Sheldon Smith
Department of Philosophy
AD
3.9
Overall Rating
Based on 20 Users
Easiness 2.4 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 3.9 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 2.7 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 3.8 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Needs Textbook
  • Engaging Lectures
  • Useful Textbooks
  • Appropriately Priced Materials
  • Often Funny
  • Would Take Again
  • Issues PTEs
  • Uses Slides
  • Is Podcasted
GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS
66.3%
55.2%
44.2%
33.1%
22.1%
11.0%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

57.1%
47.6%
38.1%
28.6%
19.0%
9.5%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

37.0%
30.9%
24.7%
18.5%
12.3%
6.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

36.8%
30.7%
24.6%
18.4%
12.3%
6.1%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

25.3%
21.1%
16.9%
12.7%
8.4%
4.2%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

37.5%
31.3%
25.0%
18.8%
12.5%
6.3%
0.0%
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Grade distributions are collected using data from the UCLA Registrar’s Office.

ENROLLMENT DISTRIBUTIONS
Clear marks

Sorry, no enrollment data is available.

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Reviews (6)

1 of 1
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Quarter: Fall 2022
Grade: A
Dec. 30, 2022

Preface: I took this class during the TA-strike; the whole class was awarded full participation points. You do not need to be a math genius to take this class. I took logic as a prereq but you don't need to be advanced.
The Prof: Dr. Smith is so great. His exams are exactly what he covered in lecture making the material feel a lot less intimidating. He's funny and clearly passionate about teaching. He's deeply invested in his students. I went to office hours every once in a while, he always answered questions clearly and in detail. He's a very popular professor.
TA: I had Alonso Molina. Honestly, I would get more confused when he explained things to me BUT I went over my study guide answers with him before the midterm and he helped a lot. He told me what I should pay close attention to and what I could improve on. Again this is just the study guide.. but filling out the study guide helps for the exam.
Material/Workload: not bad but not great. Definitely keep up with the readings, try to stay consistent with notes. I usually took notes after lecture but I think that taking notes before would have been an advantage. The material is DRY and convoluted as hell. McTaggart can eat his heart out, I can't stand his theories. Luckily Smith explains it very well. Things get better with Block theory, Growing Block, theories of space, and Minkowski spacetime. It's hard but lecture makes it easier. The material is hard but honestly, Smith makes it worth it. I love philosophy; I'm glad I took this class because now I know what this side of philosophy is. I still prefer Nietzsche, Fanon, and Korsgaard.
Exams: 1 Midterm, 1 5-6 page essay, and a final. Stressful but it's what one expects in a philosophy class. You need to keep up with readings though. Exams are generally composed of a series of essay questions (6-7) where you pick two to answer. You are well prepared for them in lecture but to get an A you need to expound upon what was taught in the book. I rephrased things and explained how I taught myself the concepts, I talked about it with my TA, and I created my quizlets. I practiced writing my answers and then I took the exam. It's not easy but you can have a system for it.
Overall: Definitely take it. The grade distribution is undeniable. The material is hard but it's digestible. Prof Smith is fantastic and the TA's want you to succeed. This class is much more interested in seeing you do well rather than pick you apart. I would definitely take it again.

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Quarter: Fall 2020
Grade: N/A
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
Dec. 16, 2020

Professor Smith is absolutely amazing. Not only are the video lectures extremely clear and helpful, he is very kind and compassionate and you can tell he genuinely cares about his students. Just from watching his lectures it is evident that he enjoys what he does. The class is straightforward with two test and one final paper. If you keep up with the video lectures and understand them the tests will be easy enough. Overall I would definitely recommend Professor Smith.

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Quarter: Fall 2020
Grade: I
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
Oct. 27, 2020

Professor Smith does a really good job at making difficult subjects seem very easy. He doesn't ramble on and repeat himself. He gets to the point while also making sure everyone is on track! I would really recommend him!

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Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: A-
June 8, 2018

One of my very favorite classes at UCLA-- Professor is very funny and kind. Helpful in office hours. Material is engaging.
Some concepts can be difficult at first but honestly I didn't find the reading a problem. Grade seems to depend more on the TA .

Helpful?

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Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Feb. 1, 2011

Great professor. Definitely knows his subject and knows how to throw in a little humor every now and then to these philosophy classes that are so often dry.

Helpful?

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Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 7, 2010

Great teacher. Breaks down hard concepts and makes them easy to understand. Pay attention in lecture and you should do fine.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2022
Grade: A
Dec. 30, 2022

Preface: I took this class during the TA-strike; the whole class was awarded full participation points. You do not need to be a math genius to take this class. I took logic as a prereq but you don't need to be advanced.
The Prof: Dr. Smith is so great. His exams are exactly what he covered in lecture making the material feel a lot less intimidating. He's funny and clearly passionate about teaching. He's deeply invested in his students. I went to office hours every once in a while, he always answered questions clearly and in detail. He's a very popular professor.
TA: I had Alonso Molina. Honestly, I would get more confused when he explained things to me BUT I went over my study guide answers with him before the midterm and he helped a lot. He told me what I should pay close attention to and what I could improve on. Again this is just the study guide.. but filling out the study guide helps for the exam.
Material/Workload: not bad but not great. Definitely keep up with the readings, try to stay consistent with notes. I usually took notes after lecture but I think that taking notes before would have been an advantage. The material is DRY and convoluted as hell. McTaggart can eat his heart out, I can't stand his theories. Luckily Smith explains it very well. Things get better with Block theory, Growing Block, theories of space, and Minkowski spacetime. It's hard but lecture makes it easier. The material is hard but honestly, Smith makes it worth it. I love philosophy; I'm glad I took this class because now I know what this side of philosophy is. I still prefer Nietzsche, Fanon, and Korsgaard.
Exams: 1 Midterm, 1 5-6 page essay, and a final. Stressful but it's what one expects in a philosophy class. You need to keep up with readings though. Exams are generally composed of a series of essay questions (6-7) where you pick two to answer. You are well prepared for them in lecture but to get an A you need to expound upon what was taught in the book. I rephrased things and explained how I taught myself the concepts, I talked about it with my TA, and I created my quizlets. I practiced writing my answers and then I took the exam. It's not easy but you can have a system for it.
Overall: Definitely take it. The grade distribution is undeniable. The material is hard but it's digestible. Prof Smith is fantastic and the TA's want you to succeed. This class is much more interested in seeing you do well rather than pick you apart. I would definitely take it again.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
Quarter: Fall 2020
Grade: N/A
Dec. 16, 2020

Professor Smith is absolutely amazing. Not only are the video lectures extremely clear and helpful, he is very kind and compassionate and you can tell he genuinely cares about his students. Just from watching his lectures it is evident that he enjoys what he does. The class is straightforward with two test and one final paper. If you keep up with the video lectures and understand them the tests will be easy enough. Overall I would definitely recommend Professor Smith.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
COVID-19 This review was submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your experience may vary.
Quarter: Fall 2020
Grade: I
Oct. 27, 2020

Professor Smith does a really good job at making difficult subjects seem very easy. He doesn't ramble on and repeat himself. He gets to the point while also making sure everyone is on track! I would really recommend him!

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: Fall 2017
Grade: A-
June 8, 2018

One of my very favorite classes at UCLA-- Professor is very funny and kind. Helpful in office hours. Material is engaging.
Some concepts can be difficult at first but honestly I didn't find the reading a problem. Grade seems to depend more on the TA .

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
Feb. 1, 2011

Great professor. Definitely knows his subject and knows how to throw in a little humor every now and then to these philosophy classes that are so often dry.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
Quarter: N/A
Grade: N/A
March 7, 2010

Great teacher. Breaks down hard concepts and makes them easy to understand. Pay attention in lecture and you should do fine.

Helpful?

0 0 Please log in to provide feedback.
1 of 1
3.9
Overall Rating
Based on 20 Users
Easiness 2.4 / 5 How easy the class is, 1 being extremely difficult and 5 being easy peasy.
Clarity 3.9 / 5 How clear the class is, 1 being extremely unclear and 5 being very clear.
Workload 2.7 / 5 How much workload the class is, 1 being extremely heavy and 5 being extremely light.
Helpfulness 3.8 / 5 How helpful the class is, 1 being not helpful at all and 5 being extremely helpful.

TOP TAGS

  • Needs Textbook
    (2)
  • Engaging Lectures
    (3)
  • Useful Textbooks
    (2)
  • Appropriately Priced Materials
    (3)
  • Often Funny
    (2)
  • Would Take Again
    (3)
  • Issues PTEs
    (1)
  • Uses Slides
    (2)
  • Is Podcasted
    (2)
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