Immensely hard professor- Will learn tons of info! Very funny! Very conservative

Will make you work for your grade, but his class is worth it

My idol. Conservative (which I am) but teaches objectively. I learned SO MUCH

classes are like comedy hour. everyone should have to take him at least once.

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He is da man. His classes are the best and he so funny. Super Conservative.

Funiest guy ever!

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Great prof, makes Attila the Hun look liberal

keepin it real

The best teacher at the University, former CIA, has a file on everything

Take his classes on foreign political systems - Best teacher in the school

If you want to work and learn something about ps he is the best prof in the dept

What doesn't the Doc know? The best in the dept.!

Dr. Parente is the best; he knows everything.

He's not really hard but it is a demanding class. He is awesome. If I weren't a man I'd kiss him!

He knows all...He's the God of politics

Very smart and funny... There is alot of material, but extra-credit options can gaurentee an A if you do the work

My worst grades at the U. He is a must take however, if you are truly interested in learning about Poli. Sci. There's no one better. BTW, he only pretends to be conservative, but don't tell anyone.

Fantastic professor. He was the best professor I have ever encountered in all my years of schooling!

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Very hard, but if you take advantage of the extra-credit stuff, you'll do fine. He pretends to be scary, but he's a clown on the inside. Really funny and political science fans will be grateful for his wealth of knowledge.

he's so great. probably the best and most challenging professor at this university. Once you adapt to the method in which he teaches and tests, you're good to go. best of all, he's hysterical. a must-take.

Best teacher at the U, speaks truths, not politically correct lies. Very knowledgeable, a must take

if he knows you're a serious student, he goes out of his way to help you. I was in the library one night with a study group, and he helped us for 45 minutes straight. He knows his stuff. former CIA.

you MUST study for this man, and study everything. Go to xtra credit and ask questions. If he knows you're a serious students who tries hard, he'll hook you up. You will more from this professor than any other professor on campus

Best teacher at the school... but if you dont like the material dont take him - if you attend class and read - ur fine

Awesome best teacher at Scranton, knows his stuff. Test are hard but if you try he will hook you up.

Easily the best teacher at the University, if not the continental United States. Tests are virtually impossible, but classes are comparable to a night at a Comedy Club. Fosters a humorous yet intellectual atmosphere. Incredible man and mentor. Former CIA.

Best teacher at the U!

Great Prof!

The Best Teacher at this University. He will go out of his way to answer your questions, and help you succede. The best teacher in the PS department, and the University, if not the North East. No one on campus comes close. Oh yeah... study or your screwed

This is a professor you NEED to study for. If you don't you fail. But if he knows you're trying, he will do his best to help you. Lectures are very entertaining, but tests can be picky. Hilarious and nice guy

My Hero. Crazy teacher who was born in every year he mentions in class. But so funny.

Best teacher I've ever had in my life. Learned more from him than anyone else. Roll model, mentor, and friend. Still the HARDEST professor on campus, bar none.

Mentor, friend, hero. Best Prof. at the University. Learned more from him than all my other prof's together. Former CIA

he once taped three pennies to my first mid-term (the usual Parente fare map, 5000000 questions and gobs of extra credit) and told me, 'my dear girl, hope this helps you buy the book.' genius. other schools should be so lucky to have him.

He is the hardest of the poli sci profs, but that isn't saying much. He really is NOT that hard. just read the text CAREFULLY, and be semiconscious of current events. if you can't memorize a few chapters of poli sci, its your own fault if he fails you

Amazing professor! Hardest @ Scranton, will make a lasting impression and you will learn more with him than any other teacher, guaranteed.

Take him if you are willing to work hard and get the most out of the class! Never a dull moment-he is hilarious. Don't be afraid to approach him..he is very helpful and unbelievably intelligent. He will often send you articles in the mail..i loved that!

Excellent professor! Gives you tons of extra credit, I read the text thoroughly and took good notes. It wasn't hard for me to get an A. Take him if you're willing yo work hard.

Had him my freshman year, difficult class, but very informative, extremely funny. Tests are soo hard, but go to all of the extra credit movies, show up, and you'll be fine. You either love him or hate him... there's no in between. He'll keep you laughing.

The greatest of all time. Hard as hell, but you come out of his country classes having a great basis of knowledge. After a class you can hold an intelligent conversation with anyone on the subject. Wonderful guy who is always willing to help and respond to emails way too quickly.

Tough but good

Hands down Dr. Parente is the best instructor I have ever had. He makes you want to learn everything just to impress him and you end up impressing yourself. Very very challenging but he makes you want to know everything. You can get Bs on tests and go to extra credit films to boost your grade up.

you will work your ass off to prove to him your not an idiot, but youll suprise yourself when you really do know it. Pleanty of xcredit chances. very understanding of students' life outside the classroom. Brilliant man, best at U. Will answer any ? outside classroom. Funny as all hell, sarcasti

I took him back in the late 80's, and I took him for about 6 different classes. If you love international geopolitics (his true passion) as I do, you'll love him...But be prepared to take copious notes and READ THEM OVER SEVERAL TIMES!!!

If you want his favor,tell him that you read the "A" section of the New York Times, and that you plan to continue with this habit for the rest of your natural life(and part of the unnatural too.)He'll appreciate the habit and the humor...

very intelligent man but a little off his rocker nowadays. i found him to be somewhat rude and disrespectful especially when he was once dissapointed in poor test grades and decided to read everybody's grade out loud. likes to establish a sense of superiority over his students.

awesome teacher. tests are hard until u know how to do em, its possible to get a 107 on his tests (i have). know everything though, dont BS.

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I've taken Parente 6 times. He is the funniest human being alive. You have to start studying in advance though and read the book cover to cover. You will be up all night and hate your life if you start the night before. Everything is a potential question. Lots of extra credit videos and essays make it easy to do well.

I took him for 10 classes, and now i'm a better person. Post college, whenever i'm asked about a country *hurl* i can barf it all up for ya. By far the way to succeed is to learn from Dr. Parente: The man, the myth, the legend. Take him if you like a challenge.. and if you're not a wuss. His mercy is above his justice.

FUnnies man ever. May not teach how the "Education Department" wants you to but he is very effective. You learn more than in any other class and if you go see the movies and do the extra credit on the exams there is no reason why you should not get an A. Take him!

The man, the myth, the legend. Those who say he was hard did not pay attention in class or did not read the book. Those who said he was not bad are those who went in wanting to learn. Tests *ARE* hard if you don't read the book attentively. MANY chances for extra credit. Hands out a TON of articles in class. Take him if you get the chance. <3 him.

The best professor at the Da U. Understand that he will be the most difficult professor you will have. But also understand that the knowledge will stick with you. All tests require a lot of studying, but I guarantee you that if you do well in his class, you've earned your RA and everything you learned will stick with you.

I had this guy back in the 80's.. He's showing films and using a text? He never did either of those things way back when. He lectured from bell to bell and you took copious notes. His tests were hard and full of details that you had to memorize. I loved him all the same!!! The best teacher I had at the U...

Dr. Parente is a really brilliant teacher. He's a bit unusal, and you have to take his sarcastic "insults" in stride, but after each test (even though you have to write your hand off) you really feel like you know the material well. I agree with the comment that you should only take him if you're interested in the material.

Best teacher ever, rearranged my schedule so I can have him for the next two years. Love his classes and you learn alot. Really hard tests and don't dawdle on the 10% map when it's really about the essays.

Most wonderful teacher to happen to the collegiate world; a Mr. Feeny if you will; take his classes not bc they are easy which they absolutely are not but bc you like comedy, be happy with a B

Critics of Dr. Parente are those who are unwilling to do the work. Read everything. Never walk in late. His classes are the absolute best preparation for law school. When I had my first Moot Court experience, I thought this is nothing to being cross examined by Dr. Parente. Always read the footnotes (a lesson that has served me well in life.)

A legend on campus- I was warned during orientation not to take him, but was assigned his PS 130 course. A defining moment in my college career. Make sure you've read the text and paid attention in class and this course isn't difficult. If you're not interested in his courses, don't take them, as you won't do well.

Very difficult teacher but a very good one. He makes sure that you learn and not just memorize things. Pretty funny guy and when it comes to internships someone with connections.

Brilliant man. One of the smartest at the University, with incredible connections. Dry wit, will bash students with no remorse. All in all, I'd say take him. Read and study your ass off and you can get an A. I've taken him 4 times, got a c- the first time, all A's ever since.

Graduated from the University almost 20 years ago, and am still in touch with this professor, a jewel for the university. Those who don't like him are quite simply not serious students. For those willing to THINK, the lessons he teaches will be with you twenty years down the road. Hope he never retires.

Greatest professor in my four years there. Works you hard, but if he sees you are doing the work and trying, he will help you out. Many extra credit opportunities. 90 and above is an A. Very funny in and out of class. Great prep for law school. Still keep in touch with him to this day and is a great resource.

Dr. Parente is the toughest teacher I have ever had, yet also one of the best teachers. He drills the material into you, and does it in an entertaining fashion. For those willing to work, he is great.

Amazing professor. The man is hilarious inside and outside the classroom. You'll learn a lot but you'll have to work hard. If you need help he's on campus like 24/7 and he offers lots of extra credit opportunties. Also hope he never retires!

The man is nearly impossible but it is worth it. He is the hardest teacher you'll ever have but you learn the most you ever will. He is a hilarious man and willing to help you. Do all the extra credits.

This man is a great professor! He is extremely demanding, but he loves politics and you can learn so much from him!

The Dr. Fraustino of the Political Science department. Love him.

Extremely entertaining class. The man's quite simply, hilarious. Don't expect this class to be a cakewalk, but you learn a lot.

About time is all i have to say. I was sick of these nit witted liberal tree hugging ps teachers. You will learn more from studying for one test in his class then you will in the entire semester. He will call you out and is extremely verbally abusive so if u cant handle that i.e. if your a tree hugging hippy liberal dont take him.

Although there's little call now for the knowledge I acquired in his "Politics of the USSR" class 22 years ago, wp's methods are just the bomb -- if you want your parents to get their money's worth. Learned more in one of his classes than 3 others combined. And his recommendations go a long way.

Definitely knows his stuff. Fun teacher that has no problem poking fun at any and all of his students. Extra credit opportunities come a lot in his class. But his tests are next to impossible. Same format every time. 60 identifications and 3/6 essays in 50 minutes. Some may call it impossible to get the perfect score.

I had the man teach me over ten years ago. you will find no better or funnier professor. i highly reccomend him.

My first experience with Dr. Parente: freshman year, 1990. Either his Politics of Islam or his China class. Ignore his thorny sarcasm. He is truly dedicated to his students. Attendance mandatory, read the text book. Best professor at Scranton. First class C-, last two A+. Classes taken: Politics of Islam, China, Japan, Comparative Communist Systems

You will learn a lot of material in this class. If you don't learn it, you fail. He's extremely difficult but very fair and hands out bonus points like candy. Do NOT show up late and do NOT skip class. He demands respect - bit old fashioned in that aspect. If you can take his humor and can laugh at yourself, I promise you will learn a lot from him.

GENIUS! Made me a critical thinker. Mandatory if you want to hold your own in intelligent political discussion. I took 6 courses with Dr. Parente--my favorite professor. The only downside was memorizing maps! Personally so generous and concerned if you put in the effort his courses demand.

My advice is to memorize the textbook, map, handouts, etc. Oh and go to his extra credit movies! Don't skip his class because you are going to miss information that will be on the exam, guaranteed. He is a tough professor, but you will benefit so much for taking his classes. His exams are hard if you didn't read or just skimmed the text. So read.

I took the Comparative Communist class, Modern China, Modern Japan, the Politics of Islam, all with Dr. Parente. Maps, NYT articles, handouts. There were the textbooks as well, although he changed a couple afterwards. Take notes, show up for class. Always enjoyed his sarcasm. He wrote over twenty recommendations for me. MEMORIZE YOUR MAPS CHILDREN!

Exams are short answer, 50 questions with 2-3 three page essays. Read the text, memorize the key terms, and read the specific details... or you will fail. Do yourself a favor and attend all of his extra credit film showings. If you're not a PS majorminor, and you just want to take an elective, I recommend Fr. Sweeney.

If you want to go to grad school, law school, or med school, take Dr. Parente. No undergrad course will challenge you to read and understand the material like Dr. Parente's political science courses. Dr. Parente is not an easy grader, and expects your dedication to his class. But he is hilarious, and truly dedicated to his students.

Really funny guy, tough class with lots of work, but if you read, you can do well. GO TO THE MOVIES

This guy is brilliant but his class is HARD. Get ready to read and memorize articles verbatim to pass. Focus on the maps and write down pretty much everything he says, because you really don't know what's important. Like I said, the class is hard, but if he sees that you're trying, he's not gonna let you fail. Do the extra credit, you'll need it.

Dr Parente's the only professor that will prepare one for grad/law school because he will teach one how to read critically. If you put in the effort, he will write letters of recommendation/other to help further one's career. I took 5 classes and 1 reader. Footnotes are more important than the text! And, thanks for the guest lecture opp in 2014.

Tests are hard but not totally impossible IF you read the textbook. He's a funny guy and very smart if you can figure out how to study for his tests you're golden. GO TO THE EXTRA CREDIT MOVIES!!!!

If you're not ready to read then do NOT take this class. Dr. Parente is the kind of professor that expects a ton of work to be done outside of class, so be ready for it. Also, do not take him if you do not have thick skin. Odds are, he will berate you at least once in the semester, so be ready for it. Hilarious if you understand political humor.

great professor

God bless my friend my favorite professor,