Miguel De Larrinaga - University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Professor: Miguel De Larrinaga

Department: Political Science

College: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POL3124
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He picks really great readings and delivers great lectures. Expect seminar-style lectures with slides and lots of engaging class discussion. You get graded on participation, reading summaries, a film review, an essay, and final take-home exam.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POL4191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great guy. Sharp thinker. Knows the content. Linked in with the top scholars in the topic. Appreciates all comments and tries to work with whatever comes his way. My time in his class was extremely formative and valuable. Great prof, 10/10.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POL4124
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

De Larrinaga is a very engaging lecturer. I loved the discussions in this course. My only critique is that you don't receive marks back until the end of the semester. Regardless, I would definitely recommend his course. You will not be disappointed.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SCS3100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

UNREAL. Although he is slow to return marks, he provides good feedback and prepares you well for NMUN.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SCS3100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took the Model UN class with Miguel and I sincerely believe our delegation had such an amazing experience because of the way he taught and treated us. He wasn't the clearest lecturer and was definitely monotone at times but in the end, he did everything he could to help us grow and do a good job in New York. Very knowledgeable also!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POL4700
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really chill prof who is clear and fair. Very interesting and acknowledgeable. Not too many readings or assignments, but participation is important.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POL4330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Demonstrated a thorough understanding of the material presented, could be much better at facilitating and stimulating discussions (esp for a seminar), did not give back any grades until the end of the semester, a mediocre but very kind professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Miguel is a good prof, but his lectures last forever. This is not his fault; its because IR theory is extremely boring. A lot of what he lectures on is confusing, but if you sit down and study, everything will make sense. My biggest problem is that he has mandatory discussion groups (that require more than just showing up and participating).

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

De Larrinaga is an extremely nice prof, the only downside to taking his course is that the lectures seem like forever because the way he teaches the material is so dry. He does well for what he's working with, however. Assignment feedback was good, and gave a chance to resubmit for a better mark. Posts everything to blackboard, mostly reads slides.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor De Larrinaga is very intelligent, however he completely loses you in his lecture. His slides make no sense and trying to study off of them is nearly impossible. He's not a hard marker but the class is very painful to sit through.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brutal lecturer, always confusing and skipping around on his powerpoints. Makes up words on the spot and uses large words out of context in an effort to pretend to be smart. Nice man in office hours, but useless as a professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Prof! He has a lot of knowledge on the topic. BUT his lecture slides don't have a lot of content and some of the terms in class are not clearly defined. He gave out the final exam questions which was good and it helped to focus studying!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• 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:

Lots of readings. Gave exam questions prior to exam. Go see his office hours, he genuinely wants you to succeed, which can't be said for all profs! One of the best in the department

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POL4124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took two classes with this professor (POL4124 and POL2103) and enjoyed them both. Readings are intense, but are mostly online so that saves money. 4th year is all about discussion so be prepared for class. Requires long essays, so make sure you pick a topic that interests you otherwise it's a long semester.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POL4330
• 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:

Deeper understanding of the texts that isn't explicitly stated during the course is needed. Do the readings and try to "understand" them not just know them. Lots of concept comparison stuff for essays. Obviously, for seminars, go to class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POL4330
• 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:

Excellent prof - extremely approachable and genuinely wants his students to understand the material and succeed. Very knowledgeable. Only criticism is that he never hands back papers and you hand in 75% of your coursework in the last week of classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• 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:

The man definitely has interesting things to say, but he'll ramble on about his slides , which are pretty much what evaluations are based on. Make sure to keep up with the readings though, all he does is summarize them when the evaluations are actually based on a deeper understanding of them. Pro-tip, I guess.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• 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:

Great class, amazing professor! The Prof is very helpful and clearly outlines his expectations. Highly recommend this class even to those who aren't forced to take IR.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: POL2103
• 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:

great guy! very fair. A lot of reading

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POL4330
• 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:

One of the best profs I've had. Took 3 class with him throughout my studies. Helpful, resourceful, very knowledgable. His marking is hard but you definatly want to put the effort in and you learn a lot from his teaching.