Michael Zenzen - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Professor: Michael Zenzen

Department: Philosophy

College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL4380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, took a few courses with him and enjoyed them all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2830
• 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:

Incredibly hard to get a hold of outside of class. If he doesn't like you, you're in for it. Grades arbitrarily, and you'll have no idea what grade you have until after finals. Class is absolutely mandatory and even if you have a legitimate reason to miss even one class, he'll have no sympathy.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHILRELI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Makes you believe that you are doing well in the course and then slams you at the end with your grade. Doesn't clarify the reason for giving bad grades. I strongly recommend not taking any courses from him.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL4380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Zenzen cares very much about what he teaches, can be funny and charming, and has substantial background. Philosophy of Mathematics isn't easy, but he uses Moore's "The Infinite" and it's a very clear text. This class was extremely thought provoking and Zenzen is a superb lecturer.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: INTRO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

lots of discussion, some lecture

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11104360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Highly recommended. One of my favorite professors. Introduced me to philosophy, now I love it. Shows a personal interest in students, is generous with time, and is an effective teacher.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: INTROEXIST
• 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:

Intro to Phil can get boring, but it's an intro class. You'll either love or hate Zenzen though. I think he's a great professor. You'll work, but if you put in effort, you should get an A. You'll see a bit more of his personality in Existentialism, so don't judge him from Intro. The classes may actually change your life.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: INTROTOPHIL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good lecturer and caring professor. Helped ease my transition to RPI.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: EXISTENTIALISM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this class may change your life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: INTROPHIL
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Helpful

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very monotonic voice, can and will put you to sleep, will wake you up when you do fall asleep. Topics can be so boring that it'll put you to sleep before class starts. Thinks too much of philosophy and takes it too seriously, does not understand the point of a joke.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: EXISTENTIALISM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: INTRO4380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Zenzen is great. The lectures can get dry at times, but the readings and essays are excellent. If you have an interest, or just a curiousity, in philosophy, take intro with him! A great guy, and quite reasonable, but don't expect to do no work. Grades fairly, enough effort = A.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: EXISTENTIALISM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had at RPI. It's good to know that there are people at RPI that care about more than math and science. I would definitely recommend taking any of his courses (especially existentialism).

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1110
• 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:

Excellent professor. Definitely recommend taking some philosophy classes.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Awesome Teacher, definitely recommend taking courses from him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: EXISTENTIALISM
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor. Made Nietzche clear finally. If you can put up with writing two long papers, you can get an A. One of the few classes I enjoyed at RPI.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: NIETZSCHE
• 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:

Take his course on Existentialism, I highly recommend it if you actually want to be stimulated by a class here. Excellent professor.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: IHSS1974
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very easy class that required very little work. If you want an easy A take this class. However, he is slightly dogmatic and class isn't too terribly exciting. Not bad though.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHILO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a very nice professor. Kinda boring but always willing to help. Which is always good.