Ian Ward - George Mason University

Professor: Ian Ward

Department: TBD

College: George Mason University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took him during the Fall 2020 Semester. His class was extremely lecture oriented with periodic readings from the course textbook. The class was tolerable except for when he took moments to drill concepts into unsuspecting people who clearly had little to no background in geography.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

In my time at GMU, Prof. Ward has been my favorite professor. His passion for the subject is so clear and the way that he talks about it makes you want to do exactly what he does. The class itself is not difficult as long as you put the work in, which isn't a lot - and it's actually fun if you're in the right mindset. Great class, great professor.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

been 3 semesters since I took him and still by far my favorite professor. super passionate about what he's teaching and makes lectures enjoyable to attend. exams are multiple-choice and you should get an easy A in the class if you attend most lectures and make sure you study the material. mostly memorizing terms and places. easily accessible too.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A very down to earth person. The class does require you to read the textbook and take down good notes from the slides in order to ace the exams. He has valuable experience to share from his trips and is very caring. The class is not hard at all if you study. If you really love Geography take it with Professor Ward. You won't regret it. Great guy!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lecture heavy, can't talk in class, no phones or computers allowed. Tests were multiple choice. Must read the textbook, otherwise you can't pass his tests. Tries to be funny, but no one laughs. PPX in class, must take notes as he says sneaks in things that are not in the PPX's. Berates students for not traveling outside of the US to other countries

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

To be honest, he is very enthusiastic about what he is doing. He's willing to help as long as you reach for help during office hours. He really wants you to pass. However, this is a difficult class. You gotta have to have a basic knowledge and STUDY A LOT!! His exams are not easy. Again, STUDY A LOT! But he's great overall.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

10/10 Amazing professor! He's passionate about his job and wants everyone in the class to succeed. Super nice, although he doesn't post the lecture PowerPoints on Blackboard, he's always welcoming to discuss the material during office hours. You will not regret taking his class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You wont regret taking this class. The lectures are fun and the material is interesting. The professor is 100% there if you need to reach him and he would be more than willing to help and talk about other topics. Great professor and great lectures!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very interactive with students. Awesome professor

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward is very caring for his students and works harder than youd know. Yes, it is lecture heavy but its very interesting and you wont regret showing up to class. He is also always available for office hours and very willing to help out in any way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Best professor ever. Honestly, he cares so much about his students and puts a lot of effort into delivering the information. He makes is as much as possible so students would want to learn. Youd be lucky to have him

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward is very caring for his students and although his lectures are in a big classroom, you can still be able to connect to him. He tries, successfully, to make his lectures as much fun as he can so students can actually enjoy learning, and it works.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Purely lecture where you hand write all the notes. He talks the whole time, but tries to instigate discussion. Skip one day and you'll miss a lot. Exams (4 total, drops the lowest of the first 3) are multiple choice and not hard, but its got A LOT of information. He really knows his stuff and is extremely passionate about the subject.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward had an engaging classroom with a lot of content to cover, but was (almost) consistently patient and open minded to his students' struggles. He kept a class median of grades on tests and made it apparent to everyone how they could improve, sometimes throwing out questions that a large majority got wrong to improve grades. Good guy!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Ward really cares about geography and it shows in his lectures. Though they are long they are still pretty interesting and he tries to get the class involved by asking questions. As long as you show up and take notes, the test and activities should be a breeze.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GGS316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a great professor. Go to his office hours, and it will definitely pay off. Don't bother if you don't want to put in the work, because it is definitely a lot of material - he is very detailed in his exams (and they are long exams that do take a lot of studying). But overall a great and caring professor.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher and has good lectures. So much material in the class. Don't buy a textbook, just go to class. I had to put a lot of effort for an intro class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GGS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best teacher that I've had at Mason. He is inspiring and really cares about the subject. Class is REALLY interesting and will keep your attention. Class is not as difficult as everyone is saying, actually quite easy. You will not regret taking!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GGS316
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward was by far one of the best professors I've ever had. He was always willing to help and work with you. Just be prepared to go to every class as there is no outside instruction. He really had some amazing knowledge and personal experience to share with the class. Awesome!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GEOG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ward is an amazing professor who really cares. Showing up to office hours and asking/answering questions in class goes a long way! He even does review sessions before the final which I highly recommend going to. Wish I would have the chance to have him as a professor again!