People complain about his accent, but theyjust dontwant to admit theysuck at PSC

Great Teacher! Tough exams though.

the best professor at West Chester

No Comments

Very good teacher

His lectures are the best. I used most of my free electives taking courses he taught.

Polsky is great! The tests are difficult but he is the best political science professor I've ever had. I'm def. going to take more of his classes!

Ignore the naysayers...My man Yuri runs an easy class (especially if you're a PSC major in a class full of Gen Eds) but you'll still learn a lot.

Dr. Yuri Polsky is the most intelligent person on the planet.

Really hot, and not afraid to show it, in a cold-war kind of way. Rock on, Yura!

No Comments

I graduated in '95. I think I burned up most of my free electives taking whatever Polsky was teaching--his lectures were that good. Polsky is one of the best profs on campus.

I would love to ride in a car with this man for hours just to pick his brain with all the knowledge he has! The class I worked the hardest in and the only "B" I was truly proud of! I wish I didn't graduate, he has a nice dry sense of humor too

He is a brilliant man... whose experience and wisdom make him one of the best teachers I've had. His expertise about everything he teaches is incredible, it was a pleasure taking his class.

I graduated in '92, and still think of Yuri Polsky as an extraordinary mentor. Beyond his undestanding of policy he is passionate about international relations. I wish I could still participate in his classes!!!

awesome guy, very friendly and witty.. test are little hard at times... but i'd take him again.. for the 5th time in 2yrs

I wish I wasn't graduating so I could take Polsky again! He is the smartest professor I have ever had. I have learned more in his class than in several other classes combined! Easy A, just follow study guide! Polsky is the BEST!!! Take all of his classes!

Polsky is the best - ignore anyone who tells you otherwise. Follow the study guide and you will get an A. I learned so much from him - truly an amazing guy. His extensive knowledge is absolutely impressive! Nice guy, loves to help students! Polsky Rules!

He is the smartest man on earth. Tests are cumlative and hard but if you study you can do really well and learn a heck of a lot. Polsky is the greatest thing USSR gave us

He knows everything, he is like an international relations encylopedia. You have to take his class to understand how smart this man is. Tests are preety straight forward and as long as you study the guides your cool

He knows everyones name in the class on the second day!! This man has a brilliant mind and plays chess at the Master level (2000+). He knows everything about everything (historically). He gives all his detailed lectures off the top of his head! GREAT

this guy is a genius, i swear...and he knows everything..he is so smart and his classes are easy as long as you come to class and take notes, you are guaranteed an A

Love this guy! one of the most intelligent people men i've ever met in my life. 4 classes with him in 2 years? must prove that he's a great teacher.. deserves a lot of respect!!

Great Prof! You have to work hard, but it is worthwhile.

Very hard classes (lots of info and notes). Tests are essay and he wants the details not just the basic concepts. One of the best profs I had. Take his classes but be prepared to work hard.

he was a great prof. Be ready to take all the notes you can and when it comes time for the test write down EVERYTHING you know about the question, not just what he is asking.

Dr. Polsky is awesome.... you really learn a lot!!! He's a little confusing though... And his tests are terrible. But I still love him...

genius but really hard on grading essays, very cut throat when you ask for extra credit because he doesnt give it. best bet is to tape all the lectures and then go back and write it down. Dude seriously!

He is definitely a well-read person & very informative. However, I've had him for 4 classes over 2 years (all related to Soviet culture & politics) and notice that the information bleeds from one class into another. Once you've taken one class with him you'll be set for all others.

I only got a B in his class but I certainly would recommend him. His class isn't boring and time flies. You will write a lot and listen carefully and if you do both you should pass with flying colors. Oh, and I don't even think he's hard, I just didn't study as much as I should (still got a B!).

My favorite professor ever. Great person, very intresting and funny. you may find his humor alittle dry. I found it amusing. I still tell storys from his class.

DR POLSKY IS THE MANNNNNNN!!!! Someone recommended me to him and I recommend him to anyone anyday.

This man knows what he's talking about. Without a doubt, you will feel like you've learned something from his class if you take it. He is the best professor at this school, and a dedicated educator.

I love this prof! extremely smart and hilarious! grades tough but i learned ALOT

Best political science teacher at WCU! Leaves at least 5 minutes for questions at the end of EVERY class, always willing to help and always encourages questions, no matter whether they deal with subject matter or not. He'll pick on you if you get a question wrong, but isn't offensive. Take him!!!

Polsky Rocks! He knows history like no one i have met...down to the hours of the days almost! To pass you need to take notes or you will be lost. He is hilarious at times and very intimidating somtimes. He will pick on you if you get something wrong but that made me want to study more. He is so far my favorite profesor at WCU

Yury is the man! I wanted to give him all fives, but he is very hard, which doesn't seem like it should count against him. I feel so lucky to have him not only in class, but as my advisor. He has an almost superhuman grasp of the material... he just stands up in front of the class and talks, no notes or anything. Easily my favorite professor ever.

You will learn

Dr. Polsky is extremely easy, just show up to class and his essay tests are exactly your notes. Throughout the semester he even uses the same questions on the tests. He also does that if you take any of his other classes, they're pretty much all the same

He is the many! I love Polsky's humor and great story telling..He explains historic events like nobody else! I'm definately taking him again next semester! Warning: Don't miss many classes..he hates that and you'll fall behind in notetaking

Ask you neighbor, she has the answer...ahh that answer hit's me right in the heart, how could you do this to me? i must automatically fail you from wcu...this guy is HILARIOUS and he is a pure genius, he is the man, the myth, the legend...take all of his classes!

One suggestion for Polsky: be in the office when you say you will be! His office hrs are not what he says they are. He basically is there whenever he feels like it.

this man is my favorite prof at WCU. starting with coatesville, he's prob going to take over the entire world. he has a bit of a thick russian accent, but its not difficult to understand. you cant afford to miss many of his classes, but you will learn SO much if you go and take good notes. take as many of his classes as you can!

Ive had him for three classes.. Polsky is the man.. You will know everything there is to know about the Munich Agreement, and the Camp David Peace accords.. He is just a really good guy.. !! funny, and very smart

No Comments

What an awesome prof. I don't understand how anybody can say negative things 'bout him! His tests can be a little hard, but his classes are so much fun! He's so interesting and has a great sense of humor. I'm taking him for a third time next semester! Definately my fave poly sci prof at WCU!

good guy, smartest guy in west chester, but tough on grading the essays on the tests

Very smart man. However, his teaching style is not for me. Polsky likes to question people in a negative fashion, which isn't suited to everyone. More importantly, he has a very strange method for marking tests. He seems to grade based on his feelings rather than what is written on a paper. I did v. well but that still doesn't mean i like him.

Great professor. No notes on the bored. He sits and tells the lessons as stories. Occasionally asks questions to random people in the class and will joke with you if you get it wrong but is very very very funny. Go for office hours for help. Tests in essay form. Study and you will do fine. He makes the clas fun.

I had Dr. Polsky years ago back in my college days. His classes changed my life.

Amazing professor. Exams are graded hard but once you learn the format he wants them in, they become a lot easier.

Best professor I've ever had. He is funny and helpful. He focuses on Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, but he can answer ANY question about politics. Go to class, take good notes, read the book, and your good to go. The exams are tough at first, but once you figure out what he is looking for getting an A isn't hard.

Professor Polsky is the most knowledgeable man I have ever met. He cracks some jokes here and there to keep the class lively, but overall he knows everything. Even like who the Secretary of State was in 1918 in Zimbabwe. VERY intelligent man.

Smart man, you end up wanting to go to class if you like pol sci. However his tests are hard. You need to be very specific. Take lots of notes. He is a cool guy, but hard to please in a blue book. Jokes are sooo bad they become funny.

great teacher and I would definitely recommend him to anyone who really wants to learn more about int'l relations. you HAVE to go to class and take detailed notes. always go to class the day before the test. ask every question on the review and write what he says word for word and don't take liberties. if you reword what he says it won't come out t

Polsky is awesome. He knows EVERYTHING, and nothing gets by him. He loves to battle semantics at times, and I hated the class the first week. Don't answer a question you don't know the answer to...you'll see. If you get the chance, take the class. You will not regret it.

Polsky's rep is unfair. If you don't want to work, drop his class. But his tests are not impossible. He's very clear on what he expects. Come to class, take great notes, don't misspell anything, and you'll be fine. Don't expect the test to be the study guide reformatted - learn everything. It's a college level course, and he teaches like it.

Once you figure out his system, his class is a breeze. Don't buy the texts, you don't really use them. Class is made of 3 exams that are fairly straightforward. Take copious notes, do not misspell, and come to class.

For middle eastern politics he was excellent. He knows anything on the middle east, he's like a walking textbook, and probably has more info than the ones he has us buy. 3 exams, not impossible, TAKE NOTES! PAY ATTENTION, has a thick accent, but you get used to it. Beware of his sarcastic sense of humor, You usually know when he's kidding around.

Be VERY careful with your word choice. It's good to use wikipedia for his exams to help you get summaries - trust me. Make sure he likes you, go to every class, know the information, study like hell, and you'll pull off a B+. Love Polsky and all his classes. I've taken him for 3 different courses. Polsky is the man.

Excellent teacher

Extremely challenging and knowledgeable professor. You must go to class, you must do the reading, and you must take notes. It's truly a lot of work, but if international relations and comparative politics are something you love, it will be worth it.

Taking my third class with Dr. Polsky, and I'm already thinking about what the fourth class will be. He is NOT easy, but you will LEARN more than you ever have in one semester. Ever. It's really a great feeling.

Extremely Awkward that he does not have a higher rating! He has a good sense of humor if you realize he's joking. Another one of the best profs in WCU. He lectures everything you need to know. Its not easy, but just take notes on everything. I learned alot from that class.

If you aren't going to study hard and take very good notes then your not going to do well in the class. But he is hilarious and worth taking in my opinion. This is very awkward.

If you got a 39% on one of his tests you should leave West Chester University. He's one of the smartest people I've ever met, has a photographic memory of world history and classroom attendance and will not tolerate stupidity or laziness. It's a real college class. Read, write down what he says and study. You'll do well

If you do not want to be challenged, do not take Polsky. If you want to have an applicable understanding of real world international relations and to be accountable for your knowledge in this field--there is no better teacher to prepare you.

Dr. Polsky is a a great teacher. It is a hard class, you have to attend class or it'll be very awkward. If you go to his office hours, he helps you understand what you did wrong on his bluebook test. For his test, read the book, use the study guide. Take the class, you learn so much in such a little time. I love the class

His classes, are difficult. He moves quickly and the content volume can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, the amount of info you learn and retain makes the aforementioned difficulties worth enduring. Dr. Yury Polsky is by far the best teacher I have ever taken. He is spectacularly intelligent and hilarious. He will make you smarter.

Polsky is like George Feeny from the show Boy Meets World. He tests you, makes you second guess your decision to take him, and grades very hard. But when the class is over, you have learned many serious lessons. You feel a sense of pride because of how much you will learn and know what your talking about concerning the class' content forever.

Hard to fit Polsky into these categories. His tests are hard and his lectures are not the best organized, but he is one of the best teachers I've had at WCU. EXTREMELY knowledgeable and VERY entertaining, even more so if you're interested in the content. Like others have said, write down EVERY main point that comes out of his mouth and use wiki.

Very hard classes, but he is knowledgeable and helpful. Always do the assigned readings as he moves quickly during lecture. He gives plenty of opportunity (2 days) before tests for review. His tests are usually made to his study guide, but he expects you to write EVERYTHING that he knows (not you) on the test. It will have red marks all over it.

funny guy, and VERY VERY smart. but not "teacher" material unless ur used to his style. fast notes and lot of writing. i didnt read and only got a B cuz i got some help ;)

As a PSC major, I've taken three classes with Polsky, show up to class, take lots of notes, and study for the 3 blue book tests and you will do well. Polsky is funny and very knowledgeable but he is still tough. I got an A in all three courses, it can be done.

Hilarious. Literally rips on everyone and anyone during class when they get something wrong. Tests were ridiculously easy and the guy knows his stuff. Dont be afraid to be wrong cause you're guaranteed to laugh after.

Go to class. Take notes on everything he says. Go home, type of those notes and do more research on the book about the main topics. There is no need to read every word of the text, just read the topics he covered. Tests are hard... Prepare 2 weeks in advance you'll do fine. Go to office hours he will help you out in whatever you need.

He is one of the great "old school" professors who rattles off notes from memory as if he is reading from a text. Don't be late, don't skip, but also don't feel bad about answering a question wrong. Not an easy prof by any means but he will make you want to learn the material and he is fair in his grading. Also, his humor is top notch.

I love Polsky! He terrified me the first day of class I thought he was mean and I couldn't understand his accent, but I ended up loving his dry sense of humor and his accent became more understandable with time. Definitely an extremely challenging professor to get an A, but if you read and attend class it's easy to get a B or a C

Polsky taught me more about international relations than any other professor! He's extremely intelligent, but very tough if you're not good at memorizing specific dates and people. Take this class if you're willing to work hard and are generally interested in history. Love him!

Polsky is intimidating at first but he is a fantastic teacher. You need to show up to class, BE ON TIME, write down everything he says in lecture, and study hard. By no means is it easy but I guarantee you will learn A LOT, especially if you are actually interested in the material. I bought the books but never opened them. B+ and taking him again.

I took many classes with Polsky. The guy has an encyclopedic knowledge of 20th century global affairs. Truly remarkable. Now, in law school, I find myself benefiting from what I learned in his class. Also, no need to readlisten to lectures and study with wikipedia. DOWNSIDES: toonnss of overlap between his classes, and scant discussion of theory.

Type A personality. An amazing teacher. If you pay attention and follow his mandates, you will succeed not only in academia, but in any profession of your choice.

Polsky is a great guy but if you are not a person who can take simple question and answer tests, it is not a class for you. If you do not know the answer, you don't have hope of knowing it. There are only 3 tests throughout the entire semester, so if you don't do well on one of them your grade can easily drop. If you don't have to take it don't.

Probably the only person you'll meet from the Soviet Union times. Extremely intelligent, makes you work for your grade. Says attendance is calculated into your grade but not anywhere to be found. Grade is on 3 tests only. Hard, very hard tests. Pay attention and take good notes. Be ready.

Polsky by far is my favorite professor. He will berate you for wrong answers but that's his way of being funny and connecting with students. I've had him 5 times. 3 tests-20 questions. Go to class and take notes (dates, names, countries, policies). You don't need the textbook. Tests aren't hard like everyone keeps saying. Study and you'll be fine.

I thought his class was enjoyable, fun and interesting. Its refreshing to be able to just listen and learn rather than worry about little knick knack assignments every day like with most professors.

C- on 1st ex w/ him, then I showed up, took notes & memorized. A- overall so you can recover if you show him effort. Go to office hours, get to know him: nice, brilliant, & best prof for WW2 buffs. Ended up taking all of his classes, all A's. Went to law school& his class prepped me for cold-calling & limited exams that count as your entire grade