Warren Magnusson - University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

Professor: Warren Magnusson

Department: Political Science

College: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI202
• 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:

I found his lectures unclear, obtuse and irrelevant to the subject. I never took another political science course again because of this guy. I went on to complete four degrees and became a Professor in another field.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Was a good lecturer for the most part, but didn't use slides and would often go off on tangents (he would start to make new points then return to other points). He was good at clarifying certain points, some almost to the point of boredom. Did't follow the textbook but was still tested on!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI336
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brilliant! He knows alot about many subjects and is capable of integrating information in a coherent way. Does NOT lecture specifically about the readings, so sometimes it may seem like he's getting off topic. However, his lectures are always connected to overall material, whether he is bluntly saying so or not. Be prepared to think for yourself.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Excellent. One of the best lecturers, made me excited to go to class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 300B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Warren Magnusson is a truly inspirational professor. The best professor I have ever had.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Without a doubt, one of the most unclear professors I've had at university. Even though his political theory section was only for a month, his lectures were full of unclear examples and very abstract language. I recommend finding other professors for other theory courses.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLI202322300
• 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:

Best professor of my University career. Deliberately took all his classes. His lectures will blow your mind, then keep it open afterwards. At first intimidating, then realized he has a heart of gold! Inspired my undergrad & beyond- I am very grateful for this man. He's on graduated retirement now.. take a class while you can!! Trust.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLI300A
• 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:

Magnusson is one of my favourite professors at Uvic. He's so intelligent I would go to his classes and leave not quite sure what I learned, but feeling smarter nonetheless. He dosen't use powerpoint, he just lectures in a very old school like approach, but personally I feel I learned more this way! Love him!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CSPT500
• 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:

Unusually intelligent. Engaging course materials and questions. For these reasons, his class was challenging as it should be. As importantly,and somewhat rarely, he doesn't push his own preferences on students. Approachable.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLI332
• 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:

Probably the most engaging political science professor in the faculty. Great orator. facilitates daily class discussions. Be prepared to learn

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL300C
• 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:

Magnusson doesn't give anything away but if you do the readings and ask questions you end up understanding the content. It's interesting once you're on the same page as him. He really understands it though and pushes you to figure it out in your own way. Learned a lot, but you have to work very hard.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLI300A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a challenging marker and comes off as intimidating, but he seems to enjoy talking to students. If you work hard his classes are extremely rewarding. He asked us only to read the assigned primary sources and ignore secondary literature, so expect to do lots of close reading, critical thinking, and rereading.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLI533
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Warren Magnusson is one of the best professors I have ever had. He pushes you, and is very hard to impress, but you will learn a great deal in his courses. He is very helpful and absolutely brilliant. Also, he has the sexiest voice ever.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• 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:

You probably wont understand him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Magnusson is a complete scatter brain. He loves to show his students how intelligent he is by throwing out buzzwords and making meaningless assertions. Yes Warren you went to Oxford, but we are not chumps... you can't fool us

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLI201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Persevere! He is hard to please but is most likely the most profoundly, mind expanding professor you will ever have. just give up on getting good grades tho.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Stay away.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLI202
• 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:

Magnusson is one of the best profs I've ever had! He is not easy, but he is extremely helpful (utilize his office hours!) and is a VERY passionate person and speaker. He does, indeed, go on tangents yet if you actually choose to listen to them, they are extremely relevant, interesting and often enlightening. Highly recommend him!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POLI202
• 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:

This prof is hard. His lectures are hard (unclear, full of irrelevant tangents) and his marking is hard. Would not recommend this prof to a first or second year student. Take this class with another prof if you can.. you'll be glad you did.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

arrogant, looks down on students. and I quote " I could take the best paper in this class and rip it to shred". His lectures go off on wild tangents and you never leave with any main points that you've learned. Also, beware of answering questions, he will either cut you down in front of the class( if you are disagreeing with his opinion), or nod.