Peter Feaver - Duke University, Durham, NC

Professor: Peter Feaver

Department: Political Science

College: Duke University, Durham, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Cool professor. Very interesting to hear about his experiences in the White House. Engaging lecturer. Flipped class which was great because it allows you to rewatch lectures. Lots of assigned reading which is probably useful, but not super necessary for his tests (I didn't do much of the reading). Just take good notes, read all NYT headlines.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Feaver is an amazing lecturer and professor, and he inspires his students to go further in international relations both inside and outside the classroom. He also runs AGS so get to know him and it will definitely add to your experience at Duke.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160D
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Feaver is very knowledgable and well-respected and was one of my favorite professors this semester. Be prepared to work hard for your grade, but it's worth it. It's easy to get to know Feaver outside of class -- just make an effort to stop by office hours or get lunch with him. Make sure to go to the AGS events he recommends!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Feaver is one of Duke's best. During the semester I had him, he testified before the Senate about U.S. nuclear policy. Great lecturer, dry wit but a funny guy, and very personable outside of class. Go to lunch with him and get to know him. Prepare to be intimidated - you should be, given this man's resume. Take the class and go to AGS!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160D
• 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:

Peter Feaver is one of the most amazing and famous professors at Duke. Definitely try to take his class. I have learned so much. This class was only 2 times a week with a discussion section.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI93D
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Feaver is one of Duke's most renown professors who I hold in the highest esteem. I had him for his quadrennial American Foreign Policy & the 2016 Election class and was thoroughly impressed with the level of preparation and care he devoted to each class. He is, by far, one of the best professors I've encountered at this institution.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the best professors I've ever had. I've taken 5 classes with him - Intro to IR, American Foreign Policy, Ethics & IR, Civ-Mil relations, and foreign policy & elections. Hands down phenomenal. Interesting lectures, amazing access to a person who has direct experience in the White House. Helpful outside class. Writes amazing recs. Take him!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Before his class I thought international relations was about logic and theories needed proof. Though an amazing lecturer, Professor Feaver bases his course on personal preferences and opinion. Working hard for it will get you nowhere if you don't see his views as the truth.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

flipped class so you spend tons of time preparing for his class. you have to do the readings if you want to participate in section, which is where your participation grade comes from. thought i wanted to be a polisci major until i took this class; just not that interesting

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Feaver is an amazing, charismatic lecturer. His TAs are nice but never responds to emails ever. Quizzes are unfair, grading is unclear, and expectations are vague. All I've learnt at the end of this class is that people who babble on about IR in twisted, illogical ways are rewarded the most.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Intro to IR was an immersive, challenging and stimulating course. Material was heavy on the reading - flipped classroom - but Feaver rocks. Not an easy A, not an easy B either... a real college level course. One of the best Duke Political Science has to offer.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160D
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you can take a class with Professor Feaver, do it. Yes, his class his hard and you absolutely have to do the readings, but you come away actually understanding the material. He makes an effort to get to know the students as well, having lunches before class and throwing a party at the end of the semester. Highly recommend.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLSCI160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the best teachers at Duke. Lots of real world and academic experience. Knows IR like no one else. Offers great advice and connections if you ask. Engaging lectures. Did a flipped class well. Very, very hard to get an A. Hard tests, must do readings and watch videos. Immensely worth taking any of his classes--you'll learn a ton.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PLSCI93D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very Hard. Interesting class

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PS197
• 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:

Has a repetoire of stories that he cycles through. Do not worry about the grade... Real measure of performance in his class: do you become a main character in one of the anecdotes he will share classes to come for the next decade?

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PS157
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

1st day of class referenced his ratemyprof comments. Very bright, provides excellent insight due to his NSC experience, and sets fair (but very tough) standards for grading. Expect to work hard and receive an A-. Great lectures, TAs can be a crapshoot, overall very good class. Learned a ton about American Foreign Policy

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POLSC93
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Has minions (aka TAs) that set up the classroom for him so that he can walk in with a satchel just as class starts, turn on the overhead, and lecture. Says vis-a-vis a lot and makes this little hand-chopping motion as if he is dividing something into sections ALL THE TIME. Just watch for it. On topic, great lectures. Take lots of notes.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLSC157
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

TOUGH CLASS. This is the second I've had with Feaver. Very knowledgeable but expects you to spend every waking moment reading for his class. AT LEAST 200-300 pages of reading a week. Final is cumulative. Papers are graded harshly. Tough class but you learn a lot.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PS93D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Comes off as very pompous and a general show off. I had to work extremely hard to make a B in the class, pacing of readings (essays, NYT) is integral.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PS93D
• 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:

Intro to IR with Feaver was definitely one of my favorite classes at Duke. A lot of work and you have to work for your grade, but you will learn a TON. Feaver is incredibly knowledgeable and lectures are definitely worth going to.