Bill Bywater - Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

Professor: Bill Bywater

Department: Philosophy

College: Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FS101
• 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:

Very thick reading, but if you're pressed for time you could arguably skim and do fine. Just voice your opinions in class and you'll do fine. Most chill professor this semester.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• 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:

Totally discussion based; all you have to do to keep him happy is think out loud. Very nice, very smart. The readings are often painfully long and the concepts sometimes a bit fuzzy but over all it is a good class if you're interested in the subject matter

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• 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:

The class is discussion-based and is as informative and as difficult as you make it. There are short 1 pg papers, 2 larger papers, a final paper, and plenty of opportunities for extra credit. If you do the readings (some can be long -ish) and participate, the papers are easy. Really interesting class that develops good life skills, too.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FSNEUR
• 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:

Smokin hot

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FS101
• 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:

Bywater is amazing, simply put

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL590
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Worked with him a ton during my stay--was a great comp advisor and genuinely took an interest in my work. Very well versed in most traditions in philosophy, especially critical race theory, Pragmatism, neurophilosophy, and Goethe studies.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHILMANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Bywater is a must-take, but only if you are open and capable of critical thought (which you really ought to be). Many comments here speak of 'liberal bias,' which I believe is a little ridiculous. If anything, he has a bias for intelligence, critical thought, and open-mindedness. Very discussion based, very student-centered.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL140
• 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:

Alot of discussion based classes. Starts class letting someone ask a question. Very helpful for writing papers. Loved his class. Short papers and gives bonus for outside attendence of lectures.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL390
• 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:

Medical ethics was my first philosophy class and it was wonderful. i loved the discussion format and the subject matter... Definitly a must take for the health care bound

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bywater is a great guy. Class discussions are always helpful and insightful, even if there are a lot of awkward silences. He is a relatively easy grader, but you get a lot of small assignments. We had a 1 page paper due _every_ class, which is pretty tedious.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL130
• 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:

One of the best profs I've ever had! Into discussions, class never gets boring. Sometimes he'll share an awfully cheesy joke. He's a genuine individual. I was pounded with plenty of reading and writing, but Bywater was very helpful whenever I was stuck. If you don't take his class, you're missing out on a unmatchable intellectual experience!

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Abosolutely love this man! You will learn much from him. Although he is a bit "far out there" he will help you understand if you approach him. Always willing to talk to you. Will give you his home number if you have questions before a test! Held a "sympsosium"(wine included) for a final! He is the absolute best! Easy if you talk in class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHILO140
• 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:

Great class discussions. Bywater is very interesting to listen to, he tells great stories, relates topics well, and encourages participation. His grading is pretty hard. If you take an intro level philo class it is very hard to get a good grade unless you already know more complex philo issues. Lots of reading, but short papers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the most amazing professors at this college. Too smart for his own good, and can really teach you to stretch your limits without you even knowing it. If you dont take this man in a higher level class your missing out on the heart of your education.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL140580
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Much better-suited to a small class--he's a discussion guy; not a lecturer. Liked 580 much better than 140 because of this.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FS102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bywater is a bit crazy, but he can be a really good teacher if you work hard. Don't take his class if you aren't willing to have an open-mind. He expects a lot and isn't an easy grader, but if you put forth the effort I really think you could learn a lot from him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: VALUESANDKNOW
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bill has an extreme liberal bias and holds it against his conservative students. Erratic grading leaves something to be desired - there is no basis for any of the grades he gives. Top it off with the fact that students teach half the classes and he doesn't know how to spell - i'd say it's time to retire. Until then - avoid or take CR/No CR

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COMPADVISOR
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Never had him for a regular class, but we met 1-on-1 for a semester while I prepped to write my comp. He was always relaxed and helpful. He never made me feel tense or confused even when I was floundering around trying to get a grip on the direction of the most important paper I'd write at Allegheny. He gave me useful feedback & guidance. Note: Philosophy profs are not like regular profs, they do strange things to make you wonder, question and expand your mind! That's their job :)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

No Comments