if you're not into theory, this class will probably be boring and you'll never attend lecture (just a heads up). assignments are essays based on theory readings and films. Prof. Panagia's lectures are not structured at all, there are no slides, and it often seems like he is just making stuff up as he goes (but perhaps thats what theory is?). this is an easy class if you're good at writing and analyzing theory, film, and politics. that's all this class is: analyzing. Overall an easy class (but often boring)

This is a weird class. The movies he assigns to watch and the assigned readings are interesting, but he provides little guidance on how to write your critical memos / final essay. It's difficult to find a good balance between technical film analysis, discussion of the specific film, and political commentary based on the relevant readings. Err on the side of overusing the readings.

Grade is 3*10% for 3 critical viewing memos, 20% participation, 50% final essay

Do I feel like I learned something interesting in this class? Yes. Were the lectures frequently discursive and unhelpful as preparation for the writing assignments? Also yes.

Professor Panagia is in many ways a delightfully stereotypical college professor. I loved his class and his passion for the subject material is obvious in every lecture. He also really makes an effort to discuss practical information with his students, especially in regards to the university system and job interests, that I really appreciated. The writing for this class is challenging but the TAs are very helpful and will guide you through the assignments if you go to office hours. Like seriously, definitely go to office hours. Although it was difficult my writing improved after this class which is always a good thing. I would recommend this class and this professor.

The final which ended up being extra credit saved my behind. But for the critical memos, I got a B+, and then two A-s. You can write whatever you want but just make sure your argument is backed up with evidence. Also, use the articles in comparison and contrast with one another. Also towards the end, attendance became mandatory for some reason and there was a sign-in sheet.

Ah good ole Panagia. If you have taken PS10 with him you'll more or less know what to expect from his lecturing style. Workload was 3 viewing memos that pertained to a specific set of movies/theories talked about in class, and a final memo which was slightly longer. While he'll provide an overarching topic to discuss in your viewing memos, the grade assigned are totally up to the interpretation of the TAs, so going to at least one office hour to get an idea of what they are looking for is recommended. Furthermore, some of the readings do run more on the dense side (as do in most theory classes), but are needed in writing the viewing memos.

I personally found Panagia's style of lecturing where he'll start with a basic concept and then seemingly pull info/analysis out of nowhere to make a (sometimes) coherent argument quite engaging, but it is definitely not for everyone. As mentioned in other comments, the lectures really don't provide you with an answer in regards to the memos, and will require you to operate in a zone of ambiguity. If you do enjoy writing about theory or in depth analysis of films/politics, this is the class for you.

I stopped going to lectures after the first class, after I realized that all of the assignments are graded by the TA, and if that TA is well-organized, they will explain what they want to see in your paper during discussions. I focused my energy into discussions and often went to office hours with my TA, and I was able to get an A+ on all my papers.

Professor Panagia does such a great job at expanding your world view. He is very passionate about political theory and cares a lot about making sure that you see the world in a different way too. Not going to lie though, his lectures a bit difficult to get through at first especially if you’ve never taken a political theory/philosophy class before. It does get easier the more you expose yourself to the assigned readings though!

I would recommend anyone to take this class if you’re curious about political thinking and willing to go through some dense (but interesting) reading in order to fully understand the material. Also heads up, this is not a contemporary political theory class, its heavily focused on the origins of Western philisophical/political thinking.

Regarding assignments the writing prompts are a bit difficult but the TA’s have been pretty generous this quarter. *Also Rui Zhou is an awesome TA I would totally recommend him!* If you’re not really into reading or writing, or you’re just taking this as a GE, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are actually interested in philosophy. But if you ARE interested Professor Panagia and the TA’s will do a great job for you.

This class was a super interesting class. Professor Panagia clearly knows what he is talking about and is excited to discuss it with the class, but sometimes he gets lost on tangents and it becomes hard to follow. In addition, the notes he does show are confusing. He is very helpful if you have questions and uses pop culture analogies to better explain the topics. If you take this class, i definitely recommend going to your discussion sessions and really paying attention because the TAs (I had Vanessa Pooudomsak) are very helpful in clarifying. In addition, the TAs give helpful advice for the three main projects due throughout the quarter. Overall, an interesting class, but make sure to really pay attention and find a good group of students to discuss the readings and projects with.

Professor Panagia always started class with meditation which was initially sort of comedic but slowly became a helpful way to focus. It usually only took about 3-5 minutes of the beginning of class. Professor Panagia would always begin lecture immediately after on readings he assigned for the week. Our class was Tuesday's and Thursday's so he would have us submit a page of notes and annotations by 12pm on Tuesday's. In my section (with TA Rui Zhou, AMAZING btw), we would submit a forum post and reply to count as participation for the class since the professor would lecture the entire class time. Professor Panagia's lectures consisted of him talking based off of annotations/notes he took. It sort of got confusing at times but he said very fascinating, interesting things all the time. There isn't any other homework than the notes and annotations, as well as the forum post, other than readings. There were no tests, instead, podcast or essay option each worth 20%, three total. I did all podcasts and got A- on all of them, 100% on the homework which was the remainder of the grade, leaving me with an A. Professor Panagia recorded all of his lectures (as did Rui) and was always dressed so nice for our class. Best professor I have had yet!

Professor Panagia is an amazing professor. I was not expecting to enjoy the content of this class, but he made it fun and interesting. He posted all of the readings on the website so there was no need to buy a textbook. The assignments were adjusted to take the stresses of Covid into consideration, meaning that our 3 essays could take the form of a regular essay, a podcast or a video lecture. My TA (Vanessa) was incredible, very sweet, and was always willing to give me feedback on a draft thesis statement before moving forward with my writing. I was encouraged to write about what interested me rather than sticking directly with the prompt which made the class so much more enjoyable. Would totally take again, a great intro into political theory