By Sandy Chronopoulos
Ryerson politics professors say communication between teachers and students is the secret to getting high ratings in the bi-yearly Instructor Course Evaluations.
“We have been consistently high across all sections,” said Carolyn Johns, an assistant professor of politics.
According to Instructor Course Evaluations (ICE) results obtained by The Eyeopener, Ryerson’s politics and school of public administration department had the second-highest student satisfaction rating in fall 1999 and the fourth-highest rating in winter 2000.
In the 1993/1994 academic year, politics ranked first, and in the 1994/1995 school year—the last time The Eyeopener published ICE program results—politics ranked third.
Johns said the department encourages professors to maintain an open-door policy with students.
Neil Thomlinson, an assistant professor who teaches municipal politics said being straight with students is also a reason why the politics program scores so high.
At the beginning of the year, Thomlinson gives his students an 18-page package outlining the course and all their tests and assignments.
“You have to be up front and clear with information and make expectations known to the students,” he said.
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