PLAP 3270

This is a fascinating course, and the professor isn't boring (some don't really like Winter, but I thought his relaxed attitude and interesting lectures kept the course afloat). Additionally, there is a research project (done in installments) that is part of the syllabus. All parts of this project summed up account for half of the course grade. Important to note is that it is written about empirical, student-collected data, and I must warn anyone interested in this course that TRANSCRIBING INTERVIEWS IS A BITCH. Apart from that, great course on an intriguing topic. Enjoy.

This class was exceptionally average. Professor Winter is a decent professor (sometimes his lectures can be a little boring and drift off topic). The readings are dense at the beginning but by the end of the semester there are a lot less as you get more into your research. As for the research project, it is broken down into about four parts that all total count for half of your grade. You get to choose your topic, method, and conduct the research yourself which is pretty cool. (Fair warning for anyone who chooses to do focus groups or interviews, transcribing is TERRIBLE. Takes about three times as long as the recording) There also is a midterm and a final (both multiple choice). They require you to regurgitate authors and minute facts, so that's annoying. Also it is really easy to get behind on all the reading...I recommend finding friends and making a shared study guide so that you can split up all the reading because it honestly is not worth doing it all.

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. This class was the worst class I have ever taken at UVA. I didn't learn anything and the class was difficult. It seems like it would be an interesting class, but everything you learn is common sense (Ex. Democrats read democratic newspapers). Despite this, the tests were insanely specific and tested whether you had memorized each lecture and reading rather than understanding of concepts. You also have to do a huge research project that is also graded rather unfairly/not really based on the rubric. Professor Winter seems like a nice guy, but this class is extremely poorly designed. You will come out of it feeling like you wasted your time and ruined your GPA for nothing.

Don't take this class unless you have enough time to read every single reading in a detailed fashion and create specific reading notes. Exams are designed to trick you even if you do read, which is super frustrating. The topic sounded interesting, and Winter is a funny/nice dude, but the TAs generally sucked (this semester), and the exams were difficult even though the material was common sense.

This class is pretty awful.

This class was not as bad as everyone said and the research project was definitely ok. the class was common sense and interesting to listen to. the tests were incredibly hard though

The reviews below are pretty scary, but the class is not that bad if you put in the time and effort to study and do well. The readings are definitely necessary!! If you keep up with them and study for the exams, it will not be a terrible class. The research project is interesting if you choose an interesting topic, so beware. Survey experiments are possibly the easiest method (just saying). There are 2 exams and a 15 page paper at the end of the term based on a research project that is broken down into different parts. Your TA is a good resource! Use them! Professor Winter is a really nice guy and will help you out if you go to office hours or email him directly. I recommend this class, but is not an easy A!

Pretty terrible class, most of the information in lecture are things you will probably know already, too much readings, test are incredibly and I mean incredibly unfair, and the research project makes it seem like you are taking 2 classes for 3 credits; in discussion all you do is work on the research project, you rarely ever go over material from class or readings. I would highly suggest to only take this class if you absolutely need to.

This course is pretty bad. The readings are ridiculously long and usually have nothing to do with lecture. It's easy to get behind, and your grade will suffer if you do. Everything in lecture seems like it's common sense and not really deserving of a 50 minute explanation. The tests are incredibly difficult, but he grades on a curve. The research project is a lot of work but is probably the only part of the class that is in any way fulfilling. This discussion was probably the most useless one I've ever had. It wasn't the TA's fault, it's just the way the class was structured. We hardly ever reviewed course content; we just spent time working on our research projects. Pick a research topic you're interested in and keep up with your work throughout the semester and you'll be fine, but I would only recommend this class if you want to major in politics.

I really enjoyed Professor Winter's lectures due to his sense of humor and engagement with the class, but it sometimes felt as though the different aspects of the class (lecture, discussion, homework) were all somewhat unrelated. The lecture material was interesting, although at times slightly repetitive. The readings seem like a lot but if you keep up with them, you shouldn't have too much trouble when you get to the midterm/final (they do definitely pile up if you wait until right before the exam, though) and you definitely need to read them because most of the exam questions are on the readings, which are not explicitly reviewed in class. The exams are difficult, but Winter ended up curving both of them about 15% or so. The discussion section was spent mainly on the research paper, which is due in about four different parts throughout the semester that grow increasingly long and time-consuming. This paper fulfills your second writing requirement, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on it. The final product is about 15 pages, and is due during exam week which means you cannot really wait until the last minute to work on it. Overall, I enjoyed this course and Professor Winter's lectures, and the workload is definitely manageable as long as you stay on top of your work. I often was behind on my reading and working on my research paper parts last minute, but still managed to get an A in the class. If you need to take/are interested in an American Politics class or second writing requirement, I would recommend this course with Winter.