PLCP 1010

As a first year, this class was daunting, and easily the most difficult I took during my first semester. However, it was incredibly rewarding and revitalized my interest in politics. Professor Waldner is absolutely brilliant, and incredibly engaging during lecture. He will elaborate upon the more important readings during class, so keep note of that for the exams. It is a good idea to write down all of the words on the slides during class, as well as filling in with Waldner's commentary--but be warned, your fingers will be tired from typing so much after this class. The reading is really heavy for a 1010 course, but not to an overwhelming extent. Waldner will say that the 90% weight on exams on the final grade is common throughout the Politics department, but that has not been true in the other politics classes I've taken, and that was a negative aspect of the course. If you're anxious about the heavy weight of the exams, be sure to take advantage of office hours. Waldner helps you to identify what is confusing, and works through it with you while empowering you. You will be much more likely to do well in the course if you take advantage of these opportunities.

Wouldn't take the class if you are just looking for a random class to take. Really hard to get an A. I put in a ton of work and barely got an A-.

DO NOT TAKE this class if you want an A. I got an 89 on every midterm and final and ended with a B+. I don't think the TA read any of my work --- I spent a ridiculous amount of time studying. I enjoyed Waldner's class at the beginning, but over time everything seemed so arbitrary.

David Waldner is the goat. He's hilarious and engaging and strongly believes in the importance in the course he teaches. I did not do the readings, and I am about to finish the class with an A-. I would highly recommend that everyone takes this class.

This class was so hard especially as a first year taking it in their first semster. The professor seemed nice and funny but I didn't understand jack because he moved so fast and used so many statistical models (which will be on the exams) and the amount of reading is genuinely insane (like 70 pages per lecture). Overall, I ended with a B because all the exams are open note and take home, which I'm so thankful for, but watch the time cus you'll get marked off heavy for missing a question

Make no mistake, this is a difficult class, particularly for a 1010. The readings are dense and often uninteresting. However, Waldner takes a semester to build a story of comparative politics, and it is worth it to hold on. The exams are challenging but very fair; despite ending with an A, I had to fight (figuratively) to get there. Getting a good grade, however, is very doable. Waldner himself is a tremendous person. Despite taking the class several years ago, I still keep in touch with him, and I highly recommend getting to know him. He will help so much in getting through the course and school. Of everything in the course, attending discussion section is extremely critical, since that is often where the best digestion of material occurs, but don't think you can get away with not going to lecture or at least skimming the readings, because there's necessary material there that you wouldn't be able to find otherwise. It's a difficult class, but it is well-worth your time, and it is one of the few classes I've taken at UVA where I can safely say I learned something that will stick.

i just want you to look at how few students got A's in this class for an INTRO course, that speaks numbers, i got an a- and i was alright with that, but it was by no means an easy course nor is it a course you should take if you are not interested in politics or the major, please consider something else, however my ta was awesome and the class is not impossible, i tried to read but a lot was super dense, no attendence, lecture slides were online and the exams were online pdfs, waldner himself is fine, great in office hours but just an ok lecturer, this class will try to change the way you think and if you want a good grade just go along with it

This is an essay intro class that you're almost certain to get an A or B in. Your grade depends on participation, a midterm, and the final exam. All exams are open note and primarily based on the lectures and readings. In addition to this, exams are take-home and administered through Canvas. Honestly, I was able to get away with not doing any of the readings and still end with an A-. However, if you aren't familiar with the material, the readings are essential. A lot of people aren't fans of Waldner, but I honestly enjoyed his teaching style. He can be all over the place at times, but the point he's making is always clear. The only complaint I would have about this class is that Waldner definitely includes his opinions in his teaching, but it's pretty clear what he's basing his opinions on versus simply facts. Other than that, this was an easy and fantastic course that I would recommend to anyone interested in politics.