Gerard P. Heather

He teaches well, but his exams are difficult, you always forget to state one point or the other in your essay. that's why i got a b.

Professor Heather is really passionate about what's he's teacher. Before each tests he provides a list of 7 or 8 topics that only 2 will be featured in his test as an essay question. Going to all lectures and readying whatever he talks about most in his lectures will help for the test. There's no HW, and 3-5 exams. Good Luck!

Professor Heather is a great teacher during his lecture class. You have to attend to all his lecture classes because missing a day will hurt you. His teaching style is upper division, but you will learn a lot from him. A hint when you are in his class sit in the front so you can hear him better. During the smaller classes (study class) hope you get a good professor that can help because that is important. During the class you get info about the exams and what to read in professor Heather lecture class. So a hint is get a good TA.

despite the cruel remarks made about him regarding his personality, i found him to be a quite effecitve professor. he is articulate, confident in his way of teaching, often welcomes questions and tries his best to answer them, and most importantly, he is very good at delivering his lectures in a clear and comprehensible manner to a large class, so that there is never really a problem of confusion. his two midterms are based on short-answer id's and an essay of choice (out of two) and they CANNOT get any easier. i almost felt that he was insulting the intelleignece of his students with his way of testing, (because he gives out the possible essay questions AND the id's beforehand and then the TA's go over them a millions of times before the actual exam day), but i guess it is an intro course after all, and it makes the lives of many unmotivated students easier... as for his personality, it isn't conspicuously intolerable or great. he is polite when you see him or talk to him outside of class. i didn't experience or detect the kind of estreme bias towards the left as some people have pointed out. overall, he knows his stuff and it's clear that he's become quite good at doing his job over the years!

The best class I had this semester. Heather has a natural gift when it comes to speech and lecture. You'll end up learning a great deal about our government and current issues (elections, etc...).

The class was so big that he didn't get to know any of the students (a job left to the T.A.'s). He speaks with a Jersey accent which adds a little humor to the course and he adds jokes here and there that are naturally funny.

The tests are essays but are fairly easy. If you take good notes and skim through the books near test time, you should do fine...honestly.

Forget about it . . .Professor Heather is one of the most animated and enthusiastic lecturers I have had the pleasure to spend a semester with. He is from New Jersey, is laidback, smart, and funny. Though I suppose many would brand him "a liberal", he grounds the class in objectivity, his presentation is fairly well-rounded, and there is no doubt about his patriotism. His goal is to teach the material, not advocate a particular perspective and he is honest in his approach (which may offend the lazy or narrow-minded thinkers). No complaints. I would take him again and I raved to my friends that his was my best class of the semester.

The format is two very interesting lectures each week and a laidback TA review session. The TAs review everything that will be on the three exams so you are totally prepared. He gives extra-credit for improvement!

Take the class- he does his job, so do yours!

The reviews for Heather are incredibly polarized. I have to agree with those who think that he is a gifted teacher. The things complained about by the few are completely absent in my class--- no fake tan, no sunglasses inside, and slim to no proselytizing about his own political ideas. He has a passion for educating, and a passion for the topic which shows through. For those who claim that kissing up "pays off", what are you talking about? Most everything is graded by TA's and Heather seems a measured and intelligent man unaffected by pretensions. Perhaps those who gave him an F are tripped up by their own raectionary conservatism. I mean...Michael Savage...c'mon.

Prof. Heather is a radical leftist throwback to the 1960's... but his lectures are great and he's a WONDERFUL SPEAKER. If you have to take a poli sci class and you don't mind the propaganda, take his class. What he has to say is interesting and informative -- I just suggest you balance it off on your own time by listening to RUSH LIMBAUGH or, better yet, MICHAEL SAVAGE.

Sadly he is not at all open to other people's views, and only takes humor in his own jokes.

Still, I'm sure the other poli sci professors at SFSU are just as leftist and if you're gonna take this class you might as well be entertained. My feeling at the end of the course was that I REALLY LIKED PROF. HEATHER AS A PERSON, I JUST WISH HE LIKED US CONSERVATIVES TOO. In a big lecture it doesn't really matter, but if you take a smaller class with him I have the feeling that he might only give you a good grade if you agree with him -- be warned. Typical liberal hypocrisy? Maybe. Then again maybe in a small class you can get to know him and show him what great people we are on the RIGHT and get him to change some of his views. Ha! Maybe?

I suggest this course to all who have an open mind to different ideas (SOMETIMES HE WAS RIGHT!) but have enough of a brain to distinguish between truth and balonie (sp? I'm a vegetarian!). Remember, just because he says something doesn't make it right!!!

Bottom line: I give him and "A" for a great class (hey, they are professors because they believe in what they believe and I respect that). I give him the "-" for not being tolerant of other's views.

What should YOU do????? TAKE THE CLASS YOU'LL LIKE IT!!! I did.

PS The Friday TA sessions are a waste of time except before the tests.

PPS Please don't leave before the lecture is over, be adults and have some respect, this isn't highschool!

He is an excellent lecturer! I never thought I would enjoy a political science class, but he made it interesting. He incorporated current events into his lectures which was especially interesting since i took his class in the fall of 2000, Bush/Gore election. There were 3 exams that were all essay. Also he had about 8 TA's that would give you those exams. We would meet in a class every Friday were we would have group discussion or take the exams. Numerous study sessions were provided by various TA's before each exam which was good because you could go to as many as you wanted to. I learned alot in this class!!!

This is an outstanding professor. Even those who HATE politics will enjoy this course, and maybe see a different side to the political arena. Professor Heather is EXTRMELY knowledgeable about the course and the material. He lectures from his own knowledge, as opposed to notes. He interacts with the class, walking through the isles while lecturing, allows questions throughout his lectures, etc. He teaches both sides to arguments and cases, which is often rare in Political Science courses. He makes it very clear what he expects you to know, and even gives the essay questions in advance so you are not “caught off guard.” He teaches historical politics as well as incorporating current events. I would recommend him to ALL students, regardless of their political views, likes, or dislikes. You will definitely leave this class with a better understanding and appreciation for American politics.

I'm a biochem major. So when I signed up for this class, I was expecting about three weeks of winter intersession hell. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite. I almost wish I would have signed up for Heather's spring semester class. He's witty, clever, funny, and makes his lectures interesting and fun, which I thought was impossible when dealing with history. Sure, he knows everyone and everything involved in the govt, but his spelling/handwriting is atrocious, but it's a minor setback (no, there IS NO "H" in Gettysburg!). Getting an A in this class is pretty easy; all you have to do is show up and pay attention (which is easier said than done, apparently). Oh yeah, and read. It pays.

Professor Heather is a very enthusiastic teacher. He can teach for 2 hours just on the intoduction to a book. THe books chosen were great pieces of literature and the discussions were full and lively. There were 3 papers that made up the whole grade. He is a hard grader, but if you go to every class and take notes, you can get the A.

first i want to say to the first person downt he list who gave professor Heather an F and did not hesitate to insult him or his students, you are an asshole. you should consider reviewing yourself first. and before criticizing others you should improve yourself. your attempt at using good vocab (which by the way wasnt impressive at all and didnt make you stand out nor appear midly intelligent) failed. the word is grandeur not grandoir or however u spelled it.

professor heather is awesome, i thought i would have a terrible time taking political science, adn to my surprise he has made class so interesting that i make it a point to go! and that rarely happens to me.. espoeically in this school which i think it tottaly doomed.

he is passionate about his subject, and overall a great professor. i would not hesitate in recommending him at all. and as far as the fake tan, the sun glasses and the suits, those are all irrelevant observations. just because you dont like him, does not impair his ability to teach.

take him, espcially if you think youll hate it and need to slip through the cracks for your ge.

I would not have taken this class if it wasn't a requirement. I hated Political Science because I never had a professor that was passionate enough about it to inspire me to learn the material. Professor Heather has changed my views. He is a very nice guy and is very funny (but then again what might be funny to me may not be funny to you). He was always willing to discuss what I needed help on. He is always willing to talk to you. His lectures are excellent and he grades fairly. So what if he wears sunglasses in the building, thats cool. He is definitely worth taking. You will learn a lot and have a great time.

As entertaining and engaging Professor Heather is during lectures, I have to give him a C. He is very knowledgable aobut the subject, but he presents the information in a very biased view. It's as if he's using the class as a platform to promote his view of politics -- a very extreme view at that. I believe that professors should try to keep their own slanted opinions out of the lectures, and give students the basic information as well as several viewpoints so that they may form their own thoughts. Heather's personal agenda is blatant and insulting, as well as unethical. He is also adverse to any opposing views or questions posed in class. But... at least the lectures aren't boring. And there's no homework, just 3 essay exams. So take this class only if you can tolerate a close-minded, biased instructor.

It's the summer and my mind has turned to mush...But what I can remember about Prof H. is that the man knew his material! I'm not some sorta polsci buff, but how he taught the class made it a lot more interesting. He's cool, but attendance is mandatory to get a good grade on exams...too bad,so sad.

Heather was a great professor. His lectures were interesting and relevant to current events. This was a hard class, he expects a lot from a student, but it is totally worth it. There are 2 midterm essay test and a final that consists of two essays. They are difficult, but it is possible to get and A if you work hard. I definitely reccommend this class to a serious student who wants to learn a lot and be challenged.

I thought Prf. Heather was one of the best Political Science professors that I have ever take--EVER and I'm working on my MA degree. I don't think I ever saw him tan at all and I've had him in 3 different classes. I've also never seen him wearing sunglasses either in doors or out. Perhaps the woman that posted those nasty remarks about him had a thing for him and when he gave her no play she went crazy. Because really if there is anyone out there that is looking for a good lecturer in the PolSci department---TAKE PROF HEATHER, you won't regret it. I also strongly recommend that you take his politcs of religion class--you can see him at his best.

I can't even imagine how someone could have given Professor HEather an F. He is the best lecturer that SF State's PolSCi department has. His lectures are always fascinating as well as humorous. He grades fairly, he leaves himself pretty available to students so that they can go to him for help. As far as his class being really easy--easy it's not. You really have to go to his lectures and keep up with the reading material to do well in the class. That girl that gave him an F is an idiot.

Professor Heather is an incredibly motivational speaker. I was more than impressed by his lectures week after week, and made it a point never to miss his classes. He has a great sense of humor, he's easy to talk to and he grades fairly. He expects a certain quality of work from his students, but nothing that is unreasonable at the college level. Not only is Professor Heather a great professor, one can also tell that he's also a very kind, and compassionate person in his personal life as well.

This guy's cool. With his "Rodney Dangerfield" like sense of humor, he often kept the lecture hall in stiches. The 50mins of lecture fly by, and he packs them with informative comments, with a few well thought out oponions. He makes a what can be a very boring subject into something fun. There are a lot of readings, but I didn't read and still got the A. You also attend small workshops on Fridays instead of lecture, which were kind of a waste..but it helps when the tests come around as the TA's are right there to "hint" as to what to study. Good class..take him.

One would not necessarily expect that an entry level course would be this captivating. However, it is because of Professor Heather's influence that I am majoring in political science. I have had Heather for a number of other classes, and each have left me more fascinated with politics, and this man.

Prof. Heather is an energizing lecturer. You really won't want to miss classes. Grading is fair & the work load is managable. He listens, cares and is as charming as any teacher I've had. Take a class from him! Religion & Politics consists of readings from 4 books with a midterm and a take-home final. It's not a cake walk, but if you keep up with the work. You will be fine.

Gerard is an awesome lecturer, who (by listening to him talk )inspires people to learn and gets people turned on to the subject he is talking about. Not any easy task, but Prof. Heather carries this out effortlessly. He is a fair grader and always looks to emphasize what's positive & right with the student, but you got to put out your end of the bargain by working hard and coming to him if you hit a snag. He will help because he cares! Thank God for Prof. Heather & another feather in the cap of SFSU.