William Ball - Northern Michigan University

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William Ball - Northern Michigan University

Professor: William Ball

Department: Political Science

College: Northern Michigan University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: POS01
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

A guy that has done it all, youll love his cool life stories that he talks about. Really cares about his students, wants you to do well, responds fast and available after class. Makes teaching fun, you learn so much! Great choice

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PS101
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor loaded with real world experience, a rarity in academia today. Vietnam vet, Purple Heart recipient, marched with Dr. King in 1960s, worked in many many different jobs. Conservation views mixed with libertarianism. Will really miss him. Outstanding classes that made you think, not repeat.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PS203PS206
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He only grades based off of multiple choice tests so students won't be afraid to discuss ideas in class and openly contradict him. He just wants a good argument and has a good time messing with students if they don't have their information lined up. He also has one of the coolest backstories to becoming a professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He doesn't ever tell you anything that is a fact. He seems to have a grudge against Hillary Clinton if you look through the many reviews on this site you will find one from 2008 that said he was ranting about Clinton. It is ridiculous, he does see the other side at all. he says he does but he doesn't.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

All he does is give his own opinon on things. He is very hard to deal with. Also, he does care about facts because he tells you that the book is bull all the time. honestly you will learn more from reading than listening to him talk.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PS206
Grade Received: C
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I didn't get much from the lectures themselves, but reading really, really helps! Seriously, READ! He's a very caring prof who is really well respected and knows his stuff. He's an institution in the Political Science realm. Tests/quizzes are straight from the book and student-submitted questions!

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PS206
Grade Received: B-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Smart and funny teacher. Knows his stuff!!! As long as you show up and participate, you'll get a c. Bonus if you study and do extra credit! Definitely recommend taking notes and study groups. Quizzes based off questions submitted by class and some lecture. Lectures are essential to attend. Easy to access and definitely willing to help succeed.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: POS101
Grade Received: B+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Ended up taking a minor in Political Science just to attend more of his classes. He's hust brilliant. A committed civil rights activist and engaged empirical political scientist. And he's fair, offers extra credit, and makes lectures interesting with some humor. Will support you out of school, and has a lot of advice about publishing your research.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PS203
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Real intelligent, worldly, knows a lot from real life experiences. He fought in Vietnam and marched with Dr. Martin L. King in Birmingham Ala in 1963. He is an empirical political scientist, so don't argue with him if you aren't sure of your facts. Cares about students, wants them to learn.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PS105
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brilliant intellectual with thorough understanding of domestic and foreign policy. Exams require hours of study, even from A students, no joke. Extra credit from attendance makes up for poor grades and is worth every minute. Truly a remarkable man, willing to consider and discuss any viewpoint logically. Uses empirical data to back up his position.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PS201
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I had Dr. Ball for comparative gov't. and international relations. Really easy classes, you have 20% of the test questions before hand. Read the material and attend class, easy A. Refreshing viewpoints mixed with lively class discussions make his classes enjoyable.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Ball is the best professor you will find in the Political Science department.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PS400
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Ball is a rarity in the left wing world of academia.He is a straight shooter and really wants you to learn.He cares about students and will help.Prof. Ball made my NMU experience a positive one,still love and miss the UP.Thanks Bill!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PSPS
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. is my favorite prof. I've ever had. One of the few Poly Sci teachers that doesn't spew left wing garbage. Super hilarious and super fair, the only way to fail a test is if you don't show up. He can be very lenient if you show you are trying. I highly recommend him. He is the only reason I regret having to transfer schools.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PS101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The first day of class he was like 15 minutes late. He walked in wearing a knitted baby blue sweater and a scowl on his face. He stopped and then said, "What, you'd look like this too if your wife made YOU wear this sweater. He was my favorite after that. Awesome professor-he made class interesting and fun.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: POS01
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I can't believe Ball's rating isn't a 5.0! He's an amazing professor that I've taken twice since, and loved more than any other at NMU. He is very clear about his expectations and he has full reviews before each test, so you always know what you'll be tested on. I'd be surprised if I ever enjoy another professor as much as him at NMU.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PS202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very Smart guy, knows what he is teaching...But expect to create new days in the calender in order to study for his low level class and still just barely pass. EXTREMELY HARD TESTER!!!!!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PS206
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

First 20 minutes of every class he asks about current events and discusses, then the last 30 minutes he lectures. He tells it like it is and is entertaining, he takes attendance if the less than half the class shows up (for extra credit) The tests are hard but I got a B in the class and never read the book, just get a study group together IT HELPS!

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PS206
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lecture is useless. Tests are extremely hard...try to find old ones, never really changes them much. Really like him as a person though, cool guy, doesn't preach liberal garbage like most poly sci teachers. Tells it like it is, and fun to listen to argue with other students...like ditto head and lil biebs.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PS203
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you're a liberal, don't sign up for his classes because you won't agree with anything he says. I found him entertaining, he would tear people apart if they were ignorant, and he chooses books he disagrees with so you can get both point of views and make your own decision.

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