Mark Katz - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: Mark Katz

Department: Political Science

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOV338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the most interesting classes I've taken at GMU. Loved it. 3 take home essays and you have a week to complete them. Honestly he just wants you to come to class, listen, and learn. He's eccentric but is incredibly knowledgeable about Russia, has been there many times and has met many people doing research. Highly recommend.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOVT338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There are no power points or outlines. To do well you should attend class and read the Russian Digest Articles (not necessarily the textbook). 2 exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

3 in-class essay exams; you choose 1 of several questions to answer. Pay attention during the lectures and he practically tells you what to write. Textbook not really used, and final group discussion counts towards participation. He is very humorous, knowledgeable, and interesting. I plan on taking other classes with him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOV338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you pay attention and take notes you learn a lot about Russia. However, for someone new to the topic sometimes his lectures are difficult to follow as he switches back and forth between events. For the 2 exams and final you get to pick one question out of a couple. Overall not too difficult. Role play game was confusing. Book not needed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT338
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Extremely knowledgeable about Russia. Has real world experience and often tells stories starting with "When I was in _______." You'll learn a lot from this class and for me, it was the perfect difficulty. Take notes, read some of the articles / assignments and you'll be fine. Would take him again!! Lectures aren't boring - he's fun to listen to.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOV338
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Monotone. Boring. Didn't learn much. Very easy. Kind of a waste of time.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOV444
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Profssor Katz is a very good professor and he is very funny but you have to pay attention. I took him twice and I got an A both times but I came to all the classes. He knows a lot and he is very humble. He makes class fun as well and he helps the students out, but don't go in there like you know nothing or pretending because he doesn't like that

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOV444
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Very informed, nice, humble...! I would sign up for his class I again if I could.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOV447
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Katz is a good professor. You should take him because he knows what he is talking about. Also, he is very smart and knows much more than other professors. You don't have to buy the books if you pay attention to the lecutre

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOV447
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Katz is well respected and he gives very interesting lectures. He knows a lot about Russia and he can tell you some very good details that not many people know about. All of his exams are taken from the lectures, so if you show up to class and take good notes, it is very helpful for the exam.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT338
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I do not like him, although the class was fairly easy. 2 test and a Final. He tells you what is going to be on all of the test. So just listen out for that the class before the test. Don't buy the text book, I personally never opened it. Glad this class is over. Wouldn't take him again. Also he is very boring! He speaks in a low monotone...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOVT444
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

SUPER EASY! Requires no effort expect on the exam day. Attendance is not required but just follow the syllabus so you know what to expect on the exam. Easy A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOVT444
• 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:

Before I took this class I wanted to avoid all middle eastern relations as much as possible because I thought it would be too complex to understand. Thankfully, Mr. Katz made it really easy and simple to learn all of the relations between the countries in the war on terror.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT530
• 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:

Overall Just a great class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT447
• 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:

Awesome professor! Very knowledgeable, engaging, interesting, funny/sarcastic (appropriately). Take his class and you'll emerge with a broader understanding of the topic he's teaching. I've taken 3 of his courses, and highly recommend!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT496
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Here are the guidelines for all of Dr. Katz's classes: Don't buy the book, unless he wrote it. GO TO CLASS! He teaches everything you need to know in class, and he is a funny/sarcastic guy. I hated most of my GMU classes, but not his. Prepare for the exams with notes and reading if you have the book. If you put in effort he will reward you.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOV447
• 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:

Do not buy the book! At the beginning of the semester he said that he was going to incorporate the book more, but you'll do better on the tests if you just regurgitate notes from lecture. Go to class, take notes and this class will be a breeze. Interesting material and the Role Playing Game incorporated was a blast!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOV631
• 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 took Professor Katz for his 631 class on revolutions. Let me just say, it was awesome. He never keeps the students too late and he always gets everyone talking. He also has a lot of anecdotal stories that make the material a lot more interesting. You have to write a lot for this class, but in the end he gets you thinking.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT447
• 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:

Katz is an awesome professor and is extremely knowledgable in the field of revolutions. This is the easiest 400 level class that I've taken. He wants students to succeed and learn a lot in the process. Do not buy the books. You won't need them. Take Professor Katz!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOV447
• 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:

Awesome instructor, super nice and attractive TA! Professor Katz is extremely knowledgeable and he shares his expertise! Going to class was really fun and he tells you what to study for the class.