Shaul Bakhash - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Professor: Shaul Bakhash

Department: History

College: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HNRS131
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough grader. I'm an A student and have been able to make A's in all my 300 and 400 level courses; however, this 100 level course was ridiculous. His assignments are vague and his lectures are more like book summaries than actual insightful discussions. His feedback is more or less pointless. At least the subject matter was interesting...

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HNRS131
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's one of the best professor I've ever had! He expects a lot of reading, but the books were really interesting so it wasn't really that hard. He knows a lot but spends a lot of class time making sure you understand the historical importance of every book we read. Would 100% take a class taught by him again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST387007
• 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:

This guy was a super super hard grader. I tried my best just like the person before and ended up with a C+. Very vague about what you had to do on papers. very boring lecture style just talks at you straight for an hour and a half no quesiton and answer at all no opportunity to interrupt really. Only good part of the class was the end. Avoid.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST387004
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You will not receive a grade above a C if you are of white decent. Not even kidding; if you don't know anything about Iraq History, do not take his Modern Iraq course. You can put as much work in as you would like, but if you are white, you will not get an A.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST460
• 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:

Dr. Bakhash is fantastic (although heavily accented); provides empathetic testimony of the modern history of Iran. Very informative, patient and accommodating, approachable. Highly recommend the professor and his Modern Iran class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HIST387
• 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:

An honorable man, indeed. Three five page essays and the final is an in class essay. If you do bad, he gives you the opportunity to revise it if you talk to him. Just keep up with the readings and don't miss class. It's not an easy A, but his teaching is remarkable and quite enlightening.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST387
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor isn't the worst one, but he has an unusual lecture and essay style. The lectures are good enough to understand. The discussions come off as a quiz and the papers are the same way. He tends to wait just two weeks to mention essay topics prior to the deadline. There's a chance to get a B. If you can get a better professor, do so.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST460
• 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:

He knows everything and you will learn a ton. Only take this class if you are very interested in the subject. Lots of reading and a couple medium sized essays. Tests are all essays. Do not bring your computer to class. You will get a good grade if you pay attention, take notes, and do the essays.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• 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:

He isn't easy but his lectures are delightful and he is very compelling. If you can, take his class, or even several of them. He's a brilliant man and a great lecturer.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• 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 a tough but fair grader. You have to go to class, read the books, and write the papers, but there are no tests. If you need help on a paper, he will have a meeting with you and tell you what to write. Super intelligent and very interesting.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HNRS131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Take him for whatever he is teaching. A fantastic professor that both provides and promotes intelligent discussion (it's no wonder he is a Robinson professor). I feel privileged to have had a class with someone of his experience and wisdom. Very kind, eloquent, and sophisticated looking guy (impeccably dressed all the time). REAL college experience

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• 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:

Takeing a class with Prof Bakhash was a wonderful experience. All of the readings assigned were interesting and fun to read (half were novels!). He is a tough grader, but most people did fall in the B to A- range. It is difficult to get a solid A. Take his class, if you want to learn you won't regret it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HNRS240
• 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:

Robinson Professor who knows information from personal experiences in Middle East.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HNRS230
• 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:

Bakhash is the type of professor that you have to take at least once while you are at Mason. He is a genious and his teaching style is awesome!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST389
• 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:

Great professor. A few short papers in class and comprehensive final. I got an A. Lots of reading but if you love the subject it is great. He is off this semester :(

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HNRS240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was really excited to take a Robinson Professor but I was a little disappointed with the class. It is a discussion class, which is fine unless you have a class that doesn't talk much...then it sucks. He is sorta a hypocritical grader and it is difficult to write the perfect essay for him. He is super knowledgeable and very enjoyable one-on-one.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HNRS240
• 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:

Nice teacher.Enjoyable lectures.Discussion is a bit scary if no one talks but that's our fault by not doing the reading or too SHY! I would take him! I learned A LOT. It has made me happier. He is sort of a hard grader but if you work hard and do the work, you'll get an A. If you don't, you're not as good of an essay writer as you thought!maybe...?

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST460
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is so intelligent His lectures sometimes drone on, however, he is very interesting. Sometimes he would explode and refuse to cover a topic if he felt people werent reading it was funny to see such a little man with so much anger U should def consider taking one of his courses u will get a good grade as long as u take it seriously

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HNRS240
• 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:

GREAT teacher BUT.... HARSH GRADER. If you CARE about your grades, do NOT take him! Gives out maybe ONE A a semester. However, if grades are not too important to you, it is a very interesting class and I suggest taking him. You will be working your ASS off for a B+ or LOWER.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HIST387
• 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:

Absolutely loved this class, Prof Bakhash is so cute and helpful. Just four essays and a final. TAKE ONE OF HIS CLASSES. DO IT.