Prof Strathman is very knowledgeable on Foreign Policy but makes his classes impossible to pass. You'll have about 100-200 pages of dense reading per week, lectures that are hard to follow, and no study guide for any of the tests. He looks for specific answers to his tests that he doesn't explicitly voice, and the TA's never know what's going on

Theres a midterm, paper, and final test. I went to every single lecture, took notes, and read and still managed to fail the midterm, the class average was a 67% (says more about him than me). Test preparation is extremely unclear, what he said to study was not on the test (no study guide either), TA's didn't know what was on the test either.

A great lecturer, but each lecture is stuffed with info. Randomly checks attendance. He is approachable and encourages questions. His tests are notoriously difficult, but if you do the readings and study extensively beforehand you should be fine. Sometimes curves grades based on your ability to improve throughout the course. Take him if you love IR

Strathman is an incredible professor! His course was structured so that there were just readings until week 8 then a simulation and essay for the final. Always do the reading - exams are author focused. Pay attention in lecture. At first his structure seems confusing but once you get it down it flows really well! Always avaliable to help!

Strathman is my guy! One of the best Political Science professors I have taken at UCSB. He is passionate about the material and is very knowledgeable. He does assign a crazy amount of reading though. Make sure to stay on top of it and to study well in advance for the midterm and final. Not an easy course by any means but you will learn a lot!

He's such a nice guy. He's really passionate about the subject and always willing to talk to students. The biggest complaint is the amount of reading he assigns which is required to pass his test (especially the 2nd half). Its inhumane for someone taking only 1 class let alone 3 or 4. But at the end, you will feel like a foreign policy expert.

Strathman is by far the best professor I have ever had at UCSB. Take any and every class with him that you can. The political science department is lucky to have him!

Best professor Ive had at UCSB. Classes are very challenging but he is so knowledgable and effectively educates students. After each class I leave genuinely thinking about the lecture material because its so interesting. The classes effectively incorporate history and opposing views too, making it unbiased and enjoyable to learn. Highly recommend!

Amazing lecturer! Speaks somewhat fast at times, but you can ask him to slow down. His lectures are never dull despite the subject. He's a very outgoing professor and extremely knowledgeable. However, there is a ton of reading involved which is the worst.

Best professor I've had at UCSB! His lectures are fast-paced but are extremely interesting and will give you lots to think about afterwards. This class is amazing because he has you making your own foreign policy strategies for a grade rather than just regurgitating information on tests. You'll learn a lot, but it's difficult to get an A!

YOU ***MUST DO THE READINGS*** Tests require you tie the readings directly into the answers. Prof is helpful and tries to make the lecture as interesting as possible for everyone.

Strathman's class is really reading intensive and challenging. It's definitely not the hardest class in the world, but if you don't read the readings he posts online (I wouldn't get the lafeber and cohen books) you'll probably get a C or maybe a B. Midterm and final are all on really fair topics, but you have to be thorough in your explanations.

He is a very enthusiastic lecturer and one of the best PS professors I've had. He post slides online and they are easy to understand. He doesn't make you buy a textbook so all the readings are online. Half of your section grade is playing a fun simulation and his papers are short op-eds. You do have to do the readings to do well though.

Take this professor when you can, I have taken both 126 and 127 with him. He might assign a ton of reading, but its definitely doable and meeting with him clarifies so much. He doesn't mind if you take notes in office hours, and is quite happy to just talk about political events or what you want to do following college.

Strathman has been one of my favorite Political Science professors at UCSB. It takes a couple of classes to get used to his style of lecturing, but once you are, lectures fly by. He assigns a lot of reading, but if you're remotely interested in the class then it won't be bad. Also go to office hours - he'll sit there and help you for a while.

He is a very passionate, friendly, approachable, and optimistic professor. He puts all the slides online and the lectures are organized and easy to understand.

A lot of reading but his lectures are straightforward, passionate, and engaging.

Nice guy, smart guy, very professional. However, his lectures are agonizing. His syntax is not conducive for learning- he overdramatizes his movements and voice fluctuations, speaks too quickly and excitedly, and seems more concerned with his dramatic delivery than effectively reaching students. Not a bad person, just should alter his lecturing.

Extremely difficult class. His lectures are prrtty unorganized. Doesn't give study guides for the midterm or final. On both the midterm and final you have to quote readings and authors so make sure when you're taking notes you memorize who wrote what.

He is super passionate about what he's teaching and he makes lectures fun and interesting. You can clearly see he really wants students to understand the material. His grade breakdown is very straightforward: 20% midterm, 20% section, 30% final, 30% paper- he just assigns a LOT of reading; but I'd highly recommend taking a class with him!

Brent is my favorite polisci professor! He is very prepared, gives GREAT lectures, and is very friendly and accessible. I've never given a review of a professor before but I enjoyed his class so much that I think every political science student should take one of his classes before graduating