Michael Hymers - Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Professor: Michael Hymers

Department: Philosophy

College: Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3300
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Smart, funny and approachable. What more could you want in a prof

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

What a brilliant person. This is my first class with him and I am not disappointed. He is approachable and funny but also intimidatingly smart. Lectures, though filled with difficult material, are presented in a caring and humble manner.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hymers is good at lectures because he is so knowledgable, but it seems that his view is the only one that is correct. This is philosophy, there will always be separate views on a topic, so I did not participate much in the lectures because I did not want to get shut down by him. He is good to ask for help though, wants you to succeed in the course.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1000
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hated philosophy and he was pretty boring

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• 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:

Super smart and clear. Definitely will spike your interest in philosophy if you take his course.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHILLANG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A wonderful and intelligent man with no actual skill in teaching or communicating. If you know where he's coming from, you'll be alright though. I would recommend avoiding his 1000-2000 level classes and taking as many of the 3000-4000 level classes as you can.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1000
• 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:

Marking for papers highly arbitrary. Discussions are one-sided in this class. It's clear he's taught this enough times before to know ALL the answers. Class attendance is an indication of quality: 50% at best on most days.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This prof likes the read-then-discuss format, but a lot of the students I've talked to find that HE directs the "discussion" regardless of student input. He has all the philosophical answers to all of the questions in the course. I was disappointed.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm not a philosophy fan, but I feel as though he never made things simple, but instead made them five times more confusing than they needed to be. Didn't really appreciate his teaching style, either. Making was fair, though, and the exam was also fair. Class requires a lot of effort, which isn't a problem if you're into the subject.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Loved this class. Hymers actually challenges you to think for yourself and develop your ability to clearly articulate what you think and why you believe it. I found the reading material challenging but very interesting. He will answer anything you ask. You have to work in this class..imagine that...expecting to work in order to learn...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• 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:

Awesome teacher, fun classes, nice clear examples, nice sense of humor =)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• 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 prof. He encourages people to develop opinions on very important topics, and by doing so he teaches you how to debate. After taking this class, I'm not scared to object to someone's stance on a controversial subject. I wish I could take more of his classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• 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:

Hymers likes to hear himself talk. Although i dont want to say it, he knows his stuff. He is very knowledgable, but if you have any questions for him, you are better off asking a TA.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hymers was definitely one of the smartest people I have ever encountered in my life. His debates in class would open up your mind to many different kinds of arguments to philosophical issues. The grammar assignments were very annoying, did nothing but bring grades down. He's very hard to impress, so don't expect an amazing mark unless you wow him.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The material given to conincide with grammar exercises is vague, and the excises themselves are frustrating. Hymers is a good man; clever and funny. He does mark quite hard, prompting me to drop the class, if its still a viable option at this point. Don't be too dissuaded though, it can be a good experience if you're willing to put in the effort.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• 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:

he is really good at getting the class involved. he does not just listing off random boring facts. He really knows his stuff and would give more back ground information that you could ever want/need to know. Really funny, and very approachable outside class, by far my favourite prof.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hymers is awesome, he's extremely smart and can lead you to knowledge you didn't know was possible. But you can't appreciate him unless you have a genuine appreciation for the class and aren't taking it because you have to. He's clear, he repeats everything 10 times but you have to listen. He's a good marker, and his class is really interesting.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Makes things overly complicated. While he clearly has a passion for the subject he makes things confusing and marks incredibly hard without making it evident what he is looking for in an answer. He seems like a very nice person, but not a very nice professor.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is way too smart to be teaching undergraduates. He just does not know how to knock it down a few so people can actually get what he is talking about, although when you approach him he is very helpful, he means well.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

omg where do i start, his class is so boring..and his grammer tests and are so hard... eveyrone i know falls asleep in the class or just doesnt go.. he can be funny but that is drowned out by the boredom he secretes.. he needs a haircut as well.. anywyas good luck with the guy