I'm gonna have to agree with previous reviews. He is a nice guy with a unique sense of humor, but he seems uncertain when lecturing and struggles to get his point across. Relatively tough grader, but he is willing to help.

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Although he seems kind of unsure of himself and struggles to find the right words, he makes it interesting. He gives you the questions for the midterm and the final which makes it less stressful. It is a very interesting class.

I think he's a good teacher. He's young and teach a subject that is hard for many people to understand to begin with...Pay attention and take good notes. He also doesn't mind if you record his lectures, which is nice.

I really liked him. There is plenty of homework, but it's just reading. If you do the work, you should be fine (at least you'll pass). Not as clear as he could be; must often ask for clarification on things. Very nice guy. I would recommend him.

Really nice guy. A bit confused, but overall really interesting to listen to

Sooooo confused and yet sooooo cute! He really cares about his subject and students which is great. He makes a real effort to know everyone's name and be open for questions before, during and after class.

Lots of class discussion. Encourages students to express their views. Lots of points for just doing the work. Willing to help. Review sheets contain test questions.

good prof, not unclear, just takes his time to answer questions properly, real passionate about what he teaches, worked my ass off in his class and got a b but still respect him as an excellent professor

if u like reading&writing & ur major is polysci, then take him.15 written assignmnts,inclass fiinal and midterm (but gives the questions in advance) 7or8 quizes which are easy if u just read. have a group presentation he assigns just to give out points. also anthr typed 4-5pg paper due before final.

Took the class in Spring of '04. Great man. Great lectures on philosophy and some present day issues are discussed and related. Lots of reading, some tough work, but very good experience. If you are in politics and philosophy take it! You discuss Locke, Socartes, Plato, Marx...Check it out.

most satisfyingly demanding classes i've taken at SMC. not for those who simply want an easy class for the grade --> lots of reading & writing. but if you want to actually learn, he's the man. oifer knows his $#!+ but makes students work for the answers. changed my major to pol sci after this class.

Oifer is great. He is passionate yet cynical, patient yet blunt. Vocal about his political beliefs, conservatives beware. Homework is regular but simple. Quizzes are very specific (read carefully). Testing is typically essay form; write well and know your concepts. Highly reccommend.

He is very passionate. You do have to be prepared for every class. Quizzes and essays. But the class is interesting. He gets people talking, debating, and thinking. I don't like politics AT ALL!!! But, it's an enjoyable class even if your not into politics or philosophy. He is a great teacher

I didn't do so good in his class, mainly because his multiple choice questions are confusing. Besides that,he seems very interested in teaching the subject. He's good if you're very commited to homework and rembering EVERY detail of his reading assignments. People with bad memories need not apply.

Great teacher, in fact one of the best I have ever had. Passionate, interesting, and knowledgeable, this is definitely a prof you should take if you have the chance to. The class is very challenging so be prepared He is very liberal and expresses his personal beliefs but encourags differing opinions

Grade is done by 3 essays, 10 writing assignments, 1 group presentation, 10 quizzes, attendance, and class partisipation. Make sure to speak up in class so he knows your name so you get more partisipation grade. Good teacher and I recomend him.

Prof. Oifer's class was tuff with all the writing assignments, quizes, 2 mid-terms,group presentation and final but I was still able to get an "A" out of the class. Not an easy class to take as a full time student and full time job!

He's a Marxist, what can I say?

He is diff. but only if you're a slacker...just do the work- get over it, you're in college now! He's not approachable & loads you down with hmwrk. Just express an INTEREST, that's really what he's looking for. I got an A, but it didn't come easy. He's clear about what he wants, but not very personable.

He's hot, clear, motivated and young. He allows you to miss a couple of assignments without it counting against you, which is more than i can say for most professors. Its funny to watch the girls in our class drool over him, but once you get over that he can make very difficult readings much easier to understand. If you don't like reading, DON'T take this class.

i thought he was pretty good, I know i learned a lot from his class

He is a great teacher and really helps you understand the material! I liked the format of the class; open class discussions, take home papers and group projects! Easy A class-as long as you read the material and show up to class!! He is friendly and wants students to do well.

Oifer's class is a discussion-oriented class. The material is difficult, but understandable. He's very helpful and you shouldn't hesitate to ask for help. The only letdown is that he places too strongly an emphasis on discussion and dialect. The class just doesn't seem productive enough. There's also a presentation towards the end of the semester.

Very, very hot. This class is a ton of work and he lets people ramble and go off topic, but it's worth it.

Oifer is an easy teacher. A lot of extra credit is offered and the assignments are easy if you know how to read. I will say attendance is a **** though. He paces and chews his lip (nervous habits). My advice is to take him because you can get away with anything as long as you have valid points to back up your statements. He's hard if your stupid.

Very politicaly correct when it comes to grading. I got a B in the class. Very fair i'd say and honest. Overall he's a great-

i took the politics of gender and sexuality.i think hes very sincere and empathizes with the issues, yet im not too sure whether he is very experienced or that knowledgeable.he loses his train of thought and is kind of confusing, but if you have common sense you get the jist of his message.overall i enjoyed his course. nice, laid back, cute!

I took professor oifer for my first semester in the fall. He was one of my first favorite classes at smc because he was a great thinker and went the extra mile to get the students to think about the material we were studying. I really enjoyed his class. I would definately recommend him if your particularly interested in Marx.

Oifer is great PERIOD! He is really nice. And all of the discussions in class were good, and always interesting. Assignments each week. And midterm and final arent bad at all. Take HIM!

Very good teacher, if you do the reading you should be fine. Remember to be prompt for his office hours or he won't se you.

this class is what YOU make of it. if you slack on the reading you will be lost. stay actively involved, be on time. notice the people who have a problem with him, are the people you WISH would drop the class!

All of his classes (Political Science 1, 51, 23) are very well structured, he gives you a wide spectrum of thought from which to choose your ideology. But if you aren't a strong writer, this may not be the class for you.

I am definitely not a poli sci/philosophy major, but this class what not all that hard as some have said. Reading is a must! If u do the reading, then u won't have any problem with the short quizzes and the two 6 page papers. Go 2 class bc he explains everything thoroughly. The only problem is the Marx section. Marx's readings are so confusing!

He's an excellent teacher, and my fave at SMC. A really nice guy who cares for his students, and you'll learn. The book isn't bad at all, and Marx is quite interesting. There is a group presentation on Marx which is a bit demanding, but when it's over, you'll realize how interesting it was. The quizzes are breezy, and the take home essays are fine.

The most thought-provoking class I've taken at SMC. Class discussions are unparalleled and the lectures are sexy and stimulating.Graphic and lurid texts about sexuality and gender really make for a sizzling scholastic experience. Don't miss. Readings are hot!!!

I credit Dr. Oifer for my choosing to be a poli sci major. He has a true passion for what he does and has a style of teaching that truly makes the class enjoyable and beneficial. I took every course he teaches and would take another if it were available. One of the greatest talents at SMC.

Dr. Oifer is a very cool teacher. He is very organized and you can keep up with all grades and assignments for the entire semester just by following the syllabus. Don't lose that paper. On the first day of class I thought that he seemed a little unsure of himself and the subject but soon got better and the discussions were very interesting. Take Hi

a very good poli sci teacher.his lectures are the most interesting ones i've ever had at smc. but if ur looking for an easy A take someone else

Took both classes over summer. Interesting teacher but not easy. Very fair and knowlededgeable. Not afraid to tell you you're wrong. Easy quizes, so so finals. Homework and attendance a must. Overall great teacher. pol sci 51 - very interesting, pol sci 1 - boring history material. For marx presentations, choose one of the Capitals.

Great Professor as long as you do the work and attend class. Would highle recomeend. If you need a passing grade.

Really cool guy. Don't be late often and don't talk during class. Interesting lectures and he is a nice guy for sure

He has weekly assignments, 3 quizes, 2 papers and a group project. It seems like a lot of work but mostly everyone gets complete scores on the hw and the project. Quizes were the hardest for me. But he's very fair. Lots of student cooperation during class. I highly doubt he's a communist. I think he's very convincing at explaining any philosophy.

Besides being the best Pol Sc prof there is, but he is the best looking professor at SMC. Highly recommended if you are in school to learn.

One of his best classes. Honestly, I took other class with him and this is his area indeed. He is very nice and very helpful, besides he is super hot. I don't know why students talk about his insecurity as if they knew him personally.

gender politics was an amazing class! i learned so much not only about politics of gender, but myself and the world around me. highly recommend to all human beings... reguardless of my opinion of my professor's "looks," in the two years ive been at smc, the only prof that has inspired/encouraged critical thinking and/or progressive thought

picks favorites but besides that he's alright. liberal form of teaching but is sort of boring. 2 essays total.1page every day. reading from text everyday.personally i wouldnt advise the poliphil class i can't speak 4 his other classes though.

i don't know why these people are talking bad about Oifer. This professor is super cool, and super smart. His class and his lectures are pretty fun, and interesting. He is very approachable, and very hot;) sit in the front, and don't ever use your cell phone in his class.

I took his class fall of last year, and plan to take another this coming fall. Intelligent and caring teacher. He gives you a participation grade, but I didn't say a word all semester and got full credit. Very interesting class. Easy on the eyes too!

2 quizzes which are tough (i flunked one, & did ok on the other one). As long as you turn in all 9 writing assignments (credit/no credit so you don't have to put too much time into them), and put effort into the 2 big essays, and come to every class, you should make an A. I made an A, and didn't think I would. but lots of writing to do.

It's an easy class to pass. all you have to do is work. the problem is his lectures are beyond boring. and class discussions can be really interesting but if you dont agree with him he'll shut you down. not bad teacher though.

Great class dicussions, at times to the level of enlightenment. For all the difficult readings he clarifies the attended meanings if you do not understand them. Quizes are a little difficult but you can make up for them through class work. Reading is a must!No falling asleep, cell phones, or rudeness, he'll make an example of you! Fun and outgoing!

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Class could def. b taught by a worse prof. Clear guy, energetic, good teacher. O.K. grader, but he wants regurgitation not novelty, which sux. Just put in 2 days 2 study 4 quizzes, & u'll save yourself stress later. Otherwise, in-class writes r easy and just prepare well 4 the midterm and final. I can understand antisocial, but just b there 4 class

Good class,nice guy although a bit rude at times (if he doesn't agree with you, he'll get in your face.) Thankfully,I was on his side most of the time and so I don't have any complaints there. Quizzes are a bit tricky, just rd from the book.

Good teacher. His lectures are fun he encourages students to speak their minds out at lectures and have discussions. The midterms and finals however, could of used more explanaion on what's expected of us. Overall he seems like a nice guy.

Oifer is the best teacher I had at SMC so far. He really cares about teaching the subject, and his lectures are proof. He will go on and on about it until you get it. He knows how to teach too, so you WILL get it. His class isn't hard because you care about the things you are learning, amd he never gave out a stupid assingment. TRUST ME, AMAZING!!!

This class is simple... do the work, and come to class you get a B with minimal effort, you'll get an A if you try. Teacher is nice, but doesn't put up with BS.

lectures are must to understand the material. texts are not really required. pretty boring but fair in grading.gives you the mid term and final essay questions a week in advance.

This class is one to remember. Absolutely loved it, he is very passionate about Philosophy. He is CLEAR and makes it interesting by relating the ancient philosophers to today. Although my class was at 8 a.m., i looked forward to it everday. Take him, you will really enjoy it.

Dr. Oifer really knows his stuff and couldn't be more patient while lecturing and getting us to understand the various thinkers. I took this class expecting more politics, less philosophy, but I was pleasantly surprised with his method of teaching.

Take this class if you get the chance. Professor Oifer is very clear and organized, he wants his students to succeed. ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY to pass this class, there's an assignment mostly every day but that's easy points. Overall good class, learned a lot and would definitely recommend.

I thought the class was super interesting. I enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Listen, dont listen to what people say bad about this professor. Took him just over summer 2011, one of the best teachers ive had in my life. Lectures are very interesting,essays are concise, clear and very interesting, easy to do well in this class if u put in the effort, very willing to help and wonderful individual. Take him!

Loved his class! Very interesting, and papers are challenging but worth the effort. I took both polisci 51 (scholars) and polisci 52. Political philosophy is such an interesting subject and I think he does a great job exploring various thinkers.

Prof Oifer's class is probably little hard for the international student like me. Most of his classes are consist of debate between thacher and student. But I've learned many things form his class. I want to recommand his class.

I took his environmental politics class. Overall a very good professor/class. Oifer is always open to questions, although he may come across to be harsh sometimes. His lectures are very informative and you really don't have to read although it is still useful for the debates. He is also available during his office hours if you need extra help.

Really wants you to learn but tough grader on papers and debates.

Professor Oifer is Awesome!!!

Great Professor! I took him over the winter and really enjoyed his class.

Mr. Oifer is great. By far the best teacher I've had at SMC to date. He is thorough and passionate, and in doing so helps you to better understand and grasp the material at hand. You HAVE to attend every class in order to get your points, but class is enjoyable! See him at his office hours if you don't understand something, he's a big help!

Lots of writing in the class, but it's pretty easy writing. And he doesnt base hw on percentages, its all his own points system, which works out where if you get half the total amount of points, you still get a B! Not bad!

I had to take this course as a requirement for my associates, so I didn't have much interest in the course prior to taking it. Although there is a lot of work throughout the semester, all of it was super interesting. He is very clear on the information he is giving, I think his interest is for the student to form their own opinion rather than his.

I had this professor for 3 separate classes and would take 10 more if I could. I walked out of each class more knowledgeable and a much better writer. Extremely smart, do not be afraid to ask questions and listen to what he says and you will do well.

Professor Oifer constructs his courses in a way that will allow his students to understand what they value and how to envision a society that can support such values. It is a class heavily based on theory. After you finish a course with him, you will start to make better sense of world politics from different perspectives. Take him!

took pos 52 scholars over summer. standard teacher very cold. Does his job and students learn material. he made it clear that a student would need to do something exceptional for an A. daily quizes pass/fail. unless your share his liberal ideals, keep your mouth shut - it will harm you. got a B

Dr. Oifer is a very professional teacher. He gets all assignments to you promptly and really sticks by the syllabus. Daily discussions should not be missed as they are vital to making your own ideas(which he promotes) and incorporating them into your papers. Tough grader at times but has his own grading system. Very Fair! Got an A. Definite Suggest

I'm a 20 yr old materialistic entrepreneur, track athlete,& scholars student w/no interest in political philosophy.He enlightens you with priceless skills of debate & articulation that will make you intellectually powerful.I left craving more fulfillment in all areas of my life,not just sports & business. It is life changing, you must take this!

Great professor, don't take if you are expecting an easy A. Will challenge you, and very easy to struggle if you are not a good writer. Learned so much in this class, and he really emphasizes critical thinking and formulating sound arguments.

half way through the semester, I am blown away by Dr. Oifer's brilliance. Must admit that at first I didn't really understand him or his method of teaching philosophy by concentrating on the use of common space, but the more you think the more it makes sense. I have grown so smart bc of him already, can't wait to see how I feel at the end.

A true college class that offers a mental challenge. Engaging and enlightening. You'll develop great skills in rhetoric and expand your political outlooks. Take the class, its amazing. Expect to work and learn. But you'll also come out a better student.

Prof. Oifer was very thorough, and clearly cares about the subject. Unfortunately, I found him somewhat low in energy when conveying his conviction. Relatively easy A, you put in the work, show up to class, but in all honesty I left feeling far less passionate about environmental science than when I entered his classroom. Maybe just a bad semester?

Take this Oifer! He is amazing.

I loved Dr. Oifer and this class. He is SUPER organized and always has papers returned the next class. If you follow his exact guidelines for what he would like in your assignments, its difficult to do poorly. Definitely take this class if you are passionate about the environment, if not, the class might end up being bland for you. Put in effort!!

Honestly, one of the best classes I've taken. I first took this class because it was the only scholars one I could get, so I wasn't really interested in the subject. But this class really makes you think. He has a great grading system that benefits students (I got 26/35 points and still got an A). He's a great teacher and this was an amazing class.

Oifer does a great job on keeping his lectures focused, and I found that they really helped me prepare for the essays we had to write. He is a fair grader and his feedback is very constructive. I'd definitely recommend.

He is very intelligent and really make you think deeper about the world. I LOVE the class environment because people feel safe to ask question and comment which makes the class very interesting. He is always there to help you, office hour and lecture time. You would become a better writer and thinker after the class.

Obviously very passionate about the environment. Oifer will challenge you to think critically! He will call you out for talking BS (because he cares), so be prepared to support your arguments. His class structure is clearly outlined, and he's a fair but particular grader. SUPER helpful in office hours. Intelligent, kind, good sense of humor. Fave!

I had to take Prof. Oifer for my last Political Science Class for UCLA and it was my toughest and best one. Political Philosophy really makes you think and that is exactly what he does. His papers took a little getting used to but in the end, I believe I really benefited from it. Great Professor and Great Guy! All Poli. Sci. majors take him!

challenges you to explain your thinking and he challenges everything you say. Helps you understand how to write a good paper full of detail and clarity. Very intelligent. If you decide to contribute to lectures in his class, be prepared to further explain your reasoning. You will learn a lot from him if you aren't stubbourn. I recommend him.

Very cute in person ! Too bad he is straight !

Odd grading criteria. You can write analytical papers and still end up with 1 point bc you forgot something. If you don't read the syllabus thoroughly then you won't realize you're not doing as well as you should. Fairly flexible. Not the most welcoming professor during office hours. Overall, good professor who encourages discussion.

Very thought provoking professor. He has a very good understanding of the subject matter. He does a great job of making you think critically about your political issue. Even if he doesn't see eye to eye with your political view, he never interjects his own opinion, rather he makes you consider the opposing side critically.

Professor Oifer is very clear from the beginning on what he expects from his students. Follow his guidelines and ask questions and you should do well. He encourages class discussion so try not to just sit there.

Super sweet guy! Really into philosophy and his class is not difficult. Many chances to get your A, write good papers and show up to class to get credit for assignments and you should be fine. He's cute, but I dont find him hot.

in class assignments every class. if youre not there, youre not getting the credit. a few essays. pretty easy class. essays require a few quotes from the textbook. thats the only time i opened the book. so if you dont want to buy the book, just borrow from someone to find a few quotes.

Very clear cut. His summaries are practically what you need or the class. Come in with a very open mind or else you will have a hard time understanding the material. His essays are super hard, I recommend office hours. But even if you don't do well n the essays, there are opportunities to do well in the class.

Dr. Oifer's class was one of the easier ones I have taken. He grades on a point system, so there are 46 points possible in the class (i.e. one assignmentone point), but you only need 36 to get an A. You can only gain points not lose them. There are daily assignments so you have to show up, but only 2 papers the whole semester. Would take again.

Tough grader when it comes down to the essays. Based on accumulating a total of 36 points in the class for an A. Make sure your essays are very specific to your issue. Overall a great professor, yet if you really want to learn in the class you have to make sure you come in with an open mind. Warning: your ego might be hurt

Professor Oifer is a very intelligent person who will make you work hard for your grade but you actually learn. If you have a chance go to his office hours he gives excellent feedback.

Professor Oifer is very organized. He grades quickly and always updates grades online. The material in the class is NOT EASY, but he does a very good job of giving you assignments that will prepare you for the dense essays. If you complete all the assignments and take your time with the essays then you should be able to get the grade you want.

Prof. Oifer is an amazing poli phil teacher! Feedback very on point, may seem rude at times, but just trying to help you question & develop your logic in politics. Class based on points, so you have a fair way of getting the grade you want. Show up & ask as many questions as you can, trust me, it'll help form your papers! Really enjoyed this class!

I find this class okay, there's daily assignment worth 0.5 points and I got 0 a couple of time due to not understanding anything at all.I'm an Int'l student, English isn't my 1st language but however, I am slowly grasping the idea of this class and are receiving the grade intended. It takes awhile, the class isn't easy but sometimes he's lenient.

Oifer pretty much grades by credit or no credit on the daily assignments. They really aren't hard if you pay attention to his lectures and choose an adequate argument. There are no tests. He is super nice and he's cute ;). Loved his class.

I took this class one year ago. I heard some people complaining, so I felt I needed to give another POV. This class isn't an "easy A" and it shouldn't be! That being said, it's not impossible. I worked hard for my A and it was worth it. I learned A LOT. Come with an open mind and you will be more educated at the end of the semester.

Though challenging + frustrating at times, Prof Oifer's class was well worth the time & effort. His class structure + grading system makes it easy to keep up, & honestly, if u just put some work into the papers, show up & do all the smaller assignments, you'll get an A, easy. He's a great prof & a great guy. I learned a lot & highly recommend :)

One of the best professors I've had! He's a really passionate teacher and does his best to explain things thoughrly. He is definitely a hard grader, I received 4/8 my first paper then I drilled down, did absolutely EVERY assignment, got a 7/8 the second paper and finally a 4/4 on the last paper. I worked my ass off and he saw it & I earned an A!

Class graded by accumulating points, 34/44 is an A. The material is explained and discussed in class so it really helps you understand it and prepare for the paper. He is the fastest grader I have ever encountered and genuinely wants everyone to succeed. Do all of the small assignments for points. Enjoyed this class and the format.

Really fun guy to argue with. Not even a humanities major but he made philosophy very interesting. Took him during winter. Just follow instructions and you'll do great.

Professor Oifer wants you to do well. He grades you on context. This is NOT an easy class. A topic sentence every day of class worth .5 point. You must understand the material in order to write two papers. I got a 5/8 on the first paper, but busted my butt off to write a better second paper and got an 8/8. Again, not an easy grader.

Dr. Oifer does a really good job of explaining the material in class which helps so you don't have to rely on the reading which is difficult. The class has 2 papers and an optional 3rd one and smaller assignments (you need to get 30 points to get an A which is doable.) I got a 6/8 on both. Make sure you do all the smaller assignments for points.

The guy is a master in his field and really explains the material well. If you are a philosophy or political science major you will like the class.

Professor Oifer's very precise. He gives a breakdown of exactly what you need to do for your papers and spends a lot of time helping you get there. This is really handy and makes it easy to know where you went wrong. Your grade's built on a points system which helps get a good grade but having to write in a specific way felt constraining to me.

Tough Grader. Made me a better student and more prepared for upper division work. If you want an easy A for your g.p.a., this isn't the class, but then again you probably aren't transferring to a top school anyway. If you're at all serious about your studies or have an interest in political philosophy Dr. Oifer is one of the best in his field.

one of the best teachers i've taken. you earn points by completing a topic sentence which is based on the lecture at the end of class. do good on those bc it gives you credit. assignments aren't hard so do them too to earn points to get to 32 which is an A and 23 is a B. not a class that needs too much work. I liked him so much

Difficult class, but interesting. If you don't show up you won't understand the material and you will lose points on assignments. He doesn't tell you or show you how to write the papers, you are expected to mostly learn for yourself. The textbook is very difficult to understand, so it's even more important to show up to class.

Professor Oifer doesnt like to be disrespected & he is a young teacher, that will not put up with constant interruptions in his classroom. It makes sense bc if you pay attention there is a lot of cool material. I think the fact that he is young gives students the wrong impression, as if its okay to show up late every day & verbally disrespect him

The most extraordinary professor I've ever seen. He engages students in critical thinking and genuinely cares about his students. He has a deep background on political theory and he is an environmentalist and cares about students at SMC. He is such a clear thinking intellectual and accomplished scholar who is humble and inspirational

Show up to class, pay attention, try to do the readings, actually FOLLOW his essay guidelines, and you will receive an A. He has a really odd point system which basically requires you to come to class. He's compassionate and smart, truly a regal man. Wish he taught more poli sci classes because the rest at SMC are pretty bad or mediocre.

Oifer receives far too much criticism. It's a challenging yet rewarding class. He does have a unique grading system that demands attendance in order to achieve an "A." It is a lecture heavy class, so I would instruct future students to listen, follow his guidelines and remain impartial to the material rather than trying to assert your own views.

Dr. Oifer is a qualified professor. His Pol Sc 51 Scholars class for the Fall 2019 semester involves daily topic sentences, reading evidence logs, PMIQs, and papers. For topic sentences, he gives you the answers during lecture and you can lose up to 10 points total to still get an A. He is a bit scattered when he talks but never hard to understand.

2 mandatory papers (1 optional), NO EXAMS OR QUIZZES, very easy homework, and daily in-class assignments. his class is very easy and his grading scale allows you lots of leeway. straight to the point, no bullsh!tt!ng, but also very nice and approachable. I highly recommend taking political philosophy w/ him.

write a topic sentence every class for .5 points ( if you miss class you can't make up the .5 ), easy hw worth 1 point, two essays worth 8 points each, need 31.5 points for an A, he round up the half points!! only thing that prevents you from an a is the essays bc its hard to get more than a 5 or 6 on the essays. Write 3rd essay for a higher grade.

Eric Oifer is an amazing professor. There are readings but you are tested on them with one-point reading evidence logs, and most students just skimmed around to find good quotes. His lectures explain everything really well, and his class is a good balance of discussion and lecture. You do have to go to at least 90% of classes to do well.

This class is difficult to manage but he is very flexible if you email him! Since I took his class during quarantine, it was hard to understand lecture but he did type them up. I did tutoring and I passed with an A. It is possible but you have to communicate!

Tells you exactly what he expects of you. Extremely clear grading criteria. Truly wants you to dig deeper in your analysis' and ideas. Definitely would take again

Professor provides lots of direction and clarity on what he wants through outlines. Just follow what he says and there's no reason you shouldn't get credit on assignments. 2 mandatory essays, 1 optional for extra credit. 1 reading assign/week & 2 SHORT topic sentences/week. He's very nice and was super accessible w/ the online transition.

Dr. Oifer is overall an awesome professor, he is clear from day one on what he expects from his students and is a fair grader! He does make you work for your grade so if you are looking for an easy A, this isn't the class for you! I won't lie his class can be a bit tough but overall he is so inspiring that he made it much easier then it is.

In love w/ Professor Oifer! Took him Winter 2020. You definitely need to at least deeply skim the readings, but taking notes in class is more important. If you can't make it to most classes, don't take it. Oifer is an incredible lecturer, a brilliant man, and his essay assignments make sense. A true gem and will make hard philosophy accessible.

Dr. Oifer is awesome. Not an easy class, but its easy to get an A with his points system. He went above and beyond for us. Gave us all that we needed, guided us, and even made himself available 4+ days out of the week for questions. DO YOUR PART. Read, participate, ask questions. He provides A LOT of feedback too. He deserves more recognition.

He is a great prof. It's just the subject itself that is quite difficult, However his grading system makes it so anyone can get an A but you have to work for it! There is weekly hw (reading log), 2 papers (third is shorter and optional). He is very knowledgeable, answers all quests, types up the lectures. NO FINAL! Would totally recommend.

Great professor. Lots of homework, but not too bad. Just make sure not to fall behind and keep at it. Super clear grading and instructions for assignments. Make sure to be solid on each philosopher to ensure that you are not marked down for inconsistencies, but grading is fair.

I took Dr. Oifer's PHILOS 51 summer course. While the course itself is not a breeze, Dr. Oifer is very responsive, gives good feedback and is an expert in his field. If you're looking to breeze though a course, this is not the one. If you're interested in political philosophy and willing to put effort and time into the course, I do recommend it.

I took his class during the summer and I thought he was great. There is a lot of reading, but he goes over it during class. Just make sure that you really take time to understand the reading for the assignments and essays, and you should be fine.

He's very communicative, absolutely reach out if you have questions that are stopping you from being able to apply the philosophy to your topic, or you probably won't get credit. I took him during the 6wk summer session and found his 8am deadlines super inconvenient, make sure to get your questions answered before 8 am the next day!

I know a lot of the reviews say he makes you write how he thinks, but I didn't find that to be true. Interpreting the texts to identify how exactly power is distributed or justice achieved can be hard depending on the philosopher's writing style, your topic, and how personal it is, w/o his help I found myself lost or missing the point completely.

Took the class online. Professor Oifer provides interesting written lectures and concise guides to the written assignments. He gives great detailed feedback on written assignments. Course work is semi-difficult but Professor Oifer is very responsive to emails and questions about the course materials.

They are a tough grader and I wish I could've gone to office hours. They were clear in their grading criteria, which ensured that students were 1) doing the readings 2) understood the philosophers 3) used textual evidence to make philosophical arguments that one could defend against other philosophers' hypothetical arguments. Hard work is rewarded.

2 advisors told me to drop this class. Its difficult, but Oifer made a point to tell me that I was doing well enough that I should continue. It seems to be a lesson in perseverance. He gives good notes & I think I did myself a disservice by taking the shorter class, but I was able to improve as the class went on. You just need to trust yourself.

This class is hard if you don't listen to the notes given and do the work on time. It's not easy material, but Dr. Oifer it's crystal clear on what you are doing wrong. Had I not fought that earlier in the course I would have done better. Glad I didn't listen to my advisors. Do in person. He was very responsive and positive to me.

hardest class at smc, but most rewarding. patient and gives valuable feedback. i took this online- i always emailed him, and he'd respond thoroughly. you will probably get 0s on assignments- just keep going, message him if you're confused, apply his feedback, and you can succeed with an A.

Words can't explain how much this class stressed me out, but it was def rewarding. I highly recommend you to read the announcements he posts as well as reaching out to him. This class is not easy and I would not take it again but I felt like in the end it made me think more like a philosopher.

Dr. Oifer's Political Philosophy class is great. The class is structured to encourage active engagement with various political philosophical texts by applying them to a chosen topic that you will focus on throughout the semester, instead of simply taking weekly quizzes. I learned a lot and I enjoyed the work. I highly recommend this class.

I'll make a review I wish I'd found before enrolling. As a CS major, this class, taken for an ez A proved far more challenging than I thought. Anticipate a weekly topic sentence assignment, occasional PMIQs, and three papers. A grade of 25 points = A, nitpicky grader. Choose your topic wisely the first week; you're committed once chosen.

This class is demanding and challenging, which you have to use your all strengths into it. It is much difficult than Maths actually. But he is the most responsible instructor and his lectures are very organized. The paper's outline gives you a basic frame on how to write an argumentative paper. Every step matters anyway, even with a grade of B.

He is a tough grader but really responsible and knowledgeable. You can learn a lot in his class and improve your critical thinking skills. I spent more than 25 hours finishing my paper each time and got 6/8, 4/8, and 4/4. It is not difficult to get an A, but you should be ready to get low grades even though you put a lot of effort into your essay.

He's pretty good. His lectures manage to summarize complicated, and oftentimes confusing, systems of thought into easy to understand pieces.

One of the best professors I have had! Super interesting lectures and helpful assignments that worked towards three papers due throughout the semester. Paying attention to lecture material was pretty important, and I would look forward to taking another one of his classes.

Prof Oifer was great. I enjoyed how he structured the class and gave us a comprehensive understanding of philosophers. He showed plenty of real life applications for each. His point system made it easy to predict and work on our grades. Make sure to use the language of his lectures in your assignments! Would take again if he taught another class.

This class with Professor Oifer is no walk in the park, but engaging with the material can pay off. The workload is heavy, but unstuckstudy AI and the free textbook help make it manageable. Stay focused, and you'll come out a stronger critical thinker.

I took him for both poli sci 51 (got an A) and poli sci 1 (not sure yet, but it's looking like a B). He's engaging and explains things very well. However, he is a VERY strict grader. Expect to follow his guidelines directly if you want a good grade. He doesn't take attendance, but if you miss an in-class assignment, you can't make it up.

I took this Scholars. Although hes a tough grader, anyone taking this class should have the ability to think critically and work at a higher level, esp if taking to go into law. He helps you to do this! Very straight to the point, clear, and insightful. Do everything exactly as he asks! Grading is a point scale. 33 points are needed for an A.

I would recommend this class if you are someone who is genuinely interested in polisci/philosophy. However, if you just want an easy A, do not take this class. He could give you bad grades on assignments if he doesn't like a word in your sentence. On the other hand, his class was one of the most thought provoking classes I've ever taken.

I took this as a scholar's class along with his nonscholars PoliSci 51 class, the difference in difficulty was wild. I found this far easier, the lectures felt like they hit the points more consistently, and his grading seems much more fair, I would suggest everyone takes this class because it teaches you very important things about the government.

I took this class a year ago and its lasting effect on the way that I think has been substantial, especially given today's politics. Rumored to be the “hardest humanities class at SMC”, it's harshly graded and Oifer can struggle to accept perspectives outside his own, but the readings and lectures expanded my knowledge of the world tenfold.