Johanna Birnir

School: University of Maryland
Department: Government
Location: College Park, MD
Overall Rating
rated by 9 students
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Pros: Very receptive to questions and holds a couple lecture periods devoted to review.
Cons: She lectures on generalities instead of talking specifically about the software. So you pretty much have to learn the software yourself or rely on the T.A. (which I couldn't really do since my TA didn't really teach).
The class revolves around a software called SPSS. It's included in the book that you have to buy. Each week, there's a chapter of homework to turn in. They range from 2 pages long to 15+ pages. I found the software to be incredibly NOT beneficial. I don't believe that I learned ANYthing based on how this class's curriculum was formed and how that curriculum was then taught.
- 2 midterms
- final is a 10 page paper (5 pages of graphs and 5 of text explaining an experiment you conduct independently in SPSS)
I scraped by with a (B-) but this was my most stressful class (since you HAVE to get a B grade in order to stay in the GVPT major like I am).
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Pros: Not too much work.
Cons: Not actually about Government and Politics
Teacher and TA's were very unclear
I was able to pass the class without going very much and missing two homework assignments. The first midterm is considerably easier that the second. My TA was very hard to understand, as are all the others from what I've heard.
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Pros: none!
Cons: the hardest and worst 100 level course ive ever taken
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Pros: Learned how to use SPSS program
Cons: Not the "government" you expect to learn. Long hours in McKeldin because it was the only place to access program for homework. Long tedious homework.
I wanted to learn about government, not statistics
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Pros: Really passionate about class
Cons: Statistics
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Pros: Interactive lectures
Cons: A lot of homework
Pretty easy class, just pay attention.
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Do not take her.
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Pros: it's like stat
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Homework every week--you must use a program on the school computers called SPSS. That means you have to sit at the school computer for at least 1-2 hours every week. She is kind of difficult to understand in lecture and you will find through the semester that no one really attends. That's because you will be allright reading the book and doing the homeworks. The tests are very simple short answer and essay.

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