Samuel Olken - John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL

Professor: Samuel Olken

Department: Law

College: John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CONLAWI
• 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:

Gives antiquated examples and goes off on political tangents. He speaks crap about his students in office hours. I enjoyed this class because I love con law but his attitude is more than enough to turn you off.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CON
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ahh I love this man. His kick you out of class policy is daunting, but he wont kick you out if you show youve done the reading. You learn so much from him and his exam is the most straightforward exam Ive ever had in law school. YOU MUST DO THE POSTED EXAM TO DO WELL IN THE CLASS.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CONLAWI
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I honestly lived and breathed Con Law this semester, but Olken is by far one of the best professors I've ever had. He is very clear from the start. All the ppl saying that they knew what was on the exam but didn't do well werent being thorough enough on their exam. Be meticulous. Read several times. Meet with him. Go to Class. Prepare! No suprises

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Olken is an absolutely amazing teacher. His style and creative thinking are examples of why I decided to go to law school. Demands complete preparation for class. He doesn't lecture in class, rather, holds intelligent conversations with his students, where students are encouraged to share their thoughts and arguments. Go to office hours.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CON12
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is demanding, but its law school. His syllabus is a working outline of what you are supposed to gather from each reading. You must be prepared when you enter class, otherwise you may be asked to leave (if called on). GO TO HIS OFFICE HOURS, he is way more approachable than you think. He is extremely helpful and grades the final thoroughly.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CON1CON2
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Very straightforward, high expectations to come prepared for class, hard final, tells you exactly what material you will need to know for final. Very helpful during office hours if you don't understand something. He is a graduate level professor with those expectations. Loved his classes

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CONLAW1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a hard professor with very high expectations;however, he will tell you exactly what he wants. Reading the material is not enough for this class, you have to understand it. He is very helpful if you do not understand the material, but he will call you out if you don't even try to understand.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CONLAWI
• 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:

Pros: you will learn a lot and grow intellectually. He tells you what is on the exam and how to answer it. Cons: You will be terrifiied in class and stressed out (he will kick you out if he even thinks you didn't read). I knew exactly what was going to be on the exam and exactly how to answer each question; still didn't even finish and got a B-.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CON2
• 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:

He's difficult in the classroom, and the final is very challenging, but he's clear about what he wants and helpful in office hours. You will do fine as long as you are diligent about your work and aren't afraid to ask questions when you don't understand something.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CRPRO2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I learned something in his class. That being said, I cannot get past his horrible attitude. So arrogant, does not care about his students (aside from a favored few), clearly just there collecting his paycheck. His attitude alone made me loathe going to class. I cannot believe jmls keeps him around, there are much better profs to take - O'Neill!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ALH1
• 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:

The best for con law, but terrible for the discussion based US Leg Hist. Exam = regurgitating many dates, many names of judges + historical events, while repeating his political views for "analysis." You can get a good grade just by doing this and he is helpful, but don't go in expecting a chill elective course, tons of material + "Olken pressure"

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CONIIII
• 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:

Class is interesting, but he is the kind of guy that makes a point to tell you he went to an Ivy League school. In fact, he never lets you forget it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COND1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You have to get past his abrasive classroom demeanor before you can fully utilize him during his office hours which is well worth the time. So yes it does require that you get over your own fears/beliefs about what you think he might say. Extremely helpful and patient, but you'd never know it sitting in class. You will work you will learn.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CONST1
• 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:

Good class, really enjoyed him and learned so much. However, his curve doesn't make any sense. Yes, he basically tells you what is on the exam, but even if you know that inside out, his curve will still rock you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I agree, he is a great professor in terms of his methodology--WHEN he is teaching. However, if you want an arrogant, rude, Type-A, jerk who will belittle you and embarrass you during class every chance he gets--simply because he can--then this is your guy! YOU WILL LEARN THE MATERIAL BUT IF IT MAY COME AT THE COST OF PUBLIC RIDICULE

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CONLA2
• 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:

Hard but fair. Love him! If you dont read, he'll kick you out. So READ.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LAW172
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A completely cocky, arrogant professor with no sense of reality in terms of reasonable expectations. Though sometimes funny and interesting, mostly Olken treats his studens as buffoons who somehow failed because they don't possess the level of understanding that took him decades to obtain. I will not take him again - far too demanding/not patient

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CONI
• 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:

I've yet to find someone w/ so much knowledge about the history of the Constitution.He teaches you what he knows, which is a lot. You will spend 6-10 hours PER CLASS just reading for class,and another 4-5 hrs if you want to stand out. His class is like a part-time job time time-wise.You will be humiliated if you don't know/understand the material.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CON2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

this guy is an insane grader....he is a bit of a jerk also...he knows the material very well and is a good teacher...but if you are concerned with your GPA take another teacher....i knew the material very well and i still got a B...this was my lowest grade in all 3 years of law school

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: C173
• 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:

Disclaimer: Know every Justice's opinion, backwards and forwards, otherwise he'll call you out in front of class and belittle you/throw you out. Must work very hard in this class, taking time from other classes. His average grade is a C+, I scored slightly higher. Not worth my time. Least favorite law school professor at JMLS.