Historical 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 2026POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2025INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Fall 2025INTLST/POLISCI 431Contentious Politics
Fall 2025POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2025INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Spring 2025POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2024INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Fall 2024POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2024INTLST 699Directed Study
Spring 2024POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2024POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2023INTLST/POLISCI 431Contentious Politics
Fall 2023POLISCI 919Seminar-advanced Methodology
Fall 2023POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2023POLISCI 699Directed Study
Spring 2023POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Spring 2023POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2022POLISCI 948Seminar: Topics in Comparative Politics
Fall 2022POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Fall 2022POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2022POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2021INTLST/POLISCI 431Contentious Politics
Fall 2021POLISCI 919Seminar-advanced Methodology
Fall 2021POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2021POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2020INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Fall 2020INTLST 699Directed Study
Fall 2020POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2020POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2020POLISCI 999Independent Work
Spring 2019POLISCI 919Seminar-advanced Methodology
Spring 2019POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2018POLISCI 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2018POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Fall 2017INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Fall 2017INTLST 699Directed Study
Fall 2017POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Spring 2017INTLST/POLISCI 431Contentious Politics
Spring 2017POLISCI 692Senior Thesis
Spring 2017POLISCI 919Seminar-advanced Methodology
Fall 2016INTLST 401Topics in Global Security
Fall 2016POLISCI 401Selected Topics in Political Science
Fall 2016POLISCI 691Senior Thesis
Spring 2016INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Spring 2016POLISCI 699Directed Study
Spring 2016POLISCI 948Seminar: Topics in Comparative Politics
Spring 2016POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2015INTLST 101Introduction to International Studies
Fall 2015INTLST/POLISCI 431Contentious Politics
Fall 2015POLISCI 699Directed Study
Fall 2015POLISCI 999Independent Work
Spring 2015POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Fall 2014INTLST 401Topics in Global Security
Fall 2014POLISCI 401Selected Topics in Political Science
Fall 2014POLISCI 699Directed Study
Fall 2014POLISCI 987Comparative Politics Colloquium
Spring 2014INTLST 401Topics in Global Security
Fall 2013POLISCI 699Directed Study
Spring 2013INTLST 401Topics in Global Security
Spring 2013INTLST 601Topics in Global Security
Spring 2013POLISCI 999Independent Work
Fall 2012POLISCI 401Selected Topics in Political Science
Fall 2012POLISCI 948Seminar: Topics in Comparative Politics

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

Instructor identity & provenance 
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