Basil Kardaras - The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Professor: Basil Kardaras

Department: Social Science

College: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: INTSTD5800
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor. He's very intelligent, knowledgable and active during class. He helps everyone a lot and makes people really think about the international arena and theories. He doesn't use electronical devices, which makes it easy to focus and have dicussions during class, which were always interesting discussions. I was gutted when class ended.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: INTSTDS5800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class if you respect your personal time or energy, whatsoever. Kardaras is a nice guy, but offers little to no deadlines or guidelines for the work he expects you to do. Actually the most bizarre class I have ever had. Do not take under any circumstances.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: INTSTD5800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't set clear deadlines for things so it can get kinda confusing. The class was pretty easy though. He doesn't let you use electronics but expects you to take notes type them and turn them in for points.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: INTSTD5800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favorite class I've ever taken, solely because of the teacher. He's extremely smart, helpful, and loves extending deadlines and making the student feel like they've got wiggle room. I legitimately didn't ever want to miss a class and they were at 8 am so that's saying something. I hugged him goodbye at the end of the semester and almost cried.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: INTSTD5800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kardaras is a brilliant guy and this class was very interesting. He does take attendance, but stopped midway through the semester. He teaches a truly organic class, does not use the syllabus or Carmen. He is really an interesting guy and finds himself hilarious and is always cracking jokes. I enjoyed him, but it is a different type of class

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IS5800
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is clearly a brilliant guy, but getting knowledge from him can be somewhat difficult. The syllabus isn't a thing, don't pay attention to a single date on there. Attendance is mandatory, but he stopped taking attendance about halfway through the semester. Nice guy, just not the most effective teacher. (and totally a name dropper.)

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: INT5500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kardaras is the nicest, smartest, funniest professor I have ever had at Ohio State. The class is slightly confusing and unclear. He does not use Carmen and does not follow the syllabus. BUT if you are go with the flow and are not just concerned about getting a grade and actually want to learn and have a good time doing so, Kardaras is amazing.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: INTSTDS2800H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do NOT take Prof. Kardaras if you are just looking for an basic GEC or easy A. He doesn't do powerpoints or normal lectures. It was an organic class where we discussed questions brought up. It was interesting, but I would hate if *every* class was like this. Kardaras has LOADS of good information, so if you are interested in the subject take him!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: INST201H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I would not take him again(SPRNG '12). Dr.K was unclear and ambiguous it was difficult to do papers. He didn't use Carmen. For all the interesting current event in world studies, we didn't discuss any of it. His lectures were super disorganized so I had no idea which parts were important. Frustrating, uncomfortable environment and little learning.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: INTST201H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed being in his class. He has a sense of humor, is brilliant, and tries to get to know his students at least on some level. The 8:30 am class& 7:30 am final were worth it, for all I learned. It's a great introductory course into int'l studies, as, though the subject is "peace studies", his lectures cover so much.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IS201H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Spent most of the class wondering what was going on, but left knowing more than when I came in. No denying Kardaras is brilliant and made class memorable. 2 papers (one optional) not bad if you put the work in, and he gives you the final essays beforehand.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IS201H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very disorganized and was never really sure what I should and should not take notes on, but really nice and funny guy and I do feel like I learned a couple things, mostly along the lines of "war sucks". 1-2 papers and a final are the only real work you have.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: INTST201H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

RUN from this class! Dr. Kardaras was completely disorganized and even offensive. Two papers and final were absolutely ridiculous-- not even hard, just weird and a waste of time. I really wish I would have dropped this class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IS650
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Positives: Very knowledgeable, has many thought provoking, unconventional ideas. A nice guy, laid back when it comes to due dates, missed classes, etc. Negatives: Can be vague and unclear, his tangents can get tiresome, and the material can be rather dry. Overall, an A is doable with a solid effort.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: INTST650
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unlike lower level classes, A's are rather difficult, not impossible though. Heavy focus on the textbooks but they are there to present ideas, often Dr. Kardaras' thoughts contradict textbook statements.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: INTST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I feel like I wasted my time. It was so so so hard waking up early to go and sit through meaningless words. Did I learn anything? Maybe. I am still not sure. I wish I had those hours back.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: INTST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As people have said, he's an amazing intellect. Has an incredible breadth of knowledge. Does go off on many tangents and the class seems to be loosely organized. However, this is just his teaching style and frankly I think it works. A very thought provoking class. He's a really nice guy and an A is very achievable with a decent effort.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ISH201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is obviously a genius, but his syllabus is the most confusing I've ever seen. His lectures are very random and abstract and it's really hard to figure out how it all fits together. Especially with all of his side stories. I would not recommend him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ISH201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Went off on ridiculous tangents all the time. The subject matter wasn't complicated, he would give us no direction on the assignments, and doge questions when asked. We spent 3 days on intros too. His tangents weren't interesting/funny- just annoying. Google his name and read "Another Churhill Clone"-Evidence of his socialist/marxist backround

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: INTST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Most confusing class I have ever taken!! Dr. Kardaras is a very interesting professor and a joy to listen to. But I don't remember anything relivent discussed in class. He goes onto many tangents and some classes went on for days. We barely finished our group projects for the quarter. He jumps from subject to subject with no connnection.