Yes, it is a lot of reading but all the essays add up to 110% which will allow you to either skip one essay or gives you leeway.

Everything that counts toward your grade: 3 reading/analytical essays, 2 quizzes, a policy brief, attendance, and a final exam. You’ll have to grind for the A because the TA will be a hard grader on essays and the essay portion of the quizzes and the final. Overall knowledgeable prof and if you are a global major you should fs take this class.

Lectures were very optional as much of the information you will need for midterms are all accessible through slides, some questions asked very general questions from the readings. readings are also not necessary except for the readings for the comparative analysis papers of which there are 2 assigned. Overall very straight forward class no fluff

Prof Clemencon is so laidback. Took on zoom. there were asynchronous lectures and synchronous meetings that were optional. Very knowledgeable and is willing to answer any question you may have. You'll do really well if you're good at analytical essays. A lot of reading but the material was pretty interesting. He really wants his students to succeed

Loved this class and the Professor, really nice guy. Sounds like Gru from Despicable Me and it was a great addition to the lectures! Reading heavy, but the essays are not too bad and neither is the final as he gives you the questions ahead of time and selects 5 of them randomly.

His lectures are very easy to follow, posts slides up on GauchoSpace, and has extremely clear grading criteria. Has 2 quizzes and 3 short papers and a final. He gives you all the answers for the quizzes and really wants his students to do well. He's a very inspirational guy and has done a lot in his life...I would take him again and again.