Polly Diven - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Polly Diven
Department: Political Science
College: Grand Valley State University
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Diven is very clear and organized with her course material. Her method of teaching is efficient because rather than standing up in front of the class and lecturing for an hour straight, she makes the class participate and think about the subject at hand. I signed up for a class next year because I saw she is teaching it.
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Prof Diven is great! She really cares about her students and is passionate about the subject matter. The assignments are relatively easy. Personally, I didn't purchase the textbook but still did well on the exams (3 exams total). She is very lecture heavy and gives you all the information you need to know in class.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Diven is a wonderful person from what I can tell by a terrible teacher. She is very specific in what she wants, but doesnt tell you what that is. Extremely inflexible, even during COVID times. If you are not extremely interested in foreign policy, do not take this class. You end up teaching yourself, which is killer if its uninteresting to you.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
The class itself is well organized and the assignments are very manageable. My biggest issues are Prof. Divens attitude and lack of compassion. Knit-picky, cold and very much so comes off like she could care less if you were there or not. Every correction on a paper comes with a sarcastic comment even if youre getting 90%.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
If you take this class, make sure you read the things she asks you to. Lots of pop tests, but she usually gives you a warning if you pay attention. Awesome person and very interesting experience in the field. Funny and well-spoken, miss her class all the time.
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Super easy assignments and really interesting lectures! She is one of the best profs I have had at GV. Very clear guidelines and she provides study guides for the tests. Great class discussions. She has extensive knowledge of IR and will teach you a lot if you are active in discussions and enjoy current events.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Diven is one of the nicest professors I have ever come across. She is very knowledgeable in her field of International Relations, and she wants to have a relationship with her students. I highly recommend her for an international relations course.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: No
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Diven is great! reminds me alot of a stern mom. She lectures a lot but makes it very interactive. She also has an interesting sense of humor. Loves her positive procrastination.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: No
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Polly Diven knows her stuff, and wants her students to be successful . Lectures are informative and she posts the powerpoints after class. Even the papers, films, and projects were interesting and I felt I gained a lot, academically and personally.. However, she has a big personality and will call you out or talk over you in class.
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Prof Diven is so funny. She actually interacts with her class and you can see how passionate she is about what she teaches. Lecture/slideshow heavy but she makes it interesting. She made me really enjoy international relations. I highly recommend and would take it again without a doubt.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: B-
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Diven is a great profesor, she gives interesting lectures and really gets to know her students. However, she is a tough grader a makes you work for it, if you are not a poli-sci or IR major and are only taking her class for an elective then be ready for a rough ride, if you are one of those majors you will quickly love her!
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Not sure what all the hype about Diven is about. The exam essay questions are all straight from the reading and the multiple choice questions are pulled out of nowhere. Truly retained minimal information from lectures, pretty self taught class. Plenty of other "witty and fun" profs on campus that actually teach their material.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Diven is tough. She's definitely very critical when it comes to grading, I'm an A student on papers in all my other classes but always fell in the B range with her. Class is mostly lectures but they are good. A few unique things including a debate. She's tough but I do like her and I would take her again, just tough class.
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Very smart professor and very dedicated. Super interesting and engaging classes.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I really enjoyed the class and I like how she tries to memorize all the students names. She really does care about your grade and is willing to give you feedback on things. The study guide for the exam only helps for the written part so beware of that. Its not a super hard class but you will have to try for your grade.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Dr. Diven is an excellent professor. She genuinely cares about her students. Class discussions were always interesting. I do wish that the material would have been more abstract, though. Sometimes it felt as though the class should really be a 200-level instead of 300-level one.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: PLS211
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 5.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: Yes
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Prof Diven is an amazing professor. One of the best GV has to offer. She pushes you to understand the world in new ways & is respectful to all opinions. If you need extra accommodations and you're a hard worker she is more than willing to help. Her lectures are always interesting and keeps you on your toes. Also cares deeply for students.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Diven is incredibly knowledgeable, witty, humorous, and blunt. She provides unbiased information, encourages class discussion, and contributes to her field of study as a published political scientist. She is not an easy grader and expects high quality work, but she is incredibly helpful and inspiring. Excelling in her class feels great.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: A-
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Prof Diven is awesome. It's a tough class, as would be expected, but her lectures are always interesting, fun, and full of the information that will be on the test. Reading is absolutely necessary for quizzes and for essay questions on exams, but it isn't too bad. She's funny, and encourages good discussion!
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: PLS312
  • Grade Received: B+
  • Overall Rating: 4.5
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: N/A
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Diven is by far one of my favorite professors yet. She is very intelligent, interesting, and a captivating speaker. This was not an easy course, as no 300-level course should be easy. The material was presented in an unbiased fashion, students of all political backgrounds enjoyed her lectures.
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