Doran Smolkin - Kwantlen Polytechnic University-Surrey, Surrey, BC

Professor: Doran Smolkin

Department: Philosophy

College: Kwantlen Polytechnic University-Surrey, Surrey, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was a funny and interesting teacher. Super knowledgeable and makes class entertaining and relatable. Super easy to pass the class but hard to get a good grade. He is a pretty tough grader and felt like my work deserved better then what I got. Make sure you talk in class- only way you can earn full participation marks!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He thinks he is the best and does not like when we contradict his point of view. The essays are not interesting at all because they only let you talk about what is in the textbook. Therefore no critical thinking or creativity needed. Purely copy and past his argument to have +60%

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Doran is a good choice for ethics. The class layout makes it easy to do decent but pretty hard to do well. The class is very self directed as you hand in papers on topics of your choosing at your own pace. He marks hard so make sure you get him to look over stuff (especially longer papers) before you hand them in.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Smolkin is a caring prof, he gets the class to engage in discussion which is good because participation is worth 10% of your grade. If you want to learn how to philosophize this is a good class to take. There are 5 reading responses (due before lecture) and 2 longer papers (due 2 weeks after lecture). There are no exams.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Super simple assignments with very clear instructions on what to do. He's a tough marker though, so make sure you do them well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good lecturer who clearly understands the material well. I skipped lots and missed a big assignment so my grade was very poor, but showing up and taking notes should secure you an A without much difficulty.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is one of my favorite profs at Kwantlen. Aside from being funny, he's very clear when it comes to grading. He'll tell you exactly what to expect on the midterms what he wants. On top of that he will provide you feedback on any outlines or drafts you have. If you go to class and do the work, you'll do just fine

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome guy. Explains everything, goes through notes well. Would take again.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He made this class more interesting than it already is

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

weak and unclear notes, making it hard to prepare for exams. but he will give feedback on practice questions if you show them to him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHILOSOPHY1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very time consuming class. Do not take if you want to get an easy A. Seems like a nice guy out of class, but not someone you would want marking your papers. Made me not want to take another philosophy class ever again. You were warned

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No tests; two essays worth 30% each, as well as 30% participation marks (and you only get the mark if you contribute something that proves that you read the weekly materials). 10% for attendance. Very hard marker. Classes drag on. Not one of my choices again. If you are superb at philosophical essays, you may do well.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

very hard marker for 2 essays and in class participation 30%

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1100
• 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:

Amazing teacher. He made me want to go to class. He explained everything in a way that everyone could understand and went out of his way to make sure he taught us what we needed to know. Super nice and fair marker.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• 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:

Genuine and down to earth guy! Is thorough with his lectures in making sure students understand the material. Class participation marks weighs heavy so stay away if you want to get an easy A. Class time drags by if you zone out so pay attention!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1100
• 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:

Doran is a great Prof. We had 2 essays, attendance which was mandatory and participation worth 30%. That being said it was a great class. Just speak every single class and you should be fine!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• 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:

Doran is an awesome prof. He is by far my favorite teacher at kwantlen. His lectures are interesting especially if you're doing the readings. He is really open to other's arguments and really encourages students to participate. Would take a class with him every semester if I could. I always looked forward to going to his class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHILL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Is a really good prof. Good lectures makes things interesting, would take again. Is some what of a hard marker on exams asks for fine details. One Midterm and two Essays plus Participation. I liked him, made class interesting.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• 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:

Fantastic! Doran is by far one of the best profs at Kwantlen. He literally spells the answers out for you. It's easy if you care to come to class and take diligent notes. He makes excellent use of class times and gives out easy participation marks. Doran is brilliant and passionate! Already, my writing has improved substantially. Take him!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3119
• 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:

Awesome professor very smart and clear. Only gripe is his classes are harder than most ethics classes, a lot more readings and papers. Basically he's really good but there is usually a lot of work in his classes.