Joe Becelia - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: Joe Becelia

Department: Political Science

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Overall good professor. He has a very basic layout. Three essay papers that count as exams. The last essay exam acts as a final but focuses more on the third act of class. He is a little monotone but otherwise a good professor. Has simulations to help you increase your participation grade. That was helpful. Has an attendance sheet so show up.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you show up, take notes, and study you'll get an A. He's very straightforward and a lot of the test questions come directly from lectures or from readings. He posts notes on blackboard (but not all). He clearly had his own viewpoints but was still open to hearing from students and was respectful even when he didn't seem to agree.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Becelia is very knowledgeable about diplomacy and how to teach it. His tone during his lectures is very even and you can fall asleep. However, the lectures are interesting and important to pass the tests. He does mini simulations that can boost your grades. He is just a solid professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor that has a great amount of experience in the field. Make sure to show up to every class and pay attention to the three points he puts on the board each class, as those are going to be on the test. Make sure to participate and try your best to get into the simulation.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great stories! Attend class because that is the test (get the three points on the board!). Tests (2)include 30 MC, short answers, and essay. There is one "essay". Make him know your name, participate early.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

THE WORST CLASS EVER AND NOT STUDENT FRIENDLY!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID! I really regret taking this class cause of him my GPA is messed up. He does not care if you pass or fail. He is very imitating and not apprachable. He just likes to teach and quickly leave. If he doesnt like your answer he never says oh good point just says "um that's not what I am looking for". His exams are not eassy and has no study guide

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

It's a pretty easy class if you do the readings and take notes because that is literally the test. There are two tests, a paper and role playing exercises. He's a bit dry while giving lectures, which makes it a little hard to focus, but otherwise a good professor and class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved 342 with him. All you need to do is take great notes. 25-30 MCQs, 2 points a piece and the long essay questions (you get to select 2 of 3 options) are 20-25 points. The paper is confusing so send him a draft to make sure your on the right track. participate in the role play and attend classes and you will be fine

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy, very helpful, attendance is mandatory , 2 exams 1 paper and the final, easy class as long as you take notes and come to class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Joe is a great prof the 3 points on the board are literally the test be sure to know current events. be prepared to read and think outside of the box on the paper really interesting class if interested in diplomacy. great stories about his time in Costa Rica. role play exercises are a trip. make sure he knows your name

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a great teach. I did very well in his class. He is clear on what he wants you to learn. His lectures are the study guide. However, if you like to attend classes, take him. Don't take sign up for him if you don't like to attend.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• 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:

Before this class I had no interest in the subject but I must say I really looked forward to this class he is mono tone but still a great prof! You learn a lot and he is highly skilled in the diplomatic field. You do use the book and if you go to class and get the 3 main points and stay on top of your readings you will not have to worry.4

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• 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:

While yes I admit his tone is extremely mono-tone, don't let that be the reason why you don't take this class. He really is an extraordinary professor, he is so knowledgeable and is genuinely a nice professor. There was many "dumb questions" asked in my class, but he did a great job of answering them without belittling the student. Great guy!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• 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:

Contrary to most other's opinions, I didn't think this class was that hard. As long as you paid attention to his three main points and went to the role-playing exercises, you were golden. If you miss class, the readings are short and hit on what he teaches. He's a cool guy with an unfortunately monotone voice that makes class a bit boring.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Becelia is the most well-spoken professor I have this semester. He is clear about what will be on his exams and repeats things when he wants to ensure that you know them. He is experienced in his field and gives real-life examples of concepts he teaches. If you attend class and take notes, you will pass with flying colors.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The lectures tend to be a little boring if you are not in love with the topic, but he does bring a lot of good information to the classroom from his experience. Taking notes can be rather hard at times, but if you attend every class you should not have a problem. 3 tests and 1 paper, fair grader. Does take attendance. Class gets easier in time.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE AVOID. VERY HARD AND MONOTONE. WRITES 3 POINTS ON THE BOARD AND JUST TALKS ON FOR HOURS. 3 TEST, 1 MIDTERM AND A FINAL THAT IS NO JOKE REALLY HARD. AND 1 HARD 5 PAGE PAPER. DO NOT TAKE HIM.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• 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:

Dry, dull, not easily accessible and not easy to understand. Avoid.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOV342
• 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:

Hard teacher AVOID if possible. He just writes 3 points on the board and talks the whole class about it. Goes off topic when your trying to listen and take notes. Test are hard AVOID if possible.