Professor: Alasdair Bowie
Department: Political Science
College: George Washington University, Washington, DC
Rating # 1
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: No
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He wasn't the worst, but this class really requires a lot of work. He assigned so much reading that halfway through the semester he had to cut it down because nobody could read all of it. But overall the class was well structured and expectations were clear, so it could have been worse. Make sure you put in the work, but you will be fine if you do.
Rating # 2
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Bowie is hard but fair. His instructions are not always the best but just ask him for clarification. The coursework can be difficult but it is not unfair. You have to work for it but if you put in the time and effort you'll do well.
Rating # 3
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Take this class if you are interested in SE Asia. He knows his subject probably more than any professor. 40% of your grade is your final but the paper is broken up into many sections. For an A put in the work and follow his rubric . He is an important intellectual resource that you should take advantage of and the topics are super interesting.
Rating # 4
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: Yes
- Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
Bowie provides extremely detailed grading criteria. Follow the directions and his suggestions and you'll do well. The readings are long but not excessive; take detailed notes, as you're allowed an index card on the midterm exam. I would recommend the research paper option for the final exam grade - entails more steps and more potential points.
Rating # 5
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: B-
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: No
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Hours of reading and the material is pretty tedious.
Rating # 6
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 2.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: No
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Honestly the worst class I've ever taken at GWU. The midterm is worth 40% of the grade. However, for the last exam, he gives you an option of either doing a take-home exam or a research paper. I chose the research paper and managed to pull off an A-, but most of the other students' grades in this class were atrocious. Also, there's a ton of reading
Rating # 7
Overview:
- Course: PSC2373
- Grade Received: B+
- Overall Rating: 1.5
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
PROS: Bowie is very knowledgable on the topic of politics in Southeast Asia CONS: He is a very poor professor of the subject. He assigns dull reading assignments that are supplemented by duller lectures that sometimes are completely unrelated to the reading at hand. Very hard grader, very inflexible. I would not recommend him to anyone
Rating # 8
Overview:
- Course: 2336
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.5
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Not Mandatory
Comment:
I've never worked more for a B- in my life. Overall, the course discussed very interesting material about SE Asia, but the degree to which his essays are graded, combined with a very un-assisting attitude, makes this class a nightmare. Also, say hello to a 2 hour lecture that's almost as insufferable as his attitude towards his students.
Rating # 9
Overview:
- Course: 2336
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 2.5
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: Yes
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I worked my butt off in this class for a C- at best. Serious struggle. Lectures are boring and dry. We were given 24 hours to complete a take-home final that began AFTER our 2.5 hour long lecture that day and was NOT during study or exam week. Horrible, Horrible class.
Rating # 10
Overview:
- Course: PSC2336
- Grade Received: A-
- Overall Rating: 5.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Easily one of GW's best Professors. He makes excellent use of Blackboard, using it much more efficiently and heavily than the vast majority of Professors in the Elliot School or the Political Science Department. His course is tough, but fair.
Rating # 11
Overview:
- Course: PSC2373
- 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:
60% is final exam or paper, 40% is mid-term. The guy does not know how to structure the course, tests on things that he did not emphasize in the lecture. Learn way more from the readings than the lectures. Take some other SEAsian course if you're interested in the region. He also has an attitude full of himself. Not acadamically engaging at all.
Rating # 12
Overview:
- Course: PSC2373
- 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:
This guy only teaches things that conform to his conception. Showed tons of photos of his travels throughout SE Asia, but completely useless in helping us understand the material. Don't do discussion, utterly lecture based. Expects you to cite the chapter of the book you're information is from during exams. He should be doing research not teaching
Rating # 13
Overview:
- Course: PSC2312
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 3.0
- Course Difficulty: 4.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
I took developmental politics. He is very nice & meets with students outside of class. However his exams seem easy, but he grades EXTREMELY harshly & takes off points unless its VERBATIM phrases from his lecture. He told us he gives only one A grade per class. I have a 3.9 GPA, I got a C. Class avg grade was C-/D+ seriously. RECORD his lectures!
Rating # 14
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- 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:
To be fair, this professor is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of SE Asia (class is developing state politics, but focuses on SE Asia) but it is extremely hard to do well. I have a 3.8 GPA and take graduate classes for undergrad credit and I worked hard for a C+ in this class. He is very nice, but you MUST attend every class. Hard to succeed!
Rating # 15
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
WORST professor I have ever had. Don't ever take this class to fulfill a requirement. You can verbatim write on his exams what he said in class, and he will find some way to knock it down a few letter grades. STAY AWAY! Awful teacher!
Rating # 16
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
STAY AWAY! Takes a topic that is interesting, and completely shatters it. Plays favorites like you wouldn't believe. If you are not one of them, say hello to a C at best. Extremely picky and if you don't come of as a genius he doesn't work with you to help you understand the material. Condescending, and feels like he is better then everyone else.
Rating # 17
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- 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:
Not good! He says he is all about the teaching of the students, but when you have a few problems he gives up on you really easily. Incredibly hard grader and his questions make no sense when doing in class essays. You reiterate what he just said to answer his questions, and he will still give you a C- at best.
Rating # 18
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: No
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
definitely one of the undervalued professors at GW. DEFINITELY not for those seeking an easy A, but not nearly as bad as some might suggest. i definitely wasn't interested in SE asian affairs before i came to class but bowie changed that for me. discussions are interesting, would def recommend.
Rating # 19
Overview:
- Course: PSC136
- 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:
Word to the wise: do not take this class to fulfill a requirement. The professor gives horrible lectures. He mumbles and does not lead discussions. Readings are dry, boring and meaningless without a good lecture to pull them together. The class is more history based then development based. I went to class regurlarly/read material and still got a
Rating # 20
Overview:
- Course: PSC190
- Grade Received: N/A
- Overall Rating: 1.0
- Course Difficulty: 5.0
- For Credit: N/A
- Textbook Used: Yes
- Would Take Again: N/A
- Attendance: N/A
Comment:
Absolutely the worst professor I've ever had at GW. He took a subject I had an interest in, and turned it into something I never want to see again. Unclear directions. Lots of writing. In short, I learned nothing new, and wasted a lot of time. So bad I completely gave up at the end not caring what grade I would get.
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