Professor
Barry O'Neill
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - Barry O’Neil is many things: A myth, a meme, a nice guy, an actual wizard of game theory (not a joke look him up)... a good teacher— unfortunately— is not one of them. Barry uses creative but convoluted examples to explain a lot of otherwise easy concepts and many things get lost in translation. The assignments however, and the actual content of the class, are straightforward and easy. If your TA has any sort of brain, this will be an enjoyable class (despite Barry’s interesting teaching antics) that’s totally possible to get an A in. A lot of people took Barry the wrong way and assumed he was trying to be malign somehow when in reality he was teaching the only way he knows how. Furthermore, he was always accessible and more than happy to answer questions in his office hours. In other words, he puts in the work, is a genuinely nice guy, and a game theory legend, but sometimes can explain things the wrong way. Is that a reason not to take this class? I don’t know, you tell me. I’d be happy to take another class with Barry again.
Winter 2021 - Barry O’Neil is many things: A myth, a meme, a nice guy, an actual wizard of game theory (not a joke look him up)... a good teacher— unfortunately— is not one of them. Barry uses creative but convoluted examples to explain a lot of otherwise easy concepts and many things get lost in translation. The assignments however, and the actual content of the class, are straightforward and easy. If your TA has any sort of brain, this will be an enjoyable class (despite Barry’s interesting teaching antics) that’s totally possible to get an A in. A lot of people took Barry the wrong way and assumed he was trying to be malign somehow when in reality he was teaching the only way he knows how. Furthermore, he was always accessible and more than happy to answer questions in his office hours. In other words, he puts in the work, is a genuinely nice guy, and a game theory legend, but sometimes can explain things the wrong way. Is that a reason not to take this class? I don’t know, you tell me. I’d be happy to take another class with Barry again.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - O'Neill is a very nice professor. A lot of the readings were very interesting and I really enjoyed the content of the class. The discussion sections were a COMPLETE waste of time. I really don't understand why they are a part of his class. His tests are also pretty difficult M/C. I did terrible on both tests. There is also a paper. In the end, I think most people got A's. The tests were confusing. There were a lot of questions phrased like "In lecture, I said.." or with A,B,C,and D options that could each be correct. Overall , it was a very confusing class and hard to understand how well you were doing in the course until grades were finalized.
Spring 2019 - O'Neill is a very nice professor. A lot of the readings were very interesting and I really enjoyed the content of the class. The discussion sections were a COMPLETE waste of time. I really don't understand why they are a part of his class. His tests are also pretty difficult M/C. I did terrible on both tests. There is also a paper. In the end, I think most people got A's. The tests were confusing. There were a lot of questions phrased like "In lecture, I said.." or with A,B,C,and D options that could each be correct. Overall , it was a very confusing class and hard to understand how well you were doing in the course until grades were finalized.
Most Helpful Review
I've had professor O'neill for two courses (PS 125A, PS171D) and I must say that overall he is a great professor. He has some faults, one of which is that he is unorganized at times, but this does not affect his ability to teach and provide an educational experience. He has a tremendous respect for the opinions of his students. I would highly recommend taking a class with him.
I've had professor O'neill for two courses (PS 125A, PS171D) and I must say that overall he is a great professor. He has some faults, one of which is that he is unorganized at times, but this does not affect his ability to teach and provide an educational experience. He has a tremendous respect for the opinions of his students. I would highly recommend taking a class with him.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2018 - I can't tell y'all how much I love professor O'Neill. He's the sweetest man who buys his class pizza and makes lame jokes. The class is really interesting and different bc it's hands on and not super structured. He's the coolest. Wish I talked to him more. Canadians are so nice.
Winter 2018 - I can't tell y'all how much I love professor O'Neill. He's the sweetest man who buys his class pizza and makes lame jokes. The class is really interesting and different bc it's hands on and not super structured. He's the coolest. Wish I talked to him more. Canadians are so nice.