Current instructor

Erica Simmons

Adjusted rating
RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 3.77/5 from 43 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

What students say

Original student reviews · all captured dates

INTLST 101
Quality 3/5Difficulty 1/5
Content was easy to understand. Tests are all open book but go off all the readings and lectures assigned. Almost impossible to reach Professor Simmons outside of class.
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INTLST 101
Quality 1/5Difficulty 1/5
Switch out of this class if you have her. So boring, didn't even go to lectures by the end because the slides were self explanatory. Reads off her computer THE WHOLE time. Kept talking about herself.
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INTL101 · course not matched
Quality 4/5Difficulty 3/5
I would only take this course again because of the content rather than the professor. When reading through these reviews before signing up for classes, I thought people were being dramatic saying how inaccessible Professor Simmons is. They were so right. She cancelled all but 2 office hours all semester. Still an interesting and educational class!
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INTLST 101
Quality 4/5Difficulty 4/5
I really enjoyed this class! Lecture can be boring, but is very interesting when prof talks about topics she is passionate about. Do the extra credit, take good notes during lecture, and you can get away with not doing all the readings (however, exams often are on readings/ask for examples from the reading).
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INTLST 101
Quality 4/5Difficulty 2/5
The class wasn't too difficult if you have any prior econ 101/102 knowledge. There were lots of readings assigned, but as long as you have some quotes ready, you are set. The tests are open-book and short answer which make them not too difficult. Professor Simmons clearly is knowledgeable and passionate about her topic, as evident through lecture.
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INTLST 101
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Incredible professor who is very passionate about what she teaches. Exams are definitely difficult, but if you do the study guide and take thorough notes you'll be fine. Interesting and engaging lectures. Participation is not taken, but lecture slides aren't very helpful without attending lecture. Overall would definitely recommend and take again.
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Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.

Classes with Erica Simmons

Recorded teaching history

Distinct courses recorded per term

Explore courses taught by this instructor →
Browse recorded courses
TermCourseTitle
Spring 2027POLISCI 692Senior Thesis
Spring 2027POLISCI 699Directed Study
Spring 2027POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2027POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2026POLISCI 699Directed Study
Fall 2026POLISCI 990Research and Thesis

Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.

Instructor identity & provenance 
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