Turkuler Isiksel

Less readings 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2024 Course: POLSUN3911_001_2024_1-SEMINARINPOLITCALTHEORY : POLSUN3911_001_2024_1 - SEMINAR IN POLITCAL THEORY Instructor: Julia Maier

As taught by Dr Johnson, this course permits students to openly explore political theories and concepts in what feels like an increasingly uncommon format characterized by truly open discussion, which I appreciate. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2023 Course: POLSGR6101_001_2023_3-ISSUESINPOLITICALTHEORY : POLSGR6101_001_2023_3 - ISSUES IN POLITICAL THEORY Instructor: David Johnston

There is busy work every single week which adds nothing to the course. There are three essays, all strictly graded, as well as an in-person final examination. Prepare to spend 25 hours per week— at a minimum— to complete every assignment.

I liked this course but the readings were highly theoretical and dry. I wish we had more historical context to work with. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2023 Course: POLSUN3911_003_2023_1-SEMINARINPOLITCALTHEORY : POLSUN3911_003_2023_1 - SEMINAR IN POLITCAL THEORY Instructor: Julia Maier

Professor Isiksel is utterly intimidating and it is difficult to participate during class when she can be so critical of students' responses— not to mention when she clearly has favorites. She assigns additional books to the syllabus and is especially harsh when it comes to essays— which we only have seven days to complete.

Give Professor Isiksel a gold nugget! She is, without a doubt, the best professor I've had at Columbia. Both in discussion and written assignments, she pushes you to think critically and never settle for the easy answer. She makes philosophy feel meaningful and contemporary and brings in all kinds of interesting debates on race and political ethics. The fact that every single student stayed from the first to the second semester attests to just how great Professor Isiksel is. Professor Isiksel is also just an incredibly kind person who clearly cares about her students. She takes the time to stay behind every class to talk and arranges for students to meet her for coffee outside of class. Despite being a philosophical genius, she's very down-to-earth and doesn't put philosophers on a pedestal just because they're part of the Western canon. The writing assignments are pretty rigorous compared to other sections (you have a little over a week to write 7-8 page papers), but it's absolutely worth it. Everyone should take Professor Isiksel's class. Columbia, please make her teach more undergraduate classes.

- mostly manageable reading - 2 essays - 1 midterm - 1 final - about 5 or 6 outlines/responses to readings (counts toward participation!)

Professor Isiksel is probably one of the most brilliant professors I have had at Columbia. She is extremely well versed in philosophy and political theory, is well traveled, and is quite intimidating. She is a very sweet, gentle person concerned with the well being of her students. In fact, on several occasions, she ordered tea and cookies for class in order to make students feel more at ease and relaxed. Her discussions are very well organized, and she absolutely loves students participating in class and presenting their own opinions on every philosopher known to man. Overall, she is genuinely concerned with making sure all of her students mature academically and intellectually in her class. Most of her readings are manageable; however, she does not give enough time for students to write term papers. She gives students only a week to write 6-8 page papers which tend to be very detail oriented. She also conveniently assigns a ton of reading during those few precious days which if you are a science major coincide with about 3 midterms! Grading wise, she is one tough cookie! Warning: unless you are a humanities major with a wonderful understanding of philosophy and political theory, your GPA will take somewhat of a nose dive. She is an extremely tough grader, but that being said, she expects a lot out of her students. She even writes full page commentaries on each essay in order…