Douglas Rasmussen - St. John's University, Jamaica, NY

Professor: Douglas Rasmussen

Department: Philosophy

College: St. John's University, Jamaica, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHI4990
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'll be this first person to tell you that Rasmussen is the type of professor you'll either love or totally hate. That being said, he was the professor who truly opened my mind and got me to think much more critically about the things I was passionate about. He's beyond intelligent, he's going to challenge you, and he's going to make you better.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HON2010
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor, one of my favorites, you will learn and understand the subject if you pay attention, and you definitely should, he has a lot of important and interesting ideas

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI1000C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's awesome, listen to what he repeats over and over and it will be an absolute easy A. He is very specific from the start, he tells you everything that will happen the entire semester just do what he says. Not hard just two midterm- 2 page long each and a 5-10 page book review. very, very easy class, with a very smart professor! I loved him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI1000C
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Never take him if you have a choice. He doesnt take attendance but the class is terrible. 2 written mid terms which are so hard to pass and a 10 page final.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HON1010C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I received a B+ in this class, but don't let it fool you. Rasmussen is a jerk, and he grades with little to no criteria; half the time, I didn't even understand what he wanted us to write about. If you have the chance, don't take him. He's brilliant, sure, but if you're not passionate about Philosophy, you won't like him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 2200C
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Like most Philosophy he rambles but he takes it to the next level. First day of class he says being a professor is very profitable and then gives us a list in which we have to buy 3 of his books $180. 2 written by him and 1 edited by him, next week he cancels class because he went to buy a condo in cali. His rambling is over the place so... yeah

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 2200C
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a pretty clear professor he even repeats himself to make sure you understand. Asks if you have any questions for him to clarify any confusion. 2 part midterm: in-class and take- home. Final paper is a bit lengthy but gives you more than enough info. Readings only used for the paper, not absolutely necessary to pass.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

amazing professor, incredibly smart and really expects the best of you. by no means an easy A, but if you're willing to put in a little extra work it's a really interesting class

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI2200
• 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:

Two essays for the midterm, one essay for the final. If you understand the class, you only have to do some of the readings. He is very helpful in making sure the students understand the topic and he reaches out to those he thinks can take on more philosophy classes. He's the reason I'm double majoring in philosophy. He is a challenge though.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHILSEM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The only useful part of my St. John's Philosophy major. If you care about political philosophy, take whatever you can take with him. He will challenge you and whether you agree with him or not, he will improve your ability to think logically (if you let him). This professor changed me as a person. Brilliant man and true philosopher.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HON2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Rasmussen is extremely intelligent and knows every single thing there is to know about metaphysics and probably all of philosophy. There is little work to do throughout the semester; however, the midterm and final essay are lengthy and are graded toughly. Be prepared to be confused and having to write multiple page essay

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Really difficult,a lot of work. Midterm = 18 short response, 2 long, 11.5 font, 1.5 spacing. Final = 8-12 pages, 45% of your grade. You do 2 presentations in class. He's a really hard prof. I usually take honors classes and I've dealt with other hard profs. Don't take him if you can avoid it. If you have to... good luck, you'll need it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1000
• 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:

Do you absolutely LOVE to learn? Rasmussen is your man. His courses are perfectly orchestrated and laser beam-guided to take you from point A to B. He will force every brain cell into activity. And it will not be easy or painless. Do you want a life-shaping experience? Take Dr. R! Do you want a good grade with no work? RUN!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHI3660
• 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:

Brightest professor I've had at STJ. Really a privilege to take his class and I'll definitely take him for the senior seminar in philosophy. The workload is small aside from the readings which are ample, very clear and easy to understand and which he goes through in class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HON2020
• 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:

a very challenging prof-he's made my head spin,which is great,but he's also given me headaches.he acts really tough during the semester,but i think he's somewhat of a bluff-you'll get a much better grade than expected.raises the SJU level considerably,though-great for phil majors.doesn't only theoritize,but takes a stand&wants you to scrutinize it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHI2000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

People who complain about this guy are willfully ignorant to scholasticism and frankly lazy students. I've taken 3 courses with him, and each has been incredibly enlightening. Yes, he's challenging, but do you pay to do go to college for a piece of paper or to actually learn something? He doesn't press anything on you, rather he lets you think!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HON2020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is rather difficult, unclear on what he expects, not particularly helpful and most importantly either doesn't know or doesn't care that this class is just a requirement and expects everyone to have some ridiculous desire to pursue philosophy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: VARIOUS
• 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:

it's very interesting that the best professors at this university get the worst ratings, and that being a "pure intellectual" equates to something "bad" -- welcome to college folks, rasmussen is a great professor

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best professors at St. John's University. His classes tie economics, law, politics, and ethics clearly and concisely. A professor who gives great attention to his students. If you want to work hard, really learn, and make the most of your college experience, he is definitely a professor you should take.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

excellent professor, interesting and thought provoking class