The class is pretty easy, but you should at least skim the textbook readings. You need to read the books that are written by Prof. Sabato as those are heavily used in the course. Prof. Sabato gets frustrated if class attendance is low, and upset if you are not there for the guest speakers.

Professor Sabato's lectures are very interesting and filled with information you probably wouldn't find in the standard textbook. The class itself is relatively easy as long as you read the assigned books he's written. The textbook is essentially pointless if you have a background in the subject. Carah Ong is a great TA.

Sure Sabato has an ego but anyone who has accomplished what he has is sure to. The lectures are good, largely based on A More Perfect Constitution but aren't included much in the exams so be sure to read the textbook. The guest speakers are the true benefit to taking this class. It's not hard if you work hard and an A is certainly attainable.

This class is a lot like AP Govt but the highlight is in hearing Sabato's thoughts on different situations in politics and in seeing his guests. The paper brought my grade down but the exams cover all the info from AP gov so reading the textbook was a lot easier since I had my notes from high school.

Awesome class! if you're even remotely interested in the way our government works, I'd definitely reccommend it.

Going to class was kind of pointless unless there was a guest speaker, and those speakers are the only reason I would recommend the class. As long as you take like a hour a week to read what you should be and take notes on examples as you read for the final and midterm, it isn't too hard, as most questions come straight from the textbook.

It was so interesting to get to hear Sabato's political commentary, especially since I took it in the prime of the primary elections. The best part, obviously, was the guest speakers. Great class!

The lectures were pretty interesting and the speakers were great, but you have to suffer through tough grading and Sabato's overwhelming ego. This would be a good class to take pass/fail just to hear the speakers.

There are great and terrible aspects to this class, so it is kinda difficult to write a decent review.

There are only four grades in the class, so every grade really counts (Midterm (25%), Paper (30%), Discussion participation (10%), and final (35%)).

Sabato is a phenomenal lecturer and really knows his stuff, making lectures very interesting. The material from lectures, however, did not seem to really come up on the midterm or final. Test material ended up coming out of his books and the textbook (which he incidentally also wrote).

The guest speakers are incredible; this past semester he brought in Hilary Clinton, Senator Evan Bayh (IN), and Virginia's Governor Tim Kaine. All three were excellent speakers.

On the whole, I would recommend the class.

This is NOT an easy A course. That being said, Sabato is a superb lecturer, and his books are interesting. The exam material is not difficult, but be sure to be thorough when writing identifications and essays. I greatly enjoyed the course.