Alan Levine - American University, Washington, DC

Professor: Alan Levine

Department: Political Science

College: American University, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He expects you to know the material and understand it before he teaches it you. He knows philosophy is hard and still expects you to understand it before class. LOTS of reading that is crammed in. He is a nice man, but I do not recommend taking this class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I have never read more for any other class I've taken. That being said this was still a rewarding class. However, do not treat this class as an introduction into philosophy. It is much too intense and is taught much more like a 400 level class. Only take it with Levine if you are very interested in philosophy and love to read Plato.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOV105
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I took this class as first semester freshman. I would highly encourage not doing this. You read many long, important texts in a very short period of time then u either have a quiz or 1 pg paper due every class. Levine cares about his students who care about the class but expects a lot. Tries to give points where he can, but tests on minute details

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOV105
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I'm not that into philosophy but, wow, this class expanded my mind. Be prepared to read, A LOT. At some points the assigned reading is so long it almost seems like a joke, you can't actually read it all. But, Professor Levine is awesome and helps you understand the material (an maybe the world) better. He is not an easy grader so try your best.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Prof Levine knows the material and engages the class. There are A LOT of readings and he demands a lot, but for a good reason. At first I was not fond of the course, but at the end of the semester I realized how much I had learned. He even invited the class over to his house for dinner at the end of the semester. One of the best classes at AU.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOVT110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hands down best professor I have ever had. He is so good I am writing my first ever review. Absolutely brilliant and will push your mind to new levels and you will learn A LOT. He's tough, but very fair, and it is so worth it at the end. Best class in college

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took the class Individual Freedom vs. Authority from him several years ago. We studied Nietzche, Mills, deTocqueville, the Republic, Karl Marx, and others. 15 years later his teachings are still fresh in my mind. This is the only professor that I remember from my days at AU. He was the best professor I had at AU.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOVT120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Levine assigns a lot of reading and you definitely need to study for his exams, but he's very wiling to help students and really knows a ton about what he teaches, the guy's a total political philosophy wonk. He's also great at facilitating class discussion, though he'll make sure you defend your opinion.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOVT496
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

reasonable guy, but tough grader and assigns a ton of reading. His paper assignments are all about synthesizing the material you've read so far, so skipping readings gets you in trouble.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOV105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Levine is at once the most disagreeable bordering on mean professor I have ever had and the best, most effective professor I have ever had. As a person, I find him personally distasteful. As a professor, there is none better.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

You will work really hard in this class, but will get a lot out of it. Levine is a great lecturer and explains everything well, willing to help. There is a final paper and final exam, and a lot of reading! I would recommend this professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This professor is extremely hard. If you want to get an A in this class, do not take him. Although he is very intelligible, the material can be difficult to understand. Also, attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He was a fantastic professor who not only knows his stuff but is incredibly passionate about it, too. I would recommend his classes, even though they are probably the toughest you will take at AU.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HNRS302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Nice guy but gives inhumane amount of reading.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very difficult material, and he didn't take shortcuts. Moderately easy grader, which is good because the subject is hard enough as is. More important (or not), I learned a LOT from him, and he really knows what he's talking about. He always makes things interesting. Recommended.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PUAD696
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Levine sets the bar high. Great teacher if you're on an intellectual level somewhat equal to his, but I think some might be daunted by the cerebral level of his classes

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Plato would have liked this man. HARD class, requires a lot of time and effort, a lot of thought. It's philosophy! He loves what he does, so it makes it that much better. Reminds me of Vinzinni from "The Princess Bride," sometimes...in a good way!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOV105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

At first I thought I really liked this class. However, it you don't understand something, then it sucks to be you. And there is a lot of reading (I repeat, a lot), plus a quiz and a paper each week. The grading was a little arbitrary, too.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This was by far my best class this semester. Levine's passion for the subject made the class a pleasure to be in.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOVT105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

AMAZINGLY brilliant man. didn't like him at first but then realized he has a REASON to seem arrogant. GO TO HIS OFFICE AND ACTUALLY TALK TO HIM. go to class, take notes. this class is outstanding. he'll make you think about your own beliefs in a whole new way. HARD as hell, but DEFINITELY WORTH IT