The first thing I'll say about this class is that it was grueling. The readings are very important, the material is dense and getting an A is difficult. Taking this class my first semester made me question how I got into this school.
The second things I'll say is that the class fundamentally reordered my way of thinking and has been critical to my understanding of politics in every single class I have taken since. Waldner is incredibly intelligent and engaging and I find him to be a really likeable guy. I really enjoyed attending his office hours and chatting with him after class.
I guess what I didn't expect was the amount of statistics in the class. But anyway, I ended with a B+, however, knowing what I do now about college and exam preparation think an A- or even an A is feasible.

This is an incredible class that changed the way I view political science and approach academics! Waldner is an INCREDIBLE lecturer and will recap the readings for you (which are quite long, but manageable if you go to office hours and chat for a couple of minutes on things you're not clear on). Tests are take home and online. I have recommended this class to everyone I know and have heard great things back!

I don't know why this course has such bad reviews. Professor Waldner goes fast in the lectures, but if your attendance is good and you at least skim the readings, you'll do fine. There are 2 exams, both online. The time limit for the exams are short, but they are open note. As long as you have good notes, the grading is super fair. Super interesting course and I'd recommend it as a base knowledge for getting started in the politics department.

This is an essay intro class that you're almost certain to get an A or B in. Your grade depends on participation, a midterm, and the final exam. All exams are open note and primarily based on the lectures and readings. In addition to this, exams are take-home and administered through Canvas. Honestly, I was able to get away with not doing any of the readings and still end with an A-. However, if you aren't familiar with the material, the readings are essential. A lot of people aren't fans of Waldner, but I honestly enjoyed his teaching style. He can be all over the place at times, but the point he's making is always clear. The only complaint I would have about this class is that Waldner definitely includes his opinions in his teaching, but it's pretty clear what he's basing his opinions on versus simply facts. Other than that, this was an easy and fantastic course that I would recommend to anyone interested in politics.

i just want you to look at how few students got A's in this class for an INTRO course, that speaks numbers, i got an a- and i was alright with that, but it was by no means an easy course nor is it a course you should take if you are not interested in politics or the major, please consider something else, however my ta was awesome and the class is not impossible, i tried to read but a lot was super dense, no attendence, lecture slides were online and the exams were online pdfs, waldner himself is fine, great in office hours but just an ok lecturer, this class will try to change the way you think and if you want a good grade just go along with it

Make no mistake, this is a difficult class, particularly for a 1010. The readings are dense and often uninteresting. However, Waldner takes a semester to build a story of comparative politics, and it is worth it to hold on. The exams are challenging but very fair; despite ending with an A, I had to fight (figuratively) to get there. Getting a good grade, however, is very doable. Waldner himself is a tremendous person. Despite taking the class several years ago, I still keep in touch with him, and I highly recommend getting to know him. He will help so much in getting through the course and school. Of everything in the course, attending discussion section is extremely critical, since that is often where the best digestion of material occurs, but don't think you can get away with not going to lecture or at least skimming the readings, because there's necessary material there that you wouldn't be able to find otherwise. It's a difficult class, but it is well-worth your time, and it is one of the few classes I've taken at UVA where I can safely say I learned something that will stick.

This class was so hard especially as a first year taking it in their first semster. The professor seemed nice and funny but I didn't understand jack because he moved so fast and used so many statistical models (which will be on the exams) and the amount of reading is genuinely insane (like 70 pages per lecture). Overall, I ended with a B because all the exams are open note and take home, which I'm so thankful for, but watch the time cus you'll get marked off heavy for missing a question

David Waldner is the goat. He's hilarious and engaging and strongly believes in the importance in the course he teaches. I did not do the readings, and I am about to finish the class with an A-. I would highly recommend that everyone takes this class.

DO NOT TAKE this class if you want an A. I got an 89 on every midterm and final and ended with a B+. I don't think the TA read any of my work --- I spent a ridiculous amount of time studying. I enjoyed Waldner's class at the beginning, but over time everything seemed so arbitrary.

Wouldn't take the class if you are just looking for a random class to take. Really hard to get an A. I put in a ton of work and barely got an A-.