Michael McMahan - College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA

Professor: Michael McMahan

Department: Philosophy

College: College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is not an easy A. You have to read a lot and he grades very harshly. Trust me when I say he does not treat this class as an introductory class. He is not understanding of your situation and does not respond to your emails. There are two essays due at the end of class and don't sleep on the discussions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Michael McMahan was very difficult. We had to read hundreds upon hundreds of pages of literature none of which he actually used any useful material on. You will find yourself finding resources from out of nowhere. He is of no use. He makes wild accusations upon no basis of claim to help out in return. Horrible teacher Dont take! Lazy teacher!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lack of professional writing skills. Spelling errors that drive you insane, hopefully due to carelessness. Extremely rude and cold if you reach out. Still disappointed by the experience, 2 yrs later. Asked to reschedule final exam months prior, but he insulted my employer instead. The only option for the final was a 2-hr time frame on certain day

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, but definitely a lot of work (took him over summer). Gave great feedback until towards the end there was not enough time for him to give everyone feedback. So, you may be left wondering why you received low scores. Make sure not to be biased or include personal experiences unless ASKED for them. Otherwise, you'll do fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

Was not clear about grade requirements. Ended the class with a B but failed because participation was not made clear.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this winter semester 2015 and I thought the class would be extremely hard, it's not just a lot of work. You had to buy Sophie's world (which I had a copy) and read parts of it for the online quizzes. They were tough honestly so take notes while you read. He was tough with discussions and rude at times. It was a interesting course and book.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHILO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

ALOT of reading, considering its a 101 class. THE MOST UNPREPARED professor I have ever taken, would change due dates constantly and didn't seem like he read the material that he assigned beforehand. Class should have been called the history of philosophyers. Was rude the times I had contacted him. Would NOT recommend. IDK how he has a 4.1 rating

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HUMANITIES150
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A LOT of reading. Class consisted of reading books after books. Lectures are boring and sometimes have nothing to do with the reading. That being said, his class is not difficult, just read and take notes on everything he writes on the board which is not a lot. Quizzes are based on reading, and he does discussions on BB. No easy A but achievable.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He makes SOOOOOOOOOO many blatant spelling errors. A few, I can tolerate. However, when a philosophy professor misspells the word and makes it "philoophy" multiple times or switches out the letter g for the letter q or vice versa and everything else imaginable- it really takes a toll on you. Also, snail pace grader.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He has NO syllabus. Information was hidden around course site. Doesn't respond to emails in any timely fashion. Scattered, random and inconsistent due dates. You really need to pay attention to stay ahead. Won't give feedback on missed points. Plus a final worth 33% of your grade, but no prior exams to gauge tests or grading. Skip if you can.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Phi101 course for summer school. He gives us exercises weekly, related to our readings. Make sure these assignments are your own words! He is an average grader, so to get an A, you must impress him! The quizzes could be retaken unlimited of times. ***The final consisted of three parts, making up 35% of your final grade... Remember deadlines!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

I honestly hate this subject now because I took it during the summer short term semester. I spent most of my days reading in the textbook and Sophie's World. Despite my feelings about this class, McMahan was a fair grader, had interesting topics of discussion and he seemed to be a fast responder if you had questions.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HUMAN150
• 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:

Maybe in his philosophy 101 class you may have an easy time but his humanities 150 class is not easy. It's not the hardest class in the world but it goes from being fun and interesting in the beginning to just the opposite. He's taught a universities and he teaches like COC is a university as well. That sums it up for the most part.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HUMAN150
• 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:

Prof. McMahan is a good guy. I don't how different his philosophy class is compared to his humanities class but I can tell you our class has been BURIED in reading this whole term, novels upon novels. He changed the syllabus for us this week because the whole class is buried and behind. That said, he is a good teacher, you will learn a lot.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

Take this class!! You have to be a lazy bum to NOT get an A in this class! I took this class online in the Fall. It was so convenient and easy :) He responds quickly and helps whenever you need it. Do yourself a favor, and take this class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

I took his Philosophy 101 class during the summer of 2009. He's a great teacher and he really care for his students. The material isn't hard just: readings from the book, 9 assignments, a couple quizes (you can retake the quizes for a higher grade), and the final. You meet for the final at COC. He also offers extra credit, which helps a lot!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHILO101
• 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:

not hard to read, not too hard to do the assignment too, but really a lot. Very tired! you will enjoy it if you r only taking one class!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHILO101
• 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:

Took this class fall 08' online... Super easy I would highly recomend takeing this teacher for philosophy. The final is exactly what the study guide is.. Study and you'll do great!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHILO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took online class over Fall. Easy load of written work with quizzes you can retake to improve grade. Final is exactly as his study guide, which is worth big portion of grade. Study well and you will do great.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHILO100
• 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:

I took this course online during summer. I got an A but found the pace extremly fast for summer that is...if you want a life!!!)LOL Not as easy as other comments on here lead you to beleive of his class, trust me! You have to take the final on campus.