Ian MacMullen

Macmullen has a gift for simplifying complicated & dense political theory and poses questions in class that are interesting and fun to grapple with. Thoroughly enjoyed his lectures. The readings can be long/difficult, but he is ready to help as long as you ask. The quizzes are manageable if you do the readings carefully. Loved this class.

3/23/2016

His approach is bizarre in that there are no papers or discussion sections--only daily quizzes. Political theory is meant to be engaged with, grappled with, questioned, etc. I saw some strong political minds do poorly because they couldn't recite facts easily, only provide keen insights--yet insights had zero value (no participation score).

1/26/2016

Intro to Pol. Theory was my favorite class this semester. The texts assigned were dense, complicated, and heavily philosophical, yet absorbing and intellectually satisfying. Macmullen does a fantastic job explaining abstract concepts through practical and often hilarious examples. Would recommend for those seeking a challenging and rewarding class.

12/14/2015

I took Intro to Poly Theory on a whim, and it turned out to be my favorite class this semester. Readings are certainly difficult, but his lectures are extremely thought provoking. MacMullen himself is very clear and extremely intelligent, with a very incisive way of examining common suppositions.

12/3/2015

Ian MacMullen is an amazing lecturer--he takes complicated concepts and makes them accessable to an intro class. He also has dinner in bd once a week with students for casual discussion and is positively enthused to talk to them outside of class. That said, you will have to read and work hard for your grade. It is much tougher than most intros.

11/2/2015

I'm Majoring PoliSci but really disliked this class. His lectures are extremely boring and self-centered and seems to have gotten lazy. It is very difficult to gauge how well you understand the readings before the quizzes and can think you know it amazingly and do horribly on the quiz. Is interesting material but wouldn't recommend taking it.

10/13/2015

Professor MacMullen was definitely cool at first, but upon realizing that this class was legitimately a philosophy-type class graded entirely through answers from vague daily quizzes and multiple-choice only exams, he becomes significantly less awesome. He is a decent lecturer, but he teaches from a single slide and doesn't post anything online.

12/13/2014

I took his intro class to see if I liked poli sci, and his class convinced me that it's what I want to do. The readings are super challenging and somewhat time consuming, but I've gotten so much out of them. He's an enthusiastic lecturer and a great teacher.

11/14/2014

So far, my favorite professor at Wash U no question. Makes really dense material very understandable. Not sure 106 should be an intro class but take it anyway. Taking his history of political thought class next semester for sure.

11/16/2009

I looooove him!One of my favorite professors at WashU. Very intelligent and nice (with a British accent). The class is very difficult, especially the readings assigned. But if you spend time on it, you will love it.

10/30/2009

Complex theory is made accessible by fantastic professor.

1/6/2008