James Stramel - Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Professor: James Stramel

Department: Philosophy

College: Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL03
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not only will you learn but he gives such amazing life lessons! Truly a life changing course. Be prepared to put in the work, ask questions, and don't shy away from the reading it will help when he lectures. He refers to the textbook alot

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL05
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you love philosophy, take this class. His lectures are extremely engaging/funny, a pleasure to go to. His specificity required on the research paper is unlike anything I've ever had, one incorrect word usage, and you'll pay for it. That being said, he relentlessly explains why you must be specific. Loved his class, you will too,+ ask questions.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL05
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Stramel is a brilliant professor and a nice person. His class ignited my passion for philosophy and helped me clarify my own position on some important issues. You do have to work in this class as it is philosophy and so requires a high degree of analysis and critical thinking, but what you get out of it is very much worth the effort.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL03
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Comes off cocky. Thinks he knows ethics when therr is no real answer. Doesnt meet for office hours, and belittles you if you have a question that he deems stupid

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL03
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Learned a lot of practical, useful material and was inspired by his class. Really cares about his students but doesn't just hand out A's. Grade is determined by 4 papers and 5 tough exams. Follow paper directions EXACTLY if you want a decent grade. Participation in class goes a long way. Definitely recommend him, but prepare to work very hard!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL03
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is knowledgeable of the material and he makes it easy on the students to pay attention by sending notes before the discussion to make it easier to follow him. You really need to be there to truly understand the material and make it easier on your life to write the 5 papers. His midterm and final are tricky. Easy B and have-to-work-for-it A.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Highly intelligent man (you kinda have to be to teach philosophy). He's very opinionated and very liberal which, if you're like me, won't pose a problem. If you're any degree of intolerant you will be on his bad side. Amazing discussion that gets you to think. Very happy I took this class and I plan on taking Philos 5 with him next semester.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS5
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phenomenal teacher: easy-going, passionate about subject, & willing to help & work w students. Lectures are emailed to class, so note taking isn't extensive. Class discussions are def interesting, & will open your mind to lots! Fair grader, but you must DO the reading, essays, & put in effort- duh this is college! Easy A? No. Awesome class? YES!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 3141
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class! Prof. Stramel is a very tough grader. There is a total of 5 papers due throughout the semester. But, be forewarned, pay attention to your writing mechanics. The simplest error will cost you points on your paper. Midterm and final are pretty straight forward. Be sure to read the notes that he distributes.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Likes to say he won't judge personal opinions yet lowkey does it anyway. Very opinionated, likes to talk over students he disagrees with. His teaching style is very vague, asking many questions and getting back few answers in return. Lectures can be summarized by "Is this true? But it is then what about this? Or this? Or this? Or this?" Dont take!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS2
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was a mistake to have taken. I feel like Stramel is just a very irritated man. I got a C in the class thankful I passed. If you do all the reading which I really suggest you do and do well on the papers you should pull out a B in the class. It is not an easy A. The only good thing about it was I got a passing grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 1627
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. S gives excellent (and sometimes insightful) lectures. His lectures are even better when you give feedback and questions. He will be there for you and is a perfect professor to help you develop your critical thinking and beliefs. You just need to make sure to try to give FULL participation!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHILOSOPHY5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is very tough. I was interested in learning about all aspects of the philosophy of sexuality, not just LGBT issues. While I am a supporter of that movement, I was disappointed that the entirety of the semester was devoted towards those issues, while other important and relevant topics and concepts in the syllabus were disregarded.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Everyone in our class loved Professor Stramel! Super funny and takes the time to answer everyone's questions, even though they sometimes lead us off track. Endless supply of new shirts. Sympathetic while grading, though don't get too relaxed. I've often come to class stressed out and left much happier due to the great lecturesclass discussion.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHILO3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He gives great notes via email, very clear guideline for what to study for the tests. About 5 papers, be sure to hit all the key points and you'll get high marks. You need to read the book. Really fun and engaging class discussions.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Don't listen to the idiots that are rating him down. Stramal is an amazing teacher. He is funny, to the point, and makes his lectures very clear. There are a lot of discussions, which i liked. I enjoyed going to this class every day, and I can honestly say I learned a LOT in this class. I didn't open the book one time and received a B in the class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS5
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very particular person not a super hard grader. It is important to go to class in order to understand what you need to know for papers and quizzes. Some quizzes are take-home, and he can be persuaded to allow a note card to be used on the final. The class is very open, and the discussions are super interesting. He is pretty funny.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

i would have never thought i would enjoy a philosophy class, but i did. his lectures were great, never boring. exam one was 3 parts all take home and straight out of lecture notes that he hands out. exam 2 was an essay, it was not bad, just make sure you give yourself time. term paper was the toughest yet most interesting, final was not hard.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 1023
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Stramel is a pretty good teacher. I took him for philos 3 and you could tell he's really passionate about the subject. Does give out about 5 essays with a prompt based on lecture and the book. you NEED to have the book. It's a must

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL5
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Good teacher, highly interested in the course material & works to make the class current and relevant. Sometimes he gets too rigid and coarse with his perspective and opinions without adequately acknowledging questions.