Brian Smith - College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL

Professor: Brian Smith

Department: Philosophy

College: College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Brian prints out the material so you don't need to buy any texts. He is a wonderful person and makes lecture more interesting by adding a little of his personal experience. If you don't understand the text, he always goes more in depth in class. He does give 4 thought papers which are basically take home essays.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Too ideological. He does a fair job of covering the basics, but you get the impression that he wants to use philosophy to get people to subscribe to a specific and partisan political agenda. I once caught him misrepresenting the etymology of a word to make a political point, and then he acted like the dictionary was subjective.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The reading is hard. It's philosophers who wrote 100-200 years ago in other languages that were translated to English. Not much you can do about that. Brian gives clear current examples so you can understand the concepts, he answers questions and encourages participation. Drops lowest paper grade, if most people miss a test question he drops it

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mr. Smith is an amazing man and I respect him more than I can explain. He genuinely cares about his students and is always willing to help you out (in class and in the outside world). His lectures are relatable to students and I always laughed. Thought papers can be tough but if you put in the time you will get an A. I would love to take him again!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

BEST PROFESSOR EVER! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU TAKE HIS COURSE! Such an amazing teacher! Gives great discussions and is so helpful! He really cares for his students! Class is easy if you work for it! :)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The GREATEST prof I have ever had! Never went a day without laughing in class and loving the subjects! Extremely helpful and cares about his students! Would love to have him as my prof for EVERY class! He doesn't read his ratings but he'd love them! SO GREAT!!! Definitely take his class if the opportunity is there!!! :)

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor is a 60 year old kid. Lots of discussion in class. Leans toward Marxism.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHI125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is not only an awsome teacher, he's an awsome person! If he's teaching a class you want/need to take, take it with him! You won't be sorry! I don't even NEED to take anymore of the classes he teaches but I WANT to, because he's just that good!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is really awesome he just wants to have a class discussion not to much work just some short readings. He explains everything and watches simpsons episodes in class. If you do well in the class he lets you not take the final.. he is SUPER nice very relaxed I HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brian is honestly one of the nicest, most respectful person I have met!! He is extremely smart, hes goofy...but it makes you LOVE coming to class-they go by so fast!! I wish I could take him every class, every subject!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brian is an incredible individual who will rock your world in philosophy. He used Simpsons themes to make points about his teachings. The only real challenge in this class is the midterm. Some of the reading can be intimidating but he explains the material the next day. Love this man to death.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING/NICEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET!! I will be incredibly lucky to find another teacher like Brian. Take his class!!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Most wonderful and kind soul i've ever met. Made an effort to say hello to each student before class and would be there for you regardless if it was school related or not. Great teacher made the class interesting and showed no bias's loved his class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing person.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This is the best professor at CLC. If he was a Harry Potter Character, he would be Professor Albus Dubledore. He is part of the trifecta at CLC; Gonder, Tenuto, and Smith. The education you receive from those 3 will change your life.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took PHI 121 with him, and Brian is just great and funny. You can tell that Philosophy is his world, and he also really cares for the students' opinion. His class is a mix of lecture and discussion, and he encourages questions. His class consists of in-class writes, thoughts papers, a midterm, and a final. I recommend taking him for Philosophy!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Please take his ethics class. He will make you and the world better. I wish him Eudaimonia. He is the best.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL128
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The best professor I have ever had. He is an absolutely awesome professor that pours himself into all he does.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHI121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great, passionate teacher who cares about the students grasp of the subject. Not the easiest course, but you won't find a better person to teach it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very helpful, sweet, and intelligent.