Timothy Conlan - George Mason University

Professor: Timothy Conlan

Department: Political Science

College: George Mason University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Conlan definitely knows his material. His lectures were interesting, but sometimes were a bit dry. His study guides are comprehensive, and he's very clear about what he's looking for with the group projects and papers.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy class but with hard work and diligent effort an A is definitely attainable. Great teacher who is incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PUAD540
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Conlan is incredibly knowledgeable, but he's a super dry lecturer. You have a weekly 5-7 pg analysis paper on one week's worth of readings, a group project, a trip to capitol hill that involves a 7 pg paper, and an 8-10 pg memo with peer reviews for four other people. If you've a background in poly sci, you will be fine in this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 307
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm surprised by the many low ratings for Professor Conlan, as I always found him smart, engaging, and very clear. I will say that if you are looking for a class you can just skate through, his classes are not for you. He expects you to think and interact, which should not be a deterrent for bright students who care about their course of study.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While Professor Conlan knows his material, that doesn't mean that his teaching methods are outstanding. Be prepared to read lot within small time frame, you'll be crammed. His powerpoints don't explain lot, but the textbooks explain more. He is dry, and loves to go on tangents.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Good class, good professor, books are useful but you can pass without buying them. Very easy grader. Attendance not mandatory. Professor looooves to give group projects.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Conlan is very smart. class is kinda boring though because he lectures with a lot of graphs. you don't really need to attend class. there's a midterm, two group projects and a paper and final. seems like a lot but it's not. midterm was fair, two group projects were annoying though. the paper was easy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PUAD540
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Conlan was a very good professor! His lectures made the class interesting. He has a tendency to go off topic, but always very interesting regardless! I took this class during the summer and I found it pretty easy to keep up, even though my full time job was super busy. There are two presentations (I dislike presenting) and a paper. Overall good!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GOV307
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you want an easy A, take him! there is only a midterm and final which if you do the study guides they are very easy, and there is a online role playing game which is easy but alittle time consuming. attendance not mandatory

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GOV364
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Conlan really knows his stuff. However, his lectures can be dry, and he'll throw a lot of charts and graphs your way. It's two tests, a group presentation (not difficult), & a 3-5 pg. policy memo. If you go to every class, pay attention and then review the PowerPoints he posts to BlackBoard, you should have no trouble passing the class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• 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:

Really boring but I like him. Have some basic knowledge and skim the readings and you'll do fine.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GOVT307
• 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:

Really fair in his assessments of Congress and policy, presents arguments and criticism on both sides of the aisle. He will talk for the entire class period and could engage students more in class. He provides study guides which are helpful, but you also have to read to do well. This is the second class of his that I took and I always learn a lot.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• 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:

Most Boring Professor EVER. Super Liberal. If I had a penny for every chart or graph he used I would be as rich as the federal government thinks it is.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GOVT364
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was a little rusty since he hadn't taught GOVT 364 in over 10 years. He goes off on tangents and rants, so going to class was not really beneficial. The student teacher graded everything really hard, but if you bring it to him, he might change it. There was a midterm (short answer & essay), a group project, a policy memorandum, and a final.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GOVT342
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

BORING. He always uses charts and shoves his liberal bias down your throat. All he does is lecture. Read the book and take notes you will do fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GOVT307
• 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:

Not the best teacher but a nice guy. You have a midterm a final and a simulation & paper. If you participate in the simulation the paper should be easy. For the midterm and final he gives you a study guide on what is exactly on the test. Used some of his notes & people its called an index in your textbook so use it! Got an A. Take him!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GOV305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't think he was intentionally bad, but he had to be the worst Professor I've ever had as far as teaching. The day of the final, I tried to think of a single thing I learned from him in class, and couldn't. And I was there every day. Grading for the mid-term was confusing, and for the paper it was just wrong. Nice guy, but horrible educator.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GOVT307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy A. The majority of the grade is an online congressional simulation where you roleplay a congressman, write bills, and debate. There is a midterm, 2 small 3-page term papers, and a final. Lecture is pretty straightforward and generally not necessary to attend. Be active in legsim, and review the study guides for exams and you'll do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GOVT307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Conlan is a talented teacher, and very informative. He encourages in-class discussion, and provides a lot of information during lecture. There is an in-class mock committee hearing that serves to bring the information from lecture and readings into sharp focus, as long as you do your research to prepare for it. Highly recommended.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GOV307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof Conlan was really cool! I really liked his class. The lectures a bit boring but he gave us a review before midtearm and final and the exam was very similiar of what he told us. The key tothe class take good notes! The paper was very very easy...:) You should really take the class!