Nathan Brown - George Washington University

Professor: Nathan Brown

Department: TBD

College: George Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: IAFF6379
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Brown is the rare type of professor who is highly respected, wise, knowledgable, yet also approachable and understanding. I had the opportunity to have him as both a teacher and an adviser. He is definitely someone who challenges you but he makes for an incredible mentor and he gives great guidance. Dr. Brown is a MENA expert for a reason.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2095
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brown knows a lot about the topic and is the chair of the department but his class was very average. You have two short papers, one longer paper, a midterm and a final exam. He grades very strangely, once telling me that my argument was "too clear". Go to the lectures and read the books and you'll do well in the class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are pretty dry even though he's very knowledgeable about subject matter and well-known in the ME studies community. He's a little pompous, assigns ridiculous amount of reading (you really have to love the Middle East to stay interested). Grading is easy for tests (if you do all reading) but harder on papers.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was, by far, the worst class I've ever taken. Brown never gave clear grading criteria and graded each assignment with such bias. It took 15 emails for me to arrange an office hours appt for help and he made me feel like a nuisance. He refused to offer help. His lectures lacked any sort of organization and were not relevant to material tested.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: IA2040
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took his Middle East surveys course and it was terrible. His grading system is atrocious and will not offer any coherent advice on how to improve in his papers. The TA was just as bad in terms of grading and never answers his emails. Dont take this class. I worked on papers for hours and still received a B- even after I went to his office hours.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brown is the head of ME studies at GWU, which frankly blows my mind. At first glance, this class does not seem difficult, and it really shouldn't be. However you will quickly realize that due to his completely unclear grading criteria, getting a good grade in this class will probably be left up to luck. Biased. Arbitrary. Terrible professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nathan Brown is the worst professor I have taken at GW. I am a double major in Middle East Studies and IA and have consistently taken higher level (3000+) classes throughout my time at GW, however his 2000 level class is worse than any class I have taken. His grading is entirely arbitrary, and he cannot accept answers outside his narrow view.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brown sounds like he always needs to hock a loogie into the closest trash can. Other than that he struggles with looking at MENA politics without an Orientalist lens, which becomes clear in his lectures and choice of readings. He gives unclear grading criteria and grades harshly but quickly.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brown is clearly very knowledgeable about the MENA region, but in regards to sharing that knowledge in a clear and cohesive manner during lectures to his students, he struggles tremendously. His lectures are all over the place and unnecessary to go to if you do the readings. There are a lot of readings, but you learn a lot by doing them.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brown has the most boring and pointless lectures/discussion I have ever had in college. He is a very tough grader, and is annoyed when students ask for in depth feedback or advice on how to get better. Participation or class attendance is not mandatory, as the tests are only based on readings. Save yourself and do not take his classes.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSC637710
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Brown's class is one of a very few classes that I look forward to attending! He's quite knowledgeable. His class involves a lot of participation and discussion with students. I definitely recommend him

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nathan Brown is definitely a very knowledgeable, intelligent man. His midterm/Final exams are easy because it is just an identification of the terms. As long as you concentrate in class, you will do okay. However, what's hard is short essays of the books. You have to understand the main point, because without it, you will not do well.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brown is very knowledgeable in his field. You will get to learn a lot about Middle East if you take this class. 3 short papers, one long paper and two exams (midterm & final). Short papers were the most difficult because they had unclear grading criteria. Exams are relatively easy as they are just based on the readings, not lectures.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: IAFF2040
• 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:

Professor Brown is very down to earth and is generally a fair grader. His lectures can be a bit confusing for he isn't always straight forward with how he explains events. This class (Middle Eastern Affairs) had four 500 word papers and one 1500 word paper. Lots of readings which you need to do to get a good grade.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSC277
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brown is a real gem at GW. I took his Survey of Middle East Class. His TA, Nora, was a total drag - really difficult grader and unaware in many respects but Brown is totally fair grader, he returns papers quickly and is more than happy to meet with you about a project or paper.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSC222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable guy and a real power player in Middle Eastern affairs. As a teacher, however, he leaves something to be desired. His lectures are very dry and he is constantly going on tangents that lose the class's attention. Overall, a little disappointing, but still good for improving your factual knowledge of the Middle East

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSC177
• 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:

One of the most intelligent professors you will come across, and is incredibly knowledgeable on Middle East politics. A substantial amount of reading but it is an upper-level class so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Requires work but you can get an awful lot out of the class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSC177
• 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:

Brown is hands down the most intelligent, least arrogant professor I have met at GW. He is brilliant you will learn a lot if you do the work! If you want an easy A, don't take this class (difficult grader). Lectures are not mandatory, but go because its worth it! Stay on top of the readings- that is where the exam/paper comes from.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSC177
• 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:

He is a very knowledgeable professor about middle eat affairs. Though, his lectures can be dry and he grades relatively tough. you think the readings are not necessary until the final when he expects a lot of info. Lecture helps clarify the reading. Also, his lectures are complicated and he loses place in his outlines

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSC134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

"Global Perspectives on Democracy" = weird class. He is very brilliant and knowledgable but his lectures were all over the place. Requirements: No midterm, 3 of 5 papers, group project/class presentation, readings, and take-home final. I didn't really learn anything from this class but he is very friendly and knows the Middle East VERY well!