James Schall - Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Professor: James Schall

Department: Government

College: Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOV400
• 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 never thought a "Father" anything would be one of my favorite professors. This guy is a treasure and he really wants you to learn the material. While I'll admit he is very opinionated in his conservative way and wants to steer you in his direction, he is still such a good teacher that you will certainly walk away learning a whole lot.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOVT447
• 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:

Professor Schall is one of the greats at Georgetown University. He's an amazing lecturer, a very smart man, and an incredible teacher. Make every attempt to take a class with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Father Schall is worth taking for the requirement. He's super nice and really interesting to talk to. Lots of books for the class and you have to skim/read every day, but the workload isn't too heavy. Attendance is a must though, including Fridays for an A. If you get to know him, you'll get at least an A-.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Taking a class with Father Schall should be a requirement at Georgetown. He will change the way you think about everyday life, scholarly pursuits, work, relationships, etc. He is an inspiration and it would be a mistake to think about taking one of his classes and decide against it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RCPP1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fr. Schall ought to be a requirement for everyone.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fr. Schall is not the Intellectual Giant he once was. That said, he will still fundamentally change how you think about the world, if you let him. In-class and on exams EPT is about understanding the authors you're reading, which is good, because they're not lightweights. The Eureka comes if you try to actually answer the questions he poses you.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOV400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Maybe it would have been interesting to be in his class 20 years ago, but not anymore. Definitely an intelligent man but the only way to do well is regurgitate what he and the readings tell you to think. Don't take political philosophy unless you enjoy sucking up to him in front of the class on the daily.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Greatest professor ever! Someone told me that I would be losing my college tutition if I did not take him. I decided to actually listen to the person so I decided to actually take both of his classes in my last semester of senior year and it was the best decision I ever made. You need to take before you leave Georgetown.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ELEM121
• 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:

I am his # 1 fan, he is amazing. Take him no matter what. Seriously, he will change the way you view life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOVTEPT
• 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:

Absolutely brilliant professor, who's written over 25 books and has had at least three books written about him. He instills a passion for exploring the self, and represents a Jesuit education perfectly.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT490
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

More than any other teacher I have ever had in my entire life, Father Schall has instilled in me a love of learning.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOV117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Pretentious and self-important. Regurgitate his comments about the authors- don't have to think critically with Schall. He thinks and acts like he's a wise scholar, but he's actually quite closed-minded in his approach to life. He outright rejects the 21st century. Stick to his 1960's UChicago professors, like Leo Strauss, and you'll get an A.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOVT487
• 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:

Schall doesn't just make you smart- he makes you wise. I cannot express how much I've learned and grown as his student. He's changed my life, and I am certainly not the only one who can say that. People cried on the last day of class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT400
• 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:

As a graduating senior who has been in Schall's classes for the past 3 years, I can tell you he is the BEST out there. He continues to be one of the most influential teachers in my life, as his classes have been a formative part of my Georgetown experience. You cannot graduate Georgetown without taking his class, no matter what your major/interests

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Schall is a Georgetown legend - words don't do the man justice.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT456
• 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:

Fr. Schall is by far the best professor I've ever had. If you take the time to do the reading and listen to his insight, the class will change the way you think about the world. Learned more in this class than any other, and more importantly, learned about the most important things in life.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Truly an amazing man, the kind of teacher for which one comes to GTOWN; turned out to be the best and most inspiring teacher yet. Completely disagree with comments regarding unfocused lectures- Schall repeats key points of books each day we discuss them, and does not bog you down discussing all sections word for word; amazed at how much I learned.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Schall is a GU legend. I liked the class stxr. Interesting speaking topics & books, but dont have to read them. All info comes from JVS. 1 midterm, 1 final, 1 4pg paper. Take it for JVS, even if you hate phil or govt. Everyone should take him at least once. Get to talk to him before class, he is one of the wisest, & your grade will prob rise

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Father Schall is brilliant and inspirational. He is a great man, and I disagree about his lectures, spontaneously picking on people, lacking direction. They are VERY clear, emphasizing what he perceives most important philosophically about the readings. They guide you to what he asks on the midterm and final, too. Best Georgetown experience yet.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOVT117
• 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:

Completely disagree with the two comments below; Schall intentionally keeps lectures light, even with dense material. Always repeats key points of the book being studied every class; just because he does not say the answer to a final essay question verbatim does not mean lectures are not guided. Truly the kind of prof one comes to Gtown for.