AI Rate Professor

Political Science

Timothy Gaffaney

POLS0016 · POLS301 · POLS480 · POLS320 · POLS310 · 37 lifetime ratings

AI rating
76/100
RMP rating
4.0/5
Take again
69.7%
Difficulty
3.3

The decision

if you will keep up with readings and weekly work; you get strong teaching and fair chance at an A without a free ride.

Best fit · Effort For RewardAmazing lecturesCaring and helpfulGet ready to readClear feedbackReading-heavy workload
  • Engaging lectures and .
  • Weekly readings, quizzes, papers, and A.
  • Online sections often feel lighter; in-person honors and GE sections can feel denser and .

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

58/100

Many students earn As by doing weekly work and readings, but picky grading, low point totals, and .

Recent online POLS310 reviews sound easier; older online POLS301 and and harder tests.

Is the course easy?

Standard

48/100

Content is standard political science with dense readings and regular writing rather than pure memorization or extreme theory.

Online summer and ; honors and some in-person GE sections feel denser.

Is attendance flexible?

Varies

48/100

Online sections usually list attendance as not mandatory, while and penalties for missing class.

Evidence for optional attendance is mostly online; .

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

72/100

Most recent students praise his lectures and care and found grading harsh or lectures dry.

Recommendation is strongest in recent online and in-person POLS310/480; older online GE reviews are more split.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Fair

55/100

and , but several reviews call him a tough or particular grader especially on short answers and papers.

Format shift

Online ease-of-grade comments are mixed by course; and lenient curves alongside paper stress.

Workload

Moderate

52/100

Expect , and papers; load is usually called manageable if you stay on schedule.

Format shift

Online weekly rhythm is predictable; .

Teaching experience

Good

78/100

Students repeatedly cite engaging lectures, passion, organization, and .

Format shift

In-person students emphasize lecture energy and humor; online students emphasize Canvas structure and feedback.

Assessment method

Balanced

52/100

Grades blend weekly quizzes and short writing with exams and, in some courses, a .

Format shift

Online leans weekly quizzes and discussions; and scheduled exams.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

21 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Hardcore Learner

In-person students praise passionate, funny lectures and a warm classroom; workload is manageable but and a major paper in honors sections.

Main concern

, and tough tests or term papers for students who fall behind.

What students said

“ . Prof. Gaffaney really cares about his students and creates a warm atmosphere.”
POLS480
“This professor was a ... , and the .”
POLS310

Remote format

Online

15 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

Online sections are organized on Canvas with weekly quizzes, short papers, and discussions; many call them manageable if you read, though older intro and .

Main concern

mistakes in some online terms.

What students said

“Super simple and easy online summer class... he's a and helpful lectures, and .”
POLS310
“Pls run. Pls. but the : D average for class.”
POLS301

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Assessments center on reading quizzes, written short answers or exams, and papers; .

Reading-based quizzesShort-answer examsTerm paper heavy in honorsExtra credit on some assignments

Assessment risk

Standard

55/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

and short-answer exams, and major papers; tests are described as serious but fair if you study.

In-person quizzes and examsResearch paperExtra credit opportunities
“Had 5 exams, 5 quizzes... 20 multiple choice for quiz and 1 written short answer for exam.”
POLS480
“ , and the .”
POLS310

Online

Online reviews emphasize weekly quizzes and short essays tied to readings; a few older .

Weekly quizzesShort essaysReading-based tests
“There were a few quizzes but they were based on the reading, so they were not difficult at all.”
POLS310
“ but the : D average for class.”
POLS301

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“ . Prof. Gaffaney really cares about his students and creates a warm atmosphere.”

Voice snapshots generated from 36 reviews spanning online and , and grading. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

78/100

“He is the only professor I have had that can teach a lecture without a PowerPoint and actually make sense/stay on topic.”

👍 Recommendation

72/100

“Absolutely love this professor, he's awesome. Would 100%take the class again.”

📚 Workload Reality

52/100

“Very dense readings and lectures. If you stay on top of it you'll be fine but def rec. thing.”

⚖️

55/100

“This professor was a very tough grader, but future.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • Amazing lectures
  • engaging and fun
  • makes topics relate to pop culture
  • passionate in what he teaches

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

  • easy if you follow the instructions and study for the quiz
  • Get ready to read

Theme 3

❤️ About Character

  • very understanding and supportive
  • and truly cares
  • wants you to succeed

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

36

Recent reviews read by the AI

37

Lifetime ratings

88/100

Evidence confidence

Thirty-six detailed reviews span 2014-2025 across online and load, and mixed grading.

Inside 36 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 519
4 out of 54
3 out of 57
2 out of 55
1 out of 51

Course coverage

POLS30116 reviews
POLS4809 reviews
POLS3108 reviews
POLS3202 reviews
POLS00161 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

31 reported outcomes

A range

19

A+ 8 · A 10 · A- 1

B range

8

B+ 3 · B 5

C range

0

No reported values

D range

1

D 1

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

3

Drop/Withdrawal 1 · Not sure yet 2