David Billings - Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Professor: David Billings

Department: Philosophy

College: Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Billings is a very laid back guy. While his class isn't always exciting, it's not boring either, and good for an intro class. His grading is point-based and he gives a ton of different opportunities to earn points. Basically, if you put the effort in, you should be able to get an A relatively easily, assuming you can write pretty well. Go

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favorite class in college so far.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Philosophy is really hard and I was scared to take this class. I did really poorly on the midterm and talked to professor billings in his office to talk about it. He is super understanding and helpful. I ended up doing well in the class and even enjoyed philosophy (a little). Ive never had a kinder professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Funny. Nice guy.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL135
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lots of work, but not a hard grader if you do everything.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Didn't think I would like philosophy -- but I changed my mind. Take Billings

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading and weekly (short) reflection papers. Exams are take home and timed. Attend class and do homework and you'll get a decent grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

David Billings expects a lot, but otherwise he's a great professor. He is able to explain content clearly, and his lectures tend to be fairly entertaining as well as understandable. Tests and quizzes are open note and timed, so take lots of notes and you'll pass.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Billings is a really good professor. If you're taking a philosophy class because it is required and you don't necessarily "want" to be taking the class, then Billings is your guy. He makes the class pretty enjoyable, and the class isn't super hard. I would recommend to anyone, but especially to those who aren't real big on philosophy

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I didn't know a thing about philosophy and I'm glad he was the one who introduced me to it. He's passionate about philosophy and loves when students ask questions. There's a lot of reading, but that's the only hard part. The quizzes are a breeze if you've done the reading and just take notes in lecture and you'll get a good grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

For a core class, it wasn't bad. He is very enthusiastic about what he does so it is not a boring class. There are 2 take home tests throughout the semester which are open note. All tests, quizzes, and final are open note. You MUST read AND attend class in order to pass. If you show up with the reading done, you shouldn't have a problem w/this clas

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Expect very long readings ever day. He gives a short paper every week that he grades with completion. You do it you get an A. He gives two essay tests and an exam at the end of the year. And gives 1-2 long essays throughout the year. He doesn't give a lot of A. He gives B and C a lot. Doesn't give many F.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL135
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Billings was a great professor. He really knows his material and is passionate about it. He assigns long readings, but they are usually pretty interesting. He does not go over everything in class though. Tests are long essay, so as long as you understand the material, you will do fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Engaging teacher. He understands most people in the class are taking the class because they have to, but he tries to make it interesting. He is exciting and loves what he is teaching.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I recommend him for intro philosophy. He is enthusiastic and loves to teach it. There are writing assignments each week on the readings, but they are very simple.. as long as you actually read! TAKE HOME EXAMS. Three main tests are taken on Moodle so that is very nice. He claims to be a tough grader, but I managed to get an A.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 153
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you read the material thoroughly, pay attention in lecture, you will do fine. Pop quizzes, tests, everything is open note. Very interesting man, you will not be bored.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Billings understands if you're only there for core. Exams are timed online essays. Lots of reading, but if you put in effort, you're bound to get a good grade. Almost everything is open note (if you took the notes that is). Not a bad option for core.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Billings is nice but the class has been pretty rough for me. He is the opposite of concise and assigns a ton of reading. Sometimes its worth it, but I wish he assigned key pages instead of huge sections and then only lecturing on the few pages.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Meh. I liked Billings, I just didn't love philosophy. He is a decent prof who tries to make it pretty understandable but I also hear Harric doesn't give tests. This would be a good class to audit; anyway, Billings is a pretty nice dude, cares a lot about some bizarre philosophy ideas. If you are taking Phil for core, he is a pretty good option.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI153
• 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:

SUCH A GOOD PROF. Really passionate about the subject and super engaging. And so cool. He makes philosophy extremely understandable. No exams, but timed online essays and you get to pick which question to answer. Take good notes and highlight a lot!