I had Pavel for both 15 and 6, & I received A's in both classes. His classes aren't easy, so you need to work hard. In-class quizzes for 15 sucked- I rarely did well on them, and the final was difficult too. For PS 6, the final was really difficult. I literally got an F on one of the essays in the finals, so thank goodness the classes are curved.

Hard class for someone who isn't good with numbers or data. Open book quizzes, but they are difficult, especially if you aren't good with analyzing graphs and statistics. Sections are labs where you work on excel programs. The professor is very handsome and has a great Russian accent. Very nice guy and open to questions.

I've talked to numerous people about him. Everyone feels the same way. Any positive reviews on here is just an inflation by probably Pavel himself. Don't reccemend him for any class especially anything in lower division. Class is discouraging. He might influence you to change majors and you shouldn't! Not everyone is like him!!!

This guy is ridiculous! He cares more about making sure you don't get an A than he does about you learning. DO NOT TAKE HIM! Wait until another instructor teaches the course. You have plenty of GE courses to take in the mean time. You've been warned

Took PS104 first, I don't think I would have passed without his help. I don't really like his empirical based way of teaching, but he's fair and very helpful, and does what's best for students. No big papers, no big midterm, etc. Definitely recommend. He's also an amazing and friendly guy!

One of the top poli sci professors in the department now. Not very difficult but does force you to learn material based on structure of class. Great sense of humor and very approachable. Definately deserves a recommendation.

Sick professor. He really knows his stuff and is really helpful. I recommend him.

Pavel Oleinikov is an extraordinary professor. He is a genius in the field of Contentious Politics and Research Methods. Indeed, his classes are challenging, but good effort and intellectual skill is required to receive a good (it is not high school). I took him for three classes and received great grades. Pavel is a great professor and person.

I READ THE ENTIRE BOOK WENT TO EVERY SINGLE LECTURE AND SECTION and still got a B+.I did everything possible! TONS OF WORK,week after week!Final had questions from left field.Quizzes were impossible.Lectures unnecessary.Tests relied on book;so no need for teacher. Subject was interesting and I learned a lot...from the book.He just taught funfacts

Out of the three poli sci teachers I've had Oleinikov was the easiest. His assignments were always simple & straight forward, class was set-up well, & the format for midterm and final was easy. I never went to lecture & ended up with a B-,coulda got a B+ or even an A if I had studied for the midterm like I did the final & went to section more often

Pavel seems like a nice guy, but his lectures are incredibly boring and he just reads off the powerpoints, which he posts online. The TA's are not much help either. It is very possible to fail the finals even if you study because the essay topics can get pretty specific. Still got a B+ without ever attending lecture.

Nice guy but horrible professor. Lecture was boring, midterm and final contained completely random questions. No help at all in office hours. Try to take this class with any other professor!!