PLAP 2270

When I took this class it was a 3000-level. The set up for this course is kind of strange. In discussion you have three mini-research projects so you never discuss the readings or lecture. It's almost like two separate classes. The projects are easy but time consuming (you have to transcribe an entire interview and focus group). The midterm and final are online and both curved. I never really got anything out of lectures so I stopped going and just skimmed the readings. Got a B.

Overall, I would say that this class was worthwhile. Winter is a very good lecturer and his class was never too boring to sit through, yet the class structure was a little odd. The projects were extremely tedious and discussion sections consisted only of talking about the projects which were never super helpful, when it would have been much more useful to talk about readings/lecture material.

This class had good content and Winter was a good lecturer but the structure of the class was definitely frustrating at times. Lecture material did not really match up with what was covered in section, and the projects were definitely pretty time consuming and difficult to do at some points. Also the online exams annoyed me.

This class was a LOT of work, and honestly I don't think it was worth it. I got an A in the class, but it took a LOT of work the 3 projects you had to do in section were incredibly time consuming, and didn't connect to lecture content in any way. Apparently they restructured the class after reviews from last year, and it didn't seem to work very well. Although the content can be interesting and Winter is a decent lecturer, I would not recommend this class

I don't believe he teaches this class anymore, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was because of student evaluations. Winter is actually a fantastic lecturer, but the grading and structure of the class was absolutely puzzling. It was the most disorganized class I've ever taken. Discussion sections accounted for an incredible portion of one's grade and were incredibly time consuming. Tests were horrible disasters. I would go see a guest lecture by Winter, but the set up of his class will never allow me to take one of his classes again.

Lectures were really interesting and I would take a class with Winters again, but the discussion sections were a series of projects which I learned almost nothing from, and yet, they were 39% of our grade. The tests were very specific and hard, but there was a generous curve and I think they would be okay if the readings were discussed in discussion sections.

So the content of the lectures was really interesting, and Winter is a witty guy with some great stuff to say. However, I found the tests to be way too specific, unnecessarily so. Additionally, the discussion section involved these "in-class" (they were homework) projects, and with those plus the readings I found the coursework to take up more time than is expected for a 3 credit course. I was not happy with the discussion sections, and until the structure of the discussions are changed, I would not recommend this class.

On that note though, I believe that they will be changing the structure of the discussions after this year, because I believe most of the class felt the same way as me. So you might have better luck.

This class will probably be better next time it is offered. Winter keeps changing the class every semester to make it what it really needs to be. It was not quite there for this semester. Winter is a really cool and funny guy who is passionate about this subject, but the tests were way too specific and unnecessarily tricky and parts of the workload were tedious and silly. However, in discussion sections, we did very cool hands on activities with public opinion that were really interesting. I did learn some things in this class, but I probably wouldn't take it again if I knew what I was getting myself into. However, it should be improving in the years to come.

Professor Winter is really approachable and a reasonably good lecturer. Almost all of the grade is a research project. Not a lot of work on a regular basis, but the research project takes a lot of time spread out. Boris was a great TA.

The material was kind of boring but I really liked conducting my own research project. No one attended lecture which I don't understand because the readings were pointless except to do response papers. But if you want a chill easy politics class, this is it. Nicole is also the best!

I second the below comment. It was a terribly boring, pointless class. A- is pretty easy to get, but you can easily find another class that you can do well that wont be so painful.

Pointless class. Extremely easy, except the grading can be stressful but if you work hard on you research paper, which is interesting because you choose your own topic, you can get an A. Emily was a good TA, she can be a hard grader, but she is fair. The class isn't time consuming at all. You only have to do work a few days before an assignment is due. Discussion was relaxed, except for the one obnoxious student who spoke way too much. Lecture is unnecessary and boring (you would have more fun watching paint dry while getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist). I recommend the class, but it was definitely my least favorite of the semester.

This class was interesting but had a pointless research paper that took up a lot of time.

Winter really loves this subject and tries his best to make it exciting. Going to class isn't entirely necessary but it's not horrible to sit through when you go. Readings are not difficult and there aren't too many of them. One big research paper at the end but it's on a topic of your choice and it's your own survey research rather than a lot of reading. Overall, pretty easy class in the Politics department.

I learned a little bit about a lot of irrelevant stuff. Winter is a decent lecturer, and getting a good grade is not too hard. The material is bland and tedious, but just know the main points.

Great class! Professor Winter is funny and interesting, though the material isn't always very exciting.

Easy class, but there isn't much content. Discussions are low-stress. Winter tries to keep things interesting, and he does a good job. Know the readings well, that's basically the entire course.

Easiest, most inane class I have taken here

Honestly, I didn't put as much effort into this class as I should have. The lectures and readings were often boring. The papers were not very challenging. More of a focus on polling than I had imagined.

Pretty good class if your TA is good. I had Emily who seemed to have a pretty erratic grading pattern and often failed to mention criteria she graded on, which probably made the class more difficult than need be. Overall, it is still a pretty good course.

if you attend lecture and skim the reading, you'll probably get an A. Most lectures are unnecessary if you're just going for the B/C range.

This class was really interesting although a lot of the information was a bit repetitive. Professor Winter tries to make this dry topic interesting by using visuals a lot and also showing movies throughout the semester. The readings are not bad at all for a politics class and the midterm and final terms are all given in advanced. Definitely recommend if you are interested in American politics or voting behavior!

Pretty Interesting class. Winter is an entertaining lecturer. Do the readings, put some thought and effort into writing your essays, study hard for the midterm and final, and you will get an A.

Winter is the man. I have no idea why people complain that he is boring; I really enjoyed his lectures. Of course he is not the most lecturer in the University, but the material itself is interesting and you can tell that he really tries. One midterm, two papers, and a final. Definitely recommended.

This was an easy class. I had a great TA (Justin) who was genuinely enthusiastic about the reading and finding other reading to supplement that.

I seriously stopped attending class after the first week. The lectures are pretty boring and the material is heavily focused on terms. Also, the readings seem redundant. Still, this class is a pretty easy A, given the easy exams and papers.

Winter is very knowledgeable about the course material, and does well to provide details on every facet of public opinion out there. I felt the paper grades were too subjective, but the midterm and final were very fair. Make sure to talk about the readings as much as you can and you'll do well.

You will learn from this class and you will be able to achieve an A with straightforward work. If you go to class once a week, participate in lecture, write 2 good papers and join a study group for the tests you will get an A.

The professor is boring even though you can see that he tries to make lecture interesting. I fell asleep more than once. Do NOT get Kathleen as your TA, as she is the hardest grader alive and will destroy your papers/exams.

The professor was really helpful, and very approachable. He put complicated scientific ideologies into a college student's perspective. He also gave out terms lists that were very helpful for the final!

Professor Winter does not succeed in tying the presented information into any sort of coherent thesis. Not a difficult class, but there are more fulfilling classes in the department.

Winter is a good lecturer; he's engaging and tries to make the repetitive subject of public opinion more interesting. The midterm and final are relatively easy consisting of ID terms and short essays. However, the two 5-page essay assignments due within the semester, I thought, were pretty harshly graded. I think its easy to get a good grade in this class, but you do have to work to get an A

One of the most boring classes I ever took at UVA, as long as you do the work easy A and make sure you get an TA who doesn't grade so harshly.

Winter really tried to make this class interesting and fun, but alas this was probably my least favorite class of the semester. Avoid having Kathleen Dougherty as your TA for this class as she is an extremely difficult grader.

if you want a gpa booster take this class. i didnt do anything all year and ended up with a B+

Very Easy A. Prof. Winters gives extra credit. Not worthwhile if you've already taken Professor Freedman's Mass Media class (which I recommend).

Good class- lectures seem kind of repetitive, so you don't realize you're learning a lot. Good amount of reading, nice professor with lots of knowledge, TAs were interested and helpful. 2 papers, a midterm, and a final-- not too harshly graded. Good beginning politics course.