Abao, Carmel V. teaches at Ateneo de Manila University. Across 39 comments from students, they hold a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Of those comments, 32 read positive, 2 read mixed and 5 read neutral. They are listed for 6 sections this term.
Abao, Carmel V.
Ateneo de Manila University · Since 2008 · 39 comments
What students said
positive 32
neutral 5
mixed 2
negative 0
Abao, Carmel V.4.4
Background
Leans worth takingEducation · Career · Courses · PublicationsShowHide
Leans worth takingread from published reviews and public records · medium confidence
Official record is a long-serving Ateneo Political Science associate professor (joined 2008; PhD Development Studies, DLSU; MA Politics and Governance, Sussex) whose recent registrar load is POLSC theory, IPE, practicum, and graduate thesis/comps. The small student batch that names her is unanimous: kind, light load, high grades, read-and-participate. Lean take if you will do the readings and can live with a soft voice and occasional draggy slides. Keep eyes open on quiz vs no-quiz term variance. Do not treat n=4 unique writeups as a stored score.
Suits
students who will read before class and speak in discussion
students who want a lighter major-class load with a kind instructor
students comfortable with papers and a group presentation
Abao, Carmel V. | Ateneo de Manila
Look elsewhere if
students who need loud, tightly paced slide lectures
students picking her solely to guarantee zero quizzes
PhD · Associate Professor
Political Science (democratic theory, labor and migration, international political economy, Philippine politics and governance)
Education
PhD Development Studies, De La Salle University-Manila
MA Politics and Governance, University of Sussex
Career
Associate Professor, Ateneo de Manila University · Department of Political Science · current
Head of the Higher Education Practicum Committee, Ateneo de Manila University · Department of Political Science · current
Department Chair, Ateneo de Manila University · Department of Political Science
Assistant Professor, Ateneo de Manila University · Department of Political Science
Founding President, Ateneo Loyola Schools Faculty Association (ALSFA)
(2012, Global Financial Crisis in the Asian Context: Repercussions and Responses (Ateneo de Manila University Press), pp. 145–168)
Comments
Others(1)(2)
Top comments
Swift Dove
positive
CoursePOLSC 30
Update for Online Set-up (same subj; POLSC 30 Histo of Pol Theory):
General Experience:
I enjoyed taking up POLSC 30 under her because of how well-planned and engaging her synchs and asynchs activities were. Also, she's very kind and understanding sa deadlines for the Annotated Bib. and Podcast requirements (they're only "deadlines" because she doesn't want you to cram it sa huli). Not only that, her pre-recorded lectures, although mahaba-haba mga vids, it's really comprehensive and it helps a lot in digesting the readings+making the podcasts. Overall, I would def. recommend her 10/10.
Requirements:
Ma'am Abao's reqs are not much on essays, but rather, podcasts. These podcast requirements are quite different from what is typically expected of pos students (essay-heavy most of the time). For the podcast, you will be doing it by pairs (pick ur own ata) and you guys will essentially be answering a thesis question per module, while at the same time, synthesizing it to the readings in that particular module. The written output for this is basically the script that you and your partner will be using sa podcast. What she asks from you here is to be able to casually converse with your partner (parang act natural lang), but at the same time, still relate with the thesis question at hand. It's a very chill requirement, but it can take 3-4 days to do it with your partner (from Brainstorming to the Podcast itself). I personally liked this requirement because you also get to deepen and widen your understanding of the political theories/philosophers as you brainstorm with your partner (like you get to engage and understand with ur partner's own opinions and understandings of the theories and philosophers). Don't worry about this though, she gives ample time to make the podcasts 🙂
The other requirement which is the only writing-heavy (with technical writing required) output she asks would be the Annotated Bibliography. As the name suggests, you will be grouped into 3 people, and you will be doing a relatively-long Annotated Bibliography on your group's ASSIGNED pol philosopher. For my experience, I got a particularly lowkey pol philosopher, and I thought it was hard at first to get journals abt him; but JSTOR/American Journal of Pol Science (via Wiley) saved the day hehe.
Synchs and Asynchs:
Very engaging and fun synch sessions. She's going to ask you guys how you are (parang kamustahan) and then you will be playing Kahoot with q's pertaining to the module you will be discussing that session (once a week lang ung synchs). Afterwards, she'll discuss a bit more and then assign you guys into random breakout rooms with an assigned thesis question (different from the ones she gives sa podcast). For the last 30 mins, each breakout room group will be explaining their answers one by one.
Asynchs are just her vids per module (mga 2-3). They're very comprehensive and long, but they will help you understand the ideas and points of the readings (which is about 2-3 rin per module). Very helpful when you're gonna do the brainstorming sa podcast making.
CONS:
The only "cons" for this class would probably be how small the text is for the Ebenstein anthology (where all the readings abt pol philosophers will come from). Printing one reading can be roughly 8-9 sheets of paper (back-to-back), and it can take 1 week to properly read 2 readings of that module. However, I think this is expected naman in any Pos class.
Tips:
- make the most out of the two weeks (or 2 and a half weeks) understanding the asynch lecture+readings.
- connected to this, you need to understand the readings because you cannot just make "bola" the podcast. Ma'am is particular in the depth of understanding of the concepts and ideas of the module sa podcast. Plus it takes a while to properly make the podcast itself.
- dont make bola the class in general. Ma'am is super kind, but she expects that you take her class seriously. Idk her specific standards for grading, but just give your best in doing the requirements for her subjs, esp. sa podcasts.
, podcast buddy, would u wanna add pa ba to the review HAHAAHA 🤠❤🙌🏆more
Happy Quail
Chill class, kind lola vibes, think critically
mixed
WorkloadLight
personality:
- very kind
- lola na nagbibigay ng pera nang palihim vibes
- mahinhin boses (so consider this when picking your seat in class)
- understanding and patient in answering questions
activities:
- we had two quizzes i think, 1 objective and 1 essay, which are all relatively easy (except madami ka lang ire-review na readings)
- reportings per group
- one final paper
class:
- chill class, you won't feel na it's a major class
- you're expected to read the readings beforehand, so you can participate during discussions
- she knows her way around the lessons, and she would really make you to think critically abt them because she wants you to think about other perspectives
- she always relate the lessons to current events and would ask the class whether they agree or not
- overall, her classes are fun if the class is also engaging with her during discussions (what happened in our class kase was everyone wasn't paying attention, so it came off as boring, but as someone who was listening, doc abao's class was rlly good)
grading:
- you get what you deserve since hindi naman siya madamot
- she gives As, but i wouldn't say na easy A since that kind of disrespects doc's class (i.e., petiks petiks lang mga kaklase ko kase they read na "Easy A" raw si doc, so i felt bad that only a handful were actually listening)
so please please please, participate in doc's class because you can really learn A LOT from her, and she would always encourage us to think about current events in order to make better decisions as humansmore
1 replyHide replies
Hidden Dove
thank u anon!:>
Noble Badger
Midterms come from class discussions, notes help a lot
neutral
currently have her as my theo as well so im not sure how this will help. she's highlighted since like the past few classes na everything in the midterms will come from discussions made during class, so notetaking helps a LOT and discussing it with ur friends/blockmates is also crucial. she's only discussed 2-3 readings palang pa rin naman so just run through that, highlight the central ideas each author has, then see how you can apply that (kase she's hinted that there might be questions challenging you on how to apply her teachings so far) for the midterm exam bring a bible too. i highly suggest backtracking class discussions, maybe a bit more emphasis din sa techniques on how to find the immediate context and earlier discussions of spirituality, meaning making, etc. tl;dr:
- the midterms exam is a huge pull or a grade letter down - citing sources (readings, class discussions, etc.) is a plus
- try to backtrack on class discussions talaga kase she's emphasized on the midterm exam being from those lectures mismo, pero visit din the video lectures for an introduction to those concepts, the class discussions are an extension lang of them (which i think she will test you kase lately a lot of people have been cutting theo) yun lang, good luck to us on the 24th :)more
All comments
Happy Gecko
Lowest grade he gives is a B, everyone got B+ or A
positive
CoursePOS 100
4.0 attainableYes
I had Raneses for PoS 100. He can appear scary/ intimidating at first, but he has lots of good insights and you'll learn a lot. He likes people who recite a lot haha. Lowest grade he gives is a B, but everyone in our class got either a B+ or A.
Really enjoyed his class despite not being fond of reciting at all, though :)more
Brave Heron
i love maam abao :)) IPE isnt a light subject tho, its really reading heavy
positive
i love maam abao :)) IPE isnt a light subject tho, its really reading heavy kasi. I had Maam Abao for one of my majors and for as long as you dont slack off shes easy Amore
Vivid Ibis
positive
Raneses! He's chill + you'll learn a lot. Lowest grade he gives is a B. Class is never boring cause he's regale you with tales of his own life while still sticking to the topic (sometimes). He'll get you cause he's also a student lolmore
Lively Falcon
positive
Rivera! Sobrang fun ng class Niya( Makwento) and kumanta siya sa class namin! Maraming readings pero very insightful naman. Life changing rin siya. The most memorable is yung podcast about "triage" and also masaya yung group activities. One of my favorite profs!!! Sobrang galing niya!!! Charisse del Rosario hahamore
Brave Dove
I love maam Abao! Take her class ❤️ Just read and participate you'll be fine
positive
I love maam Abao! Take her class ❤️ Just read and participate you'll be fine
Anonymous
positive
Sobrang kaya. We had 2(or 3) LTs lang then 1 individual project and group reporting plus paper. There were a few unannounced quizzes pero madali lang naman if you listen during class. Exemption for finals is B 😁more
Kind Osprey
positive
I would say prioritize the asynch lectures before the readings so you dont get overwhelmed! Ma'am makes it super comprehensive naman. I feel like the readings can be a little much so listening to it before can lift some of the weight off your shoulders. Other than that I agree completely with everything said!! Her class is amazing and I would do it all over again if I could tbh HAHAHAHAmore
Anonymous
Simple lectures, breathable orals, keep up
positive
her teaching style is pretty simple like as long as alam mo sinasabe mo and nakikinig ka sa lectures ni maam ure good ❤️ orals nya are also super breathable like sa simula ka lang kakabahan pero when youre actually there, parang tatanggalin ni maam pagkatense mo 🥺 she also integrates current situations sa topics niyo, so personally maganda talaga kasi legit na natuto ako from her + quizzes are just to check if u read her readings hehehe tapos pag naglelecture si maam speed magnext slide so dapat youre quick on your feetmore
Lively Llama
Straightforward, kind, do the readings
positive
Omg I love Dr. Abao :(( I had her for two different classes though but for the most part her teaching style is super straightforward so just do your best! Read the readings, study your reports well, listen during the lectures, she'll appreciate if you took that knowledge and tried to apply them in a more practical and modern context. Her lessons are always incisive, with some humor, and she's the kindest :(( Let her kindness motivate you to be a diligent student and you'll do great!!more
Lively Puffin
Easy A if you follow the rubrics on papers
positive
CoursePOLSC 197
4.0 attainableYes
I had Doc Melay for online internship (POLSC 197) . She is an easy A tbh because you just need to follow the rubrics to reflection papers, labor research, and integrative paper. Next year's classes might be onsite internship so it's going to be slightly different.more
Anonymous
I love maam Abao! Take her class
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadLight
I love maam Abao! Take her class Just read and participate you'll be fine
Happy Osprey
a bit yeah, she might pull up your final paper’s grade but that’s it
a bit yeah, she might pull up your final paper’s grade but that’s it
Calm Osprey
Great prof, light load, no quizzes or LTs
positive
WorkloadLight
Ma'am Abao is great. I learned quite a lot and the load isn't that heavy. Just one group presentation, 2 (relatively easy) papers, and a final paper - no quizzes and LTs. She's really nice too! :)more
Anonymous
Super nice, little reqs, grades high
mixed
4.0 attainableYes
WorkloadLight
Abao is suuuuper nice, and her requirements are so little. She also grades super high. Her presentations can get draggy tho
Noble Badger
shes the best
positive
shes the best
Gentle Hare
YAYYY thank you good luckkkkk
YAYYY thank you
good luckkkkk
Dapper Alpaca
Knowledgeable, simple, and still effective
positive
Great prof! Knowledgable and simple in terms of approach but still effective! As for her tests, just pay attention to basic yet significant details of the topic :) more
Anonymous
You will learn so much
positive
You will learn so much and very interesting yung manner of how she teaches
Daring Koala
Kind, insightful, and a really chill discussion class
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadLight
SHES THE BEST!!! She’s so kind, sweet and understanding. She has so much insight about the topic and is more than willing to discuss other views about it. Class is really chill because it’s a lot of discussion and connecting it to the modern context!!! WE LOVE HERmore
Rapid Lynx
Forgiving on exams; A even without reading
positive
4.0 attainableYes
LeniencyYes
WorkloadLight
Amazing prof, gives an adequate amount of readings before the discussion. When she was my prof it was around 20-40 page readings lang ata per lesson. She's very comprehensive with her lessons, and she's very forgiving when it comes to submissions and exams. Embarrased to say that I got an A pre-final grade without reading anything because I was a terrible student before HAHAHmore
