J.D. Trout - Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Professor: J.D. Trout

Department: Philosophy

College: Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL279
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Trout is one of the best professors that I have ever had at Loyola! His lectures can be pretty heavy on the material, since it is an hour long class. However, they're very interesting and he adds some humor with some jokes and personal stories about his family. The tests reflect what he puts on his study guides. Overall, four tests. 25% each.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid, try to find a better class to take. This guy doesn't even let you take notes on your laptop and if you skip classes he will remember. Lectures feel like forever and nobody ever understands what he is talking about. If you're a psychology major looking to take a Group-A class, try to find somebody better by all means.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL279
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, and we go over some interesting stuff. But class always seemed to take forever. Tests are an easy B, hard A. He does offer a bit of extra credit. So not the greatest class of all time, but worth it for the PSYC Group APhilosophy double-dip.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's smart but not a good teacher at all. The readings are dry and long, he explains the concepts in very convoluted terms (because he's a philosopher by training), and his tests are worded poorly. He also doesn't really care about the students (the front of his syllabus says to e-mail the TA, not him). Do not take him under any circumstances!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Trout is a lazy prof. He recycles his slides every year and gives the same 4 tests every semester. His tests are scantron and his rad assistant administers and grades them, so he literally does no work whatsoever outside of class. He clearly is just here to do his own research and was told that he had to teach a class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• 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:

This course is fantastic. It's the closest to a behavioral economics course you will get at Loyola. The first half is dedicated to decision making psychology, the second half to systems that embrace the science. 4 50question MC tests, no extra credit. If you study, you should never get below a B, an A is possible, but not easy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I think Michael Sheen based his Midnight in Paris character 'Paul' off of this professor

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I wish every class were structured like Trout's. 4 tests all 50 MC. His lectures are great and concepts can be applied to everyday life. He gives you the answers to the tests in the review sessions and posts all his lectures on BB. Yes, he uses big words and may be a bit pompous but this class won't eat up a lot of your time. I recommend this class

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class requires little work- no assignments, only tests. Tests are all 40 multiple choice. Go to the class right before the test because he will go over the study guide. He puts all the powerpoint slides online in case you miss/skip class. He has an odd personality, but you'll get used to his randomness. The class also counts for psych credit!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• 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:

Probably the most interesting CORE class I've ever taken, and is applicable to most any profession. Teacher's voice is a little monotone and he seems pompous at times, but once you get used to him, he's a nice enough guy. Vocabulary is new, but just learn it, and deal with it. Multiple choice tests are a little hard, but easy grader on papers.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Cross listed with PSYC 279. Friends said it was a good class, but I think it's incredibly boring. Maybe it's just the hot room...? Trout knows his stuff, but his exams don't quite seem to reflect what you're supposed to know (at least for me) if you base them purely off the lectures and readings.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL172
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

After reading his ratings on here I was a little skeptical if I should take this class or not but I'm glad I did! I don't really understand why people claim he uses "big words". They're words that a typical college student should understand and if not, he defines it immediately. Ultimately, minimal effort for an A-. I'm not complaining.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

it was an ok class. 5 tests with the lowest one dropped. hes gives semi interesting lectures and is kinda funny but i didnt like the big class size because i never had to go and that hurt my grade. didnt like that he used a teachers aid for correspondence. he was very slow.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• 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:

Trout is not as bad as it seems. He drops one of five tests, including the final. Do the reading, go to class the day before the test and study the powerpoints. By no means is this class an "easy A" but Trout knows his stuff and the topic is very interesting. Attendance isn't mandatory but I would suggest going.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Makes class fun. I didn't go often because I just don't like getting out of bed... but he drops the worst out of five 40-mult. choice tests. Go to the class right before an exam, he tells you everything that's on it. Powerpoints online, and attendance doesn't count. Baller.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I don't know why Trout doesn't have a higher rating. He is hysterical, that is if you like intelligent, dry humor. He uses the most random examples. I barely read the books but attended class every day. I ended with an A and got to drop the final. Also, he posts all power points. TAKE THIS CLASS!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL179
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Trout is amazing! By far one of the smartest, funniest teachers at Loyola. Everything he talks about is interesting, I didn't even think of skipping class once. The work is hard but it's very easy to get a good grade if you put in an appropriate amount of work. Trout is amazing and I'd take him again in a heartbeat!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is awesome I suggest you take it. He explains the topics very well and really does make them entertaining.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYC279
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I don't care how much you think this class will be worth it because it double dips phil/psyc. Do not take this class. Yes, it can be easy but Trout is the worst professor I have had at Loyola. He should stick to writing books. Unnecessarily wordy. doesn't care about his class. has to send his TA in first to set up with powerpoints for class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

As long as you know what all the vocabulary the tests are relatively easy. You don't necessarily have to read the books but it does help. His tests are in this format: first part is applying the concepts to situations and the second half is just definitions. You don't have to go to class but should go the day before the test for the review session.