Donna Quesada - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: Donna Quesada

Department: Philosophy

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHILO1
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

All you need for this class is a blue book as you do write ups on movies in class. She is extremely nice and lenient. If you pay attention during the movies, participate in her discussions, and do the final and feature project you should be able to pass the class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Instructions were usually clear but her exams were not, no study guide would show old videos so you can´t rewatch. Also, she had meditation days where that's all you did (wasted time). Has extra credit but most of them are far places(temples). Buying her CDs and offered us extra credit is not supporting artists. Not organized and incredibly vague.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Quesada is extremely knowledgeable in her field of eastern philosophy. I'm glad to have taken this class with her because her background and personal experience makes class more interesting. She shares personal stories that makes it refreshing and different.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHILO1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Quesada is a very sweet, intelligent woman which is especially great when learning philosophy. We watched thought provoking movies and discussed them afterwards. All you need is a bluebook to answer essay style questions throughout the semester. Definitely recommend her.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This professor is extremely biased against Western religion (i.e. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism). She treats her personal views/beliefs as universally correct. Her class was an easy A though. There was a lot of extra credit.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class was very refreshing. We watched films and used philosophy at the same time. The films that we watched were unique, inspirational, and just made you think about life in a different perspective. Quesada is really nice and is full of positive vibes. You will be needing a Blue Book so you can answer short easy questions about the films :)

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Such an amazing teacher. Took her for the summer course and we watched films the entire time. Short discussions in class and always wrote in our blue books. Blue books are super important in the class but very easy. Will get an A if you show up, do the work, and come on time!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PH22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Take her in the summer or winter when class is smaller. She's cool & funny, just don't rub her the wrong way. You don't have to buy anything. Some ECs use CDs but you can choose. Be on time & you'll be fine

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHILOSOPHY22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This teacher is easy but a pain. We had to buy her CDs and offered us extra credit for proof;a HUGE ethics violation. Her grading criteria is incredibly vague and she comes off as incredibly condescending on her syllabus and her assignments. She often decided to give us assignments randomly for no clear reason. the worst class I've had so far!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This is a fun class esp since u can meditate and watch Alan Watts videos! Being generally fascinated by the topic of spiritual awakening (nirvana, moksha, etc) is going to serve u well for the course. I believe this class is very beneficial even if u r familiar to eastern thought as we learn about things we wouldn't otherwise in an academic setting

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class is easy. Take it right now in winter, no homework so far just show up in her class and bring your Blue Book you will be fine. She stamp the book. If you miss one stamp you also have chance to fix it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class is extremely easy. 10/10 would recommend again, you again a lot and very easy. Took the summer course, we were always let out at least 30 minutes early. Only had 3 quizzes each 20 minutes. One homework assignment. Just had to do a small project at the end, either go vegetarian or mediate for 4 days and write about it. Do not buy the book.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• 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:

This class is an easy A. Professor Quesada is such a nice and funny person. She requires all her students to have a blue book to do assignments in throughout the semester. She stamps them and at the end of the semester she collects it and grades them. There are 3 quizzes each on a different topic and they are based on the lecture.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A good class. Subject is interesting and Quesada is good. Its true she doesnt show patience for certain things, but, umm, as long as you read the syllabus and follow directions, youll be fine. She actually helped me a lot, if youre sincere and serious as a student, shes really cool. Love the meditations.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Must attend each lecture! She will randomly assign a blue book assignment and stamp it in class (If you miss a stamp 10 points is deducted). VERY easy A. Teacher can be sometimes rude, and makes very awkward jokes in class. READ the syllabus before asking a question, because if it's posted there you will just make her angry...

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PH22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was an easy class. The work isn't difficult as long as you do your part and read. The biggest problem was this lady's terrible attitude. She's very arrogant and conceited. Even though her class was a walk in the park, I would recommend taking a teacher that is actually polite and not condescending.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHILO22
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You can't go wrong by taking this class. The class is pretty much an easy A but you should really follow along in class, and if you do you should be fine. Do the extra credits, and you'll find yourself not stressing about this class one bit. Good luck! :)

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class is like fresh air compared to the typical academic routine. You still learn, but the topics are all about spirituality, so you get to meditate and talk about life along w yoga philosophy, zen & metaphysics. It's not just abstract theories, she relates it to life. 3 quizzes, not hard if you go to class. Daily project book, so have to go anyway

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHILO22
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Alright, so this class was jokes. Quesada is a sweet lady and all, but honestly doesnt take much to ace it. I barely listened to lecture, usually was asleep, and a day before a test i read her book and got hundreds on them. However, if you dont ace tests she offers a ton of extra credit, but they all require money; dont be cheap it might save you.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL22
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I didn't click on Easy A because you have to go to class or you won't get the activity points, meaning you can't just show up now and then and expect an A. However, if you do go, then you can easily get an A if you follow her topics. As for prof Q, she's awesome, very sweet and wise can be funny at times. You will meditate which is cool.