<p>I was wondering what a typical Poli Sci class is like. I heard there are a lot of writing. Is this true? If so, are the grades generally subjective depending on the professors or the TA?</p>
<p>Also, I know there are a lot of Poli Sci majors at UCSD. Is it generally regarded as an easy major compared to others? I heard quite a percentage of students get A's in the classes.</p>
<p>I'm asking because I'm an International Studies major and wondering if I should choose Economics or Political Science as my primary track..</p>
<p>A typical poli class will have readings, a midterm, paper (usually 6-10 pages), and final. So yes, there is a lot of writing. Some have more than others. Unlike many science or math courses, you're graded against the material instead of your peers so if you know your stuff you should be able to get an A regardless of how many other people do.</p>
<p>If you do the readings, you'll be ok.. just remember that there is a lot of reading. sometimes up to a couple hundred pages per class, per week, depending on the class. But yeah, one paper, one midterm, and a final is a pretty typical arrangement for a poli sci class. Although my poli 13 class had 3 papers and a final, and my poli 12 class had two papers, a midterm, and a final. (so, they do vary)</p>
<p>I doubt there are any poli sci classes at ucsd that don't require at least one 6-10 page paper.</p>
<p>I went into the class expecting to cover current events like the Russia / Georgia conflict and stuff but we dont really talk about anything current, all we talk about is IR theory. Roeder is a cool guy I just dont really like the material. It is a big change from AP Gov. </p>
<p>I have Ben Tang as a TA hes pretty cool, its just the material that bugs me</p>
<p>If you wanna take more poli, try Poli 142P Crisis Area in World Politics. That should be more current event stuff. Poli 140C and 136A might be good bets too if you want actual conflicts.</p>
<p>All introductory IR classes are on mostly theory rather than practice no matter the institution. You have to learn IR theories before you can analyze IR situations effectively.</p>
<p>All they really care about is your understanding of the subject, and your ability to competently analyze it; even if they don't agree with your analysis they wont grade you down. Literary expertise is not nearly as important either, your essay doesn't have to be some smooth flowing, fun to read, 'capture the reader with the first sentence' masterpiece. In that sense it is much easier, and also much less subjective to grade fluctuation among different TA's. TA's arent judging your particular use of diction, or the effectiveness of your metaphor where their opinion clearly effects your grade, their opinions are restricted to: A) Does the student understand the material and B) Does he/she provide a sound (even if unconventional) analysis of the material. PoliSci essays > Lit essays, always :)</p>
<p>though because poli sci courses consist of essays, you could argue that grading them is more subjective and less quantitative. biases between hard an easy graders are hard to differentiate. though uncommon, one TA could give you an B+ but had another graded you could have gotten an A screwing you over. you could argue that the curving systems of science/math courses takes your grades out of your hands but so does poli sci subjective grading</p>
<p>Compared to any hard science, an extensive writing major is more subjective. But compared to other writing based majors, it's easily one of the least.</p>
<p>I'm taking Poli 12 with Roeder right now as well. I personally like the class a lot but that's part of the reason I'm a Poli Sci major and not something else. Roeder goes fast sometimes in lecture and repeats himself one too many times but if you actually put the time into reading the stuff and understanding it, lectures are pretty easy to understand.</p>
<p>Not sure how fun the class is for the 60%+ of people in my discussion who don't read and freely admit it to the TA, but I'm finding it enjoyable as my first college poli sci class.</p>
<p>Yes, the grading is very subjective and like others have said, the key is to base it on the readings, not on your opinion on the matter. Our midterm was with regards to the War on Terror and this became a "Rant against Bush" paper for a lot of people.</p>
<p>Less writing than a History or English major, more than hard science/math majors. It's definitely doable even if you aren't the world's greatest writer.</p>
<p>I know it isn't really a writing class, but can anyone give feedback on POLI30? I'll be taking it with Desposato though the counselor advised against it (it'll be my first quarter @ SD.. winter admit); I've read good things about this class/professor. I did search btw, I'd like more recent feedback.</p>
<p>There are few classes with multiple choice midterms. POLI 104M Law and Sex has a multiple choice midterm and final.</p>
<p>As for POLI 30, I took it with Desposato my freshman year. He's not bad. Might be a bit boring but the class isn't too difficult, just basic regression and stuff. I would just take it to get it out of the way. I don't know why they'd tell you not to take it. Are you taking other POLI classes?</p>
<p>strongbadfan: Haha, if my name looks familiar then I probably am. Who are you on fb?</p>
<p>As for POLI30, the counselor advised against me taking it (after I had proposed the idea) because it'll be my first quarter at UCSD. I'm guessing that particular person thought it was hard.. I think I'll just get it out of the way though.</p>
<p>SterlingTFX: Yeah, I'm a poli sci major. I have 10 out of the way. I was planning on taking POLI13 this quarter but decided not to after I realized I'd have 3 social science classes and one math, and that it's in high demand. I'll just take it the following quarter.</p>