Professor
Gabriel Greenberg
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2019 - Professor Greenberg is a fantastic lecturer; he is engaging and funny enough. I stay attentive for most of the lectures. He loves discussing concepts with students and is very approachable. The class content is also very interesting. Your TA makes or breaks your grade. There is no midterm or final, just 4 papers; very short but graded relatively harshly. This class is a very doable A but I would not call it easy, especially if you are unfamiliar with philosophical writing. However, I highly recommend it; it really challenges your world perspectives (I know a HUGE shock from a philosophy class). ~THE IMPORTANT STUFF~ Grade Breakdown: -Twice Weekly Quizzes: 10% -Participation: 10% -1st Essay (250 words): 5% -2nd Essay (500 words): 15% -3rd Essay (1000 words): 30% -4th Essay (1000 words) 30% Extra Credit: -Course Evals: 1% -4 bonus quiz points (If no one plagarizes) Lectures are fun-not mandatory, and the information isn't that hard to understand on your own. However, Gabe does a phenomenal job of explaining everything and he often goes over paper requirements. There are also quizzes (2 questions) due before lecture each week that are based on the readings/ lecture, don't forget those like I did all the time :)) He has handouts every lecture that corresponds to the slides, which he does NOT post online- those little papers will make or break you. Therefore, either get a buddy who will grab you one when you can't make it, sneak in and snatch one, or just go to lecture because its interesting. Oh, also no books, which is terrific because we're all poor. 10/10 would recommend.
Fall 2019 - Professor Greenberg is a fantastic lecturer; he is engaging and funny enough. I stay attentive for most of the lectures. He loves discussing concepts with students and is very approachable. The class content is also very interesting. Your TA makes or breaks your grade. There is no midterm or final, just 4 papers; very short but graded relatively harshly. This class is a very doable A but I would not call it easy, especially if you are unfamiliar with philosophical writing. However, I highly recommend it; it really challenges your world perspectives (I know a HUGE shock from a philosophy class). ~THE IMPORTANT STUFF~ Grade Breakdown: -Twice Weekly Quizzes: 10% -Participation: 10% -1st Essay (250 words): 5% -2nd Essay (500 words): 15% -3rd Essay (1000 words): 30% -4th Essay (1000 words) 30% Extra Credit: -Course Evals: 1% -4 bonus quiz points (If no one plagarizes) Lectures are fun-not mandatory, and the information isn't that hard to understand on your own. However, Gabe does a phenomenal job of explaining everything and he often goes over paper requirements. There are also quizzes (2 questions) due before lecture each week that are based on the readings/ lecture, don't forget those like I did all the time :)) He has handouts every lecture that corresponds to the slides, which he does NOT post online- those little papers will make or break you. Therefore, either get a buddy who will grab you one when you can't make it, sneak in and snatch one, or just go to lecture because its interesting. Oh, also no books, which is terrific because we're all poor. 10/10 would recommend.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - Prof. Greenberg is a nice guy who was very accommodating during the pandemic. There were 6 homework assignments that mostly consisted of building different "circuits" and an extra credit paper one could write for up to 10% of your grade. You are able to work with a small group on the homework assignments which is cool because if you have a good group, you'll have a good support network for asking questions and getting the homework done. If you are someone who enjoys or is good at symbolic logic, then this class will be pretty straightforward and I recommend taking it. If not, this class could potentially be pretty difficult as it is all about conceptualizing coding/logic gates into different circuits. Also, the professor made his own website and wrote his own book for the class which are both pretty amazing and easy to follow.
Winter 2021 - Prof. Greenberg is a nice guy who was very accommodating during the pandemic. There were 6 homework assignments that mostly consisted of building different "circuits" and an extra credit paper one could write for up to 10% of your grade. You are able to work with a small group on the homework assignments which is cool because if you have a good group, you'll have a good support network for asking questions and getting the homework done. If you are someone who enjoys or is good at symbolic logic, then this class will be pretty straightforward and I recommend taking it. If not, this class could potentially be pretty difficult as it is all about conceptualizing coding/logic gates into different circuits. Also, the professor made his own website and wrote his own book for the class which are both pretty amazing and easy to follow.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2020 - If you're a cognitive science major. TAKE. THIS. CLASS. I cannot emphasize this enough. It is by far the most relevant class to the major. It's honestly a joke that UCLA forces you to take a neuroscience class despite it being pure memorization of information you'll forget promptly after finals. This class not only gives you the major implications of cognitive science, but it actually sticks with you way after finals week is over. I know you're a cognitive science major because you like big picture questions. Don't take that stupid psychology elective that says inflammatory things based off of tiny sample sizes. Take Philos 133. Also, this class is like the avatar. But instead of being the bridge between spirits and humans, it's the bridge between philosophy and science. One day Greenberg will be talking about the principles of computation and computer science, and the next day he'll be talking about its existential implications on our mind. This class was full of mic drops and I had an absolute blast. If this class is being offered, I cannot urge you fast enough to hit that enroll button. Just do it. You won't regret it.
Spring 2020 - If you're a cognitive science major. TAKE. THIS. CLASS. I cannot emphasize this enough. It is by far the most relevant class to the major. It's honestly a joke that UCLA forces you to take a neuroscience class despite it being pure memorization of information you'll forget promptly after finals. This class not only gives you the major implications of cognitive science, but it actually sticks with you way after finals week is over. I know you're a cognitive science major because you like big picture questions. Don't take that stupid psychology elective that says inflammatory things based off of tiny sample sizes. Take Philos 133. Also, this class is like the avatar. But instead of being the bridge between spirits and humans, it's the bridge between philosophy and science. One day Greenberg will be talking about the principles of computation and computer science, and the next day he'll be talking about its existential implications on our mind. This class was full of mic drops and I had an absolute blast. If this class is being offered, I cannot urge you fast enough to hit that enroll button. Just do it. You won't regret it.
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