Aaron Belkin is by far the best professor I have had at SFSU. This is a class to take strictly if you are a student who cares about their education. This course has made me realize a lot of things and inspired me in ways I never imagined. I hope Professor Belkin teaches different courses next year because I would love to take more courses with him
Lectures were VERY ENLIGHTENING! Belkin is a GENIUS. Has a lot of interesting opinions that he discussed in class! Don't interrupt his lectures or else you'll get lasered by his TA. Lots of readings and iClicker quizzes every class. NOT FOR LAZY PEOPLE THAT ONLY WANT AN EASY A. YOU GOTTA WORK FOR THAT A!
Great Professor I ever had back in UCSB political science. Very insightful and he gives very substantive and clear lectures. His assignment is very challenging but it definitely enhances your critical thinking. Great to have him!
He teaches at SF state now. He gave daily readings and quizes the next morning on them. Final was easy; an essay and some multiple choice. The material taught in class was confusing and didn't seem to fit together, it was also one sided. If I didn't have to take this class as a GE I wouldn't have taken it. However he is passionate about politics
Professor Belkin makes lectures entertaining through his enthusiasm for the subject matter. He pursues controversial subjects to challenge people to think for themselves.
Don't let him intimidate you
The class itself is extremely interesting. Professor Belkin is really passionate about the issue and going to the lectures really helps you conceptualize the concepts. You must do the readings because there are online quizzes on them everyday. They are useful though and help you prepare for the midterm/final. There was no paper and no sections so t
This professor is a political hack and very unwilling to focus on opposing opinions. He seems to lack the desire to help students do well but rather be hard-lined on his position and course syllabus. But find out for yourself.
This class was one of my first classes at UCSB and it will most likely stand as one of my favorites. Professor Belkin really knows what he's talking about and enjoys the subject. Lectures are necessary b/c of how much he talks about & lots of reading & a 500 word paper a week but it wasn't too bad. Gets involved with class & answers any question.
Really interesting class, but DIFFICULT. Papers due every Monday, but no midterm. He gives you the essay question for the final in advance. Go to lecture because he explains everything very well and is very organized. Plus, Belkin is amazing!
is a very good teacher, lecture is KEY in passing the class. lectures can be dry at times, but is very good at getting information and concepts across with clarity.
Belkin is awesome. His lectures are engaging and interesting, I dont understand how people don't attend. Just be careful not to be chatting with friends or texting because he has no problem calling you out during lecture..which is humorous for the rest of us.
Best Professor at UCSB. His lectures and reading material are very interesting. He demonstrates both sides of arguments and welcomes student's input. Definitely take his class if you can!
amazing teacher
Belkin is awesome.Yes, he is liberal, but quite a few of the readings were from the opposite point of view.Not only that, but he encourages and welcomes students to "push back" if they disagree. His lectures are easy to follow and take notes on, no midterm, and a fair final. I highly recommend him.
Amazing professor! Makes the class worth attending I agree with other people on here that if Belkin taught the anatomy of rock I'd sign up too! He gives his opinion but asks you to challenge it, great class and professor overall! highly recommend this class!
Super interesting, gives his opinion and asks you to argue it. Open minded and passionate.
Interesting material, but I wasn't a fan of his policies. Section grade is collective and worth 25%, so if some people dont show up or participate the whole section's grade goes down.
As a PoliSci senior who hasnt had a chance to take courses from Belkin,I was curious and sat on a dozen of his classes. Thoughts?I must say he keeps class interesting with his style but how can you teach from one viewpoint?Acknowledged his biases but can we view the world from one lens? Too bad Rauchhaus is gone till 2009, he is my favorite.
Belkin is wonderful! Loved his class, I highly recommend taking PS7!! the work is manageable, just a one page paper every week (this comes to like 7 total), no big paper, no midterm, and a final... pretty good!
Very knowledgable and articulate. Although he does hold a bias, he recognizes it and welcomes challenges to everything he presents. Interesting movies in class, regular weekly reading and papers, but the material isn't difficult if you pay attention during lecture. Belkin is great.
Very good professor, but a little too liberal at times. Class is set up very fair with one essay a week and a comprehensive final exam, but the class is difficult to get an A in. He wants the students to do well and always opens the class up to discussions. Class is interesting but he can be a little intimidating if seen during his office hours.
He's very engaging, makes the material interesting, and presents good outside material to the class rather than simply reading from a textbook. Very funny and friendly, very accommodating in assignments, favorite professor of mine.
Fascinating material presented clearly and appropriately. Extremely left leaning class which irritated me at times, but everything he presented with his bias had reasonable evidence supporting the claim. He allows for people to disagree without slander. Recommended professor.