Mark Kingwell - University of Toronto - St. George Campus, Toronto, ON

Professor: Mark Kingwell

Department: Philosophy

College: University of Toronto - St. George Campus, Toronto, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A good talker. But as a prof. He is limited. Should be sent off like a monastic scribe to read and research. Thats what hes best at. Be ready for exam that has 8 percent to do with what he actually babbles about. Avoid. Not worth it as an undergrad prof.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHL217
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

super cool, 217 had lots of reading but Kingwell brought it altogether so well, like a KING, welllllllll, anywayyyyyys, take it

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: TBB199
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You get a lot out of his class, but only if you do the readings (and the readings are substantial - a (short?) novel per week). And it's absolutely worth it. Assignments are also super fun, though you do need to put in the work!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: TBB199
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His knowledge on literature is endless. Seriously. I bet you could name any novel and he will know exactly what you are talking about, plus a full biography of the author. Brilliant prof, and he makes classes beyond entertaining. I looked forward to the seminar every week. You MUST read the books assigned BUT they were unfailingly enjoyable!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHL217H1F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His exam was so bizarre! He told us what he'll test us on mostly, but included maybe 2 terms and 8 other terms that we barely/never discussed in class. There's a lot of reading to do (finish one PHL book every week). Also, the TAs were not helpful at all bc the TAs and Kingwell fought (?), but this wasn't even clarified in class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHL217H1F
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Made TA's hate him so much in the first month that they went on work to rule. Came under review for having too much material in the course so he had to change the syllabus - because of this he made a lot of readings "optional", but relied on them heavily (so, they weren't really optional). Insanely hard. Impossible to follow along. Don't do it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHL217H1F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kingwell is very passionate about the material he teaches and it shows in his lectures and the way he presents the material. He makes sure to distinguish between his own interpretation of the material, what the philosopher may have intended, and what others have said to avoid bias. His lectures are funny and he is very approachable.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: TBB199
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Keeps your attention, good sense of humor, casual

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHL217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kingwell's lectures were engaging. However, this "survey" course ended up being too crowded, and as a result, became superficial (most of the information we learned could've been learned by going on wikipedia). That was a shame, as Professor Kingwell is probably one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject. He tried to do too much.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHL217H1F
• 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:

Clear lectures, but not thorough. That is, he did not cover works extensively, but instead, gave overall pictures. I managed to end the course with an 87, but the final examination seemed like it was recycling questions from his Aesthetics exam. Some concepts were only mentioned in passing, but still appeared on the exam. Great lecturer though.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHL217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Would take again, and again, and again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHL285
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HOT, KOOL, 1ST KLASS GUY, MAKES U THINK, BEST EVR!!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHL217
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The lectures are superficial.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHL285
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Kingwell is very insightful if you really pay attention. His class can get really boring though. He also doesn't use powerpoints so you better make sure you attend every class and take good notes! The guest speakers were the highlight of this course. The essays were difficult and so was the grading. Overall an enlightening experience in aesthetics.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHL285
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very little relevance between assigned readings and lectures. Made his own book mandatory reading and then did not discuss it all. Can be an engaging lecturer, although seems uninterested most of the time.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: TBB199
• 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:

It was okay I guess... not a huge fan, especially with a 6-8 page essay + review that had to be written within a week...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• 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:

I completely agree with what a previous commenter posted: he is crystal clear if you pay good attention to what he is saying. What he says is not only clear but very, very insightful for someone just stepping into philosophy!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHL100
• 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:

Fantastic! I love him, I love him, I love him. One of my role models.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kingwell was dope. He's got class and finesse ? he doesn't lecture, he performs. I understand he's very sought after, both in the university and in broader academia. Couldn't recommend him more highly.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class and this prof are the reasons why I majored in philosophy. I'm now in my 3rd year and having taken this class in my 1st year I can still easily say this was the best class I ever took. The material is difficult, but if you're into it it will work. Kingwell is brilliant and if you pay attention is quite clear. Amazing class, amazing prof!