Marty Brownstein - Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

Professor: Marty Brownstein

Department: Political Science

College: Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLT102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

It's a shame that this was Marty's last semester, as his stimulating, substantive news discussions will be missed. Marty further advanced my interest in both media and politics, and his discussion-based style made the class a great experience. Marty preaches the value of The New York Times, which is, bar none, the best mainstream media source.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL01
• 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:

He is out dated. Most of the work is done through his TAs, I was not impressed with this professor, although the topic is interesting and in class he can hold your attention, I wouldn't suggest taking a class with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLT101
• 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:

Marty is a great professor, you learn a lot in class especially about what is currently going on in the world. His grades are based on 3 papers which you can rewrite.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLT102
• 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:

If you can prevent yourself from being politically biased, he's an excellent professor to have. Of course, it's a politics course - you're not going to agree 100% on what he says. Just listen... he will make you really alert to what's going on around you. Not a hard class - I went from knowing nothing about politics to writing those papers easily.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLT1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took two classes with Marty. He can be a tough grader, but if you think and really try you'll be fine. People here seem to complain about him shooting down opinions...I've found if the person can make a logical argument, he'll go with it. OPINIONS aren't right unless you can prove it. Marty treats you like an adult. Think before you speak.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLIT101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Word of warning: you will not learn much about the classical functions of the political system unless you work outside of class. This class will keep you informed on current events and teach you the value of the NYT. Marty is the man and is a political fiend, talk in class and shape your curriculum, he will pontificate on whatever is brought up.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL0000
• 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:

to the left, to the left.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: USPOL101
• 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:

He's a great guy but he is very opinionated and talks alot about alot of nothing. I was really interested in politics before this class...not so much now. I actually ended up dropping the class mid way through because I can learn better on my own without fussing to get an A on only 2-3 papers. TAs are your teachers-unless they suck like mine

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

there are good teachers and great teachers. marty is neither. he is exceptional. he is real. if you want to learn something about the interaction between media and politics.. take this class. its not an easy A, but it is possible. i worked hard on the only 3 papers we had and i ended up with an A-. also '08-'09 is his last year :(

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I like marty as a person. Bad teacher. Why? No textbook use-only the NYT. No real lectures. Only talk about stories from the NYT. Lets only some students talk. Shoots down people who disagree with him in a big way. Not much learning occurs here-mostly pontificating. I agree with him usually-but want to hear other opinions, or learn from a book.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLT102
• 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:

Very informative. Obviously cares a lot about what he's teaching. Nice guy and very approachable.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LEGISBEHV
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He has good days and bad ones. He can be funny or a bore. I felt like we wasted a lot of time watching him have a discussion with 2 people in the class about the pres election. Half the time he went off on a fairly boring tangent.You can pull a B easy if you back your arguments up with some type of actual thought.His funny days are a treat.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He keeps the class pretty interesting except when he decides it's time to use the book. On the couple papers, just make sure you present your points clearly and back up your argument, and even if it's ridiculous, he will appreciate you going out on a limb. He's a funny guy and made politics pretty interesting for me.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POLT101
• 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:

Marty is.. one of a kind. He is very opinionated and often shoots down students comments, but only because he really does require you to think before you speak. He gives 3 rough essays a semester but you can rewrite them. Your TA is basically your real teacher, and they clarify everything Marty doesn't.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLIT101
• 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:

Worst Professor. Stay away from his classes. He is very high in himself and his opinions. Lets just say he states his opinions as if they are fact and as if everyone in the world agrees with him. He argues with students, telling them that their OPINIONS are wrong. I came wanting to learn, but learned nothing.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLIT1
• 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:

great guy

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 1997
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a good man who challenges you to think before, during. and after you speak.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

the class is really boring and turns out to be a discussion between marty and the TA's. He is a nice guy, but intimidating.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MEDIAPOLITICS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This has been my favorite class this semester. Marty is a riot! There are not tests...only 3 papers (that you can rewrite if you're not satisfied). I think the papers are easy, and the books he assigns are pretty engaging considering they are for a class. It has inspired a complete love and fascination of politics in me.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Marty is a strict grader, but his class was fun and interesting and engaging and I would gladly take another class with him.