farkas really knows what he's talking about--interesting course!

you learn a lot from his classes and teaching style

Farkas is a very intelligent and educated individual. he is always eager to help, because he is so tough that you will nedd it. good guy, hard teacher

He really got me excited about PoliSci.

Russian Foreign Policy is an awesome class. Farkas is a knowledgable and humorous professor...I am looking forward to taking more classes with him! Be prepared to work hard, but it is worth it!

He makes it very clear on the first day of class that the course will be very difficult. He is unconventional and very tough, but maked the subject exciting. You have to put in a lot of effort, but its worth it.

He is just a great guy. Knows the stuff, makes it interesting. But you gonna have to do a lot of reading. Great thing - the final is optional! He gives u a paper with a grade he thinks u deserve and if u are happy with the grade, u don't have to take it!

Amazing teacher! Knows his subject matter very well, and has dynamic, interesting lectures. Although there is little class participation, it was never a bore. One of the best at DePaul for sure.

Read the syllabus, it'll help to understand what he expects. And he expects a lot, but he is a very fair grader. Really nice guy.

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Very well-informed and fascinating. Tough, but very honest and fair.

vERY PARTICULAR TEACHING STYLE! GREAT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE VERY INTERESTED

Great teacher! He is brilliant and will take the time to help you understand stuff. He is a really, really nice guy.. and even funny! He expects a lot but he will teach you a lot! I was scared of him at first but now he's my fave teacher!

Farkas is a very fastidious man. He likes everything his way and will grade according to those standards. Pay attention to monotonous details, for those are some of what he'll test you on. READ THE BOOKS!

Dr. Farkas is intelligent and very helpful. Do not be frightened by his tough tone and and level of expectancy. His papers are short and tests are very fair. He will make you think about basic ideas like freedom and nationality. Highly recommended professor

Very well informed and articulate. Don't expect to be coddled, but he is a fair grader. You will feel like you have learned a lot about politics after having taken one of his classes.

Dr. Farkas is an outstanding professor. He does not take the material lightly, and pays close attention to attendance. Do not take his classes unless you plan on putting forth the effort to get a good grade. He loves to talk to students outside the classroom, and is the most accomodating professor in the department if you are on his good side.

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A demanding professor with an interesting method of presenting comparative politics - tests focus on minute detail presented in lecture and reading, the latter of which is absolutely critical. If you're willing to put in the work you get so much out of this class, I can't recommend it enough to anyone.

He's okay. His 2 tests are pretty detailed, but easy paper. He is really into what he is teaching, good powerpoints for easy note-taking.

Interesting class, a lot of reading that wasn't really discussed more than for a day or two. Very clear writer and if you read his articles before the course, the course material will make a lot of sense right away. Know your syllabus and all will be fine. He's also helpful in his office hours.

Very knowledgeable and well spoken. Wants participation but dominates the whole discussion and shoots you down and makes you look stupid if he disagrees with you. Kind of cold if he wants to be.

A sign in his office states: "This ship is skippered by a mean old ****," which is true. But he is an amazing teacher. After the quarter, he wrote letters thanking us for our hard work in his class. You have to have thick skin sometimes, bu

I had Richard for my capstone seminar and it was a wonderful experience. He brought us into his home, really got to know all of us, and did a wonderful job of making us really pull together everything we'd learned over the years.

solid professor

he's kinda of intimidatinga t first, but he's really not intimidating at all! he always opens his door for questions, and there are no surprises in his class. i definately wanna take him for another class!

Great professor, engaging and helpful. Highly recommended.

Good teacher until it comes to him expressing his own opinions, makes you feel pressured to agree with him

he's very smart and knowledgeable but he can come across as arrogant. Overall the class was easy as long as you always agree with what he is saying and don't give your own opinions because he'll find a way to prove you wrong. Just make sure you always agree with him and you'll have no worries in getting an A.

He's quite old-school as a professor. In other words, he's tough, but fair and respectful. Be prepared to do tons of reading. There is a paper, but as long as fits the assignment, he'll give you a decent grade for it. If you're from the former USSR, you'll find his take on the politics interesting. Exams are really hard, though.

such a nice teacher, so smart. hard class but if you go and see him he is willing to help.

Extremely knowledgeable. He's friendly and allows for interesting discussion. The text was interesting.

Farkas is a good professor with an enormous amount of experience. However, before taking him, keep in mind this: 1. He's got an acid sense of humor. Not for those easily offended. 2. You can't win an argument with him. You just can't. It's a special talent of his. I would recommend him more for lecture classes - as opposed to seminar.

Rude. Disrespectful. Arrogant. Belittling. I'm shocked that there are so many positive reviews.I prefer professors who treat you as an equal, but he treats students like we work for him or owe him something. He teaches the material well but the extra stuff on the side isn't worth it - take someone else.

He had us choose between the grade we had already earned in the class or to take the final and get that grade. (not averaged together!) And yes, if the grade on the final was lower you get that grade. This isn't Vegas, it's college - students should never have a grade taken away from them that they have already earned. AVOID HIM

Very knowledgeable and pretty funny. If you make an effort towards the readings and pay attention in class you will do fine on the daily iclicker questions that take the place of a midterm. 1 brief research paper and multiple choice and essay final. Overall good guy and for those that got offended by him, your probably a bunch of pussies.

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, he's great. I should be up front and say that the class definitley made me cry a couple times, but I also learned a ridiculously large amount. He knows everything and has some great stories. Don't take his class if you're looking for an easy one, but DO take it if you're looking for an adventure.

Prof. Farkas is an interesting person. He might appear intimidating at first, but that perception goes away fast. He is not considered "easy" because has high standards for all of his students, which are not difficult to prove if one puts in the effort. His classes are thought-provoking and I always came out of them with a new point of view.

He is an amazing teacher. He will rip your opinions a new one, simply because he wants you to think more critically. If you can't handle having your ideas challenged, don't take this class. If you're interested in learning more and can put your ego to the side for a good hour and a half, he's great. He also is one of the kindest humans alive.

Prof. Farkas is really engaging and knows his stuff. As long as you come to class with an interest in what he's teaching, then you will enjoy it. Go to office hours to talk. Graded on iClicker quizzes before every lecture (on topics from last lecture), 2 oral essays (1 at beginning and 1 at end), 2 written essays (at end of course), and a final.

Farkas is an excellent professor, sometimes he can drone on during his lectures but he is incredibly knowledgeable about his field. He rewards initiative and participation, if you show you interested he will definitely bump your grade. Tests are easy and he is fair on papers but if you write garbage he has no reservations about tanking your grade.

I took at least 2 classes taught by him more than 25 yrs ago. My strongest recollections have to do with his keen knowledge of the Soviet Union/Russia. Wasn't sure what his politics were, which is either a testimony to him, naïveté on my part, or both. I'm humored by the criticism of his criticism of recent generation. B/c I agree. Babies.

I have taken multiple classes with Farkas across a wide range of disciplines. He is best when discussing Eastern Europe. I will say he can be vague at times. His grading criteria do not always make sense. However, I owe my understanding of the political world to this man. I cannot thank him enough.

I took a handful of classes with Farkas. He is very professional + stern in class but coming to office hours is KEY! He wants to know you + impart his wisdom specific to your interest. Appreciates punctuality, effort, and seeking help when needed. Grading: based on your overall performance, not always clear but he'll curve it if you deserve it

you either love his teaching style or hate it. Great professor, be open minded and focus on the content of the class.

This is a professor whose class I took in the 1980's. This is a detailed instructor that helps give all students insight into the world around us no matter what differences exist. I have carried this class with me throughout my adult life to help understand people from different religious, political, social, and economic systems. Thank you, Sir

Honestly if you're not ready to argue a little bit, you won't have fun. He's a hard ass who's set in his opinions sure, but so am I. I had a good time with this class despite it stressing me out sometimes.

His teaching method is very much you get what you put in. There were two papers, a midterm, a final, and weekly quizzes in class. If you watched the lectures on D2l and followed along in the book- the class was very easy to understand. He has an old school style to teaching but it has been one of the most engaging classes I've taken thus far.

His tests are very difficult and he is a strict grader. I was intimidated by him at first but after I started meeting with him in office hours, I realized that he is one of the nicest men Ive met who truly cares. He went out of his way to help not only boost my grade in class, but also with other things unrelated to class. A great person to know.

Professor Farkas is an extremely valuable professor to utilize at DePaul. He receives unnecessary criticism, when in reality he is a caring, and insanely smart professor who is an amazing teacher. You will learn so much, as long as you put in effort. His lectures are packed with knowledge and experience, I HIGHLY recommend.

Great Professor, really knowledgeable in his field. Going to office hours and getting to know him really helps. Always willing to help students find opportunities and is very invested.

Professor Farkas receives unnecessary criticism, he is extremely knowledgeable in his field and is an amazing resource to have at DePaul. If you attend office hours your life will be much easier as he is always willing to help you understand or talk about anything. The classes are difficult but pay attention and do the readings you will be fine.

Has a keen understanding of pre and post socialist/communist Russia and Eastern Europe.

Professor Farkas is truly a really nice man who just wants you to care about his class and participate. VERY kind outside of class. Strict but only about the material of the class itself. The class is insanely reading heavy and you have to take the time to understand the readings. If you really want to learn, he is the smartest in the filed.