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class is hard then it should be but not to bad

You will get a B or better in this class unless you like to skip the classes..

funny guy

He gives you case studies that bring the material to life!

Great Teacher, Overall hard class no matter who you have

tough class, but big curve, great professor

Very good class you learn a lot and makes class interesting

HUGE curve, awesome guy!

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This guy is great one of the best hard classgo to class study 4 tests get >B

Hard tests but nice curve, makes boring subject somewhat fun, funny professor, I suggest the class

Looks like Mr.Burns but acts like a college kid. He's a great teacher.

My favorite prof here. Has a study guide with the exact questions on all tests, but the curve is so huge you really don't need them. There are a lot of quizzes, and he really emphasizes you take all of them, and they're easy. Curves everything!

He doesn't give out a lot of a's, I think I had one of the two a's in the class, but he also uses a monster curve so most people get b's and I think it is pretty much impossible to get lower than a c . A cool guy and I would recommend this class to all.

Great open discussion class, favorite professor so far. Gets actual conversations started. Take this class. The tests and material can be confusing but go to class, listen, take quizzes and the huge curve will give you a gauranteed B.

good guy. one of cmu's best profs. take shirley or u wont have the real cmu experience

He really does look like a combination between Mr. Burns and Larry King. He's a great guy though, and the class is fun and informative. If you take it at night you will never be there till the end.

GREAT class! Very easy! Gives you all the answers/questions to tests and quizzes! No need to show up unless test/quiz day! Plays trivial pursuit at the beginning of class! TAKE THIS CLASS!!!

he's funny, smart, informative, and he has real world experience (he isn't just an acedamiate). he's a really easy grader. when the class ended, i was hoping that i'd have pulled a D in the class, but somehow pulled a B, so yeah... easy. it's fun to go

Great teacher. Makes the class very easy giving you notes to follow and quizes before tests and the tests are straight from the notes. Impossible to not do good!

He doesn't like A's but does use a big curve. He seems to think all students are ****s and republicans, I am neither of the two so I was a little offended, so, wasn't my favorite person but was an ok grader.

He is great...He actually understands that college kids have to work, and have a boat load of other assignments. He doesn't give much outside work. He also gives you the test 2 weeks to prepare for it..

Simply put: THE BEST PROFESSOR EVER!!! He makes going to class worthwhile; very interactive class room setting. Turns reading the boring material into fun!

Awesome teacher! Makes the class fun and interesting. Quizes seem difficult, but the huge curve makes up for it. I recommend this class to everyone.

He is REALLY understanding, and if you need help he is willing. But you really wouldn't b/c if you go to class you can't help but do well.

take this class, possibly the best prof cmu has!

Great professor! Makes boring topics interesting, tries to relate it to the everyday world. Makes jokes and tries to keep you entertained. I would recommend him to everyone!

shirley is the best

This was the greatest class. I learned a lot and had some fun doing it! You do have to work to get an A, but if you go to class, take notes and read the material first, it's a breeze. If you have the time, TAKE THIS CLASS!

Great teacher/lawer/friend. He's a good guy, great to have for a professor. He knows what he's talking about for sure! I would take a class of his, even if it wasn't required!!

Take the Class-he's the best teacher CMU has! makes law intersting and easy to understand, the only class i actually looked forward too-i'd take anything he taught!

He is a very good professor. He helped me when I needed it. I didnt do a thing all semester, most of the time I was so coked out of my head I didnt know that I was in college, anyway, I still got a B.

this class may seem hard, but there is a huge curve... also not too much work outside of class

Very good prof, humorous and knowledgeable. Unless you want to be called on every single class period, DO NOT raise your hand the first couple sessions. Awesome curve, you really can't do worse than a C.

This was an awesome class, WIlliam Shirley is a pretty fun guy. He curves all his tests, I failed everyone but with his curve I got B's. Never studied and pulled off a B!

Very good class to take. Dr. Shirley is very articulate. He's a full time lawyer in Mt. Pleasant and is willing to give you legal councel for free if you want it. Great guy, and very funny.

Funnny guy, interesting class, would recommend it. although, it is hard to get an A if that is what you are going for.

This man is wonderful! Super nice guy and VERY smart at what he is/does. If you want a class that'll give you a pass and still be able to learn something, he's great. I just feel bad sometimes cuz he looks in need of a hug:(

Take Shirley, Had him for a night class and we got out two hours early every week. Interesting class and he knows just about everything there is to know

Go to class and do extra credit and you'll get at least a B. He's a nice guy and is willing to help you out. Tough to get an A, but easy to get a B.

Great guy! Funny and interesting. I would recommend it even if you aren't interested in it. Average grade was probably in the B area.

Very smart person, best college class i've taken so far, well taught and organized, not hard but learned a lot

He is Awesome! I took it as a night class, and it was a lot of work all at once, but I learned a lot and enjoyed reading the cases! I think I missed like 5 classes and still got a B+. Take him for anything, he is a very interesting man, and if you need legal advice he will give it to you for free!

excellent!

Very funny guy, makes a lot of jokes; he is a pretty good professor as well, and will give you legal advice as well. His quizes, however, are ridiculous. He won't give you a good grade at all, but he has a huge curve based on the top student's grade. Don't plan on getting an A.

Good prof. Can't miss class, but classes are always interesting. Also will give free legal advice, which is great. But, if you're a straight A student you may as well kiss that good bye. B is the average grade, even if you're a kiss ass.

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Bill Shirley is a Saint, this man can do no wrong. he taught me how to love a woman and scold a child. he is tough but fair

I wasn't sure I liked Shirley until I talked to him after class. He's tough, but fair. You won't get an A but you'll get a lot out of his class. He has a good teaching style and you know he enjoys what he does. He's sarcastic and funny. He will talk a lot about CMU football though and rip on CMU basketball. Great Teacher with good law advice.

Very nice guy. Makes the subject interesting and always gets a laugh. Treats students with respect.

You couldn't possibly ask for a cooler law professor in the world than this guy. Who else does Trivial Pursuit questions each clas period before delving into 2 hours of law - it's like having desert before the meal! You can't find anyone more well-endowed with 35 years of law experience, and will always make things fun with his view on the world!

OK, so this guy is awesome he's basicly a witty old man with extreme hatred for die hard michigan/michigan state fans... if you go to class, write the papers, ur guranteed at least a B... i had a 600 out of 1000 and ended up with a B -.... yeah his curve is SICK!

Great teacher, hard class, do not wear anything from other schools, you will pay for it by having to answer every question in class that day, harsh grader to everyone, still ended up doing well. final exam really hard, the way he had his class setup actually made me understand and learn the info, would take if you had to take this class

Class is not hard, just make sure you attend because there is a quiz everyday over the material you discussed that day. Don't wear other college memorbilia, you will have to answer all the questions that day. Take a lot of notes in class or the night before [if you read the case before class] because it really helps on the quizzes. Amazing teacher!

Go to class everyday, quizes are easy/test are hard. impossible to get below a B-

This is probably the second most easiest classes here at Central. If you come to class, and take down the notes from the power-point, your sure to pass with at least a B! I read one case, and havent opened the book yet!

He's pretty much the most awesome prof. He looks a lot like Scrooge, but only at the end of the movie when he's all nice and stuff. The final is really hard, but he posts it online (w/o answers), so you can at least look at it beforehand. Everyone does badly but the curve is insane. He wont let anyone get less than a B-. Take this class!

This is by far my favorite teacher at CMU, he was very helpful with questions and responded to emails very well. He is a lawyer and offers free legal advise to students. I enjoyed this class and felt i learned a lot from it. He is very funny and gets to know a lot of the students. Go to class and take notes and you will do fine.

Shirley is one of the greatest professors I've ever had. You learn so much in his class and its interesting, not your usual snoozer type class. If you want to learn a lot, have a great professor, and get a easy B take his class! :)

Mr Shirley is a very knowledgable professor who offers titilating discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his lectures. he is very humerous and he articulates his points beautifully.

His class is really easy as long as you go to class and take notes because he has a quiz everyday over materials presented each day, but he gives you exactly what you need for them. If you go to class and take notes you'll do well.

Very clear, wrote the book & follows it to the T. Extremely knowledgeable! Nice guy, down to earth, chances for extra credit. attend class & you will do great in this class. The powerpoint presentations get a little old by the end of the semester.

Nice with a great sense of humor. If you are looking for an easy A class, this isn't one. GPA killer in that you won't get higher than a B in this class. Very picky on the quiz essays. Read the textbook, take notes and you should get that B.

Shirley is probably the smartest man I have ever met. He knows what hes talking about and seems to like what hes doing. Go to class and take good notes and you should be fine. Make sure to do the questions after each lecture that he puts online it will help you with the final! Take Shirley for this class!!!

Go to class, pay attention and you will do fine. Very funny teacher.

Awesome professor! Can be a tough grader but his huge curve makes up for it. Go to class, pay attention and you will learn a ton. Very funny and knowledgeable about the subject. Easily the best professor i've had at Central.

He has ended up being one of my favorite professors at Central. I have never learned so much from one person. I recommend taking this class, you learn a lot about legal issues that you could face in your future, and he always places what we are learning in lecture in real life scenarios. He definitely knows his stuff & he is pretty funny too.

one of the best teachers here. make sure you go to class and you take notes because after every class theres a open book quiz. he explains everything well and makes jokes in class.

Great professor. Goes over readings in class on Powerpoint(take notes), then gives a quiz after and the answer is right in your notes. Gives a completion grade for all 3 papers, so if you do it, you get a 100. Final is take home. Really funny, nice, and helpful. I knew nothing about law whatsoever, and I'm getting a B+ to an A-.

Great Professor... Not only will he make you laugh, he will teach you alot of material.. The grading is weird. but with the curve you will get a good grade. attend class and listen to what he is saying... his jokes about Eastern and knowledge on law made me want to come to class

He's awesome. You'd be lucky to have him as a professor.

Awesome prof! He's funny, teaches the material well, and posts EVERYTHING on blackboard. One of the best profs at CMU.

He keeps the lectures very fun and entertaining. Quizzes are given at the end of each class, but they are open note and open book. He gives you free absences, but don't take advantage of it. He does curve the grade, but still try your hardest. Attend class and pay attention.

My favorite professor at CMU! He is funny and always ends class early. The quizzes can be graded really tough but with the curve you should do good!

The good- interesting material, he knows his stuff (practicing lawyer),wrote the book himself, and attendance isn't technically mandatory (but going everyday will help you in the end) The bad- hes a TOUGH grader, its very hard to get an A in this class- flat out. The curve is awkward and will only guarantee a B at best..

Solid Teacher. Print off the power points before class and write side notes as he goes through them in class. He's also pretty funny.

You basically watch a movie every class and then go over a powerpoint on a specific trial. You then have a take-home 5 question quiz after every trial with all of the answers in the powerpoints or from just listening to him in class. He's very informative & funny, which keeps the class very entertaining. Easy class. Definitely take him if you can

amazing proff. DO NOT BUY THE BOOK. Print off the power points, bring them to class. Go to class every day. Hard to get an A.. easy to get a B.. Wish he taught all my classes

Easy, Funny, made class interesting. Had him for racial justice through law and got an A by showing up and doing the work. His research papers are jokes. I did them two hours before class and got 100s on all of them. Class average was an A.

He is GREAT, entertaining, interesting. The quizzes are open note and curved by the highest in the class. The briefs are ridiculous easy, basically if you put it in the right format, you will get an A. He's funny and one of the best at CMU. Loved him!

Great CMU professor. Cracks jokes about wearing other schools names in class! very loyal to the university. Makes you laugh almost every class! Pretty easy with a huge curve. So far through 3 years he is my favorite!

teacher is cool and funny. all you do is watch a movie on some of the great trials and then take a 5 point take home quiz that are on the power point or things you can easily google. the exam is 300 points but its take home and most of them are from the quizzes. there's no text book and he grades on a curve, pretty easy for a U.P

Great guy. Interesting class. Can be boring at times. Need the books. Go to class and you can pull off an A

Great teacher, very helpful if you need it. This is an easy class, he grades on a curve and there is basically free points for the homework and participation.

Shirley is a really nice guy with a dry sense of humor, Just show up an you will get at least a B. Passioniate due and one of my favs Profs while being here

Shirley is one of the best professors at CMU. The guy is really smart. There's a quiz every class, but its over the lecture you just did and you can print out the powerpoint beforehand. Highly suggest him for this course and any other course he's teaching.

Good professor, very thorough and very funny. hes got a very sarcastic personality and class is never dull. the textbook isnt really necessary in that he posts all his lectures on blackboard. all his quizzes are open note, if you show up and pay attention you will do well.

One of the better professors I had at CMU. He took his class very serious. He makes lectures interesting because he is very sarcastic. READ! You can't succeed in his class or any other law class if you don't. Quiz every class period, it seems hard but you get better once you know what he wants. Also very helpful and offers extra credit.

Not a hard class but not an easy class either. Quiz every class but if you read the cases they are easy plus they are open book/note so it's kind of hard not to do good on them IF you understand the cases, which he explains in the lecture anyways. I learned a ton in this class. Would recommend him for anyone who wants to actually learn.

Great professor. Really knows what he is talking about. Attendance is mandatory. Print lecture's before class

Fantastic professor, definitely one of CMU's best. Wonderful lecturer, gives great notes, and makes the topics very memorable. Attend class and you should do great.

Take this class if you're a legal studies minor or for the UP. He posts the powerpoints to blackboard. Just print them off before you go to class and follow along. One quiz at the end of each class. Hard grader but curves everything. I'm getting a 97% in there mainly because I've just put forth a bit more effort. Definitely recommend him & BLR 222.

Don't have to show up, but there is a case brief due every day as well as a quiz. He grades pretty tough but curves the class with the top three grades. Lectures are long and boring. Prof is funny and gets to the point. Syllabus is important to check before every class. Class usually gets out about 20-30 minutes early.

Shirley will probably make you laugh just about every class. He's one of my better professors I've had here at CMU and he really gets straight to the point. Quizzes every class but you can use your notes on them.

I asked him how he was doing once, and he told me "It's on the syllabus" Seriously though. Print off the syllabus(like 20pages) it has everything you possibly need on it. Very tough grader, but curves the entire class at the end of the semester. 70% could be a B+. Do the homework! He is hilarious, intelligent, and cares about the material.

The syllabus is your best friend, everything is straightforward. He grades really hard, but curves everything. Quiz every class; I'd recommend bringing a laptop to use during them since they're open note and he reads straight from the Powerpoint slides. Case briefs were due most classes, look over the Powerpoints to help for those too.

Live by the syllabus, it's your best friend. Word of advice, do all your assignments ahead of time and then you don't have to worry about anything for the class. He grades really hard but curves everything. I forgot to turn in a lot of assignments, bombed the exam, and still go a B- in the class. Attendance is a must, quiz after every class

Prof. Shirley is a very tough grader and a little disrespectful, but he's knows his subject. Show up for daily writing quizzes, do the daily case briefs, read the cases. If you're confused, ask. But first, consult the syllabus. He does pick favorites, so know your cases. It'll help when he grades if he remembers you. Overall, I learned a lot.

Shirley is full of information and I learned a ton from the class. The class is very difficult, but it was a great challenge. He seems very intimidating and harsh, but as the semester moves on it's easy to see that he is just pushing you to do better. YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR YOUR GRADE, but he puts in a major curve. I 100% would take again.

Dr. Shirley is SO awesome. His class is extremely hard and material-heavy, but well worth it. He actually makes the class interesting and eye opening. He is a tough grader, but all you have to do is try and work for it and you shouldn't get anything less than a B. He can be dry sometimes, but has a very sarcastic sense of humor. Awesome guy.

he was an amazing prof!likes to crack jokes but you have to understand his humor. definitely one of my favorite classes. there was a lot of writing which was expected. highly recommend & no book needed! there's a curve.

I thought that the class was great! He had powerpoint everyday with a quiz at the end. Nothing crazy but it always gave me extra points because the quiz was on what we talked about that class. Then we always had daily case briefs and 4 research briefs that were easier as time went on. He give so many points in that class! I would choose him again!

He's very sarcastic, but very knowledgable about law. The class itself wasn't too bad, be prepared to write a ton. But you watch at least 8 movies throughout the semester which is lit.

Great man, only recommendation is to go to class because he is funny and usually does not go to the full class period.

The material in this class is super interesting and I really enjoyed taking this class with Prof Shirley. He is a great guy whose sarcasm adds humor to the lectures. He is really accessible and keeps blackboard up to date which I really appreciate.

Prof Shirley is a very good teacher, but his grading is so harsh, especially on the quizzes. I dont know what the curve is at the end of the class but its definitely hard to get a good grade, so if your looking to get an A take it with another professor because it's near impossible to do so with him.

Overall not that hard. Have to write briefs everyday before class. Small quizzes every class over them. The briefs become a second nature though and not difficult at all because he provides notes that sum them up. Funny guy. Rounds the grade at the end of the semester.

A very passionate professor and made learning law very easy due to his interesting lectures! I definitely struggled in the beginning, but he is more than willing to help and provide guidance if you ask. There is a lot of homework, but you get used to and it becomes a breeze once the semester goes on. Definitely would recommend him

Has a specific way he likes things done, but he makes it clear. tough grader but everything is graded on a curve so you are just competing against classmates. Go to class everyday because theres a quiz each class, super easy just pay attention (he also lets you use notes and phones). would recommend taking

One of my favorite profs at CMU. If you have any interest in law take his classes. I took him for BLR 222 and HUM 303 and learned so much. He does assign a lot of briefs, however he tells you exactly what he is looking for and they are only one page long. Quizzes on each lecture, but as long as you are in class you can use your notes for the quiz

Dr. Shirley is so funny, even though I'm not sure he's necessarily trying to be. Just very dry. Read a few court cases for class and write some summaries. Easy A, don't read the cases that you don't have to write a report on. You aren't tested on them or anything. There is in-class work followed and extremely lecture oriented. You watch some movies

Briefs due and quizzes almost every day. Work isnt hard but its a lot. Sense of humor is sarcasm and insults. Lectures are kinda incomprehensible and he talks FAST. Strict deadlines but I had him during quarantine and he was chill then. Honestly was mainly what warmed me up to him. Cool guy generally but old and a little out of touch.

This is a tough course as most BLR courses are. harsh grader and for WI courses be ready to put in work. He is challenging, but I found it to be in a good way. He has dry humor and is very amusing. If you want a blow off class dont take it, you wont survive. If you can handle a tougher course and love a professor with character this is for you.