Farid Abdel-Nour - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Farid Abdel-Nour

Department: Political Science

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is amazing and sore are his lectures. You have to do the readings but the readings are interesting and short but hard to understand. He explains it in class so you will get it. One of the best professor I had so far. He is very reachable and supportive. Overall its not a hard class, I would definitely take more classes with him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was so nervous about taking a political theory class, but Farid has made the experience so much better than I thought it would be. He is very patient takes his time to explain every concept. He does his best to make our reading assignments short and is also very considerate. There will be mini pop quizzes and 3 essays.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor goes over some pretty dense material, but somehow explains it very well and organized. Keep up with the reading and lectures and you will do well, but you have to really engage with the text. He allows for 3 missed classes, excuse free, but it does hurt you (pop quiz & lectures). He appreciates specificity and is very understanding.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You do need the required books in this class. The readings are quite difficult to understand. He goes over the reading during class. Participation counts. You can get randomly called to answer a question, so read! 1 essay based midterm. 2 short papers on interpreting a reading. Essay based final exam. Quizzes are given randomly but not too hard.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If I had time and chance, I would take every single one of his class. HE IS AMAZING. Makes you think and makes you want to come to every class and actually I got interested in reading political thoughts. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND HIM

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A safe class to take if uneasy about options. The reading was not too demanding and two small papers, test were tough but if you read, go to class, study notes you will do fine. Definitely, recommend office hours if possible to go to he is willing as long as you put the effort.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Farid is the man. Fiercely intelligent and is really passionate about political philosophy. DO THE ASSIGNED READINGS! They arent long but extremely dense, however,Dr. Farid unpacks everything efficiently. Dont miss class because he randomly gives pop quizzes. 2 short papers (3 pages) and essay style midterm and final. Again, do the readings!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The material can be difficult to comprehend, but Professor Abdel Nour makes the material much more easier to comprehend through his lectures. You do need to come prepared to take part in discussion since participation is part of the grade. Overall, a really solid choice. Highly recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I've had. Can take any reading and explain it in a way that is easy to understand. He is clearly extremely passionate about what he teaches and gives seriously engaging classes. Very funny.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Probably one of the hardest classes I've taken, but definitely one of the best! The readings are pretty difficult, but Professor Farid really tries to help you understand it. He is more than happy to help if something doesn't make sense. 2 short essays on readings and 2 essay formatted tests. If you read and take good notes, you should do fine!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wise and compassionate with a razor sharp wit, oftentimes theatrical. I will miss him next semester, just might change my minor so I can listen to more of his brilliant insights on political thought. Like Marie Antoinette, he seemed to float into the classroom glittering like the morning star (POL 302 literary reference).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLS302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The most passionate and engaging professor I have ever had class with. There is a lot of reading to do, but it's all really interesting and crucial to passing. This isn't a class you can skip, but going to lecture every class makes it impossible to fail. Only 2 essays, 2 exams and some simple reading quizzes. Highly recommend!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLS302
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Oh professor is AMAZING! Very intelligent and a fantastic guy. GO TO EVERY CLASS!!! At midterm and finals he will give you 7 questions regarding what you covered in the semester, but you are required to only do 2 and turn into essays. He won't tell you which 2 questions off the prompt until the day of the test. His CLASS IS HARD SO GET READY!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easily the best professor I've had at SDSU. Extremely intelligent & knowledgable, lectures are always animated & insightful, & he makes a genuine effort for every student to understand the material. The assigned readings AND the lectures are integral to the class, & it's clear he expects a LOT, but I've learned more in this class than any other.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLS301B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Get the same exact version of the books he has in the Syallabus. It makes it a lot easier to follow along. The structure of the class is simple: Read the assigned reading, maybe take a quiz, discuss in class, write essay/midterm/final on the book. You need to read. Not for those of us lazy. But if you read and understand, a B is guaranteed.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLS510
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Challenging, but engaging course. Essential to read so you can participate in class discussion (each class is set up as Socratic). This was a tough course, but wants you to do well, so take advantage of office hours. He will make you work/think vs giving you flat out answers. Also, pretty fair grader if you show knowledge/effort into papers.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLS302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors in the department. Interesting course but expect a lot of readings. Put in work and you'll be good. 2 short papers and 2 tests. Every lecture made me feel enlightened

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLS302
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've never had a more passionate or knowledgeable professor. This is a theory class, so the nature of the class requires you to analyze and interpret various political theories which can be hard and confusing. However, Farid KNOWS what he's talking about and will use examples to put ideas in modern perspective. Top 5 professors at SDSU.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PS302
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is a very tough professor, but you will not regret taking this class. He is amazing. If you have the opportunity to take him I suggest you do so. Do not expect to kick back and get an A because he just isnt one of those professors, he expects you to engage in class discussions.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLS302
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You're only allowed to miss 4 classes or else you fail, but you don't want to miss ANY classes or else you will be behind. The class is a small lecture, so he requires students to participate to ensure we know what he's talking about. However, you need to read because he will give 8 or 9 quizzes through the semester. BEST PROFESSOR I'VE EVER HAD.