Theodore Hopf - The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Professor: Theodore Hopf

Department: Political Science

College: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PS597
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy thought he was the smartest guy ever, way too full of himself. Just be glad he left OSU so no one has to put up with him again. Also, the faculty hated him too.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: INTSD201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I thought he was a great professor; not too much reading, clear and organized lectures, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, helpful outside of class. Tough grader but if you know your stuff, he will definitely notice and reward you. He's quirky - I might agree with the "aging hipster" comment below - but he pulls it off well.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLIS597
• 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:

IDK...An aging hipster? smart and witty. He's helpful outside of the classroom as well. I talked to him about grads school a couple of times.But the class wast very engaging to me since I knew nothing about food politics...

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PS597
• 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:

He's a hard grader. Class was interesting but he is full of himself and not helpful outside of class. Not willing to write recs for people who got a's in previous classes. Not easy to talk to. Not interested in getting to know students. Lots of reading and an extensive research paper.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: INTST201
• 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:

He definitely knows his stuff. I don't understand the resentment towards him. If you go and ask him for help and if you are attentive in class then you will do well. He is not there to give you a good grade, he expects you to learn from him. He is very passionate about his field and it comes out in his lectures.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POLI555
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He knows his stuff, but isn't very helpful inside or outside of class. His syllabus is very sarcastic and so is he. The readings were pretty good, but he doesn't provide any insight whatsoever as to what he's looking for in the written assignments.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: INTST201
• 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:

Worst teacher ever! so full of himself. Expects your papers to be so good they will solve every peace crisis ever. Unrealistic expectations from students. Not clear on most everything. Thinks he's god incarnate.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: POLSC596
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, you'll learn a lot... but don't expect an A. You might think you are doing well, but he's taking notes. And if you don't speak up / do readings, you are toast by the end of the quarter.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: INSTD201
• 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:

WORST TEACHER EVER. HATE HIM. HE DOESNT EXLAIN ANYTHING. GRADES SO HARD. PAPERS ARE RIDICULOUS

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PLSC550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not sure why there are so many negative reviews. Hopf is very knowledgeable on the subject. His lectures sometimes are scattered but his personality makes them interesting--he's pretty fun. The mid-term and final are take home, but still extensive and difficult. Do the readings and come to class and you'll learn a lot/do well!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: POLSC550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Does not make it clear what is expected in writing assignments. Generally not helpful. Reading assignments are long, hard to understand, and sometimes his own essays. Seems really full of himself.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PS550
• 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:

Also surprised by negative reviews. He is very erudite and articulate, and also witty/funny enough to keep things interesting. An A is very doable if you take good notes and at least read the readings relevant to your midterm/final. Skipping class is not a good idea as some exam questions will be nearly impossible without detailed notes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PS550
• 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:

I'm very surprised by all of the negative ratings. Professor Hopf gave clear, interesting lectures, injected them with a bit of humor, and responded politely to a number of inane questions from the hoi polloi. He's a great prof and seems like a fun guy with whom to have a beer. Apropos of grades: take good notes and write, dry, dense essays.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PS550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

tough class, but you'll know your stuff when your done. I thought it was well worth the effort.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC550
• 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:

Professor Hopf is challenging yet motivating. Anyone who says to avoid his class doesn't want to do the work. The readings are dense and tedious but you walk away from the class with usable knowledge about the world. Apply the readings as much as possible to the essays and you'll get an A. start early, make an outline and re-read your answers.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POLSC550
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy grades way too hard. He expects you to be as advanced as he is, and can't come down to a normal college student's level. The readings are wayyyy too long. Avoid Hopf if you value your GPA.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 547
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Avoid if at all humanly possible- very very full of himself, and if you disagree with him, WATCH OUT- he's very nasty and sarcastic and his comments on papers are completely unhelpful. An awful teacher.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: POLYSCI555
• 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:

Great class, Hopf is the man when it comes to Soviet past-present politics. First couple of classes are the best. The only****ty part was the last 2 weeks of class when groups have to present presentations. There is no reason to even attend class and it is a complete waste of time and hopefully he will cut it out. Be careful he doesn't turn you into a full-fledged Commie though, he loves the USSR/Russia!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PS547
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor, extremely witty and knowledgeable. Class was mostly student presentations, but he communicated the main points of the readings. Very personable, quite fun to talk to. Was great about communicating expectations re: papers, etc. I'm not sure why his reviews are so negative, as I found him quite easy and straightforward.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: IDENTITYPOL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Arrogant jerk. Totally unhelpful, but he sure manages to flirt with the attractive girls in class. You're better off if you avoid his classes. If you are a Communist you may enjoy his class, but if you differ from his thoughts in any way, you will be harshly penalized.