Heimir Geirsson - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Heimir Geirsson

Department: Philosophy

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL350
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Attendance was never taken but I never wanted to skip class. Lectures are basically discussions with the entire class and were very eye-opening. If not for required classes I need to take, I would have taken another class with him in a heart-beat. The information and point of view of this course is just great. Really makes you think (in a good way)

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELIG350
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Heimir is a very interesting professor. He has plenty of stories to relate to what we're talking about. However, he can be dificult to understand at times. Be prepared to read A LOT and write A LOT as well. You don't get much feedback and there isn't too many opportunities for points so make everything count.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL 350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor was amazing, very helpful when you need it. He knows his stuff but he expects you to know yours too!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is very interesting. There aren't many points offered, and you have to stay up to date with readings, but he is a great teacher. He knows what he's talking about and he will make you think. But, it's worth the time and effort.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL364
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class consisted of a final and midterm each worth 25% of the grade as well a final paper worth 30% and the remaining 20% was from email responses written over textbook readings. The class was very interesting but if you want to argue with Dr. Geirsson you better be sure that your argument is solid.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

First time I've rated a prof, but this guy deserves a good one. Best teacher I've had at Iastate through Junior year. Ridiculously interesting lectures and tests weren't all that difficult. Overall great teacher. Take his class if you get the chance.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL201
• 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:

Easy guy, very helpful. I took this as a summer class and their was a quiz everyday the first 3 of 4 weeks. If you have taken his Phil 230 class, EVERYTHING is EXACTLY the same (e.g. test, quizzes and notes). He is open-minded and you should be too!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy and all, but doesn not give many points. Random quizzes are given in class so attendance is mandatory. Books are absolutely useless.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy going guy. Class is easy especially if you are open-minded. Test questions are given ahead of time. He gives you three essay questions and you need to write 2 of 3, or you can write 1 and do all the multiple choice "not given ahead of time." Don't bother getting the book.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL364
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You may have some difficulty understanding his Icelandic accent, but he's an interesting lecturer.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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:

Good Teacher. Does tend to express his opinion of moral issues a lot. Even so I thoroughly enjoyed this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher who really knows a lot about his field. Overall, this class is easy as long as you come to class everyday. Tests are essay,but questions given before hand. Course materiel is "controversial" but challenges your mind. And the books are pretty much useless, just fyi.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy! Really knows his stuff and makes you think! Will challange your beliefes and cause you to back up your reasons with facts. Class is interesting and you will learn a lot if you are open minded. Argue with him, he likes it. Random quizzes that you can collaborate on. Test questions in advance-all essay. TA graded hard. Great class!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class is not all that interesting. Quizzes randomly, usually multiple choice and you can talk to others around you. Tests are all essay, which he gives to you ahead of time, and then chooses 2 or 3 to be on the exam, but still hard to do well on.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He made the class interesting and makes you think. He always had a response to a question/comment and he countered arguments well. Class was a lot of fun!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely intelligent person. Although I didn't like some of his methods, I learned a lot. You must have the book on hand and learn the arguments like a logic problem. Overall the class was interesting and worthwhile.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tough class. But he made discussions very interesting. Topics included many contemporary things like death penalty and marriage. He is very funny. Random pop quizzes (but they were usually group quizzes). His tests were challenging and sometimes you didn't know what he wanted. It was okay to disagree as long as your argument was not flawed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Awesome class. He has very very good lectures that are interesting and definitely worth going to. Random pop quizzes so go to class, pay attention in lectures and listen to his examples. He lays out everything you need . Plus he's from Iceland. Sometimes hard to understand but still one of the best classes I have taken at ISU.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is amazing! This is the best class I took all semester. As long as you go to class, you should have no problem passing. He's interesting and he's funny without even trying to be. Great sense of humor. You get into fun discussions about a lot of contemporary issues. He's opinionated but you can disagree as long as you have a good arguement.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although his courses are difficult, he is a GREAT professor! A couple of notes: do your readings (for upper-lever classes an email reponse is required). Don't be afraid to disagree with him, but if you do, back it up with a good argument. Make sure to attend class. It will be difficult to pass the class without doing so.