I agree with the below reviewer. The class materials were easy (yet boring--one of the midterm problems was that if we can trust a microscope or not, for it can distort our view, or something like that), but the grading was too rigorous. And trust me, that makes this class 'extremely annoying.'

I really don't want to say these kinds of things, but I recommend you to think SERIOUSLY about dropping the class if your TA's name is Sarah... before it is too late. First-handedly it's my fault that I got Bs on my midterm and essay, but she is too meticulous and expects too much for students taking the introductory course, in my opinion.

Philosophy is so GODDAMN stupid! Dr. Smith discusses topics I would never imagine being discussed in a college course, like the term "grue" or possibility that a flame is actually dancing elves?! WTF?! The topic of the class is so stupid to me, BUT I will say Dr. Smith made it fun and entertaining. He does ramble on and on, but you can leave whenever, as long as you have the handout to study. In the end, your grade depends on your TA, since they grade your midterm (30%), final (30%), and paper (40%). Go to your TA and let them proofread over your paper at least once if you want a good grade. I wrote it the night before it was due, bad idea! I got a B/B+ only because I went to my TA and talked to him about it before writing it.

Awesome class, SO easy. Lectures are incredibly boring, but Professor Smith does try to make them more lively by throwing in a couple of jokes here and there as people have mentioned. He distributes handouts every lecture (and posts them online), so as long as you have those, you're set. He literally types out everything you need to know and then reads you the handout in lecture.

The only reason lectures were so long was because people asked so many questions and got into arguments over details of the philosophical concepts he was discussing. As a South Campus major, I really didn't care all that much about philosophy and I just wanted an easy GE. He gives you a study guide with everything you need to know and if you get past exams from the test bank, I'm pretty sure he reuses test questions. The essay is worth a large percentage of your grade, so make sure you talk to your TA beforehand. Justin was a really chill TA and thank goodness I got him, because I heard some of the other TA's were picky about grading.

prof. smith is very much caring, funny and just good! i guess i can see how some people thought the topics were boring, but here is my opinion: this class tells all about the mind of scientists and just solely looking at the world of science/scientists from the philosopher's point of view.

Professor Smith is a very nice, and often funny, but this isn't a super easy GE. The material is extremely boring, and, in my opinion, a lot of bs. Listen to other reviewers, do the reading, and go to lecture (and take good notes), but forget discussion, as it typically tuns into dumb people arguing about irrelevent philosophic viewpoints (very annoying). If you don't mind doing the reading it isn't terribly hard, but don't expect to only study the night before tests and get an A.

Professor Smith was great. The midterms and paper s were very fair, hes very approachable, a funny guy as well. The book is hard to read but his lectures really clear things up. He also hands out summaries for each topic, which REALLY help. I would def take him, I took Phil 8 as a GE and Im glad I took it with Prof. Smith

I took Professor Smith's class for a GE and I'm very happy about it. The reading is pretty dense but the lectures and the in-class handouts really clear things up. Lectures are pretty engaging; I got the sense he could tell when class was getting dull and he usually threw in a funny joke to get the students up again. Tests are pretty easy... just attend lecture and do the reading to support it if you want. My TA was pretty knowledgeable, but going to section wasn't really necessary. Philosophy 8 is a good class.

I thought Professor Smith was really good. He explains the concepts he presents in class very well and if you don't understand a concept, asking him well definitely clear things up. Although he makes you read the Theory and Reality book which confuses me, with his lectures, everything is much more clear. Although the TA for discussion doesn't help much, he definitely does.

The information in the class is interesting. He gives handouts at every lecture and they are what the test is based off of, so use them. He gives study guides for both tests. Go to lecture just to get the handouts. They aren't necessary and are very long, although he does try to get a couple jokes in. The grading is VERY subjective. My TA didn't mark anything off on one of my essays and when I approached her, she justified it by saying that she 'still gave me a good score'. So....watch out for that. Make it seem like you care and be VERY specific on the essay section of the exams. He said there was a page limit, but it wasn't strictly enforced. All in all, I'd take the class again. It's not difficult, just make nice with your TA. :)

So Phil 8 is an extremely EASY g.e, but it is also the most RIDICULOUS class i've taken.
Don't take this class, unless you want to deal with stupidity the whole quarter.
Unless of course you're a Phil major.
Sheldon Smith, the most boring guy ever! He's nice, and super approachable but he is extremely boring in class.
Midterm and Final, super easy but some of the T.A's are extremely picky which sucks.
Just my advice, don't take this philosophy, if your a science major, unless there's no other option.