Igor Lukes - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Igor Lukes

Department: International Studies

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HI278
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Lukes' Central European History course over 10 years ago and it still stands out as my most memorable course. I didn't even know the slightest thing about central Europe when I selected it, so it was definitely a lucky find. Very interesting learning about such a rich culture that was ravaged by communism. The books he assigned were great.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HI278IR341
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Lukes is an adorable Czech who loves cycling and giving lectures. A fantastic human being. If you have any interest in history, take this class. Go to lecture - not only are the stories and perspectives super interesting, but you won't have to study much for the exams if you do go. You will leave this class with a strong urge to go to Vienna.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IR546
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't take this class unless you're actually very interested in old political philosophers. There are 18 books on the syllabus, and you have to do a very interactive presentation. If you shiver at the thought of being asked tough questions by your classmates after presenting, run away. Lukes is nice, but often goes past class time.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IR543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took 3 classes with this guy. Somplu amazing, one of the best proffs in the IR department for sure. There are not that many experts on EE anymore, and he is certainly one.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CASIR546
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All his lectures are done with a sense of fairness to opposing views and some humor. Ideas from his Power and Legitimacy course CAS IR 546 still resonate in my work and life experiences today,several years after graduating from BU. The course should be obligatory for all majors.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IR542543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I seriously could not have chosen a better teacher about Eastern Europe and Russia. Professor Lukes is an incredible lecturer and I always get so pulled into his stories, it's fantastic. I can't recommend any class he is teaching any higher because honestly: it's AWESOME!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IR341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a very engaging and interesting lecturer. For the tests, make sure you focus on the lectures as well as the readings, and don't believe him when he says dates only kind of matter! Central Europe was an excellent class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IR341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lukes is an engaging, amazing, and interesting lecturer. I recommend that you take his history classes if you are already a bit familiar with the topics. His anecdotes will open your eyes with unconventional interpretations of events. If you have a genuine interest in history and do the readings, you will learn a lot and do well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HI278
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have heard this professor is popular, probably because he is nice and enthusiastic, but his lecturing is anecdotal. He'd rather go on and on about the private life of royalty, even though his tests are about the snippets of lecture covering substantive history. He gives little guidance on expectations for papers; readings are all over the place.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PO547
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

LOVED this professor! He is amazing. I had no interest in the subject, but Lukes made me love Eastern Europe. He teaches in stories that actually make me want to pay attention. It was the only class I truly looked forward to. He grades pretty easily as well. TAKE THIS CLASS!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IR546
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lukes is by far the best teacher I have ever had. He lectures with humour and ease in a narrative form. He is extremely intelligent, yet modesty and charisma delightfully overshadow this. He is one of those life changing, eye opening professors. You must take a class with him, you will not regret it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IR341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Central Europe-Prof. Lukes is INCREDIBLE. The best IR prof I have ever had in my three years at BU. He teaches in stories. Not stories that are common, but lesser known ones that play into historical themes. The reading is a bit much, but doable. He is funny and very knowledgable. I actually remember the contents of this class! TAKE THIS CLASS

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IR532
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took a class on Russia with this Professor and I really enjoyed the course. I asked him if he could be my master's paper research advisor. He readily agreed. Problems began almost immediately. He acted like he could care less, stood me up, and eventually began ignoring all my emails. I had to switch advisors at the last minute. Unprofessional!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IR341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Lukes is AMAZING!! I absolutely loved his class and I will really miss him. His lectures will never bore you and meeting with him in his office hours is truly enjoyable. I will take every class he teaches!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CENTREURO
• 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:

Even if you've never been to Central Europe, Lukes will take you there with his stories. He's an incredibly knowledgeable prof, but extremely humble and outrageously funny. He's not one of those history buffs in love with war either and rightfully so. He has a soft spot for opera! Class only has mid-term, book review and final. Take it!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HI341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

great professor! tells amazing stories about things that influenced and changed the world..but we never knew about them! Extremely entertaining and funny..one fo the best history professors at BU. Definately must take his class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: IR546
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love professor Lukes! I had no real connection to Central European history before taking his class but he made the material so interesting I changed my focus to that region and took his graduate level class. You can tell he really cares about both his students and the ideas he presents. I would recommend taking any class you can with him!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: IR543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I beg of you, don't take a class with him. At first you'll like him. The you'll realize there's no substance to his lectures, his knowledge is limited, and as a person, he is incredibly condescending and arrogant. The grading is also arbitrary. I did well in this class and I still loathe him. He is the worst professor at BU BY FAR!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: IR341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lukes is one of the best professors I've ever had. Every lecture is like sitting down for a 90 minute story from your grandfather, so good and interesting. It's like you're not even in a classroom. He knows that we all know the basics of the World Wars, etc so instead focuses lectures on interesting events or individuals. Excellent.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PO341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I am in love with this man.I took PO 341 & 557 and am taking 556.I learned more in this then ever before. I remember everything he ever said to this day. You dont have to do any of the readings and his midterms are easy and straightfoward. I recommend taking any and every class he offers and gettin easy a's and lots of new knowledge.