Joe Tarala - Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

Professor: Joe Tarala

Department: Philosophy

College: Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL190
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Tarala is a good man. The class is simple and straightforward. I personally thought the class was an easy A, but for some reason, other students didn't all get A's. But Tarala's exams are abstruse or erudite (lol jking, no they are regular). I only put in an average of 1.5 hours of work a week (just the reading), and ended up with an A. Recommend.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL19001
• 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:

One of the best professors I have ever had. He had health issues the year I took him and we got a sub and that was why I got a C. But Tarala made every class interesting and made me really think. Although if you do not enjoy speaking in front of people I do not recommend it because there are a lot of little papers he assigns and oral presentations.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL193
• 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:

If you want to take Philosophy of Religion, Professor Tarala is the right teacher for you. I took his class and the way he teachers is very joyful, clear, and times goes quick. He was a passion for philosophy and his test are based on what notes you take and the terms in the back of each chapter. Excellent professor, wise and very funny as well.!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL193
• 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:

really great teacher that is 110% passionate about the topic. gives easy in class thought provoking short essays. never any homework and only 1 major project. had unfortunate health issues the semester i had him so we got a sub. at the end so things were unorganized but if he would have stayed it wouldve been great. take him!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL190
• 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:

Tarala is one of the best professors I have ever met. He's funny and offers many of his own life experiences to aid the instruction of class. Yes, he talks about his cat Cyrus too much. But generally, Tarala stimulates a lot of thinking. Excellent man. A shame he fell so ill when I had him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I attempted to take Philosophy. I thought it was going to be a great class, until i met the teacher. He is horrible! He lectures all class long and the notes we take have nothing to do with the tests! I even read the book and still failed the tests, if you don't mind endless hours of studying then this is the class for you. pass him up!

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I'm a philosophy major now, i had tarala before i transferred. terrible teacher, more preoccupied about his personal life than to being a good thought provoking teacher. he lectures, gives you the chapter then on the test asks a random and arbitrary question thats completely random. unless you can dedicate hours of mindless studying, pass him up.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I'm a philosophy major now, i had tarala before i transferred. terrible teacher, more preoccupied about his personal life than to being a good thought provoking teacher. he lectures, gives you the chapter then on the test asks a random and arbitrary question thats completely random. unless you can dedicate hours of mindless studying, pass him up.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL290
• 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! The review for the tests explain everything that is going to be on it. One presentation, easy to do. If you fail this class you are a loser and shouldn't be in school.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good Philosophy class! The class starts out a bit boring, but picks up. He is an odd man! Anyway, it was a good class. It was not very hard, just do the reading and assignments and you should get at least a B. It could be an easy A. Strang man! Did I mention that? Very strange!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHILE01
• 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:

He is a great teacher. If you read the chapters and understand them his lectures make them that much clearer. Always holds open discussions, and I was able to make a lot of friends in his class. He was very laid back, and interesting, but he does expect you to do the work.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A total weirdo... All he talked about were his cats and Project Katherine every class. Lectures were totally irrelevant to the test. Never took attendance, never handed back our extra credit that he said would bump us up a letter grade if we did a "good job" whatever that would be. A bizarre man, take philosophy with another professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• 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:

Lect/class is interesting. Tests are unconventional. Short essays on test. Study voc words, read chap/summary. Attend is importance esp for those stud that are struggling in his class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Tarala was the BEST! I absolutely loved him, and wish that I had the time to take another class with him. He is passionate about his teaching - not something you find at OCC

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Spoke about his cat. Had to be reminded what we did previously as he was busy with other classes to remember. After oral presentation said in future perhaps he should supply a rubric so that students will know what to do. Conveniently cancelled class that was scheduled for review of exam. Wonder if the last three ratings were posted by him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• 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 is a good professor. His tests are not too bad, study and you will be fine- study the vocab. If you like wrestling and cats, then he is the professor for you bc that's all he talks about. He somehow can make philosophy connect to the two. He is pretty funny, and I do like to hear what he has to say next. He's def. a character.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy, very fun and keeps everyone's interest in class. the tests are pretty much textbook oriented and a little tough but its college. its not supposed to be super easy. so if you read, you'll be fine. i loved his class and am taking another one of his soon. definitely recommend

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: INTROPHIL
• 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:

nice guy, a bit strange but very funny. very interesting class to take especially with tarala, no homework just tests, one oral presentation, book report and tons of extra credit available. You don't have to attend class but it would help, everything on the test is in the text. Overall easy and interesting class

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL191
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. Tests aren't too bad. If you read the summaries at the ends of chapters and vocab you will do well. He is good at explaining the tougher philosophic ideas plus he is quite funny.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wow! I had this guy about 10 years ago, and I can not believe he is still in a classroom. A strange man and a worse teacher. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!