Steve Patten - University of Alberta

Professor: Steve Patten
Department: Political Science
College: University of Alberta
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: POL220
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Took 220 a couple of years back. He's knowledgeable. He also takes time to explain things. Problem is that he is dismissive of others' opinions and condescending and arrogant. I think that you can't get an A unless you 100% agree with his university political agenda. If you're ok with a B, and you're ok being talked down to, then take 220.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: POLS225
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 3.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Decent guy, who really knows his stuff. Not the most approachable but is still willing to help if you come prepared with a legitimate question. Tends to be a little one sided in on his viewpoints but overall he allows for other opinions to enter classroom discourse. Tests heavily on the assigned readings.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: POLS421
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Don't take any of his classes if you aren't passionate about politics. If you love it, he'll know and recognize you and your hard work. Not an "easy" class (tons of readings, mandatory participation, hefty paper and take home final) but you'll learn a lot and you'll get a good grade if you work for it. Would highly recommend taking a class by him.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: POLS391
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
One of the best instructors that I have had in my degree. He has a vast wealth of knowledge and all you need to do is ask for him to share it with you. This class was smaller, and he got to know each student individually, and was willing to help you above and beyond what he is expected to do. His sense of humour is great you just need to catch it.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: POLS220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
BORING BORING MAN. He shared the full-year Canadian Politics class with Linda Trimble, and compared to her he was the most awful professor I have ever had. Linda made Canadian politics seem interesting a feat in and of itself) and Steve could not live up to her teaching style. I will avoid Patten at all costs when i select my next classes....
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: POLS299
  • 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:
Steve is an excellent proffessor. He managed to get through all the material even when questions drove him off topic and was allways extremely prepared. If he is at all unclear in course expectations during class it is because he doesn't want to restrict the students. While he can be hard to track down he responds very quickly and fully to emails.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: POLS220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Hands down the most boring class I took in my four years. Dr. Patten was not only uninterested in helping out students he was completely uninteresting. It is clear that he is an intelligent man and that he has very insightful things to say but do not take introductory courses with him.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: POLISCI220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
i really enjoyed steve. i liked the fact that he represented issues on the left which are usually not discussed, such as aboriginal issues. he was very helpful and found time to talk to you if you had any issues. i found his exams really fair, and his essays fair. overall a really good prof
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: POLS324
  • Grade Received: C
  • Overall Rating: 3.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Approachable but not very helpful. Bs are easy, to get an A is impossible unless you're loud or your clothes are made of hemp. He wanted a specific outcome for open-ended assignments- not that he would tell you what that was. Don't take a class from him unless you're an extremist on either side- he doesn't give much credit to the middle.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: POL220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Patten is pretty good, but on the left if you feel opposed to those inclinations. His lexctures can get boring but he is very openminded though his opinions generally fall to the left.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: POLS220
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Great Prof! He gets off topic often, but I find it to still be beneficial! Love it when he says something unexpected in class! Could have been more helpful in his one-on-one time. Overall, a good class and a good prof!
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: POLS324
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Patten is one of the worst professors I've ever had. He misinterprets perspectives that do not meld with his; he is rude and unapproachable if you don't fit his "activist" acorn-eating criteria. Sets-out guidelines for marking, but if he doesn't like you, he will find "reasons" to dock marks.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: 324
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Interesting perspective and very knowledgeble on subject area, but very difficult to know the expectations of this prof. Easy to get a B, seemingly impossible to do better unless you can crack the "Patten" code.
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: POLISCI324
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
This course was very open-ended and it wasn't really clear what he was expecting of us, but maybe that's just because it was the first time it was available. Patten is a great prof but not always clear on expectations and I sometimes didn't know what the point of all of it was.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: POLS
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Sometimes Profs don't have very good social skills, its not neccessarily that they're being deliberately rude.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: POLS324
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
How could anyone have liked this class. Unapproachable to the point of being rude. Increadably boring to listen to. I thought it was going to be an awesome course.. it was the worst I've ever taken. Avoid this one, save yourself from a profoundly negative experience.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: POLS324
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Very approachable. Obviously very knowledgable about the subject. Take a class from him if you get the chance!
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: POLSCI110
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
love the guy - smart, approachable and definitely cute! better dresser than most profs too. oh yeah and great course too!
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: POLSCI110
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 2.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Didn't study my ass off and still B+'d the course. All the smarties complain to much and don't listen in his seminars. Don't try and outsmart him cause u won't just listen and you will do fine. In the seminars don't try to be a hero, u ain't got da PH.D!
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: POLISCI110
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.5
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: N/A
  • Textbook Used: N/A
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
hard marker man. i study my ass off for his tests know everything and still get a b on everything. i don't get it. doesn't realize we are in a first year polisci class and not a fourth year one. clarity takes a backseat. overall try another prof for 110.
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