Joseph Kupfer - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Joseph Kupfer

Department: Philosophy

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Reading is required before each class, but usually no more than 10 pages; enough to skim over and be prepared. Participation in class isn't necessarily required, but it's easy and you will end up wanting to. He builds a very accepting community, and I know the names of everyone in the class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely loved Dr. Kupfer. He's very kind and really cares about his students education. Attendance and participation are important, as the class is spent discussing readings. The only thing I didn't like was that he didn't use blackboard, so I didn't know how I was doing in the class (other than by my own estimation) until final grades.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, really cares about students success and learning. Lots of reading and quizzes can be tricky, but you will learn a lot and he is generous with grades if you work hard. Grades are mostly based on papers and exams. Go to class for attendance and quizzes. He actually gets to know everyone's names and also looks like Anthony Hopkins

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy, knows your name, creates discussion well (as a lot of the class is discussion based). As long as you do the readings you're in good shape grade wise, its not horribly difficult. But as a teacher he's awesome, take his class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class I had was small (30 students), and by the end of it we knew each others' names and weren't afraid to talk to one another. He makes an effort to get on a personal level with the students. He uses the Socratic method and does not lecture. The entire class is discussion based on readings with quizzes everyday, four essays, and two exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took Phil 230 and absolutely loved it. The books are a must have but they are interesting once you get the hang of how to comprehend them which doesn't take long. He is a great professor, you just have to put in some work for the class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

definitely need the books but a great professor

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Kupfer is a great professor. He's clear on what he expects you to know, has set expectations from the start and will help if you don't understand something. His humor can toe the line but he will censor himself if concerns are expressed. He's extremely knowledgeable about his subject and reasonable. He expects you to think critically.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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:

A fantastic, funny professor! You have to do a lot of reading, but it's all interesting topics that you should be educated about!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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:

Overall one of the best teachers I've had in any subject. He's funny and also makes sure that the class understands the topics. He's also easily approachable and can help at anytime. Overall I thought the class was fun and he's a great teacher!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• 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:

I took this in fall 1982. He was great. (My son also had him within the last few years.)I thought he was tolerant of students' views opposing his own, as long as students understood that they needed to support those views. I thought he did a lot (positively) to lead students to improve the formulation and expression of their own ideas.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• 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: N/A

Comment:

Awesome and inspiring. Also very hot.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Good class, interesting subject. Make sure you're able to make it to all/nearly all classes because it'll hurt your grade if you don't. Keep up on the readings and come to class because there are quizzes on the readings most days. There are a few essays and tests, you have to make sure you really understand the material! REALLY don't skip class!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Kupfer's humor may be offensive to some people, but it can be really funny because you have to know he's only joking. He is a very knowledgeable professor and teaches by having a conversation with you. You can miss 3 classes per semester, and it is good to come to class because often there is a 10 pt T/F quiz over the reading. Overall a fun class!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• 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:

Kupfer is a lot of fun. He's gotten better at accepting other points of view for sure. He's very personable, not like some mechanical-sounding professors I've had. I often stay after class to chat with him. I'll miss Phil 340!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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:

This professor is awesome. If you are easily offended though, you should not take this class. If you get into it, you will develop many of your views about morality.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• 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:

his humor rides the line of offensive at times but once pointed out to him he corrected his humor to fit the class. the class mixed philosophy with modern movies which made it interesting. show up, take notes and do the work and an A is in your future.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Go to this class to learn, rather than an easy A, he can be a jackass of a teacher and if you don't agree with him he may suck, but overall knows a lot about philosophy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Kupfer was NOT one of my favorite professors. He is very rude and has an offensive sense of humor in my opinion. However, the class itself was fairly easy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL340
• 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:

Kupfer was a great teacher. very witty. if you are the type of person who likes to argue, then you probably won't like him as much. if you just do the reading, listen and take down notes on the quizzes then you will do fine.