Matthew O'Gara - George Washington University, Washington, DC

Professor: Matthew O'Gara

Department: Honors

College: George Washington University, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HONR045
• 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:

I don't even know where to start. PROFESSOR OGARA IS AMAZING. he may appeal to be a jerk the first coupleo f days of class, but after a while you'll see what a great guy he is. He chooses amazing books and has many amazing insights... he makes you discuss and really gets you to look at the world around you. take his class!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HONR015
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His semester-long writing assignment on almost any subject you wish is why this class is amazing. He gave me a chance to immensely improve my writing while pursuing a topic I love. Discussions are not the best but it does not matter as long as you go and participate slightly. Grades tough but fair. I recommend so long as you're patient.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HONR15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My writing improved after I took this class. I did not particularly enjoy going to class. I felt that the topics we discussed were not well represented, while uneducated and ignorant comments were tolerated and sometimes encouraged. The class is casual, and the grading is tough. There are lots of mixed reviews. I gained what I could.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HNR33
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

O'Gara's an interesting teacher. While strongly libertarian, he encourages debate in class by playing devil's advocate on both sides. The class runs pretty casually, but you learn a lot. The books he chooses are eye opening, especially The Ugly American. Huntington is dry, but a must have for any IR major. Take this guy's class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HONR175
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Funny guy, fun teacher... manages to weave South Park into International Relations. Great discussions--he allows everyone to speak and tries to always play as devil's advocate. He's a fair grader and cares about students. Highlighting a few key lines in the books and just repeating them in lectures and papers will get you good grades.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IAFF191
• 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:

Actually he is very professional and his discussions of pop culture are usually highly insightful, intelligent social commentary that some people clearly don't understand. Far from being superficial, O'Gara's classes encourage deep and critical thinking. Expect lively class discussion, great books, and a professor that truly cares about students.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IAFF191
• 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:

Actually he is very professional and his discussions of pop culture are usually highly insightful social commentary that some people clearly don't understand. Far from being superficial, O'Gara's classes encourage deep and critical thinking. Expect lively class discussion, great books, and a proffesor that truly cares about students.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IAFF191
• 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:

Definately take this class if you have the opportunity. O'gara is without question the best professor I've had at GW. The discussions and readings are thought-provoking and interesting. He's a little intimidating the 1st class, but he's actually a great prof and really fair, reasonable, and open to all opinions & discussions. AMAZING CLASS/PROF.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HONR15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I think his teaching style is refreshing. Only two major papers- the midterm and final, but they aren't long. Doesn't overload you with reading. Compared to other Proseminars, I feel like this one requires the least amount of reading/papers. Lots of discussion, little busy work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HONR045W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

While he did push me to write perhaps the best paper I've ever written, the class should have been called "Globalization." He has his cult and if you're not in it you just sit back while they talk about South Park and Football. A good professor if you don't mind someone who teaches on international affairs and has only been abroad once, to Ireland

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HONR045
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you want to learn anything about comparative politics, do not take this course. He will talk about McDonald's, football, and booze. This is a good intro class for the Elliott school and the readings are worthwhile, but don't expect to learn about comparative politics or to see a professional attitude.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HONR16
• 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:

O'Gara is controversial for two reasons. First, his lecture approach involves examples from MTV and innane jokes that don't mesh well with the rest of college. Second, he's antisocial towards most, fleeing from the classroom at the end of class and ignoring students at the office and on the street. Still an excellent teacher, just know those traits

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HONR045W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A really nice guy who tries to relate to his students. His lectures are interesting, but the readings are boring. When writing his papers, its easy to just make stuff up and go back and find things to support it. A good teacher, but kinda arrogant with a slight God complex. Just try not to join the O'Gara cult and realize that he's just a teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HONR175
• 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:

O'Gara is an AMAZING professor - he presents the material in an amusing way that makes it clear and understandable. His grading criteria was a little ambiguous to me, but I would still recommend his class to anyone interested in polisci.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HONORS1516
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The best proffessor I have had so far. Intelligent, funny, and geniunly cares about his material. His classes really get you thinking on a deeper level. Not the average ultra-liberal that you find at GW, a breath of fresh air.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HONR175
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Exceedingly closed-minded, shoot-from-the-hip style. Funny? If you say so.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HONR15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are looking for the best teacher in D.C., you have found him. Literally. This year he was named "Professor of the Year" for the entire District. And its true. He is one of the most interesting, intelligent, and nice teachers I have ever had in my life. O'Gara is a must for any person who considers himself a true student!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HONR15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

O'Gara is awesome!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HONORS45
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, totally laid back, but participation and discussion was the focus of the class. With mostly O'Gara veterans in the room with you, it is hard to get a word in edgewise, but you must participate.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HONR045
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Many students get hooked on O'Gara for his fun and engaging courses. You get a lot of O'Gara veterans in his classes. A very educated and reasonable, yet funny and laid-back guy. Class participation is comfortable. Bonus: Even the hardcore liberals in the class seemed to warm up to his fiscal libertarian values by the end of the course.