PUBPOL-804
POLICY ANALYSIS II
Not in Fall 2026
Term
Overview
Feedback is mixed. The clearest upside is that students say they actually learn something useful. The ratings are softer than the more upbeat comments might suggest. Best for students who want substance, not a disposable elective. The sample is still thin, so treat this as directional rather than definitive.
DepartmentPPS
Terms offeredSpring
Typical enrollment93–93
Semesters of data1
57
Responses
93
Enrollment
61%
Response Rate
Evaluation Scores
Overall quality
Teaching, content, and experience combined.
3.4
Intellectually stimulating
Challenges students to think deeply.
3.7
Instructor effectiveness
Explains concepts and facilitates learning.
4.6
Difficulty
Higher means harder.
3.6
Feedback Analysis
Feedback Analysislow
Analysis based on student evaluations
Based on 161 comments across 1 sections
Feedback is mixed. The clearest upside is that students say they actually learn something useful. The ratings are softer than the more upbeat comments might suggest. Best for students who want substance, not a disposable elective. The sample is still thin, so treat this as directional rather than definitive.
Student Reports
How hard is the A?
A is doable but not automatic
The signal here is more do-the-work-and-you-should-be-fine than easy-A chatter. Students do not describe the A as automatic, but the evidence also does not paint grading as punishing.
Homework Load
Heavy homework load
Homework load is one of the clearest friction points. Students repeatedly describe assignments, readings, or problem sets as time-consuming.
Lecture Load
Lighter lecture burden
Student comments describe this as more discussion-, seminar-, or workshop-driven than lecture-dependent. The lecture burden itself does not sound like the main source of friction.
Strengths
• Students repeatedly say the course teaches something concrete, whether that is content mastery, research skill, or a strong foundation.
Tradeoffs
• There is no single dominant complaint theme, but the feedback is not uniformly glowing either.
Best fit for
Best for students who want substance, not a disposable elective.
Watch out for
• Most of the signal comes from a limited sample, so be careful about over-generalizing.
• A large share of the evidence comes from one instructor's version of the course, so this may not generalize cleanly.
Student Responses
I developed teamwork skills, presentation skills, and professionalism skills.
Spring 2025 · Quinterno, John
I learned about my client and the issue BPAC wished to have studied. I learned to set boundaries with group members.
Spring 2025 · Quinterno, John
Consulting-style skills. Getting things done on a tight timeline. Project management.
Spring 2025 · Quinterno, John
I discovered that I'm not a naturally good group member. I really had to (and will have to keep) working on communicating with team members. I found I sometimes would be so far inside my own head that I forgot my teammates had no way of knowing what I didn't say out loud to them. I'm really good at working solo, but I don't think I'd want to be on a team with myself. I have a lot of work to do there.
Spring 2025 · Quinterno, John
It was inefficient at teaching students how to navigate conflict and group work, like the instructors emphasize in the early weeks of the semester.
Spring 2025 · Quinterno, John
Rating History
Rating history
Error bars show \u00B11 std dev
| Term | Instructor | Overall | Difficulty | Hrs/wk | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Quinterno, John | 3.4 | 3.6 | — | 93 |
Instructor
Also teaches
PUBPOL-807 MASTER'S PROJECT I2.9PUBPOL-853 COMMUNICATING DATA FOR IMPACT4.3PUBPOL-890 SPECIAL TOPICS4.3