Jo Marie Burt - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: Jo Marie Burt

Department: Political Science

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOV331
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burts knows what she is talking about and she does a good job teaching!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOV331
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Awful! Professor Burt rarely came to class prepared so she would rant about anything else. We got our first grade back AFTER we took our midterms. She only explained assignments and gave us the prompts for papers after several of the people in the class asked her for it. Teaching is definitely not her priority. Do not take her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT530
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Slow grader, unhelpful feedback. Had no understanding of material beyond Latin America (which is unacceptable for a Comparative Politics course). Was rude to students, bordering on hostility.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOV331
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Horrible professor. She was completely unorganized and missed several classes. She also did not give students enough time to complete assignments because essay prompts were not listed in the syllabus. It also took her a long time to grade assignments.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT331
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burt is extremely knowledgable about Latin American history. She even learned Spanish when she was 22 just so that she could conduct more extensive research in Peru. Her class requires A LOT of reading- 5 books and several articles throughout the semester. She's a little harsh when she grades papers, but I'm still glad that I took her course.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOVT530
• 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. Burt's graduate comparative politics class was certainly unique. Her style is not for everyone, as it can be a bit abrasive; however if you find the subject matter interesting and like a good laugh shes a great professor that is willing to help if you have any questions.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOV133
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Her class itself is comprehensible and educational, but she relies on her TA and guest speakers too much. When she lectures she rambles and looses focus. You will still learn something, since its a 100 level calls and its all concept based. She focuses on Latin America a lot. Easy enough class to pass with moderate effort.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• 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:

Do not take this class. This class only met once a week and she constantly cancelled or had a guest speaker, but then had us write a 20 page paper and a very lengthy final exam. She is rude to students and not helpful. It's obvious that teaching is not a priority for her. She assigned ridiculous amounts of reading.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class with her. What the other people said, she thinks this the only class you are taking. Gave us a week for a minimum 8 page final and ended up sending it to us 2 days late. And this was during finals week...

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Even if you are mildly interested in the subject material, it really isn't worth it unless your major pertains to human rights. The workload is absolutely ridiculous for a 200 level class - 12 page paper, 20-25 page paper, and in class presentation, and 7 page final. She's rude and inconsistent, and it's just not worth the time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's one of those Professors who loves to assume that their class is the only class you are taking and that it is the number one priority in your life. So be prepared to write about 40+ pages/ semester and have those be your only grades. This isn't ideal considering her feedback is nonexistant and you must have the same ideas as her to get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It is a long three hour class. She definitely knows a lot about the subject but the class has almost no structure and she doesn't answer your questions very well and goes off on a tangent. There are 2 essays and a test.You have to have the same opinion as her or you are wrong. Even if you are interested, much of the time you will be bored.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOVT444
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I had her for Human Rights and Transitional justice. The class was not that difficult, but was incredibly informative and educational. I personally found it shocking to know some of the horrible things that our own government did during the 1980's in Latin America. I thought the class was great!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT631
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burt is amazing! Truly a dedicated, knowledgeable professional. Her classes aren't the type you can zombie-walk through, but if that's what you're looking for, you're probably wasting your time and money anyway. If you can, take one of her classes! You wont regret it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOV331
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Take this class if you want a professor who is never there but expects you to be!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT331
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great class and professor! She knows a lot about what she teaches and has first hand experience which makes things really interesting. She is very passionate about what she does. There are a lot of readings to do, but you can squeeze by with only doing a few. Great class and great professor! I recommend her if you are interested in Latin America

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOVT444
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof has a wealth of knowledge on Andean region, though she is a bit biased. Class is full of essays - 3 papers (5 or 6 pgs), one presentation, and a massive research paper (20-25 pgs) or take home final. Class is a seminar style so you must read material beforehand and be ready to participate. Overall fun class, if you like the material!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOVT331
• 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:

she is a great proffesor for govt and politics of Latin America, she is really interested in the subject herself, which makes for a great class---be warned though she assign tons of very lenghty articles for you to read, which you have to read to be able to do well on the exams and the paper

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT444
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Amazing professor. Dr Burt is by far one of the best professors of Latin American Studies I have ever had. Very challenging and demanding but very fair. If you do the work and come prepared to class you will succed in her class. There is tons of reading to do and make sure you are interested in Latin American affairs,or you won't be happy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Excellent class, excellent teacher. Very knowledgeable about her subject. But please be interested in south american happenings or else you'll be bored...