Marks class is pretty interesting it gives you a very different perspective. Man by the end of the semester you'll think dude the mans really got them down. Class isnt mandatory but he does give hints for the exams so its worthwhile.

Mark's lectures are excellent, and he explains everything very clearly. His slides are informative but he lectures above and beyond them, so I definitely recommend attending for extra info. He's clearly passionate and interested in the topic and it shows in his lectures. Highly recommend taking a class with him

No doubt, the best political science professor I've ever had. Incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the topic and encourages classroom discussion! Engaged, funny, and has great stories to tell about his work in Uganda and across the globe!! Highly, highly recommend taking a class with Mark!

Mark is an awesome prof! Gives very engaging lectures and encourages participation which leads to interesting class discussions. He is very approachable outside of class and super helpful in his office hours, definitely wants everyone to do great in the class! Would for sure recommend a class with him!

MARK IS THE BEST PROF ON CAMPUS. Lectures are extremely engaging and his style of teaching makes everything very easy to understand. His experiences and stories make the material so much more interesting and actually relevant and applicable outside of the classroom. He is also very approachable and helpful in his office hours

Mark makes the class so engaging and encourages participation with debate. He reviews things often and does a good job of tying things together. Great material and made it more interesting with his own experiences.

This guy was so good, I changed my major just because he inspired me so much. One of the best profs i've ever had, his passion for this area of study really shines through. I have nothing bad to say about him, hes just straight up super cool. So cool that we all want to take him out for drinks, not sure if we can but WE WILL TRY.

Mark does a great job of presenting the information in an engaging manner as he goes off of powerpoint slides, but the majority of lecture time is spent discussing with the class. Readings are technical, but not overly challenging. Topic could have been dry and boring, but Mark did a good job making the class interesting and not a snoozefest.

As a right-wing student, it's very rare to find a professor or a class that doesn't impose a left-wing ideology. Mark is certainly left-leaning but he certainly does not make Conservative students feel out of place. All ideas are welcomed and in this day and age, that's rare. Mark is fair, passionate about the subject, and funny. Great prof!!

honestly, if i could give this man a kiss, i would. Favorite prof of my university career

loved his class. what is pretty dry material, he makes it very interesting and engaging. class discussions take up majority of lecture time, but he answers student questions very honestly and respectfully. very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter. would definitely take another class with mark.

He is really good as an individual and very approachable Going in Marks final with a solid A but studying for his midterm then and final now I feel like there is more to memorize than to learn. Would take a class with him in the future again though.

Mark is by far one of my top 3 favorite professors. He is so passionate, knowledgeable, inspiring and helpful. He gives really good feedback which helps. If you attend all his classes and take really good notes, you will honestly succeed in the course. Do not bother buying the textbook, just take good notes and pay attention.

A great prof in all respects. He is very accommodating, and will give you every possible mark on a test or paper. It's pretty much impossible to do poorly in the class. Attendance isn't mandatory, and the textbook gives you all the info you need, but everyone goes anyways because his lectures are genuinely interesting.

Mark delivers extremely engaging lectures and communicates the course content with enthusiasm and passion. He allows ample time for discussion and deliberation, letting students speak their minds and voice their opinions on controversial issues. Many professors shy away from such debate, but Mark embraces it. I enjoyed every moment of his class!

Mark Machacek is by far my favourite pole sci professor at U of C and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I have had Mark for 2 classes and its a shame I'm graduating because I would definitely take more classes with him if I could. If you're debating wether or not to take a class with Mark I highly recommend that you do.

one of the best profs I've had so far at the university. he was super respectful and open to students and genuinely seemed to care about the material and the students. definitely would like to take another one of his classes one day!

Mark is one of my favourite polisci professors. He is excellent! Super approachable, genuinely cares, wants students to succeed. He makes lectures super interesting. I genuinely love this man. This is my second course with him and I'd take every course with him if I could.

I have taken a couple classes with Mark so far and can say by far one of the most helpful and engaging professors. I believe that the tests are extremely fair as he does not focus more on grades received but rather for information as power. Lectures are very engaging, and no student is left out.

This is the second class i've taken with Mark and he was amazing once again. He is so clean and concise in his lectures. He tells you exactly what he's looking for in his tests and papers which makes it easy to get a good grade. His lectures are interesting and engaging. Would take another class with him any day!

This prof is one that is not only intelligent, but empathetic. His classes are great, he is truly a good lecturer and is great at directly and clearly answering questions. He is very clear on his expectations and does not set the bar unrealistically high. He is very personable and makes the course material interesting.

He answers his emails really fast, making it easy to access him anytime to ask questions about foggy content. His marking is fair, he gives clear expectations for papers and tests, and he mostly tests on lectures rather than textbook content. Great experience and class as he's super fair.

If I could take all my remaining Poli classes with him, I would.

Mark is a God. This man does a better job at teaching than 90% of the professors. He cares about each of his students he wants to see you not only succeed, but leave the class having actually learned something. He is very knowladgeable about what he is teaching. His lectures are facisnating, Mark is an absolute king, take this class

Mark is without doubt the best professor I've had in university. His lectures were engaging, interesting and overall made me feel like I wasn't even doing school, just having academic discussions. Amazing instructor, I learned a ton from him and I can't say enough good things about his classes. Truly cares about his students and a lovely guy.

I honestly regret not taking a class with Mark until my final year. He is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about his class, and the most of all - he sincerely cares about his students. Mark answers all questions in class and out, and tries to understand your POV. When i say take his class, PLEASE TAKE HIS CLASS !

Mark is my favourite professor at the U of C. He knows how to interact with students, grades fairly, and genuinely seems like he loves the discipline. This is my second course with him, and I wish I wasn't graduating to take another few courses with him. Really phenomenal. His feedback is good and he seems to actually want to learn about your topic

Absolutely LOVE Mark. Have took 3 400 level courses with Mark and they have all been wonderful. I would gladly take another course with him. His lectures are great and his expectations are clearly outlined. He is always accessible outside of class and is always more than willing to help. Don't bother purchasing textbooks for his 400 level courses.

Mark is an awesome professor if you like in-class discussions. He doesn't rely too much on the text-book and marks usually with a paper, midterm and final. Easy to contact him and responds quickly during the week. Overall, amazing prof.

Probably the single most caring Professor I have ever had. Gave me extensions when needed, provided very good feedback on my work, and a very fair marker. Incorporates the essential information from the textbook into his slides and expands upon them in lectures. Easily accessible and always willing to explain the assignment. Favorite Poli prof ever

He is hands down the best prof in the Poli Sci department. You wouldn't know what is a good lecture until you attend one of his classes. So relatable and approachable, yet very knowledgable and fair in discussions. Highly recommended!

This guy is incredible. By far the most passionate professor I've had the privilege of having. Take as many courses as you can with this guy, he's a rare breed. 10/10 would take any of his classes again. You can tell he loves that stuff he's teaching about and it has a direct impact on his students.

Mark is a true homie. He truly cares about his students and makes every lecture as enjoyable as possible. Please select him as your professor if you can.

Mark is incredibly passionate and easy to listen to. You can really tell he genuinely enjoys teaching this course. Best prof I've had and I'm going to try to take as many courses as I can with him. 10/10 would recommend to anybody of any major or faculty.

Such a great prof, so down to earth and passionate about what he is teaching. Would definitely recommend

Mark is the kindest professor I have had at the university. His exams are fair, he tries to help you as much as he can, and you can tell hes passionate about what hes teaching. Not a poli sci major but for those of you who are, definitely take his classes.

Before taking this class I was considering changing my major, but Mark's class restored my passion for political science. He is very caring, understanding, and a phenomenal lecturer. He keeps lectures interesting and engaging. Definitely recommend taking this man's classes.

Mark is one of the best profs I've had! His lectures are interesting and easy to stay focused on, and he doesn't test from material outside of them. He also accommodated students who wanted to watch online and didn't feel safe in person. He grades kind of tough, but not unfairly at all. If you want to take a poli-sci course do it with him!

I have taken POLI 481 and 483 with Mark, he is without a doubt the best instructor I have had across the entire u of c, he beats out all the professors too! This man is a true gem. He is extremely knowledgable, and his lectures are super engaging. He is a fair marker and really truly cares about his students, and their well being. Mark is a King!

Mark is by far the best prof I've ever had. The most engaging lecturer, so passionate and knowledgeable about the content, as well as really relatable and down to earth. I'm taking as many courses with him as I possibly can before I graduate. I'd recommend him to any student, his teaching style is incredible.

Great Prof that is fun and engaging.

Such a great prof! He was really engaging with the course material and enjoyed what he was teaching. He didn't mark super hard and gave really great feedback for papers.

I LOVE THIS MAN. I wish I had taken more classes with him. An amazing prof, truly cares about his students and is extremely passionate about the area of study. BEST poli prof at uofc by a landslide

This guy was awesome. While the textbook was used, nothing was tested on that wasn't talked about in class making it somewhat optional as long as you stay engaged. The topics covered are interesting and relevant. Essay details given way in advance and was not that bad. Always encourages discussion in class and cares about our opinion. One of a kind

Very interesting and engaging professor. Very obviously qualified and passionate about Political Science. Maybe a little bit left-leaning, but the only way that this manifests is him saying that the US has done some iffy stuff, and that billionaires have lots of money, both of which are absolutely true and inarguable. Excellent professor overall.

absolutely love mark. he clearly cares about the success of his students and gets so passionate in his lectures. he is so engaging and tells the funniest stories, i have registered more knowledge from this man than any other prof i've taken. made a point to take as many poli classes as i could with him, only regret not hearing about him sooner.

I love love love this man so much. Best professor I have ever taken. Period.

Machacek is one of the best professors in the POLI department, period. Engaging lectures - actually sparks discussions that make the course content much more interesting. Cares about students' wellbeing and is very chill regarding extensions and deferrals. Super passionate about comparative politics. Mark is AMAZING!

Mark is a phenomenal prof who truly cares so deeply about his students and their academic and holistic well-being. His lectures are incredibly engaging, easy to pay attention to, and consistently leave me wanting to learn more. He is one of the most well-read, knowledgeable, and approachable profs I've had the privilege of having. I love Mark!!

I also took 481 with Mark last year. Mark is a PhD candidate not a prof, yet he is better than every prof I have ever had in poli sci. He is hilarious, caring, and really freaking smart. You know he loves what he does and really wants every student to suceed. You are doing yourself a serious disservice if you dont at least one class with him!

Such a great prof, one of the best I have ever had. I made an account just to write this for Mark. A very fair marker and listens to all the concerns of students and is just a very nice guy. Class was very enjoyable and he made learning the material really fun. 10 times out of 10 would recommend him!

All the good reviews are true, the class is amazing without being a lot of work. Mark was open to questions and discussion, and connected the material to current events, which made it way easier to understand. You don't really need the textbook because all the tests are based on lecture material.

What can I not say about Mark. Before Mark, I didn't know what an interesting political science course could be. Mark is funny, engaging, and approaches the delicate topics of World Politics with respect and dignity. Would recommend his courses to anyone, as they have a lot of real world applicability. He needs more TAs to mark essays tho. 10/10

He was an amazing teacher with a very engaging class

10/10 instructor. he makes his class very interesting, and is very understanding. made the class very interesting and easy to grasp. would take all my polisci classes with him if I could.

Mark made the hard parts of politics insanely easy to understand. He engages the class in meaningful conversation and goes above and beyond in relating real world events to the subjects we go through in class. He treats his students with respect and is very easy to get in touch with outside of class. Take any class Mark offers, its worth it.

The other reviews are spot on. Super caring and kind. His lectures were super engaging, if you have a chance to take a class with him you're lucky! Not to objectify him or anything but its worth mentioning, he is easy on the eyes

I didn't even do that well in his class, but even then, I still loved going. He genuinely cares about his students, his lecture style is super engaging, and he is very leninet with deadlines. He is such a good prof that I literally started showing up to his 300 level class. If you have the chance to take his class do it, it's so worth it. trust.

The best prof that UofC has, he is clear about what he expects you to have a good understanding of and is always willing to go over things that you may not have understood when he first explained them. He very nicely simplified this extremely condensed legal textbook, to help students have a better understanding of the topics. AMAZING GUY!

I have taken many classes with this prof, which are all fantastic!

honestly, excellent prof. you can tell he genuinely cares about what he teaches and his students. class is super easy, everything on the midterms was verbatim from his slides, and the textbook was just extra. bro is making me consider taking a minor in political science

Amazing, amazing prof and guy. If you need to take a poli class, do it with him. Clear expectations, tells you what will be on the test, passionate and caring. Definitely one of the best.

My fav prof. Lectures are amazing and useful. You definitely can't skip the lectures but its best to go anyways because of how great they are. If you have to choose between a class with him and someone else pick him. His feedback's also great, even when he says "limited feedback" it's still quite extensive and useful. He is also funny sometimes!

As a first-year, it's probably too early to make this claim, but he is perhaps the best prof/instructor the school has to offer. His lectures are amazing, engaging, and he does not read from the slides. You can easily tell that he cares for his students and is passionate about what he teaches. Definitely going to take all his courses in the future.

Mark is an AMAZING prof. he will answer any email 24/7 and is always there to support his students in any way he possibly can. his lectures are engaging, helpful, and very interesting. if you have the opportunity to take his class, please do!

Mark is such an amazing prof. He has great lectures, tests and pretty easy and just come from his slides. He really cares about his students. If you can take a class with Mark, he is the loml.

He told us from the beginning of the course that a textbook was not necessary as long as you show up to the lectures and absolutely true. He cares for any situation that can occur during deadlines. The lectures were easy to follow and because he is so enthusiastic about these topics he teaches in an engaging and professional way.

Mark is simply a amazing professor!! He is caring and allways willing to help his students. Moreover, his lectures are well delieviered and very engaging. His marking critieria is also very clear on his paper assignments. All in all I enjoyed his class, and would for sure take a class with him again!

Mark is amazing! Super humble and charismatic guy who genuinely enjoys what he does. I found him to be an amazing and engaging teacher. He is easy to reach via email and after class and is always willing to give you helpful feedback on work. 10/10 and am hoping to take another class of his!

Mark is one of, if not the best prof at U of C. Clear expectations for test material, gives insight and important info regarding said tests and engages in dialogue highly beneficial to gaining supplementary knowledge. Incredibly thoughtful and genuinely cares about his students success. If you have the chance to take a class with him you must.

Hands down the best professor at the U of C. Do not hesitate to take him if you are interested in any of his topics (maybe you should just take him and learn something new). Manageable workload and will always listen to any of your concerns!

Definitely the best prof I've had this semester!

Mark is a fantastic professor and he is a genius. He loves to go deep into depth to make sure people get a deep understanding of concepts. This class is a very good introductory course as Mark is very understanding.

Mark is an amazing and caring professor. His exams are relatively easy, he tells you everything you need to know to do well on the exams. You are able to learn even without attending class, as his lecture slides and the textbook talks about everything in class, but I suggest going because he teaches in an interactive and fun manner.

Mark Machacek is the best. His lectures are super informative, but get ready to write super fast. He moves through material pretty quickly, but the textbook was a good supplement for gaps in my knowledge from the lectures. I found his tests hard to study for as there were so few questions and so much material, but he grades things fairly.

Protect Machacek at all costs, he's probably one of the best professors I've ever had. His lectures are fantastic, he's super knowledgeable about what he teaches, all around a fantastic professor. His grading is fair and he provides tons of feedback. If you can take one of his classes, do it.

Amazing Prof! Super engaging and funny, posted all the slides, and you can do well without a textbook. Midterms were easy if you studied and worded well, with no trick questions. He also gave great instructions on writing a uni paper that transfers to other classes. Would 100 percent recommend taking his class!

I always thought POLI was boring until I took a class with Machacek. He is very passionate about what he teaches, and makes it easy to understand. He drops hints in his classes as to what will be on midterms, so I highly recommend going to class. It is obvious that he wants all of his students to succeed.

Fantastic professor, he encourages his class to engage in discussion and is an extremely captivating speaker. His lectures are not only informative but also entertaining. He is also very Unbiased, and a very fair marker. In my opinion, Mark embodies what all professors should strive to be.

Extremely good professor with quick responses to emails and amazing feedback when you need it. Extremely supportive and also entertaining lectures. Benefit of zoom lectures when you miss irl lectures exist with him.

Amazing prof. Super understanding & genuinely cares about students. He is very accessible and happy to help. The lectures were very engaging, I always look forward to going. He definitely takes into consideration that 283 is an elective, so he doesn't expect lots of background knowledge or writing experience.

Mark was an amazing prof who genuinely cared about his students and would go over exams with students to identify areas of difficulty. Lectures were fun and engaging and he is very knowledgeable about the subject matter. 10/10 would take again.

Mark is by far the best prof I've had at uni yet! His lectures are so engaging and he makes the most boring material sound awesome because he loves it so much! Tests are super straightforward forward study and go to class and you'll be fine. Textbook is not mandatory. Really hope to take another class with him.

Mark is the best professor I've had. Engaging, informative, knowledgeable, and passionate. He made everything so learnable. Easy test, even the written final. Textbook not necessary if you go to class. So much of the information will stick in my mind, something not common in uni courses. I hope he continues to teach, even with POLI budget cuts.

Highly recommended! He is an amazing prof who actually cares and wants his students to succeed!

AMAZING PROF,kind and caring. expectations are clear and consistent. Put in the work and you will do great. He is basically the model, of what every professor should be !!!!

Mark is an incredible professor who genuinely cares about his students and their success in his class. There is always the opportunity to discuss grades and clarify comments on papers. The lectures were engaging and even though I am not the biggest fan of politics, he made the class incredibly enjoyable. 10/10 would take again.

Mark is really an amazing prof. He makes it clear from the beginning that he wants his students to succeed. Textbook was good as a secondary resource, I'd say if you're shooting for an A, buy it. One midterm, a paper and a final. All written and all were graded fairly. Great guy, would take a class with him again!

Hilarious, engaging, an absolutely amazing speaker! Took as an option in a once/week lecture, and he ran the class perfectly. There's one writing assignment, two midterms, and one final - you have to make sure you're up to date when the time comes, no weekly quizzes to keep you on task. Perfect for when core courses required more attention!

Literally the best prof I have had for my Poli courses. He is simply amazing with his lectures. He understands the student's needs and teaches what is necessary.

One of the best professors i've ever had, he is very engaging in class and you can feel how passionate he is about what he's teaching. Would 100% take this professor again!

Mark Machacek is an amazing professor. Cares for his students and makes the learning fun. There was a textbook for this course but you really don't need it. Would highly recommend.

The best prof I ever had. Is extremely kind and caring and makes sure all of his students succeed. I don't know any other prof that looks over their TA's marking to make sure that their grading are in line with his, but he does. 10/10 would take a class with him again.

Anybody giving Mark under a 5.0 seriously needs to reevaluate. Best professor ever. Super caring, understanding, flexible w assign., easy to get ahold of. He's funny and makes a 3 hour lecture so enjoyable. He took the time to answer questions and made sure we understood what the test was like. Such a deeply incredibly person and professor.

Mark is easily the best prof i have had in the three years i've been at UofC. So funny, passionate and understanding. He is always accessible and unbelievably accommodating of everything. Taking any class with Mark is a class worth taking. He makes everything so simple and takes the time to make sure you understand it. Bravo Mark, Thank you!!!!

He's really great. Explains all assignments thoroughly.

Solid prof, understanding, kind, chill, the whole 9 yards. Didn't do very well on the second mid-term but still did well enough to pass, very clear feedback on the term paper that we were required to do (My grade was saved by this paper lol) Can't wait to have him next semester.

Wow, what an absolutely fantastic professor! Mark is a prof that cares about his students and their success. His assignments and tests are fairly designed and graded. He's also just a nice and cool guy! If you ever can, take a class with him and you won't regret it! Thank you, Mark!

Such a good prof!! Would highly recommend

hes great! makes this class super interesting. if u attend all the lectures, you will do great. midterm and final were not so hard, only tests what he teaches

Mark gives engaging lectures and is really passionate in his field. He genuinely cares about his students well being and does not overburden them with work. exams do require studying but it is a uni course so that is expected. A really fun proffessor who is engaging and made a 3 hour lecture tolerable.

Prof Mark is one of the best profs I've had. He is super kind. His teaching style is very easy and quite simple to understand. Furthermore his grading criteria is very fair. He will help you understand the material and explain it in an interesting manner. He also engages the class by making students have discussions and answer questions

The best political science professor at UofC, he cares about his students and he is super interesting to learn from. I would recommend his courses. exams are straight forward and easy, with no surprise questions or concepts. papers get good feedback and are graded quickly. overall 10/10 professor, would recommend it.

Machacek is literally the best professor Ive had so far. I'd take a class just because he's teaching it, he makes learning really fun, is great at teaching and gives good feedback. Also very understanding and caring. Tests are mostly all written answers but he's a generous marker so it's not a bad thing. Make sure to attend class!

Mark is one of the most amazing poli sci profs I ever had. He genuinely cares about the students mental health and time management. Make sure to attend his lectures since there is no textbook needed.

This guy's lectures are similar to listening to your favourite video essay YouTubers. He's funny, gives relevant commentary, and delivers an interesting topic with all the credit and charisma it deserves.

He is one of the best profs at UofC, so sweet and cares about his students. I would go to take any classes he is teaching if they don't fill up by the time you sign up, he cares for the student's grades and wants the best for everyone. Mark knows how to teach and is extremely understanding if you are ever going through something.

The BEST prof at UOC hands down. Kind and compassionate to students, very interested in his work, and super knowledgeable and engaging. He is very educated and relates to his students. Very good with asking questions and amazing feedback. very equally graded material as well. Super fair. The most interesting speaker who has passion. Inspirational!

I had Mark for LWSO 203 and he is probs my favourite prof I've had. He's super kind and funny which makes my friends and I look forward to his lectures! He's also extremely accommodating which is awesome! Take any class with him, you won't regret it! #livelaughlovemarkmachacek

One of the best profs I've had so far! His lectures are very engaging and he clearly cares about his students. As long as you show up to class and take notes the class is pretty easy.

Mark made the class quite enjoyable, and he was very open to discussion in class. However, that been said he did seem to get a bit side tracked, and often times we would get stuck on one slide for the whole class. Other than that, he seemed like he enjoyed the material. The exams were fair, however a bit more info on whats on the exam would be nice

Everything they say about him is true! Made me want to go into a Poli Sci minor, and is truly passionate about his subject and students. Only minor critique is that he's not very good at keeping time, only made it through 8/12 planned topics, but I feel that is something that will improve with time since he is a young prof. 10/10 would recommend :)

Super awesome lectures. Very open to any questions.

He's and incredible teacher. Highly recommend

Loved Professor Machacek! His midterms, paper, and final were all easy as long as you attended his lectures. His slides are quite bare and you will miss important information if you don't attend class :)

Hard class but learned quite a bit! Would definitely take another class by him in the future :)

Mark is an amazing prof. He is very understanding, not a tough grader if you put in the effort, and very engaging to listen to in class. His exams are exactly what he says in class so it is easy to get a good grade. If you cant make it, hop on the zoom. Just make sure not to skip!

Machacek is one of the best profs I've ever had. He is so engaging in his lectures and genuinely makes it enjoyable to be there for his lectures. It's too bad I'm transferring because I would 100% take a class from him again.

Mark was literally the best prof ever. He is such an approachable guy, and the marking is super fair. If you attend the lectures and read the slides you should be all set. He's also a really funny guy, 12/10 reccomend.

no words can capture how good this prof is. recommend for everyone and every class. i think going to class is important as he mentions a lot of additional details that arent on his slides, but his lectures are very easy and engaging to listen to.if you do the work, this class will become an easy GPA booster

Mark was an awesome professor, would recommend to anyone who needs to take a POLI course. Study the slides/ content and you will do well on his tests. Attending lecture also helps haha. Paper was graded to a first year standard and feedback was in depth and very helpful.

Mark is an exceptional professor he marks very clearly and fairly. He tells you what you need to study for to succeed in his tests. And he is exceptionally understanding of students situations and if you need any extensions for papers etc. A really compassionate and fun prof I highly recommend his courses especially this one.

Professor Machacek was an amazing teacher, my favourite POLI professor so far. His lectures were easy to follow and contained important points for the midterm and final. We did not use the textbook as much as I thought, but it is quite helpful. His grading is relatively easy, making this class a good option for a GPA booster. Highly recommend!

Machacek has to be one of UofC's greatest profs. Super kind and funny. He has an answer to (almost) every question. Almost a drawback - lecture time would be taken up by student q's. No need for the textbook (but it's good to supplement knowledge). Offers Zoom for lectures as well. Tests were not an issue.

I'm glad I got to work with him twice so far. My one criticism of him; however, is that on both papers that I had written for him I was 0.5 points away from a B+ but he didn't adjust my mark. Overall I look forward to working with him again in the future; as he has helped me a lot in my academic career.

This is one of my favorite professors.

Dr, Machacek is an exceptional prof who makes lectures very fun and is an extremely fair grader. Who gives you clear criteria on what you are being graded on. He also is very understanding of things like extensions and so is just overall an amazing professor.

I have taken a class with Mark before, but this class was amazing. It was by far one of my favourites, not only because of the subject but also because he taught it. I hope to be able to take another class with him!

genius prof

This teacher is awesome

Mark is amazing. This class was super easy and he made it super interesting. Grade consisted of two midterms, a written final (he gave out potential topics so it wasn't hard), and a research paper. I would take a million classes with this man if I could. Absolutely recommend

The best prof and a very kind, understanding, and passionate person. He genuinely cares about his classes as well as his students and takes the time to teach effectively while making the course fun. Wish I could take every required class with him!

GOATED PROF!! he somehow managed to make a summer class engaging!! Mark is so informative and clearly loves what he teaches, he cares for the success of his students. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!!!

Amazing Prof! Lectures are engaging and a must - everything you need to know will be in the lectures, but not necessarily on the posted slides. Will clearly state what is important to know. Textbook isn't needed, but a helpful aid. Exams are cumulative. Try to memorize the slides for the exams.

Mark is one of the best profs I have ever had, he is extremely good at lecturing and talking about certain topics, he knows how to connect well with his students and joke, and he is a great personality, I had him for PLSC 1101 and PLSC 1183 and I am very satisfied and impressed with his work.

Makes the lectures super interesting, don't have to attend them but recommend to since he goes through the slide shows but adds on explanations that are simple to understand. The tests were EXACTLY like the notes.

Mark knows how to lecture in an engaging and genuinely educational way. His exams are fair (super easy as long as you attend lectures and put some effort into studying). While attendance isn't mandatory, I highly recommend going to get the most out of the course. He says A LOT of what's going to be on the exams during lectures! Overall, goated prof

Professor Machacek is a standout lecturer - funny, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. Attending class is a must, as the slides alone won't cut it. Lean on unstuck study and the textbook for extra support, and you'll do great!

When I think of a great professor, I think of Mark Machacek

I'm very blessed to have had such an awesome professor for the first semester of my first year in uni. He's why I want to minor in law and society or poli-sci.

Amazing professor! This was one of the few classes I've taken so far where we are encouraged to apply knowledge and critical thinking to current events in class. His lectures are always engaging, grading criteria is clear, and available outside of class for clarifying things. Midterm is written but graded on depth of knowledge and understanding:)

Best professor I had for my first semester of Uni. He's a nice guy who genuinely care about his students and wants them to succeed, doing things like taking hard questions off midterms and dropping super specific hints for future questions we might get. he's a kind soul and I'm glad I had him to start off my Uni career! Def join his classes

Dr. Machacek is definitely one of the best professors in the university. His lectures are engaging and funny, and isn't too hard on students in exams and expectations on textbook readings. Would 100% take him again in the future.

This professor was easily one of the best I have had! His lectures were so so interesting and detailed! He obviously enjoyed and was passionate about what he was teaching (which is surprisingly rare to find in a professor). He made me love learning about law, and his class convinced me to add a LWSO minor. I can't recommend him enough!

Cool and nice guy! Makes you want to attend his lectures, which is good because the exams would be much harder if you didn't go. He is clear about his exam expectations and offers good feedback on assignments. He gets very passionate about certain issues (isn't a bad thing) and can go off on tangents, informative tangents, but tangents nonetheless.

easy to talk to and has a genuine interest in the material, he weaves in real world examples and is always open to class participation and discussion. attendance is necessary but going to lectures gets you the most out of the class

Defintion of what a amazing prof is, every prof at U of C should aspire to be him, hes amazing plain and simple, you will go to lectures because his lectures are amazing, Hes just a chill guy

Mark is one of my favourite professors. He covers a high amount of courses and from what I can tell, the baseline on all of them is "good at least". This, unfortunately, is one of those topics he's just "good" at. Class participation is more distracting here than other courses, and he repeats many of his slides from other courses but in less detail

Great lecture that keep you entertained while also learning with modern examples. The entire course is graded by exams so be ready to study.

I took Professor Mark's PLSC 1183 and PLSC 1101 (MRU not UofC) and he is by far one of the best professors for Political Science. His classes are quite engaging especially for the MRU students as we're all able to give input in a class discussion, he's also quite inspirational IMO for anyone planning to go into I.R and responds to emails quite fast

Was the last review- meant to put difficulty as 2/5 not 5/5! His tests are very straightforward, and in MRU its handwritten tests and only 3 questions! Not very difficulty. 2 written tests for 1183 and 1 written for 1101

I love the way this professor presents his lecture and the way he talks about the topic. It is really intriguing and not only dums it out to help us understand more, but his endless trivia knowledge on events also help continue class dicussions. There isn't a lot of room for flexibility when it comes to grades, but he is an "easy" grader.

The man, the myth, the legend

There wasn't really any clear feedback but still a great marker! Make sure to take notes when he specifies the subject to keep an eye out for. A good prof but definitely has a political leaning bias. Best of luck!

We couldn't finish the whole course in time. You don't really need the textbook, there was like two questions on the first midterm from there but you could easily deduce the answer. Best of luck!

Super nice guy and a great prof. Basically tells you what's going to be on your tests so as long as you listen to the key things he talks about you'll do great in this course.

He is the best prof ever, this is my second class with him. He is very understanding and is always helpful. The tests are very straightforward and tested from lecture material. Would highly recommend!

amzing prof!!!

have only had Mark for a couple of classes yet I feel enlightened as if the I was witnessing a modern time Renaissance political philosophist

Mark is an amazing lecturer. This course has a tonnnn of material, to stay on top of it you NEED to go to class or else you will quickly fall behind, I learned from experience. Test heavy, you need to pass so go to class!! You do not need the textbook.

The most engaging Prof ever. Super enjoyable lectures and excellent teacher.

I took POLI 359 in the spring of 2024. The paper assigned was lengthy with lot's of components, but Machacek was always ready to talk through my ideas and give me feedback after class. His tests are very fair and based primarily on his lectures. He's so cool.

Best prof ever! I took LWSO 203 and POLI 279 with Mark and lectures are super engaging and interesting. The tests are very fair and he won't try and trick you. I enjoy attending these classes, thanks to him!

Lectures are so engaging, and also important to attend. Pretty easy MC midterms but difficult paper

Anyone is lucky to have a class with Mark. He genuinely cares for your success in the class and he knows his stuff. The way he presents and interacts feels more like a conversation than a lecture. While attending class is crucial for understanding the material, it doesn't feel like a chore

Anyone is lucky to have a class with Mark. He knows his stuff, genuinely cares for your success, and classes are super engaging. The class feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation, which creates an inviting environment. While attending lectures is crucial for understanding the material, it doesn't feel like a chore at all

Class consisted of a midterm (written), a research proposal, and a final exam (written). A textbook was available but was not necessary to do well. All test questions came from the lectures and Mark covered expectations so you knew what to expect. This is the third class I've taken with Mark and trust me, he is AMAZING. Great lectures, great class.

tobey mcguire got bit by a spider mark must've been bit by a goat

I took Mark in LWSO 201 in Fall 2024 and POLI 283/LWSO 203 in Winter. Most of his tests are MCQs, with one final exam (written) in POLI 283! Take his class. He is the best prof u can have at the office. Just show up to class, and u will be fine; no textbook is needed, but you could add to the class. Have fun, don't stress.

I took LWSO 203, POLI 279, and POLI 283 with Mark and he is hands down the best professor I've had so far. His lectures are very engaging and he really knows his material. He is super responsive and offers great feedback! He's great and I would recommend to take his classes if possible!

Dr. Machacek is an amazing prof, really enthusiastic and passionate about the content. Hilarious and thorough review sessions, our course was exam heavy but only because there was alot of students and no TA. There was a required textbook but I don't think you need it, I didn't have it and did just fine.

need i say more... i love you, mark

Dr. Machacek is amazing. Grading guidelines for the paper and test format/content were obvious. If you attend class regularly, you will finish with an A. He's a great lecturer, creating motivation to attend class.

I transferred to a new uni and man, do I miss this king. Appreciate Mark; he's the only good professor you'll ever have who also treats you as a human being. Mark, I love you!

I have had this man for 3 of my classes this semester, and I would die for him. Genuinely such a great guy with a kind soul. Consists of 2 midterms and 1 final, which is very easy, and if you do badly, he will guide you into achieving a good grade. Honestly, an amazing first year with him. I hope to have him again. Thank you, Dr. Machacek!

Great professor, definitely a highlight for incoming students. Very engaging and easily digestible lecture style. A treasure amongst the uofc faculty

You have to come to class to learn some of the material that is tested. But most of it is off the slides. The paper is easy, just follow the guidelines

Mark taught me at MRU, however I am coming to this UofC page because he is that good and deserves a rating. He clearly cares about what he teaches, has real world applied knowledge and is extremely informed. Personally, Mark wrote me a letter of recommendation which can only be described as spectacular. Uni's need to pay this man more!!!

Mark is the actual goat! He's such a wonderful prof and his lectures are super engaging. His tests are super fair and he recognizes that this is a first year course so when it comes to the papers, they mark them super fairly as well. I would so recommend taking a class with him!

He's a good prof and you def have a higher chance of getting a better grade. I honestly will always recommend his class, but you have to attend to get the best marks since he tells you what will be needed for exams and papers. Best of luck!

Will be missed by many, as he is moving to law and society. Wish I could take more courses with him but likely will not need too. Wish him nothing but the best in LWSO.

This was Marks last semester teaching Poli, and it was really enjoyable. With the small class sizes, cohort engagement was really high. We had a midterm, paper and final. He prepared us fully for each assessment and was extremely accessible

Second class with him. He is the most kindhearted and real professor out there. Taking his class is a privilege. Mark really cares about how his students do and he makes the lecture material genuinely interesting. I'll skip other classes yet I have never once missed one of his lectures - because I actually want to go. His feedback is incredible.

Easily the best prof in the school. His lectures are very engaging. And as long as you put the effort in you'll be rewarded in your grade. He makes concepts super clear and prepares you well for the exams he gives.

The GOAT. Haven't met a single person who dislikes this prof. I'm so sad this was the last POLI class he'll teach at U of C but truly, taking 381 this summer was fantastic. He always gives super clear instructions on what we'll be graded on for papers and tests and gives feedback you can actually apply to future papers. Excellent in every way.

I LOVE DR MACHACEK!! His lectures are very engaging, informative, and passionate. I can tell he really loves what he is teaching. I like that he highlights what could be on the test and how he omits a question if the class collectively got it wrong. His use of case studies makes the class so much more interesting! He explains the material very well

I took this class over the summer this year but I came back months later just to anonymously appreciate this guy. Such an awesome lecturer, extremely insightful and very very helpful. Mark is a gem. I am really sad this is the last class he would be teaching in the poli sci department but I am really grateful I got to experience him!

I took POLI 359 in the spring of 2024. I came back just to show appreciation and publically share what a gem of a human this professor is. Extremely knowledgeable and down to earth guy with very clear paper guidelines and lectures. I recommend him for any class he teaches in the future

Mark is a great professor, he's passionate about teaching and wants to see everyone win (literally he tries to help and hint about things on the exam). although attendance isn't marked, it's crucial to go to class as his slides don't provide everything and he states things on exams in class that could literally make or break your grade.

Professor Machacek is truly the best professor I've had during my time at the University of Calgary. You can feel his genuine love for teaching, no matter how simple or complex the concept is. His teaching motivated me to become a better student. He deserves major recognition, and stands out as the very best professor at the University of Calgary.

Extremely knowledgeable in law and society. Discussed freely without holding back and attempts to the best of his abbilities for students to comprehend different law and society topics and concepts. Would highly suggest to anyone to take classes with him

Mark is the best professor I've had in my 4 years of university! His tests are fair and you'll do very well if you study for them. I would absolutely take his class if you can.

Professor Mark is genuinely the BEST professor at the University of Calgary. I always recommend taking his classes (I've taken multiple). Don't buy the textbook, just attend his classes+study the slides and you will do good. He is incredibly supportive, accommodating, and truly cares about his students' success. An absolutely outstanding professor.

Class consisted of two midterms (MC), a research paper, and a final exam (written). Mark was amazing as always, super knowledgeable, and we had great class discussions. This was the fourth class I've taken with him, trust me, take a class with Mark.

easily one of the best profs I have ever had in my time at UofC. His classes are lecture heavy but very engaging and he teaches you exactly what you need to know, there's no guess work needed. expectations are clear and rubric for the essay is too. If you attend class 80% of the time, there's no way you're getting less than a B+

He's Amazing!! Super funny and lectures are very engaging!! All midterms are cumulative so beware of that but they were pretty easy

THE BEST PROF i've had. He truly cares about his students doing well. 2 midterms, 1 paper and 1 written final, all are very easy to do well on as long as you attend lectures and pay attention (hes a big yapper). As a person who skips most classes, I attended these lectures because I genuinely enjoyed them. Wish I had him for more classes.

Literally my goat. Best prof I had this semester. He lets us know exactly what is meant from us in this course to be successful, always dropping hints for examinations, and a hilarious prof. It is crucial to go to class because his online slides do not cover all the information he goes over in class - which is most likely tested!