I have taken 4 classes with Dr. Strathman. His classes don't offer much room for error due to their balance. Exams are graded on knowledge of minute details taken from any reading or section of the notes. In order to do well on a final you must bring in every reading applicable, and the omission of one results in a poor grade. Take at your own risk

Strathman isn’t as bad as everyone says. I took 126 in person and got an A- without drowning in work. As long as you get the main point from each reading you’re good. You have to do three strategy briefs which are short but challenging. No midterm, take home final (but it was two ten page essays) but straight forward prompts.

One of the worst polisci professors that I have ever taken, avoid this guy at all costs. On his tests he expects very specific writers to be introduced, and even if you get the concept on the test correct and introduce a reading that relates to that concept you will still loose point because you didn't introduce the reading he arbitrarily chose.

He really is an amazing professor. I actually learned so much from his class. The work is hard but doable, go see him or your TA's they help so much! It also helps to work with a group on the readings so that you are able to get the most through notes.

Best IR prof at UCSB. Took 121 126 & 127 in person. His lectures are dense but v thorough and give you a comprehensive undergrad level understanding of IR. For exams+papers, be prepared to cite authors & reference key concepts that he mentions in lecture without notes. Grades based on critical thinking+applying concepts, not just effort. Great guy

Despite the number of readings assigned by Professor Strathman, hes an awesome professor. I have taken 4 classes with him, and he never fails to make me feel passionate about my field of study. He is TOUGH but in a good challenging way. If you do poorly on an exam hes usually willing to help you out if you have improved over the quarter. Great guy!

Will spend a whole lecture defining/ talking about how to use a concept to fix a problem, only to say in the last minute that this strategy is stupid and doesnt work. Then give you a final asking the right way to fix the problem when the only way you have learned about how to approach it is wrong. Never replied to my emails a/b mental health :))

TONS of reading that are not covered by lecture or section, so you're on your own. sections consist of "games" to teach you concepts like prisoners dilemma/IR concepts, so u don't rly go over readings/material at all. grade is made up of 3 strategy brief papers, participation in section, and a final exam. lot of work for not much reward

They are other POLS professors at UCSB, and I would not recommend taking classes taught by professor Strathman.

Strathman is a really nice guy both friendly and approachable. But the amount of reading given is ridiculous. I took two of his classes in one semester and I almost died lol. You MUST read to pass. You have to memorize the authors and article titles for exams except for PS 126 no test only strategy briefs which are short but very difficult.

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!

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.

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

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.

Worst professor I've experienced at UCSB and the only bad grade I've received. His 60 slide lectures lack significant detail, often using a single word for an obscure event, a good prof will create 20 detailed slides. All exams are handwritten blue book. The worst part is he genuinely seems like he wants students to fail. Did not earn my respect.

Strathman's penchant for condescension and rote memorization ruined what would've been a fascinating class. In office hours, said my criticism of the idea that colonized people 'benefitted' from colonization was bc my race was colonized and I "probably have a lot of friends in soc".His class teaches us to memorize his views, not think for ourselves

Prof. Strathman was the highlight of my UCSB PoliSci career. He's not the easiest professor, but he is a fantastic teacher. I've taken a number of his classes and would recommend anyone taking PoliSci who is looking to learn the subject to take Prof. Strathman for their IR focus. It won't be an easy road, but the lessons taught will stay with you.

tbh I wish he had more things within the class to be graded on cause I got messed up by the 2 exams... TBF I didn't do any of the readings lol (I learned my lesson) and thought I could get away with my skim and organize method. but also didn't really try. his lectures are good tho. the tests are pretty hard lots of connecting and things and whatnot

Beware of the wrath of Strath before taking this class. Professor Stratham excels at delivering engaging and informative lectures, providing a wealth of knowledge in. However, be prepared for strict grading, extensive reading, and a fast-paced course covering numerous concepts. It's a challenging but rewarding class that demands a lot from you.

I don't even know where to begin. Strathman should be teaching grad school or be a teacher in movies. He is a phenomenal lecturer, and I have learned more in his class than in any class at this school combined, but the number of readings and how quickly he covers topics make his classes sadistic.

Although his lecture style is engaging, I found that his material lacked nuance. For example, he taught the idea of "American Exceptionalism" (that the US has always fought for fair power balancing internationally), with no mention of settler colonial history. Political science needs more perspectives "from below", which he did not present.

Strathman is my favorite pols professor I've had so far. You need to go to class to take notes because he wants you to regurgitate what he says, which isn't really on the slides. Definitely split the readings with a friend. I'm in another class with him now and it's 100% possible to get an A if you put a ton of time and effort in.

I love Brent Strathman. His class was so hard but it was hard for good reason. All of his readings and assignments have meaning. He is an amazing lecturer and is extremely engaging. His tests are hard but if you do the readings you'll be okay. As long as you do all the readings in this class you'll get at least a B. Take a class with Strathman!!!!