This class is great if you don't mind writing and you don't want to show up to class. Out of a class of 200+ people, the lecture hall rarely held more than 30 people since all of the lecture slides could be accessed online. Participation was required in the sections, but grading was relatively easy and the TAs made it very clear what they were looking for. Although I had hoped to have a greater understanding of world politics after taking this class, I found the essay topics interesting and I'm grateful for the lack of tests given.

This is a so-called writing intensive course with your entire grade determined by four 1200ish words short papers(10% each), one 10ish pages final paper(50%) and participation(10%). There is no exam or quiz, just writing. Four short papers are assigned every two weeks and final paper questions are available from the beginning, which means unless you leave it to the last few days you will have plenty of time to prepare.

Generally, if you are cool with writing, you should be cool with this course. I won't say the workload is super light, but this course would not put a lot pressure on your agenda. And to be practical, you don't have to pay too much attention to the reading or lectures to get an A, though you will definitely or at least learn something more by doing so. Besides, I think TA matters a lot because your score will be completely determined by your TA.

I only attended a total of three lectures and I skipped three discussion sections. Section participation is graded, and you can make up for missing ones, but I didn't and still ended up okay. The final paper is ten pages and single spaced. I started it two days before the deadline and pulled off an A-. If you put in just a smidge more effort than I did then I'm sure you'll get an A. You won't learn a thing though. If you're looking for an easy GE that won't mess up your schedule, this is the class for you,

I stopped going to lecture after the first week and I didn't even buy the textbook. Your grade is compromised solely of essays and section participation, so there's really no need to go to lecture. I took this class concurrently with Comparative Politics and I actually used the information from that class to write my final essay, which was worth 50% of the overall grade. If essays are your thing & lecture isn't, take this class.

This class is essentially 4 2-page essays due every 2 weeks and one 10-page essay (which was cut down to a 5 page essay about a week from when it was due) due at the end of the quarter.

Each 2-page essay has a specific topic, while the final essay has numerous topics to choose from, with more being added with world events to talk about and whatnot.

The professor's lectures are relatively boring straight-from-the-slides reading, but he is rather enthusiastic to what he's discussing so his energetic voice might keep you awake, but lectures are alright to ditch.

He offers extra credit in the form of being able to redo your first essay for another shot at a higher grade, and adding 3 more pages to your final essay which will replace your lowest graded paper with a max score.

The book isn't needed at all, rarely if never brought to section, and is only an optional tool to cite for your essays.

Take this class if you want a light work load, with little involvement needed aside from putting some effort into your essays.

Grading Scheme:
Four 2-page essays, single spaced on given topics; due every 2 weeks: 10% each= 40% total
Discussion participation/attendance: 10% (you can make up for missed ones btw, but tedious)
Take-home Final 10 page single-spaced essay via Turnitin.com, due very last day of instruction: 50%
The time period to have all of these done is super lenient!

I only read the book for the essays. The class was honestly whatever. I looked for an easy A but I didn't really learn much other than I hate world politics and international relations (guess I won't be taking pol sci 50). I stopped going to lecture at week 5 because I didn't understand the lectures and what he was saying. I went back once during week 7 to see like 25 people in the room and he still taught (that's a lot of dedication kudos to him and the students).
He posts the slides online after the lecture happens but if you read the book enough, you won't need the slides or the lectures.
Discussion consists of presenting your essay in 2 minutes to the class and summarizing it.
TA's and the professor respond in a reasonable amount of time so they're always open to help.

If you want practice writing essays on the interactions of nations, this is the class you want. If you dread essays, do not take this class. As for the lectures, he basically reads off the powerpoint. There really is no point in attending the lectures.The professor honestly is useless for the class. I stopped going after 3rd week. Everything I learned in the class was from my TA Phil Assouline who was definitely one of the best TAs I've ever had at UCLA. The book can be skimmed for the general ideas to be used in the essays. The final is the most ridiculous part of the class. I had to write a 18 page double spaced essay during finals week. If you have a really tricky schedule and you need to fit in a GE without ruining your schedule, and you are willing to write essays, this is the class you should take. If you want to learn, there are better options. My grade ended up being an A.

I never attended lecture. I didn't read the book. I didn't learn anything.

Final Grade: A.

:)

The lecture sucks, not worth going. Go to the discussions!!! I didn't do much reading, any at all actually. Get Chang as your TA! He's awesome and his office hours are extremely helpful. He basically tells you exactly what to write for the essays.

Professor Wilkinson looks like the kind of guy that goes home to his small little apartment, makes tea, and falls asleep on his big comfy chair. I've seen him walking to lecture and around campus and he looks so depressed. I like his jacket though. Well, only because it looks like the 11th Doctor's tweed jacket.

He sucks. Period. His lectures are extremely dull, didn't follow reading schedule on the syllabus, and if you have a question during the lectures, he says "email me and I'll discuss it NEXT lecture." Come on dude. And in a class of 200, by 4th week only 50. I stopped going by 5th week. Just read the book, which is really good. You'll learn better. And his whole class consists of four essays which are around 600-800 words and a final essay of 4000 words. No tests, no quizzes. TA was okay. Like seriously, if by week 6 only 20 people go to class, then wouldn't the professor think "oh I must be doing something bad, I should change some things" but no. You'll get an A if you just go to discussion and read the book.