The most likely explanation lies in her status: Vijayan is at both NYU Gallatin and Columbia University’s Oral History Master’s Program.
A significant number of negative reviews accuse Vijayan of being unapologetically leftist or anti-imperialist to the point of shutting down conservative viewpoints. suchitra vijayan rate my professor
This is the #1 complaint. Vijayan is viewed as a harsh grader on written assignments. Students frequently report receiving B- or C+ on papers they believe were A-worthy. The most likely explanation lies in her status:
The search for reveals the fundamental tension in modern education: students want good grades, but they also want transformative learning. Rarely does one professor offer both. Vijayan is viewed as a harsh grader on written assignments
While the volume of ratings for Ms. Vijayan is lower than that of a typical undergraduate lecturer (due to her status as an author and visiting scholar), available feedback on platforms like Rate My Professors and course evaluations trends toward the following categories:
Unlike a purely theoretical political science course, Vijayan’s classes are likely grounded in from her own work: the UN tribunals, the refugee crisis in Cairo, or the political prisoners she has interviewed. This approach can be both inspiring and emotionally intense, as students confront the raw realities of state violence and human rights abuses. Her caring and positive demeanor—highlighted in the Sporcle quiz—suggests she creates a supportive classroom environment for wrestling with these heavy topics.
: Previously served as a Teaching Fellow during her time completing graduate research.