Ian Ward

This professor has taught: GVPT241, GVPT289F, GVPT442, GVPT449C, GVPT449D, GVPT449G, GVPT449H, GVPT449J, GVPT846

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Ian Ward GVPT241 Expecting an A Anonymous 10/02/2014	I am a GVPT major, and not a huge fan of Political Philosophy. However, I think Dr. Ward did an effective job of teaching this class well. It may seem a little boring or dry at times, since he walks back and forth in front of the class lecturing about the readings, but if you pay attention, you will realize that he's providing very insightful thoughts on the assigned works, and it will be super useful when writing your essays. For the final essay, I went to his office hours a few times since I knew everyone would be going to see our TA (since he was the one grading it, not Dr. Ward), and Dr. Ward helped me out a lot with thinking of new ideas and analysis to put into my paper. My TA commented on my final paper that I had incorporated a lot of ideas he had not seen in any other papers, so lesson learned: go to your professor's office hours! Dr. Ward was a solid teacher, and if I had more interest in political philosophy, I would take another of his classes.
Ian Ward GVPT241 Expecting a B Anonymous 04/24/2014	Ward is one of the most boring professors ive ever had. No strike that he is the most boring professor ive ever had. Every lecture is sitting in the class with the lights off while he rambles aimlessly about the book you're trying to read. His powerpoints do not add up to what he is saying at all and attending lectures is almost more harmful than beneficial to your knowledge of the reading. If it wasnt for my awesome TA I would be absolutely lost
Ian Ward GVPT449C Expecting an A- haritonw 02/07/2014	Dr. Ward is a highly intelligent, incisive, and erudite professor. Discussion plays a HUGE role in the course. If you register for this class, be ready to talk. A lot. Also, do the reading so you don't say stupid shit. He doesn't write your name down in his notebook (that's how he marks down your participation) unless you say something smart that demonstrates knowledge of the readings and attention to the class discussion. The rest of the course is a long paper. I have heard some stories that Dr. Ward is a tough grader, and I certainly believe that he has a low tolerance for bullshit or poor writing abilities. Nevertheless, I felt that my paper wasn't exactly amazing and I managed to get an A plus somehow. The key might be thorough research. Finally, Dr. Ward is civil when it comes to turning in things a day or two late. Overall, great guy, loved his class, probably one of my favorites in college. Not an avalanche of work or anything, just make sure you participate in the discussions, do the readings(they aren't super long) and start the paper EARLY.
Ian Ward GVPT289F Expecting an A Anonymous 12/18/2012	Okay, so I took this class "Does Democracy Have A Future?" I thought it was going to be interesting, I'm a government major, etc. Well, this class is awful. The topics are interesting, but Ward is so dry and boring. I found myself borderline tears in numerous lectures. If it is possible I will never EVER take a class with Ian Ward.
Ian Ward GVPT289F Expecting a B+ Anonymous 11/29/2012	Professor Ward is a great speaker and presents himself as a well-defined expert in the field. Although I am rarely interested in politics, Ward did find essays that presented very interesting perspectives, sometimes long, but interesting nonetheless. Classes are generally not boring or dry, and Ward moves at a comfortable pace. The only negative thing I have experienced was an attempt to show up to office hours and he was not there. I did not hold it against him as he had a meeting that day that limited the time he was in his office, so I assumed the reason involved that, and I'm sure that it was probably the only office time he had missed.
Ian Ward GVPT241 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 08/26/2012	Extremely boring and dry. Each lecture was like an essay being read to us. Nice guy, smart guy, not a good teacher...would avoid taking this course with him.
Ian Ward GVPT241 Expecting a B Anonymous 11/29/2011	He's a nice guy who obviously knows his material well, despite the excessive notes that he reads off of during lecture. Bring a recorder and go through notes and lecture again afterwards- he is flowery in his explanations and you have to really listen to get at the core of what he's saying. He cancelled several lectures due to illness but covered the material well despite the many setbacks. Get Stephen Arves as a TA if you can
Ian Ward GVPT449C goldilox 11/01/2011	Professor Ward is really smart- perhaps too smart. Many of his descriptions were a bit above me but he is a nice guy and very willing to help. Don't be afraid to go to his office hours. I got an A in the class and it was definitely the hardest-earned A I've ever gotten, I had to work for it but I felt intellectually challenged the whole way and definitely learned a lot.
Ian Ward GVPT449C Expecting an A- Anonymous 07/11/2011	Definitely do the readings for this class! Professor Ward definitely notes who is speaking and who is not. He is very very smart and while I had no interest in democratic theory, his approach to the idea was very informative. He deconstructs the readings in very interesting ways that you cannot do on your own.