. He basically wants you to memorize every word which is impossible! I got docked points for not capitalizing "The Court" as in the Supreme court.
This class is very easy to pass if you put the time in. There's no homework and every question from the test is found in the lecture notes. What is required of you is laid out clearly. Pay attention in class and read over notes twice a week and it's a piece of cake.
Masterson is VERY specific. You need to memorize passages from his textbook word for word to do well on the tests. The project is very time consuming and the tests are very difficult. No leniency and will not curve grades. Recommend taking a different instructor.
Masterson is a super nice guy and if you need help on anything he will gladly give it to you. The tests are made up of multiple choice questions and short answers. MEMORIZE THE SHORT ANSWERS. I cannot stress this enough. Word for word. He won't accept otherwise. The project is a pain, make sure your grammar and spelling are on point.
The tests are word for word out of his lectures. If you go over the study guides in the book compared to the lectures you will pass. I made notecards and did very well on every test. The essay questions must be word for word. Make sure you are in a good group for the project, it's painful. Attendance is worth almost as much as an exam, so show up.
Worst teacher I've had. The tests aren't to bad, but BEWARE THE GROUP PROJECT. If the format is not followed exactly like HE wants it, you will fail. I strongly recommend another teacher.
Masterson isn't too difficult of a teacher depending on how much study and how you study the material. No homework, 3 points a day for going to class, 3 tests, and one group project. Make sure you have a solid group for the project or you'll get destroyed by Masterson's precise grading. Make flashcards to study for the test and you'll be fine.
An extremely detailed grader when it comes to the group project! Tests were hard(ish) and it was evident after the first one that studying is a must. The class wouldn't be entirely too bad if it weren't for his mono-tone voice reading word-for-word what the board already says. Also, beware, he calls people at random and makes you answer!!!
This professor is a great guy! ... but honestly, his class is not for the average student. He is extremely nitpicky with his grading. I think he would do very well teaching at a Stanford level upper division class. This is not an easy class so think twice! I worked my ass off and got a 70% so beware
Tells you on day 1 he doesn't give A's and goes out of his way to make that happen. Tests are all memorization. I wrote the word "of" instead of "if" and he marked me down 3 points on a 15 point question where the answer was 6 whole sentences. Group project supposed to be graded by class, class gave us an A but he went back and gave us a C.
Highly reccomend not taking this professor. His ego gets in the way of the work his students do.
I took this class last semester and I know for a fact you can get an "A". My group member got an "A". He's a tough grader but you learn a lot. He's also easy to talk to and always willing to help. He enjoys the subject so he's pleasant when teaching. Do the study guides and pick good group members. You'll be fine. You'll pass the class.
Exams are right out of the book. Do the study guides and read the power points. He has very clear grading standards. 3 pts. per day for attendance. Picking reliable group members is imperative. The group project is a big part of the grade. Masterson is a tough grader but a great guy. Always willing to help and gives great advice.
This professor is a caring person however he should be teaching at a higher level or to students who already know a little about the subject. He calls an people at random to read and answer ?s putting people on the spot and it embarrassed many people because nobody new the answers and some people struggle to read. Many get a "D" or "F" BEWARE
really nice teacher! tests are not hard at all if you study. he doesn't give homework but you really do have to study a lot!
Not understanding. Has a few tests and one big project and if you do not do well then you will fail. Clear cut and dry. I had 2 members of my group project drop the class which resulted in me and another partner doing the entire project with resulted in several sleepless nights. Despite our best efforts he still gave us a low grade. Frustrating.
Worst teacher I've ever had hands down. 3 years of college and this guy was easily the worst. He writes his own book each semester (adds a couple different reviews) so then his books become useless after each semester then turns around and sells them for over $100. His grading is ridiculous because each word answer must be word for word correct.
Okay for a government teacher, makes you use the expensive book he seems to edit every semester. Class is all popcorn reading his slides and one group project. VERY critical when grading with only about 5 test grades, the group project grade, and a participation grade.
He's a nice teacher, and respectful. Lectures are pretty boring. He is a very tough grader. Short answer questions come from the slides and everything has to be memorized word by word for the test. You get 3 points if you attend class. So if you miss a class you lose 3 points. So attendance matters!
Popcorn reading every class. every. Hard grader. If you can't sit a listen to an old guy talk about his own made up politics don't take this class.
Lectures are dry and straight from the book, wouldn't bother showing up to class if he didn't grade on participation. would prefer to see more actual discussion from a POLS class, tries to plug his own political ideals too often, have definitely had better gov't teachers. memorize essay answers word for word, very strict grader.
I have never had to work so hard for a bad grade. There is no homework and he only has tests. There is one group project, and he will dissect every aspect of it. He seems to know nothing about what he's talking about unless it's on his slides word for word. He doesn't know how to lecture, much less teach. Worst teacher I have ever had.
In my last two years at butte I have gotten all As in my classes. I did not miss a single class and barely passed. I would not take this class if you can help it. Lectures very boring. Popcorn reading. 90% of the time when hes giving a lecture I couldnt figure out how it related to the content. Group project is a joke. Nice guy tho.
Grades on attendance even though the only thing that he does is read directly off of slides that he makes available on canvas. Assigns a group project that is a huge joke, he cares more about having two spaces between each sentence than the actual material. Although hes a nice person, I definitely wouldnt take him again.
The group project will be graded HEAVILY on punctuation, grammar, etc rather than the content itself. A couple exams throughout the semester. Definitely have to study. Overall, I actually enjoyed his lectures. Can be hard to follow along but hes definitely willing to help at any time as long as you try. If enrolled, make sure youre involved.
A lot of people didnt like this class due to the required attendance/test but I didnt have a problem with those. Im doing well in the class but my problem is with his attitude. Im in his class during the COVID 19 outbreak and hes been incredibly unclear on assignments and condescending when you ask for clarification. He made me feel dumb.
He is very smart BUT he is Very VERY unclear with his directions and everything is extremely hard to navigate in his class. I along with many others had a really hard time just figuring out HOW to do assignments the directions were so unclear. Do not recumbent unless you Are a really patient person and don't mind reading multiple pages of direction
Very unclear when giving assignments, he will send out various different messages for the same assignment and they'll all have different guidelines to follow. When asked questions about what exactly is needed for the assignments he's condescending and doesn't really specify or help you to better understand what he's trying to get you to turn in.
I think he is very smart and I respect a professor who you can tell is passionate about their area of study. Had some debates in class .
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
40%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
C+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.09 avg changeRatings by Course
POLISCI2
5.0
(1)POS21816
5.0
(1)HIST10
5.0
(1)GOV4
5.0
(1)PS2
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
POS
5.0
GOV4
5.0
HIST2
5.0
HISTORY101
5.0
USGOVPOS2
5.0