<p>For example, is PolSci186 supposed to be harder than PolSci93? If so, could a freshman handle a course in the high 100s? thanks.</p>
<p>Course numbers do matter in some vague way - things lower than 100 are considered introductory courses, and many times, if that's your major you can only take one or two and have them count. But I don't think, or at least I haven't experienced, a 186 being harder than say a 169. </p>
<p>In any case, I've taken PlSci93 with Peter Feaver and it is hard enough as a freshman, and the last time he taught was my freshman year (I'm going to be a senior) and he is a legendary prof (and tough!) so a lot of upperclassmen have been waiting around to take this with him.</p>
<p>In this case, it's hard enough, Feaver is great enough, and it's an introductory course so sooner or later you'll need it that I very strongly recommend taking 93. (also, in most situations, I don't find myself recommending or even thinking that first semester freshmen should be taking things that are practically in the 200-level -- get adjusted to college, have a fun semester without going nuts from stress, get prereqs out of the way, prove to yourself and your adviser that you can)</p>
<p>By the way, Prof. Peter Feaver was very important in developing recent Bush administration communications strategies regarding the Iraq War: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/politics/04strategy.html?ex=1291352400&en=667fce7a6641bd1b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/politics/04strategy.html?ex=1291352400&en=667fce7a6641bd1b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss</a></p>
<p>Yeah I have heard great things about Feaver. Apparently, he cold calls students, even on the first day of class.</p>
<p>Having said that, I am not sure whether you actually need to take an Intro Political Science. I've only been taking 100+ and have not had any trouble comprehending the material. I will have 7 Polisci courses completed by the end of Fall 2007 <em>shrug</em></p>