This class was disappointing. The guest speakers were great (Hillary Clinton came!) but as for the rest of it..terrible. The reading assignments are really long and tedious. The paper brings everyone's grades down. Discussions were boring. Skip this class!
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42 Reviews
Definitely not all that it was hyped up to be.
This course is best for people who want to learn something about politics, but didn't take US Government in high school, or people who want to brush up on their government knowledge. Also, if you want to get to know Mr. Sabato, he is very approachable after class. The lecture is usually fun and never boring.
Pointless to take this class if you took American Government in high school unless you just want a class with Sabato or to see the amazing guest speakers he has. Sabato is an excellent professor and gives pretty interesting lectures, but the reading is pretty much pointless and the paper is graded extremely hard. This class really should be calle Intro to Larry Sabato's Views on American Politics not Intro to American Politics.
OK, so Sabato's a pompous talking head, etc, etc. He's still an interesting lecturer who is funny (although really corny). Get Holly Hatcher as your T.A., because she rocks.
Am. Politics 101 is a fun introductory level course, so don't expect too much substance. Prof. Sabato is entertaining, a bit egotistic (all texts are written by him). Tests & papers are not difficult. Be prepared to contribute enthusiastically in discussion sessions.
Mr. Sabato is a great teacher. His lectures are very entertaining, and he is well spoken. Although Mr. Sabato might regard his own opinoin too highly, I still like him as a teacher. His lectures are also less boring than other classes I have taken. I only studied the day before the midterm and still got an A-. However, I had already read already read most of the chapters. It should also be noted that I am not a smart, nerd.
This is basically Larry Sabato's comedy hour.
Mr. Sabato's PLAP 101 is another must take at UVA. The basics of politics is an essential for all Americans and Mr. Sabato makes it fun and interesting.
I'd recommend sitting in on the lecture, but not taking the class, especially if you don't need to. It's kind of impossible to do really well in but Sabato's own commentary and personal experiences make the material a lot more interesting - he just doesn't even begin to cover the stuff you're expected to know for the exam....