Peter Railton - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Professor: Peter Railton

Department: Philosophy

College: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Railton has been one of the best teachers I've had so far at Michigan. His lectures are funny while still remaining informative. iClicker polling might be a turn-off to some but I thought it was a great way to see how everyone thought about certain ethical topics. If you can take a course with Prof Railton, definitely do so!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Railton is a solid philosophy prof. He has really clear slides available to students which is very helpful, and he does do his best to make sure that students understand. He is accessible outside of class and even runs extra study sessions before tests which he brings snacks to. Not life changing but a good choice.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Railton is extremely knowledgable in what he teaches & lectures with clarity. The course is fast-paced, but you'll learn more than you do in most classes. He's so kind and always willing to help out. And despite his intelligence, he's able to understand and answer students' questions without being rude or condescending. He's great.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

RAILTON! RAILTON! RAILTON! My section would frequently chant this after lecture while waiting for him to come to section. Absolutely brilliant. If you've never taken an ethics class before he starts off a little too heavy with overwhelming vocabulary, but after a few classes I settled in just fine. The sweetest old man you'll ever meet.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL442
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Railton is, perhaps, my favorite professor. He's kind, understanding, and exceedingly available to help out. Don't let his charming demeanor fool you, however, his class is a lot of work, but well worth the effort. You'll likely come away a person changed for the better, with a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361PHIL442
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

PR is the man. He is a leading scholar and a wonderful lecturer. He is also oddly hilarious. He is amazingly helpful both academically and personally. He directed me to some readings to help me out of a slump and always had his door open when I needed someone to talk to. He's so smart his explanations can often seem a bit cryptic though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This philosophy class was harder than I anticipated but it was totally worth it. The material is really interesting.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 361
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is truly a great class. Professor Railton is an incredibly nice man, and always there for help. I emailed him once with a question about a paper and he responded with loads of information and advice. Lectures can drag on, but the slides are very clear and helpful. If you are interested in Ethics or philosophy, this is a good class to take.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing ethics teacher. Clearly extremely knowledgeable about the subject and presents lectures in an entertaining way. Lots of good opportunities for students to interact and get to know him. Leaves good feedback on papers. Clearly interested in student success. Clear expectations. Reasonable exams and paper topics. Overall excellent prof.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The lectures were unclear and not focused. But not a lot of work.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Railton is very knowledgeable and a great professor. He has a tendency of throwing some comedy into his lectures which is always a plus. Some concepts are challenging but if you go discussion it helps clear things up. I recommend his discussion in particular. It is impossible to write everything down in class so a laptop is recommended.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL361
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Railton is a great lecturer. He is extremely intelligent and also quite funny. Lectures are somewhat optional, but he makes somewhat dull topics quite interesting. If you can get him as a discussion leader, I would highly recommend it!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL160
• 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:

Best Professor I've had yet. A truly brilliant man and very willing to help. Go to lecture in order to get a good grade!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHILPHIL
• 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:

Professor Railton was the best professor I have had so far; he is an absolutely brilliant man and engaging speaker. Although at times the material was challenging, Professor Railton made me want to thoroughly understand every subject. The class is good; make sure you attend lecture, however. Professor Railton was awesome, and so was my GSI.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHI160
• 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:

I have to say professor Railton is an awesome professor. It is obvious he really enjoys his job and he is very knowledgeable in his field. His lectures are great, I have not touched my textbook at all and am doing fine in the class (received an A on my midterm). You get study guides and review sessions. Great class

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL160
• 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:

Although the lectures seem indefinite, he presents the material well and relates it with relevant examples. The section readings had the potential to be very interesting, but too much time was put into understanding the lecture. Take it

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL160
• 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:

This class was extremely difficult, but very interesting. This is by no means an easy A, but it's worth putting the work into because it's so interesting and different. He gives review sheets which are really helpful, but you have to know so much for the exams that it's overwhelming. The lectures are boring, but necessary and they really help.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL160
• 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:

Read the texts and listen intently to Railton the next day. Even though his presentation gets boring, his examples and explanation really do help. He even posts his lectures online before class starts. Overall, it's easy to ace as well as fail.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL429
• 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:

Sorta limp and lifeless, low on energy, yet smug and self-satisfying.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI366
• 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:

A predictable and bland mix that's full of pot holes. Grades unfairly and unforgivably dull.