NALL C M

Clayton Nall

34 reviews
Get ready to read Tough grader Lots of homework So many papers Participation matters Amazing lectures Clear grading criteria Group projects Lecture heavy Test heavy Graded by few things Accessible outside class Skip class? You won't pass. Gives good feedback Beware of pop quizzes Respected
Past quarters
INT 84BW
20 / 20 Full
The Politics of Housing
Clayton Nall 3.1
M
12:00 PM - 13:50 PM
94.9% A
INT 86VX
3 / 20 Enrolled
What Social Science Says About College
Clayton Nall 3.1
M
14:00 PM - 14:50 PM
POL S 106AD
61 / 80 Enrolled
American Political Development
Clayton Nall 3.1
T R
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
40.5% A
See All
POL S 12 Nall C M Spring 2024 Total: 90
POL S 162 Nall C M Spring 2024 Total: 55
POL S 106AD Nall C M Winter 2024 Total: 42
POL S 170 Nall C M Summer 2023 Total: 22
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POLS12 . Nall C M A Month Ago

I took POLS12 last year and it was tough! For a lower division prerequisite course, this class was unnecessarily difficult. Lots of reading from two required textbooks (about 1-2 long, multi-sectional chapters) for each class. Lectures are good but he only pulls from the readings for tests which are extremely nit-picky and specific. Wouldn't retake

0 helpful 1 unhelpful
POLS170 . Nall C M 2 Months Ago

Good readings and good lectures. The class is really more of an interactive seminar. The policy memo project is good training for future jobs in politics and policy.

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POLS12 . Nall C M 2 Months Ago

Two midterms, a final, and quizzes. There are tons of readings to keep up with. The exams are crazy difficult but he curves.

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PS162 . Nall C M 2 Months Ago

Nall is a tough professor but he is ultimately fair. The class projects are a great introduction to doing original original research.

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POLS12 . Nall C M 5 Months Ago

Its one of the hardest classes ive had at ucsb, but I learned a lot and he's a good teacher. very hard class though, tests are really hard, ive managed to get As on them by putting in hours into the textbook and making insane notes for the tests (ahead of time keeping up with readings). might be in some bureaucratic lawyer cult but overall cool.

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POLS12 . Nall C M 5 Months Ago

Took this for a pre-req for

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PS162 . Nall C M 5 Months Ago

Participation for section is required, not for lecture. No laptops allowed in lecture in 2024. Nall is very sensitive, I would not recommend him to anyone, especially taking a lower div polisci pre-req. The coursework itself is not bad, but he is just difficult to work with. Mandatory textbook is $80. Don't take unless you have to.

0 helpful 2 unhelpful
POLS106AD . Nall C M 7 Months Ago

Nall is difficult. Its nice seeing someone so knowledgeable, but wow this class is impossibly difficult. Expect to read a ton of complex readings. On top of that, you MUST participate in the class. It's a huge part of the grade and there IS cold calling. Also, expect difficult grading on the difficult quizzes on the difficult readings.

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POLS12 . Nall C M 1 Year, 4 Months Ago

His tests are needlessly difficult, but even with a C average on the tests, I still managed to get an A- because of writing assignments and participation. He's got a bit of an ego and will ridicule students for expressing different opinions from his, but if you have a well formed factual argument, he will show more respect. Cares about his students

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POLS170 . Nall C M 1 Year, 5 Months Ago

I don't know why Nall is regarded as a difficult professor on this website, maybe he changed his approach to teaching recently. Yes, there are weekly papers, but they're more time-consuming than challenging (2 1/2 hours a week minimum should be enough). Just remember large concepts and how they relate to readings/case studies and you should be fine

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PS162 . Nall C M 1 Year, 5 Months Ago

Prof Nall is upfront about how difficult this class can be, but he is very nice. Do the readings for quizzes, go to office hours. We had a good TA. Engage in class discussions. I feel like he was lenient because our class was engaged and participatory. The policy memos are a useful writing skill for pols majors, do your best on these and quizzes.

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POLS170 . Nall C M 1 Year, 5 Months Ago

PS170 was interesting but was full of many assignments that made it unmanageable in a quarter system. Two 250-word reading responses a week (not actually responses, had to apply readings in different ways), midterm, final, policy proposal, 8 pg. policy memo, attendance and participation in lecture & section on top of 100-200 pgs of reading a week.

1 helpful 1 unhelpful