Victor Kestenbaum - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Victor Kestenbaum

Department: Philosophy

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PH223B2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I liked Kestanbaum a lot. He's an excellent discussion leader, and causes you to think deeply about the material. The paper assignments are vague, but he doesn't grade harshly. If you can think on your own a little bit, the class isn't difficult.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PH223
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

you dont really have to read the assigned reading if you dont want to but it comes back to bite you because you need to use them for your papers. grades are only based on 2 papers and an optional midterm (that no one in my class took). class was frustrating sometimes b/c he poses unanswerable questions and then shoots down students possible answers

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PH242
• 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:

V Kest is a great guy but not necessarily an awesome class leader. For those who want structure, avoid this class at all costs. On the plus side, his class is very much discussion oriented which allows alot of personal additions to it. Some of it's total BS and some other students are stereotypical D Bags but overall this ranks for being a PH class

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• 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:

It should be understood that Prof.K is a very specific type of teacher, for a very specific type of student. The class is highly unstructured and informal, and demands the same of its students. The classes are highly dependant on student participation to make them worthwhile (read:not boring). Treat the class as a conversation and you will love it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This was my first philosophy course, and I enjoyed it so much that I actually looked forward to the lectures. It really primed my mind to think about life in a deeper way. In retrospect though, it's tough for me to call upon the concepts we discussed. I came away knowing that I love philosophy, but w/o many specific details about what we learned.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PH248
• 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:

Disagree with negative comments completely.His class was enticing and when approached outside of class he was able to very clearly connect the ideas within the texts to everyday life.While he may talk throughout the entire class he avoids regurgitation of textual concepts and brings to life his ideas on the subject.Two papers and not graded harshly

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class was extremely boring but very easy. I literally read 10 pages of a 350+ book for the second paper and ended up with an A- for the class. If you're good at writing papers and don't care about actually learning anything, maybe the course is for you.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PH630
• 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:

I find it unfortunate that there are so many negative comments here. Prof K. has been one of the most influential teachers I've ever had. He is challenging but engaging, and puts his students first - always. For those up to the challenge (and his courses are no walk in the park), his teaching will yield the ripest of fruit. Highly recommended.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Kestenbaum is really nice and willing to listen to you, but he talks so quietly you have to sit at the front or you WONT hear him. but you might not want to hear anyway, because this was the most boring class i have ever taken. i learned absolutely nothing except that i hate philosophy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• 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:

cute old man. he talks the entire time during class and it doesn't always seem to connect. half the time he looks for people to answer and i didn't even realize he had asked a question. class was interesting to listen to though and not bad to sit through. but the entire grade was based on two papers with semi-confusing prompts which was not good.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• 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:

i mostly agree with the post below me... class time is completely useless, and you just need to read one book per paper. youll piss him off if youre late all the time... but yea, still an easy class and somewhat interesting material. kestenbaum is insignificant to the course tho. and he kinda sounds like winnie the pooh.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kestenbaum is a neurotic and unjust professor. Class time is a waste considering your grade is dependent on two papers that are based solely on what you learn from the readings. You can get away with only reading one book the whole semester. In all he is a terrible professor, and should be avoided at all costs.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PH242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kestenbaum is one of the best professors I've had. Extremely wise, funny, engaging, and easy to listen to. He is, however, a very abstract and advanced thinker, and it isn't always easy to follow his train of thought. This class only had two grades (two!) so it was very precarious, but I don't regret taking it at all. Go to his office hours!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• 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:

If you are willing to put in the effort, the class is well worth it. He draws interesting connections between texts, and provokes interesting discussion. You have to work hard to do well, though.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PH258
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

teaching puts emphasis on the trascendent. if you need structured classes stay away. if you like abstract concepts, & don't mind questions answered by questions (which i don't), the course is excellent. talking to him during office was one of the most worthwhile things i did in 4 years at bu.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PH242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Interesting texts, some good insights, convoluted exegesis. Recognizes a good argument, relatively open-minded, but lectures can be scatter-shot, unnecessarily obfuscating. You might doze. Fair but not generous in grading, etc. Accusations of unprofessionalism likely stem from personal motives.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PH258
• 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:

Probably the worst class I've taken at BU. I've learned absolutely nothing. He's perfectly amiable and smart, but an awful teacher. The only redeeming aspect of the class is the reading material.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PH242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is out there, but the class was interesting, 2 papers, Everyone gets B's. Literatures a bit challenging, but he is a funny guy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Worst and professor ever! He's vague, unpersonal, dull and quick to accuse you of plagiarism. Don't waste your tuition bucks on this class!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PH241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While he tries to come off as intelligent and deep, he really is just rambling unecessarily and complicating what could be an interesting class. Reading material is totally irrelavent and too dense for a intro 200 level course. Even officehours dont help