PLAP 3820

Do not take this class with Professor Todd. You learn nothing outside of what is already in the textbook other than random stories about Todd's life. He believes he is this quirky outspoken professor with a good sense of humor when in reality he makes a myriad of wildly inappropriate comments that make everyone in the class really really uncomfortable. His comments often cross the line into being racist and sexist even if he doesn't intend them to be. Any time he says something inappropriate and the class doesn't respond to, he just tells us we don't have a sense of humor. He claims he is teaching the class like a law school course by cold calling on people, but all he asks for are the facts and the basic outcome of the case and there is no discussion on the complexities of the subject or interesting details about court opinions. I don't think he has ever been able to answer a student's question. He just repeats a vague answer that doesn't address the student's initial question. As someone who came into this class excited to learn about the Supreme Court and the Constitution, I am extremely disappointed with Todd's performance.

Most disappointing class experience at UVA. I want to go to law school and was so excited for this class (and he's lucky this class didn't ruin law school for me). I read great reviews of Todd for his other American politics classes, but the only things I learned from this class were what I read in the textbook. Lecture was completely ridiculous and pointless, you just get cold called and repeat what everyone else has also read and Todd adds absolutely nothing to the material; he just makes fun of you and interrupts constantly. He acts as if this class will prepare you for law school just because he uses cold calling. He clearly knows a ton but only wants to tell stories about how he met various Supreme Court justices, doesn't give any insight to the court decisions, evolution of the court, etc. He's incredibly sexist and condescending, constantly saying things that cross the line but acting as if its okay because he's old. Avoid at all costs.

To the reader: If you are like me, you have never written a course evaluation and are likely looking to see if this class is easy enough. worth your while wont damage your GPA. If so, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. Professor Todd is easily one of the least, if not the least proficient professor I have had in my life, even outside UVA. The requirements of the class involve reading a THICK ASS textbook, regurgitating it line for line in your notes, and then reading those notes (which is exactly what's in the textbook) to the class when cold called because you are not allowed to look at your book. Moreover, when called upon, the environment is safe enough among peers, but Todd CONTINUOUSLY interrupts you as you are regurgitating your notes to the class, and at least once a week, makes a racist or sexist remark. Moreover, his inability to add anything of worth to class the class is truly remarkable. For all the time he parades about spending with Supreme Court judges, he demonstrates little to no information relevant to the class. He claims he was a lawyer in the past, but his inability to answer questions from students evokes a sense of curiosity within me as to the validity of this statement. He's ruined this course , a course he claimed was taught my his 'friend.' Well Todd, you've done eff'ed up. God Speed shall you endeavor to take this course.

Let me start by saying that I'm a graduating fourth year and that I have never felt the need to write a review for a class before now, but I wish somebody had warned me to NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. This is the worst course I have taken in my 8 semesters at UVA. Class is an hour of Professor Todd cold calling people to recite case briefs they wrote based on the readings. He continually interjects to give anecdotes about Supreme Court justices he's met, but he offers nothing substantive about cases or legal precedent/evolution. Essentially, I have taught myself everything I've learned from the textbook. He makes a big deal about mastering legal citations for the final paper, but he doesn't bother to teach them to you. He favors students he has had before and is extremely rude to everyone else. He hasn't bothered to learn a single person in our 30-person class' name (besides his former students), unprofessionally complains about his salary, and continually makes racist and sexist jokes that may have been accepted by his frat brothers in the 1960s but have long since become inappropriate (especially in a classroom setting). It is past time for him to retire--don't waste your time with this class.