Michael Atherton - Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA

Professor: Michael Atherton

Department: Philosophy

College: Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PL100
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Atherton is a condescending and rude professor. He doesn't provide clear grading criteria even slightly. He just makes you memorize what different philosophers believed, but didn't expand further into the topics. I learned nothing. His tests are all essays and he doesn't explain why you get what score. Least thoughtful philosophy person I've met.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Atherton is an amazing teacher. The classes are set up to discussions, which does require participation. No homework is given, besides readings, which are timely and confusing but the lectures make the material much more easier to understand. The tests are essay based, but easy if you've studied your lecture notes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is very knowledgeable in what he is teacher but it is tough to determine what he is looking for in his tests. He tends to focus on a particular student and puts them on the spot in front of the entire class, which can many times be embarrassing. I would not choose to take another class from this professor.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PL100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This course didn't make me think about philosophy. It taught me how to memorize notes and write them down on tests.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SPL10001
• 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:

Tough teacher, makes you think about what you're saying. Be prepared before you go to class, but an excellent teacher. Uses the Socratic method.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHLOFSPORTS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

ABSOLUTELY the worst professor. He is rude, treats students as useless children and is just a crappy person. You better read the book or there isnt a chance of passing. Newsletters are annoying, but he kinda knows what he's talking about just doesnt know how to say it. RUDE, dont take it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Great Teacher. He has a passion for teaching that makes the lectures upbeat. The exams were essay style. As long as you pay attention in class, you should do fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's tough, his classes are hard there's no getting around that. The class is a giant lecture but if you pay attention and ask specific questions very easy to master. one thing, only use his opinions and what he says. Excellent teacher, just very challenging classes.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SPL270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was warned about this professor prior to taking this class, but I didn't heed the warning, that was a HUGE mistake. This class was unnecessarily hard. The prof was not helpful and was very vague. The class was a lecture class, and on tests the prof expected you to write his views rather than your own views or thoughts from the book.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SPL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had a great time in Dr. Atherton's class. It was my first class my freshman year and I enjoyed it very much. Learning about the numerous philosophers were very interesting. I had no problems with Dr. Atherton, I thought he was an excellent teacher, especially for an introductory class. His tests were manageable as well

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ETHIC220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Its a very interesting class! I learned alot and love going to class. I cant wait to go class again. He grades easily if you take the enough notes and talk in class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PL210
• 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:

Extremely arrogant.Openly called students "stupid" in class.He could be a phenomenal professor, but he needs to work on communication skills to relay material content to students. He puts forth no effort to make review sessions.Make sure to take down notes on whatever he says in class; repeat his views and words on the test, not your own opinions.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPL270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Atherton's class. He's an excellent professor, especially if you enjoy participating. The class I've had with him so far had no tests, only reviews, as he shows that he wants us to learn logic and arguement, not to learn to test on it. We did have a long proposal to write, but he was helpful and it was pretty easy.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

arrogant

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HP100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Reasonably decent guy, but I can't say much for his teaching abilities... He babbles about his own experiences, talks about his daughter, and wastes 10 minutes incorrectly pronouncing names every class. The HP seems like a joke.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I had him last semester for Intro to Ethics and for the Honors Seminar. He is a hilarious man. I wrote down at least 5 ridiculous quotes a class. He also knows how to get into character and get into the mindset of philosophers when teaching. Overall, I would definitely take another one of his classes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HP100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm not sure if I don't like him because he almost got me killed taking the freshmen honors kids kayaking, or if its because he is an egotistical prick that only cares about himself and what he has done and showing off to everyone around him. Bottom line is the guy is useless and the honors program is a joke, its not worth the scholarship

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HP100
• 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:

Dr. Atherton is probably the most pompous man I have ever met in my entire life. He does nothing for the honors program, except buy us pizza. I truly dread taking Philosophy with this man. He constantly mispronounces names too, which is really annoying. Proposal writing in this class is ridiculously pointless. Boo Atherton!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HISTORYOFPHIL
• 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:

Great teacher. Learned a lot. He is very smart and is cocky about it but he is still a nice guy. If philosophy is a strength of yours take the class if not it can be confusing (I still recommend the class). A lot of reading and there is about 5 to 7 essays. Overall assessment.. take the class, good teacher, moderately difficult.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

atherton is an amazing teacher! i probably learned more from him than any other prof at shu! he's so smart and so passionate! overall greatness!