Gavan Duffy - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Professor: Gavan Duffy

Department: Political Science

College: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSC202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I want to give him the benefit of the doubt because his wife was in the hospital for 1/4th of the semester. However, he showed up late on most class days and would only lecture (no power points or handouts). He also has a habit of not answering questions or getting side tracked. stick to the book, not him, and be quiet in class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Though Duffy tends to have a bad rep, I personally love his teaching style. He's definitely very different from most professors, goes off on tangents a lot and such, but overall a great professor that you shouldn't be afraid to take. He's unconventional, but class is actually interesting and engaging because of it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSC202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Duffy was a good guy and had a lot of interesting stories, but his lectures were often long and hard to follow, and the class often lacked a coherent structure. The class wasn't a complete waste and I did learn some useful information, but his teaching style just didn't suit me very well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSC356
• 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:

His lectures are very plain and consist of him just ranting (no notes, Powerpoint, etc). Most people do badly on tests but he compensates for this by a big curve (it is very telling if a professor has to do a big curve on every test). The worst thing is he is NOT responsive, do not expect him to email you back. He also posts ZERO grades on BB

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While Duffy is set in his way of doing things, he is a teacher you should never pass up the opportunity to have. Duffy challenges students who do not like "different". His lectures are not easy to follow sometimes and he is always going on tangents. However, this professor is one you will never forget and is a great resource. A must have professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Duffy is certainly set in his way of teaching, his lectures are long and boring but often interrupted by his dry humor and long anecdotes from his past life. However, even though his test can be hard his way of thinking really gives a fresh outlook on politics and the American system. You get what you put into this class, also the TA Ryan was great

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Unfortunately not a big fan of him. In the beginning I tried to like him, but he makes offensive jokes and is not very focused when it comes to lectures and helping us understand the material. Try to take with another professor!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is the oddest creature out there but if you take the time and sit down with him you will learn a wealth of information. Also he will not hesitate to remind you that he was vertigo.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

insightful

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He does tend to ramble, but he actually knows his stuff and he really does care about you doing well. He does try way to hard to be nuts but if you actually try to get something out of the class you will.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSC356
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While Duffy is obviously a smart man and has been acclaimed for this class for several years, he has gotten lazy and incomprehensible. When asked for clarification, he just says the same thing. He never explains assignments, yet he expects perfection. DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS WITH HIM, at least if don't want to struggle in class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• 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:

Duffy is too set in his ways. He enjoys playing the role of the kooky college professor, going off on long tangents and warning of the brainwashing evils of the mainstream media. Reading is a must for this class. I admit I didn't try very hard and got a B because my TA was a great teacher. I love politics, I now work in politics. The class sucked.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• 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:

Duffy is a bada**. You only get out of this class what you put in. If you don't show up and don't read, don't even bother. He takes test questions word-for-word from the reading. TAs grade papers, but Duffy's tests - while I typically finished in 20 minutes or less - are really tough. A HS government class was the main reason I got an A-.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• 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:

Extremely rude! Makes insulting and derogatory comments daily. Doesn't respect students at all. Did not feel like an entry level class at all. This class could have been so much more interesting if someone else had been teaching it. Also, it says something about the quality of the professor when 90% of the class failed both tests.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was honestly very excited about taking an entry level Political Science course. I am so disappointed. The Prof relies on Powerpoint and although he can be somewhat amusing (at times) I really am not getting anything out of the class. I feel like I have learned very little and tend to rely on the book heavily just to get a passing grade.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSC121
• 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:

This is an entry level class, but Duffy doesn't treat it that way. His lectures are all over the place and he's incredibly unorganized. Although his tangents are interesting and funny, he leaves out important information and then expects you to know it. I would avoid taking his class if it's possible.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSC356
• 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:

STAY AWAY. he was obsessed with words and then the tests were IMPOSSIBLE. he told us the wrong info at review sessions to throw us off. 75% of the class failed BOTH tests. the final project/memorandum was okay but he grills you when you publically speak and insults everyone. he individually also insulted everyone for no reason

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSC356
• 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:

this man and this class is awful... stay away

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSC129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is smart and more importantly funny! Awesome teacher!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC129
• 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:

Gavan uses too much powerpoint, he needs it to teach. Although his jokes can bring a smile to your face, it doesn't make up for his less than stellar teaching style. He is a nice guy though, and I guess you get what you give, you learn, but not necessarily with interesting lessons.