Bryan Van Norden - Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Professor: Bryan Van Norden

Department: Philosophy

College: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Probably the worst professor I have ever had. Prefaced our Chinese/Buddhism class with the statement that we just wouldn't understand the material. Subject matter and parameters were vague. He likes to talk about nerdy pop culture stuff. Learned more about his interests than anything remotely philosophical , religious, or cultural.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PPT1114
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The sheer quantity of knowledge Prof. Norden possesses is incredible. He's extremely knowledgable, not even for my level (and I've read many books), but in my opinion he stands out among his peers as well. His tutelage has bettered my essay-writing and has expanded my knowledge of not only philosophy, but the entire world, to new frontiers. Thanks!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor VanNorden knows so much about Chinese philosophy and pretty much everything. He always has a story that relates to class and is absolutely hilarious when he tells it. Unfortunately, PHIL 110 (Early Chinese Philosophy) was pretty white-washed and most of our papers were about Western philosophers. Also, he's a decently tough grader.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Van Norden's class was the easiest class I've taken. He is known for a sure pass. If you need a GPA boost, take his class. He is strict about attendance which does effect your grade. In that respect, you will absorb the material. FYI, he practically gives you the answers to the quizzes and tests in the review.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As somebody who previously knew nothing about Chinese philosophy, and very little about philosophy in general, I thought the class I took with Van Norden was an excellent introduction. Readings are hard and he's a tough grader, but overall he's a brilliant and engaging professor. Definitely recommended.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bryan Van Norden is a gem of a professor. The man is passionate about his subject and also is very relateable and just super lovable.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHJA12001
• 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:

Van Norden is a gem. He really does work to get you knowledgable- be warned, though, he doesn't go easy on papers. A little loud and obnoxious but in a cute way.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHJA120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Van Norden teaches in the Smart Person Bubble of Vassar and makes us all wish we were 1/2 as smart as he is. Tough grader, but approachable, excited, and has encyclopedic knowledge of his stuff. Very open to all discussion, encouraging and funny. Also scatterbrained and dorky, so he's very understanding of life's slip-ups like cells ringing, etc.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• 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:

VAN NORDEN IS A BEAST. By far one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. The structure of the class allows for a diverse flow of opinions. He is almost too knowledgeable on what he teaches. Incredible professor. Life changing class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL105
• 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:

Absolutely amazing. He is by far one of the smartest people I have ever met. Take a class with him; you won't regret it!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL106
• 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:

VN is a great professor. Ask any question and he can explain it to you, no problem. He's a great intro professor (as well as department chair) but his class is rather hard. You only have two papers and a short exam, and it's near impossible to get an A. Consider yourself lucky to receive a B+ in the class. (Plus side is, you learn a lot!)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHJA350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Profesor Van Norden has transformed my educational experience, making it worth while. Of the department, he's got the most heart. Take a class with him and check it out!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite professors. I'm sad that, for the rest of my philosophy major, pretty much all other classes are taught by "non Van-Nordens" on non-Chinese/Eastern thought.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good examples. Good answers to students' questions. Great attitude, made class enjoyable. Pretty tough grader, but that's to be expected, I guess. Nothing to really complain about. I mean, he brought a puppy to class...how could I complain about anything?

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I didn't initially want to take this course but I ended up really enjoying it. I'm so glad I stayed in the class! I thought the readings from Prof Van Norden's textbook were so helpful and easy to understand! Also our class discussion was really interesting.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHJA120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had a really great experience in this course. I thoroughly enjoyed all the reading assignments & I really like how the writing assignments were so open, giving us the chance to explore the reading however we wished. The discussions were very thought provoking. I like how Prof Van Norden brings some philosophy into the discussion.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• 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:

Great professor, great class. Makes difficult philosophers easy to understand. He's an incredibly harsh grader on papers, especially with grammar, but it's worth it. Has a tendency to allow loud, opinionated students to dominate class discussions though. Keep in mind that both papers are on Confucian ideas. Overall a tough but rewarding class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• 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:

First year, first semester here, and out of 4 professors that I really like, he's my favorite. I look forward to his classes, and plan to take Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism next semester.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHJA120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is the best...seriously. I loved this class and our class discussions. His humor and personal anecdotes are hilarious, enthralling, relevant and add extra spice to an already very interesting topic -- Chinese/Japanese literature. It's a shame we didn't discuss Hentai, though.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I love this class! The readings were interesting, and I learned so much from them and from the class discussions. Class was always fun, and he explained concepts very well. I enjoyed writing the papers because they really allowed me to think deeply about the topics. :)