W. Jay Wood - Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL

Professor: W. Jay Wood

Department: Philosophy

College: Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CORE101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting class, enjoyed how the core focus was integrated throughout the material instead of just in the last two weeks, which is what most of the other classes did. Very heavy focus on philosophy so if that isn't something you enjoy this might not be the best class for you. Daily reading quizes!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL315
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Sometimes did not make his expectations clear. Make sure you know when papers are due. He grades for quality of thought (tough for someone who had never taken philosophy) but will reward hard work with good grades and a seriously well-refined sense of logic and arguments. I was well-prepared by the time the class was over.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wood is one of my favorite profs that I have taken so far at Wheaton. He is intimidating at first because his class is difficult and he's not afraid to tell you when you are wrong, but he really cares for students and is a very funny, nice guy once you realize this. A hard class, but definitely recommended.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He gives us a reading quiz every class. I read for every class but I'm still getting a C. He does well at explaining the theories in class, but by the time I can fully grasp the concept, we already took the reading quiz. I think if he made it a reading response instead of reading quizzes every day, the class would be fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CORE101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wood makes philosophy easy to understand. He always made sure we understood concepts before moving on and he was willing to spend office hours helping students with their papers. He seems intimidating because he is respected, but he is worthwhile. I argued my case for an A-(89.6; I said I participated more thoughtfully than most) and he agreed.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jay Wood is a great professor, and his care for all his students can be seen from the first day. His lectures are easy to follow, and he makes difficult topics easy to understand. He is also one of the smartest guys I know, and also has a great sense of humor. His class convinced me to major in philosophy!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wood is amazing. I took CORE 101 with him (the good life in Christianity), and I learned a ton. Far from being a throwaway course, I would argue that it has manifested itself in most areas of my studies. I came away with an A-, but really had to work for it. Got about an 85% average on reading quizzes, and read all of the material.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great man. Makes a first impression. Can do pretty awesome yoga poses. Kind-hearted. Office hours not rushed. Opened my eyes to the world of philosophy, and so in many ways helped me mature into a free-thinking, intelligent adult. Class is hard if you don't have too much experience with philosophy, but manageable as a Wheatie if you put the effort.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wood is amazing! He is perfectly clear and articulate, and you will not be bored during class sessions. That being said, if you are planning on majoring in PHIL you may wish to take one of his other classes rather than his intro course; the class was a bit light on PHIL writing. But be sure to take him sometime during your Wheaton experience!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic teacher! Thoroughly enjoyed my time in class. Course was the perfect (and perfectly thorough) starter for philosophy! Would absolutely recommend taking Dr Wood!

Rating # 11

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:

Dr. Wood is a really, really good prof. He's probably among clearest and most transparent explainers and communicators that I've ever heard. Tests were actually fairly easy for 101, same with papers. No doubt one of the best profs to take 101 with.

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:

Amazing Professor.... really knows his stuff and challenges students to do some real thinking especially when it comes to their faith.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you don't like philosophy or debate, you won't like this class. Wood knows his stuff, but the grading can get skewed due to daily quizzes that ask confusing questions. If you want to major in philosophy, Wood is your man.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL494
• 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 have to take an Intro to Philosophy course at Wheaton, make sure you take it with Dr. Wood. If you are a Philosophy major, take as many classes with him as you can. If you're studying philosophy, either as a major or as an intro student, do yourself a big favor and hold out for classes with Wood.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wood is extremely knowledgable, but also very sarcastic. If he likes you, you will enjoy his class; however, if you strike him the wrong way, watch out!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

Probably the best professor I've had at Wheaton so far... I went in wanting to get this class over with and it ended up becoming my favorite class. Do not take PHIL 101 with anyone else!!! Funny, engaging prof who will teach you a lot.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best prof I've had at Wheaton. Very articulate, enthusiastic, engaging, and entertaining. Lots of great class discussions made the class hard to get bored in. The class is a bit tougher than some of the Intro Philosophy classes, but I assure you, Dr. Wood is well worth it.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHILREL
• 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 was in the same class as the negative person who posted that offensive comment a few rows down. I must say, they are way off base. I don't recall detecting any hint of condescending sarcasm or anything like that. This was one of the best classes I've taken at Wheaton, very well-presented and thought-provoking.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

Perhaps the best class I have ever taken. Made me want to change majors just so I could take a few more of his classes. Funny, thoughtful and fair

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Couldn't have had a better philosophy professor. He explains things so clearly and is an inspiration to all aspiring college professors. (even though it is awkward the way he learns faces the first day of class... :)