John Mearsheimer - University of Chicago

Professor: John Mearsheimer

Department: TBD

College: University of Chicago

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PLSC27600
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Mearsheimer's War and the Nation State course. Possibly one of the best I have taken in the Political Science department at the University of Chicago. I highly recommend it if you are interested in studying International Relations. Be prepared to do a lot of reading though.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PLSC41500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His idea is inspiring, you can learn a lot. Huge amount of readings, need a bookshelf if you can't find E-copies. Tough grader. Treat his students good, still with some arrogance. Recommanded only for students who like challenges, willing to sacrifice GPA, and not target at Ph.D degree.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PLSC28400
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures were rambling and a bit boring. In his graduate discussion section, he made an antisemitic comment.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PLSC41500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mearsheimer is egotistical and hates to be challenged. I took his course on Nationalism and Globalization, and it quickly became apparent that he hadn't read any recent work on nationalism and globalization (recent being w/n the last decade). He was not an effective teacher or lecturer either.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PLSC2840
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting and knowledgeable lecturer. Unafraid to offend people and state his opinion.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSC415
• 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:

He has his opinions pretty well set. I suggest incorporating his opinions into your final paper if you want any chance at a good grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLSC2760
• 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:

Brilliant. Charismatic. Terrifying.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COLDWAR
• 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:

His ego is bigger than anything else and he prides himself on being a real jerk. Plus he is a misogynist and has very offensive views on the subject.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLYSCI
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POLITICALSCIEN
• 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:

Sometimes confuses teaching and debate with an opportunity to criticize people and talk about how wonderful he is. At other times, his classes can be engaging.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

runs the class like a tyrannt

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

While I did well in his class, I wouldn't recommend it for the light-hearted. He seems to take genuine pleasure in tearing down other people's ideas.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLISCI
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

when i took his class the cold war had just ended and i found all of his views on the end of the cold war as extremely offensive. his attitudes towards women that may have noted were dead on

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

fine prof. Has a strong viewpoint but open to serious debate. Fair.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

a lot of reading, like his class is the only one we're taking

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great class, great prof. But he's a jerk. Yes, he is condescending to women, but I did well in his class. I took his class 10 years ago - I'm still inspired by his lecture, still bitter about his attitude towards me and the women in the class. However, I highly recommend his courses.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

lots of reading, but you learn a lot!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PLSC284
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mearsheimer is a rather well-known offensive realist who you ought to take at least one class from during your time at Chicago. He's a pretty interesting lecturer, but there is always a lot of reading + a tough exam. Take everything with a grain of salt.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I disagreed with him alot, but respect him. Very intelligent and a genuine nice guy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Clever professor, excellent lecturer. Don't miss his class