George Mason University Top Questions

The most unique class i took was EDUC 300. I want to become a teacher, so the class geared itself around giving examples and fun games on how to work with children in the classroom. It was very hands on and the teacher made it fun for us students who were learning to teach otehrs in the future.

Most of the professors are good about making themselves available to students if the students needed help. However, some of the course requirements don't make sense to me. I understand the general requirements are there to help us have as broad of an education as possible. However, I'm a Communications major and wonder why I have to take courses such as Free Speech and Ethics. The whole course feels more like pre-law than it does a Communications course. There are other courses that make me feel this way and I think you will find the same concerns in the other departments as well.

In my core classes all my professors knew my name. My favorite class was wedding planning and Meetings & Conventions class. My least favorite was Bio and Stat 250. My major/department is small which makes it nice because all the teachers know your name and come up and talk to you, are interested in your life and how you are liking your classes. My professors were very friendly. I think students study all the time, I know I did. Class participation is very common. GMU students do have intellectual conversations outside of the classroom. GMU's academic requirements are good. I did spend time with my professors outside of the class and had a great time, its nice to get to know them on a more personal level. My major was geared toward getting a job as I got into higher level classes.

I would say a lot of professors in my department knew my name when I was there. My favorite class was rhetorical criticism. Every student studies differently. I spent time with both Professor Dickerson and Professor Rowan outside of the classroom. I think the academic requirements are fair and helpful. You get out of an education what you put into it, just like anything in life.

The Communication department is fabulous. The professors know your name, they want you to succeed, and they have the connections for successful job placement.

1. depends on the size of the class 2. my favorite class is govt 490 with prof hugh sockett. each week we cover different controversial topics and issues related to those topics followed by discussion, debate and questions to determine our own opinions (socratic method). my least favorite class was math 106 with prof kiley. probably one of the worst prof i have ever encountered. he was very rude, confusing, unwilling to help and had bad hygiene. 3. some students study regularly, but most students study only to complete work or prepare for exams 4. depends on the class, but it seems that in the classes where it is either recommended or mandatory, students still fail to participate 5. depends on who i talk too, but i think it's harder to find someone to have an intellectual conversation with unless they are either a grad student or staff member 6. no, students are not competitive 7. most unique class was govt 490 8. only time i come in contact with major/department is to meet with my advisor 9. i work after class so i don't have time to chat 10. academic requirements provide students with a well rounded curriculum 11. i think it's geared towards both getting a job and learning for its own sake

Some classes are very large and the mass of students makes it impossible to know professors personally. I do not study as much as business or marketing majors. Administration of justice seems to come natural to me so I do not have to study too much. I do feel that the career services for GMU in the Criminal Justice field is pathetic considering all he federal agencies close by. I was president of the ADJ Club on campus. I worked to bring these agencies on campus but received no help from faculty.

The English Department is packed with wonderful, intelligent professors. There are a few I do spend a good deal of time with outside of class. GMU students, on the whole, talk much like they would if they were at one of the local shopping malls outside of class - if that is what you call 'intellectual,' then there is plenty of it here in Fairfax.

Students at George Mason, in my opinon are intelligent. Although if you look on collegeboard.com, George Mason is ranked the eighth in the nation for students who dont study. haha.

Yes, because I e-mail them. History has always been my favorite, but Math my least favorite. I, personally, stick to the syllabus! Most people participate, but some are very shy. Yes they do, during lunch. Yes, students are competitive with themselves. History 499, which was pretty much self-taught. Yes, I try to visit them during office hours. Very good. Both.

Some professors know me but that didn't start to happen until I got into upper level classes. Even then Mason's cutting down on programs like English so classes are being made larger and turning into lecture courses which completely defeats the purpose of majoring in English. Booooo.... People here generally are pretty smart so it's not too too hard to find someone with which to have intellectual conversations with. As far as classes go, not enough people talk and I have gotten by too easily. I get decent grades without going to class and I'm a little ashamed of that, but I think it says something to the level of difficulty I am experiencing in my classes. I have yet to really 'hang out' with a professor. I only talk to them if I have to. Also! important to note is the fact that I disagree with requiring students in the arts to take a math. Especially when the math teachers that are teaching the supposedly lower level math are pretentious and think you are stupid because you don't understand their scribbling on the bored. I have yet to have a good experience with a math teacher.

The classes at GMU, after you get through gen eds, can be wonderful. Most of the professers are really intelligent and passionate about their area of expertise. They are truely devoted to the students, and aren't shy about assigning homework and papers, but most grade fairly.

Most professors are teaching cause they want to, coming from business and government. Many work(ed) in government in DC and teach on the side or in retirement, so they bring real experience.

In my opinion, once students begin to take major courses that are more specialized, professors begin to really get to know you. I had some professors more than once, which was nice. As far as lecture courses go, the professor isn't going to be able to learn 200 names, but it is also up to the student to make themselves known, by either attending office hours or participating. The most unique class at Mason was Political Journalism. The class was held, for the most part, in a television studio in Innovation Hall. Via satellite, we had conversations with students at two other universities and the C-SPAN studios. We spoke to one another and also had guests, including Helen Thomas and Walter Cronkite.

Mason is really big on making students participate either in or out of the classroom. Sometimes it getts annoying have all of these out of class projects. Mason professors can be cool, and at othet times they can forget that anyone has any other classes.

All of my classes are interesting. Could be more classes to choose from. I know lots of my friends were thinking about Mason, but didn't go because their major wasn't featured.

While the professors try to be intelligent, and while some actually are, this school simply does not foster education. A Nobel-winner or two aside (for economics), professors at Mason are usually in the process of getting a degree themselves or teaching in between jobs. If they know your name, it's only because they can't pronounce it and have a new pronunciation each class. Students here can't even spell "intellectual", much less discussing anything that could be described as such. Saying a word that has three or more syllables is usually enough get you into the honors program. Although the SDS (Students For a Democratic Society, a hippie political group originally started in the 1960s) tries to protest and "shake things up", they quickly give up when they realize almost nobody knows what they're talking about and the few that do don't care. There is no other reason to go here other than to learn how to get a job. All classes are related towards a job in some way, so there's no reason for the school to support anything intelligent or interesting that isn't useful for getting employment in the fast food industry after you graduate.

Professors know your name in the smaller classes but only if you talk. My favorite class is my capstone course to graduate; it is very challenging, and it isn't just teaching the same thing in a different way. I am tired of sitting in rooms for no reason learning the same stuff over and over and am excited about the challenge. I hate classes that are large lectures and boring. Students study... There are two kinds of students: those who always study, and those who rarely do. I am a business major (School of Management), in particular, a Management major. The management program is horrible; there is no way to specialize in a certain field (non-profit, entrepreneurship, HR, etc). We must take aspects of everything. Overall, School of Management is a very large program (1/3 of all students take SOM classes), but it is still rather booring and only challenging sometimes.

I was a part of New Century College and most of the professors I had could recognize me and knew my face. The classes were small, but very interactive. I am glad that I did not have too many of the large lecture classes. To those professors, you are just a number. I do not think that the students were really competitive. We were all education majors and took our education very seriously. I think that GMU was a great experience unlike any other to prepare me for the working world.

Favorite class was by far Intermediate Microeconomics with Walter E. Williams.

I have some pretty small classes, so most of my professors know my name. All of my classes require a lot of studying. Plus, most of my classes take attendance and require everyday participation.

The academics at GMU is highly noteworthy. I've always had really great professors. Classes tend to get smaller once you start getting into your major/concentration and you will be surprised to find many of the same students in your classes sometimes. I absolutely love the English Department at GMU. I've always had great English professors (many of them have doctorate degrees). Many of the professors vary, some are very personable while others are far from it. It just depends on the type of class you take and the teacher you get.

I like GMU's academics. Since I have gotten into my major classes many of the professors know my name and strive to give extra help when needed whether it is for class material or networking purposes. I have had some classes here at Mason that were a little easy. However, I have had more that were extensive and feel they prepared me for my career. I think the education requirements are excellent here at Mason. I feel like I have gotten a well rounded education in my four years here.

Well, I came to Mason for a B.A to become an elementary school teacher. So because Mason's teacher ed program SUX I ended up in New Century College. (check is out on their website www.ncfc.gmu.edu) NCC is an integrative studies major and then you have a concentration...mine is obviously education. Basically, if you want to be a teacher try for a school with a 4 year program. Dont get me wrong NCC is a great college and I will still be able to use my degree to get a teacher licensure it just might take me longer. I'm not going to say much more except I am not trying to make NCC sound bad because its great, I just want people to know it is a lot of reflective writng, portfolios, and class discussions. All of that is better than a packed lecture hall, and the classes are unique and interesting. Well I hope that helps.

Depending on your class size, professors try their hardest to get to know their students. Alot of professors who teach larger classes even try to get to know their students. My favorite class so far has been my PR class with Professor Rowan. She is the most cheerful and most helpful professor I've had so far and she really wants to take care of her students, in and outside of class. My least favorite class was IT 103! I just don't get computers. Students tend to study a good amount. Class participation is common with certain students in every class. Some people prefer not to speak at all and let others do most of the talking. My major is communications and so far I love the department. I know a lot of students who have graduated from this department have gone far in the Communication world and I plan to be one of them, thanks to the great staff and classes I have and will take at Mason.

My favorite classes were religion, geology, and geography because the teachers were abosolutely amazing! My least favorite class was history because the teacher was horrible.

I am in the Honors Progam for General Education and in the Music Department. Teachers in the Honors Program know my name because we have classes under 25 and they are very approachable. If we have a paper or a project we often have to meet with them one on one to discuss it. Participation in class discussion also makes it easy for teachers to learn our names. In the music department, everyone knows everyone, and the ensemble directors know everybody's name. Musicians here at Mason are very personable and welcoming. Classes for my psychology major are the biggest classes I have. I think my largest class was 80 people, and not everyone showed up all the time. In no class did I feel uncomfortable participating or asking to meet with the teacher. I have intellectual conversations with other students outside of class. I think academically, your typical GMU student is more laid back than a student at an ivy league; however, there are plenty of opportunities to become involved and challenge yourself academically. I think people have more of a choice here. GMU is geared towards both getting a job and learning for its own sake. Internships are everywhere and Career Services will aid anyone in getting a job. The Honors Program is definitely geared towards learning for the sake of learning. Instead of a huge and broad general education class, the Honors program is more specific and addresses things that most people have never thought of.

I am not disappointed in Mason academics at all. There is a great studying environment at the Johnson Center. I hope the trend continues with any future buildings that mason has planned. I am quite satisfied with Mason academics, but at the same time hope that it only continues to get better.

Do professors know your name? Most Tell us about your favorite class. Arabic is by far the most educational classs I've taken. Least favorite? Fundamentals of Music - fine art credit, very boring How often do students study? Few hours a week. Is class participation common? No Do GMU students have intellectual conversations outside of class? No Are students competitive? No What's the most unique class you've taken? Counter-insurgency Tell us about your major/department. Do you spend time with professors outside of class? Nope. How do you feel about GMU 's academic requirements? The requirements are idiotic. Students have to take two years of classes that have nothing to do with their major. Is the education at GMU geared toward getting a job, or learning for its own sake? The education is not geared towards anything in particular, getting a job or otherwise.

Some professors in my major know my name. Others could care less (those are often found in other departments, though). I hate spanish class. I hate the language requirement. GMU students study a lot- especially if they want a decent grade.

Yes, they know my name. My religion teacher makes learning fun. Im sure students study often. Yes, there is a lot of discussion and also lecture in class for participation. I don't spend time with professors. I think the requirements are fair. Whether getting a job directly or just learning i think that depends on the students intention because it may be easier in getting a job in some fields of study than others and the student must figure out how to apply their major to a job field that may not necessarily immediately resemble the major, such as an english major trying to go into science.

Do professors know your name? in the smaller classes, yes- but in larger ones, forget it if you don't talk with them often Tell us about your favorite class evolution w/ dr. lawrey, great professor, and the class was structured to put the right perspective on the subject matter Least favorite? IT 103 *_* How often do students study? anywhere from "not at all" to "has no friends" Is class participation common? depends on the teaching structure Do GMU students have intellectual conversations outside of class? yeah, a lot of ppl actually appreciate their majors or just the fact that they are going to school, makes for conversation Are students competitive? bio major here- i see a lot of ppl doing pre med and going crazy about grades and whatnot What's the most unique class you've taken? dance appreciation O_o Tell us about your major / department. biology- some of the best teachers i've had, some of the hardest classes i've taken, but the department offers every opportunity for students to make the most out of those classes and to look forward down the road career wise Do you spend time with professors outside of class? not really, not a preference of mine, in class is enough for me How do you feel about GMU 's academic requirements? not impossible Is the education at GMU geared toward getting a job, or learning for its own sake? depends on what your major is...i don't get you english or history majors...

During my senior year a few of the professors have gotten to know my name. I think my biggest problem was that hte professors mainly kept to themselves. They were always happy to chat after class for a little bit but between there and class you almost never saw or ever interacted with them. I think one of the neatest classes I've taken was an ethics course for IT. I initially disregarded the class but I quickly took a further interest in the class when the professor really challenged us to understand the course by integrating real world issues into the concepts. I really think that the IT department has a very good course that prepares students for life and work after college. All of the classes are extremely relevant and salted with information on how to apply knowledge to situations found common in the workplace.

My favorite class might have been English 334 with professor Lathbury. It was a ton of work, but I don't think I've ever learned so much in the semester I took that class. Most of the classes require some amount of studying, it is college. Select Mason students can have really amazing conversations, it's all about who you know. The Communication's Department is growing and could be better. The more staff that joins, the more unique classes become available making it a more enjoyable experience. The PR department is geared towards getting a job. The English department is geared towards bettering yourself as a person. Both are useful.