Aaron Szymkowiak - Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

Professor: Aaron Szymkowiak

Department: Philosophy

College: Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. S. is very wise and respected for his research and knowledge in philosophy, but as a professor I didn't enjoy him. Reading wasn't too heavy but he gives boring lectures every class and most of the time doesn't make any sense. Only graded on two essays and two essay exams, all graded tough and inconsistently.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He assigns readings for each class but talks through all of it, so you don't really need to read to know what's going on. For tests, he gives you the questions ahead of time and goes through exactly what you need to know. For the papers, you have plenty of time and get to pick what question to answer, and he'll give feedback if you send a draft.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Assigns lots of reading but his lectures cover what you need to know, so there's no pressure if you get behind. The only gripe I had with the class is the fact that there's only four grades: 2 essays and 2 essay exams. Theres not much work then all of the sudden you have a paper and a final at the same time. Overall, not a terrible class though.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Most boring class I've ever taken. Dr. S stands up and lectures for the whole hour and 15 minutes and it is very boring and hard to follow. Not many people had any idea what he was saying and the only grades through the semester were 2 papers and 2 exams where you had to memorize paragraphs worth of information.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures werent necessarily exciting but I think thats just philosophy. He is way more straightforward than any other phil prof Ive had. Go into his office and he will tell you exactly what to do, the papers and finals are extremely straightforward from what was discussed in class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. S's class gets dull at some points and is only graded by four things: two papers, one tests, and the final. If you talk to him with your papers you will do fine on them and if you pay attention in the lectures you will be fine for the tests as long as you do a little bit of preparation. He does send out test questions early for studying.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. S isn't necessarily a bad professor. He's super smart, nice, and straight forward. I wish he used Canvas. He emails everything. His lectures are intellectual, but incredibly boring. 1-3 kids would be out cold by the end of each class. He has 4 assignments (2 tests, 2 papers) thats it. Go in and ask for help or you'll get a D like my first paper

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

4 grades in class: 2 papers, midterm, and final. Not hard to do well, as he gives very clear instructions. Class is by far the most boring I have ever taken (really discovered my inner artist). Purely lecture based, however, I would willingly sit through a boring class if it means an A. Would take again

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• 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:

Prof S is an awesome. He really makes philosophy 101 something to enjoy. He tries to make it as easy as possible to learn by giving outlines and study guides for his midterms and final. He gives a decent amount of reading throughout the semester but that's because its obviously a Philosophy class based on Philosopher's works. Highly recommend.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He phrases his questions in a very odd way and goes onto tangents all the time. He is alright but he honestly wasn't my favorite philosophy teacher. He is a nice guy, however, I don't plan on taking him again.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a really nice professor, but he grades papers very very hard and he initially doesn't seem like someone that would

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof S. is a great choice for Phil 100. He provides simple outlines and his lectures are very clear. He is quite helpful when providing feedback for papers and in preparing students for exams.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHI100
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. S gives off an appearance that he is very easy going, but in reality he is a tough grader. In class his lectures will bore you to sleep, but if you see him outside of class he will explain clearer. He only has four grades all semester so do well each chance you have. Overall he isn't terrible just review with a friend who understands the work.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You'll only have 4 grades the entire semester, all weighted equally. If you fail one, you're done. He makes you think he's relaxing and easygoing but he's actually a really hard grader. I hope you like to read.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved him. TAKE NOTES until your hand falls off, you will thank yourself when it comes to writing his papers and taking his tests. Very helpful in his review sessions and an overall great guy. If you put in the work, you will do great. Go to class, one missed topic could screw your grade up. Don't really need to read as long as you take notes.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL390
• 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:

Kind of a picky grader. 2 papers,1 summary presentation, 1 midterm, 1 final, questions given before hand. Assigns a lot of readings. Grants 10 absences. Cool dude, talks forever, pretty boring.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• 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:

I took this class during the 2-week summer session. I was afraid of PHIL. This class was not as bad as feared. It was intense reading, all essay tests, and essay hmwk. I recommend writing down everything he says in class and use that along with reading to study and for essay assignments. I didn't get an A, but enjoyed it and learned a ton.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• 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:

This class was incredibly hard and required a lot of work, but if you are willing to work for it (even get a tutor like I did) an A is possible, but not likely.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult class. Philosophy is definitely a hard subject to understand, especially if you can't "think outside the box" but it is a university core requirement. He is a very tough grader.. got an F on my first paper. If you go to his office hours, he will help explain concepts gone over in class. I wouldn't recommend taking him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst teacher I've had at Xavier thus far. I switched my major because of him and my new disliking for philosophy. I went to his office numerous times for help, and didn't take that into consideration at all when grading papers. Very hard grader and it would help if I could actually read his handwriting...