McKibbin, Carroll  

This class is cake. There is some reading required (you have to get a subscription to Newsweek) but the weekly quizes on the reading are simple. There is one midterm, one final, each worth the same amount of points, and it isn't cummulative. If you want to hear some great stories about how Dr. McKibben blew up a toilet with a cherry bomb when he was young, take this class. He talks more about that story than he does about Political Science.

McKibbin is not the professor I thought he was going to be. At the beginning of the quarter, it appeared to me that his class was an easy A, but as the quarter drew to a close, I thought differently. He is a very knowledgeable professor, but he is not very good at teaching students what he knows. He spends 20 mins. to take roll. His book is elementary writing, but his tests are a lot harder. He's a funny professor, but that's pretty much all I can give him credit for other than being knowledgeable. I do not recommend him at all.

A bad teacher. His text is written out so simple, yet his tests are absolutely the opposite. Attending class had absolutely no purpose. I would have gotten the exact same grade if I never went, but he takes roll and forces you to attend or you lose points. The mid-term and final are ridiculous. I knew the stuff, I really did. He asks trivial questions that have a few satisfactory answers. Overall, he is a piece of shit who was a dick if ever visited during office hours. DO NOT TAKE.

A bad teacher. His text is written out so simple, yet his tests are absolutely the opposite. Attending class had absolutely no purpose. I would have gotten the exact same grade if I never went, but he takes roll and forces you to attend or you lose points. The mid-term and final are ridiculous. I knew the stuff, I really did. He asks trivial questions that have a few satisfactory answers. Overall, he is a piece of shit who was a dick if ever visited during office hours. DO NOT TAKE.

Difficult??? I must have had a different professor than these other people because it was hardly that. Weekly Newsweek quizzes were a breeze -- you don't even have to read the entire magazine, for those of you who can't handle such deep material. ;p Homework from the book was even easier. He stated at the beginning of the course that he grades on effort. The homework has no right answer, so all you have to do is write down something decent and you're in the clear. The tests were multiple choice and only difficult in that special way only Scantron tests can be, if you know what I mean. If you pay the slightest bit of attention in class and participate, you should be fine. Not only that, but you'll catch some "interesting" stories... I'd take him again.

Dr. McKibbin is a really funny guy who made the hour and a half fly by. That's the only good thing I can say about him, though. He has you read the text he wrote which is so very elementary and FULL of grammatical errors. I studied by butt off and got C's on the midterm & final. The tests are insane. Believe me, I know the effort it takes to get an A, and in any other class I would have. He has a seating arrangement in which he assigns everyone a seat and you can't move throughout the quarter for any reason. Also, you can't have a classmate turn in your homework assignment for you if you can't make class. He runs his class like it's some kind of reform school. Dr. McKibbin, if you read this, I think your textbood SUCKS, your seating chart SUCKS, your tests SUCK, and your attitude SUCKS. If you are considering taking him, DON'T!!!!

At the beginning of this clalss I thought that this class was going to be a fun, easy-going class. For the most part it was, there were just many little things that I found annoying. For example, he takes away points for not being in class. For the most part class is filled with stories that usually have nothing to do with the material that you are required to know for the tests. He does not let you turn in homework early if you are going to be gone on the day when it is due, so if you know you are going to be absent one day dont bother doing your homework. The Newsweek quizes are pretty easy, I cannot complain about those. They consisted of 8 T/F questions. The midterm and final were hard. I read the whole book over again and went over my notes, I felt I was totally prepared, but i only did so-so, C's. I cannot compare him to any other political but I do not think that I would take him again. The thing that bothered me the most was that he took role and deducted points if you werent there, when infact I didn't find any material discussed in the class different from that in the book. We basically just read the book over again in class and discussed the Newsweek. He can be a pretty funny guy, but I do not think I benefited that much from taking his class.

I don't agree with the negative crap written about this course and its professor. I thought Dr. Mckibben is pretty good. He has a great sense of humor. His book is very short, and concise. There is a weekly quiz on Newsweek which is no problem if you read it, something that is too hard for some. The 2 midterms are tough, but he curves it so it isn't hard too hard to get a good grade if you just show up to class and study. Take him if you can.

he didn't really teach, he just kind of told stories about his life; they could be interesting at times, but usually pretty boring; don't take this class too early or you're in danger of falling asleep; not too hard, though; we rarely had to take notes in class; the reading was pretty easy; so were the homework, quizzes, tests, etc.

I don't know what all these other people are talking about. This is the EASIEST CLASS I HAVE HAD AT CAL POLY!!! This was one of the more enjoyable classes that I have taken at Cal Poly. The hour and a half really flew by each week and we would even get out early some days. It is really important to go to all his classes, participate, and do the assigned work. Each week there is a quiz on the Newsweek reading that he assigned the week before. The quiz is usually 6 questions and intended to make people (stupid lazy freshman) actually do the reading. Each class he collects homework that comes from a book that he wrote and is simply writing your opinion about something so you can

This was one class that I actually looked forward to going to. Professor Mckibben kept class lively and entertaining with his stories and real world application to the subject matter at hand. Yeah, he had a seating chart and deducted points for absence, but given the chance, I would take a class from this guy again in a heartbeat.

He sucks...all these people are on crack that say his tests are easy...if you take him, you are making a big mistake! Just trust me...

A fucking asshole...I went to his office hours once to discuss my midterm and he barely even wanted to talk to me...All these positive statements about him make me wonder what the hell is going on. This guy needs to retire because he treats his class like high school...Nothing said in lecture ever appeared on the exams. He is a liar cuz he said he was retiring yet his ass is still here, picking up a check, just because he has tenure. His tenure is the only thing saving him because he sucks. You are a complete idiot if you want this guy.

I DO NOT recommend this guy, if you can take someone else, then do it. You would need a subscription to newsweek which is a pretty good deal, and buy his junior high reading book. He assigns homework due every week and quizzes on the newsweek stuff every week too. The reading is really really easy, and so is the homework. In class, you just discuss the newsweek materials and then he goes over the reading, which is pretty much the same as what you read, and then he goes over the homework... then finally he tests you on materials that aren't discussed in class and not discussed in the reading... oh and you have to turn in homework, which you tested on too... and which he doesn't give back to you... this guy is horrible... don't take him if you can... oh.. i forgot to mention one thing... YOU HAVE TO BE IN CLASS AND THE WHOLE TIME

I elected to take this class in a three hour block, once/week. Since attendance was mandatory and we were frequently excused early, this was a good class. As far as Professor McKibbin went, I enjoyed his lectures a lot more than I enjoyed HIM. Although I didn't "encounter" much of his rude demeanor personally, I witnessed several looks and comments that I would have taken offense to. The tests are a joke: it's purely a matter of memorizing the content of the book. This class is excellent for someone who is willing to put the time into memorizing. Actually THINKING is optional.

Maybe the worst teacher I've had so far in college. His lectures wander like a boat without a rudder. He must have said the words 'public policy' about two million times. He is old, senile, and not worried about his job performance/security since he'll probably retire in the next six years. Avoid at all costs!

I wish Carroll (yes, this is the man's actual name) would go back to fucking Iowa. Worst class ever. No point to actually going to class, but you get marked down for every absence. His lectures are torture to the 'not-yet-senile' mind. Adjectives (about Carroll): pompous, racist, asshole, cocksucker, senile, old, smelly, ugly. I absolutely hate him and the 'class' he teaches to a bunch of teenagers who don't want to be there. I feel sorry for his wife, his dog, and all the people who knew him when he was back in Iowa. Formaldahyde is better alternative that listening to this fudgepacker for an entire quarter. If you are my enemy, than take this class.

I haven't received a grade yet, so I don't know how hard he grades, but I have to say that Professor McKibbin is one of the worst teachers I have had so far at Cal Poly, and I have been here for three years. He is knowledgeable and he seems to be nice, but his lectures are terrible. They don't go anywhere and I have not learned one thing that I couldn't have taught myself in five minutes. He loves to call on people, but it doesn't matter how right their responses are, he always thinks they are wrong. The book he wrote (and required us to read), "Lillian's Legacy", is absolutely terrible, and a complete waste of time. I feel dumber every time I have to sit through one of his pointless lectures. One thing that is good is that about half the time we have guest speakers, and they are interesting. But as for McKibbin, absolutely DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASSES!

I don't know what everyone is complaining about. If you go to class, take notes during the lectures and public speakers, and read (easy reading) out of the short book that he wrote, I don't see why you couldn't easily get an A or a B. Don't listen to these people that say to stay away from him. There is one midterm, and one final. If you do not test well, then I see why it wouldn't be a good idea, but the tests are straight from lecture notes. There is no textbook besides the non fiction book he wrote. I recommend this class as an easy GE fullfillment. No homework, just tests, not hard.

Dr. McKibbin was a very entertaining professor and sometimes I actually found his lectures interesting and I hate political science. The frustrating thing with the class is that he expects you to have out side knowledge about politics already and if you don't, there's no chance of getting an A. The key to a good grade is talking a lot in class and trying to get participation points. He is very strict about attendence. If you are late, don't come; if you have to leave early; don't come because he won't let you out! There is no book that goes along with this class other than an outside reading book that he wrote, so the midterm and final are completely based on lecture. The good thing about this class is that there is no homework. All you have to do is read a chapter a week in the book he wrote, but they aren't extremely long. Overall, I would recommend this professor. If you go to class and keep up on the notes and reading, you'll get a good grade!

Mckibbin expects you to know politics before taking the course. The only homework was reading, which isn't needed. There were two, fifty question tests: one midterm, one final. He would ask test questions that only someone who already knew politics would know. He gives points if you participate and know what you're talking about (or if you're a woman that likes to show some cleavage). He wrote the reading material for the class, which had almost no use in the class. He uses curcumstancial evidence to persuade you to think the way he wants you to think. You'll get a better grade if you think the way he wants you to. Take him if you are a woman and already know something about politics.

This guy was absolutely BORING. The only part of this class worth going to was the guest speakers who could be moderately entertaining at times. This guy is like 100 years old (he talks about listening to FDR's "Fireside chats") and he is a real stickler about stuff. For instance, I was afraid to even get up to go to the bathroom in his class. During our 1 minute break a girl ran to the bathroom and came back 1-2 minutes late for the second half and he got so mad that he told us we weren't allowed to have the 1 minute break anymore (in our 2 hour night class). Pretty pathetic. Overall, this class, like most general ed was complete BS. I showed up every day only because he liked to call attendance and marked anyone down who wasn't there (3 absences = F).. other than that i slept through every lecture, didn't study for the final, and got an A. The required book for this class, "Lillian's Legacy" is the most completely ridiculous piece of filth I've ever been forced to spend 30 minutes glancing over. It's poorly written, there are frequent contradictions, and the author's analysis is childish at best (the author is McKibben by the way). I don't know that i would counsel against taking him, as the class is incredibly easy. But i warn anyone beforehand that you are going to be extremely bored and if you actually bother to read the book you have my sympathy.

After reading all the evaluations, Professor Mckibbin doesn't sound too popular, but I really enjoyed his class and thought that he was a good professor. The class is fairly easy, and as long as you go to class, take decent notes, and read the book once, you should do really well. There were too many people in my class to take attendance daily, so instead he would randomly choose about 5 names at the beginning of class for role, and if you weren't there then you were marked down. You only have one book, which is a short novel, to read during the quarter, and it is only $20, so that was really nice. There are two tests during the quarter, a midterm and final, which were each probably weighted at a little under 50 percent of your grade, with the remainder being made up of participation points. I would say that about half the lectures were made up of guest speakers from various occupations in the criminal justice field. Some people posted that you have to have some previous knowledge of the political system/politics to do well in this class, but that' not true. I pretty much came into the class knowing nothing and not really caring, and I was still able to get a high A. So overall, I would recommend this class and professor. Mckibbin is a really funny guy, and he kept me awake for the entire lecture. Oh, and even though class was 2 hours long, he would usually let us out about 30 minutes early, and sometimes up to an hour early!

There are a ton of guest speakers which is a nice break from the lectures. His lectures can be pretty boring, but he is a funny old man so they wer not that bad. There is no textbook, and he gives one midterm and the final, both 50 multiple choice questions. Take good notes, because that is all you will have to study!

This class was super easy. One mid-term and one final with 50 questions each make up your entire grade. There's no textbook, so everything on the tests is from the lectures. Unfortunately, most of the lectures are 2 hours long when most professors could have covered the material in about half that time. For me the class was just a review of high school Government. I didn't really learn anything new. He did have us read some book that he wrote. I thought it was a terrible piece of literature, and I decided not to finish it. It didn't matter, though, because we discussed the book in class every week, so any questions about it that were on the tests were covered in class. He seems to be a pretty nice person. Sometimes it seemed like all the lights weren't on up stairs. He was OK as a professor. Not great, but the class was easy. If you want an easy A, I'd take him.

Mckibbin should be taken by all for pols 112. this was simply the easiest class ive taken yet. You read a book... that he wrote.. and its like a murder mystery.. it really has nothing to do with the poli sci stuff we should be learning, but its interesting. You take like one 50 questions multiple choice midterm and one final the same way. I studied the night before a got an A. Basically its a joke, but hes really a sweet kind old man, boring lectures... but so worth the amount of time you need to put into the class... which is basically none... so i definately say take Mckibbin

Before I make a biased judgement on this teacher, let me tell you straight up his teaching style... you go to class to either listen to him lecture about his book (that he wrote-that has nothing to do with POLS) or about the actual topic, OR you go and listen to presentations from local officials like judges, police officers, etc. Attendance counts toward your grade and there are two MC tests all quarter. If you suck at tests, dont much care for a stupid murder mystery written terribly, and dont mind missing wonderful local officials talking about their job! then AVOID MCKIBBIN AT ALL COSTS!!!!

This was simply the worst class that I have ever taken! I mean, Doctor McKibbin is a nice enough person, however; he grades on two tests where the questions are extremely unfair and irrevelant to the material he presented in class. This is not high school, but worse! He takes roll, and says its for our own benefit, but its not. I would not recommend this class.

What a great guy. He really knows what he is talking about because he has lived it. His class was also simply the easiest class I could ever imagine. The class consists of a really easy midterm, an equally as easy final, and attendance. If you participate in class you get extra credit. He is a really nice man and you should talk to him because he has a lot to share. If you don't want a bunch of story telling, easy class, and guest speakers, take someone else.

This is a professor worthy of the title, and one that is willing to also be a friend.

While McKibbin did an excellent job explaining things in the class, they weren't the things he put on the test! The majority of your grade came from these weekly 10 point T/F quizzes on "Newsweek," and the current events studied never appeared on the tests. Instead, he makes you buy his book. The material in the book covers fairly elementary things, and you spend about 30-60 minutes answering questions about the readings (only worth 3 frickin' points when you turn them in!). I spent a lot of time on the homeworks, and only got 3 stupid points for each one? Oh, hell no! I mentioned earlier that his text was written fairly elementary...but his tests were not! I'm fairly passionate about Political Science and History, but this guy killed it for me. I put a lot of effort into his class and only got a C... (Note: The guy is nice and funny...makes a 3 hour class fly, but don't expect an excellent grade from him even if you're a dedicated student!)

I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures. The book we had to read for class was long and boring, however, when discussed in class the readings made more sense of what we were to grasp. We also had to subscribe to Newsweek in this class, however, there were no quizzes, we discussed each article we had to read. I would definitely recommend this professor to anyone! I am taking him again for Pols 110. His stories make it worth while to go to class. Do the work, pay attention and it is no problem to get a good grade in that class.

Dr.McKibbin is a very knowledgable, smart, and funny professor. His extensive knowledge and personal experience allows him to relate topics of discussion to real life experiences, which makes class and the information presented very credible. I enjoyed attending class everyday (even though attendance was mandatory or lose 2 points) and found I did not mind his attendance policy difficult because I enjoyed class anyways! He would lecture but allow for jokes and quick quips that provided for entertainment in a lecture setting. People complain about Dr.McKibbin being difficult and having a lousy attendance policy, but as far as I am concerned, they are wrong.

I seriously cannot believe that people can be so mean (let alone completely immature) on this site for (supposed) university students. Get a freaking grip! We haven't taken our final yet, but I had to respond. Professor McKibbin has done a little bit of everything in his life, which makes him really interesting, if you're willing to learn from other people. I know a hell of a lot more about global political issues than I did before I took this class. The reading is easy (and a little dry), but who gives a rip? In addition, he's super nice. I have been admitted to graduate school at Iowa State, and he spoke to me at length about the campus and the town. If you want someone to entertain you, go to a comedy club...otherwise, grow up and you might actually (OH NO!) learn something.

Wow, this guy is awesome and he is from Kansas which means that he is awesome. If you talk about Switzerland he will love you for sure. The nicest professor at Poly. I would take every class I possibly could. If you are lucky enough to have him teaching you should take his class.

Talk about story time in class of his life experences working in Switzerland for the state department or hearing him talk about the good old days from Kansas.(He loves to dance and sign the KU fight song if a native from Kansas asks) Sure he goes off on tangents and grades a bit tricky. He tells you what you need to know and all you have to do is study that. Read his book and learn to love it, he likes to test from that. The 2 words he loves, National Interest. Try to get as many red stars in class, they make all the difference. He loves to talk about his days from working for the goverement making himself sound bigger than he really was. McKibbin is the man and he really likes corndogs.

McKibbin is an extremely knowledgeable man who has plenty of personality, and can be quite funny at times. With that said...expect frustration if taking a class from him as he is set in his ways...his very, old ways. He likes to think he encourages class participation by giving out points for answering questions and calling on random students. For me, this was total intimidation, and i'm not one who is normally intimidated. He can't hear well, so if you do get called on, you have to yell for him to understand you...once he thinks he's figured out what you said, he'll smile, and laugh...then disagree with whatever you said...or whatever he thought you said. He's getting old, his grading is picky, his tests pick out a few minor details for you to elaborate on making them difficult to study for, and he is not easy to approach in class. (i will say that in office hours he was very friendly and somewhat helpful) I had never received lower than a B in any class in my life until this guy awarded me a C. I know i won't make the mistake of taking from him again.

I think people are too hard on this guy. I came into his class expecting a mean, scary, lecherous jerk because of what I read on polyratings. And as it turns out, he's actually very nice and has a good sense of humor. He tells lots of stories during class, so the two hour class doesn't seem quite so long. When people come to class late, he gives them a hard time, but it's not like he doesn't let you in if you're late. It seems like he's just old-fashioned, and wants to be given respect (he wants to be e-mailed in advance if you're going be missing class for any reason...not a big deal). You do have to write a pretty long paper (10-20 pages) and that's not cool, but otherwise, his class isn't bad.

One word...RETIRE! This guy sucks! Avoid him at all costs, I promise you will be sorry if you do not. Nice guy, but a TERRIBLE teacher. He takes roll and then rambles on through class telling us these stupid third grade level analogies about his work in the state dept and how it related to what we are learning. He is so boring and loves to just hear himself talk. His grading is totally unfair. This is my last pols class before I graduate, I have gotten two B+ in poli sci, and the rest A's and I am modst likely going to get a C in this class. He is an extremely unfair grader for how poorly he teaches the class. He is one of those teachers that needs to leave because he is bringing the department down, big time.

McKibbin is a cool teacher. His classes were fun! Just read on and try to be streetsmart because that's what he likes!

Prof McKibbin is dedicated and and has a comfotable midwestern style to prewsenting his information. He weaves in stories and experiences from his prior career(s) which illustrate and bring life to the material. He is very knowledgeable and well read, and I admire that he takes time to do additional research and writing. A nice man outside the classroom too! I am in graduate school now, and benefited alot from Prof McKibbin's work with me.

he sure does like his women, wet!!