Ajax definitely cared about his students and was always available to answer questions. Grading is based on participation/pop quizzes, midterm, final, and term paper. Be prepared for lots of reading each class.

Good Class.

Grading is interesting in that it reminded me a bit of high school -- less emphasis on exams, more emphasis on various "assignments" spaced out throughout the quarter. One of the assignments is a "congressional simulation" in which people make speeches, propose bills, etc. in front of the entire class. In my opinion, some people took this way, way too seriously and it kind of ruined it for others (swearing, arguing, one-uping people by making actual social media profiles of themselves as "congressmen"). I'm assuming there are people who do this every quarter.

Perris is a great lecturer. Slides are super clear, no BS, he has clearly put a lot of thought into the course. Final exam and midterm were exceptionally straightforward, online, and open note.

In conclusion, this class is unlike normal Pol Sci courses in that your grade isn't based on just a midterm and final. Your grade in this class is based on a variety of quizzes, homework assignments (ie. short papers), your "simulation" participation, a small project, and 2 exams -- all of which are graded very fairly. If that sounds good to you, take this class. However, if you don't like the idea of constantly checking in/ participating in one course (ie. you prefer taking 2 tests and getting them over with), then it may be a good idea to avoid this.

Very fair professor and actually a very nice guy if you talk to him during office hours. The class is very interesting but there is a lot of reading. Study hard and you should be fine.
Pay very close attention to the first 3 chapters, as their themes show up extensively throughout the course and in later chapters (make those connections).