Ric Machuga - Butte College, Oroville, CA

Professor: Ric Machuga

Department: Philosophy

College: Butte College, Oroville, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ric's online class was very straightforward. There was quizzes each week, some with were extremely tough. You really need to understand the information before you take the quiz, because it can be extremely confusing at times. On the bright side, you earn extra credit for participating in group discussions which can improve your grade tremendously.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL006
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Even via an online course, Prof Machuga is an engaging instructor. He lectures through a series of videos (originally filmed for public access) and the textbook - which he wrote and provides for free. While difficult, I enjoyed the class very much and appreciate how much he obviously loves the subject. I would take another course from him for sure.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class was pretty good. It was a TON of work, and it was very abstract. I spent at least 12 hours a week on this class (online). Participating in the online boards was helpful in understanding the material. The book was very helpful. An A is very possible if you're willing to put forth the time and effort!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Not very clear when I got help. Taught straight out of the text which he wrote, so he cannot "simplify." Try to take something else if you want to transfer. I might be screwed. Do argumentation and debate.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL06
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

So not the class that I thought it would be, take an alternate class this one is extremely hard and I was offered clarification from Mr. Machuga.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I took his online class, its hard info to understand but the online class is well organized. The text book is 15$ or you can just use the one online that he provdes it for you.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ric himself is a great teacher. However, if you can take a different class besides phil for the GED/transfer stuff, do it. It's not worth it. Suck it up and take argumentation and debate.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2
• 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:

I'm glad I took intro to philosophy, it made me realize that philosophy is NOT MY THING. It was a good class, however. I learned a lot, but a lot of it didn't make sense. Ric's a good teacher, but philosophy just doesn't do it for me.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2
• 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:

AWESOME class! I'm a bio major, so I had very low expectations, but I was wrong. Ric is brilliant, open-minded & EXTREMELY educated; he explains the philosophical views & provides info to back it up, but he ALSO brings up the arguing views. He doesn't bring in opinions, which I highly respected. I actually learned from this class, take it for sure!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm currently taking the online course. It's not the easiest class, but I recommend Machuga to anyone taking this class. He is very helpful with his office hours with any questions. If taken online, definitely need to read the book (very cheap in bookstore or a free link in the online class),watch the videos, and master the exercises.Great teacher!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is the best class I've taken, and I'm now a jr. at Chico State. The online format was great. You can view his class lectures in almost real-time. The book which he wrote is very clear, and very inexpensive ($15 print/$free online). This said, the class isn't exactly easy, but it is much more doable with Ric than with other professors.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHILO2
• 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:

He's a nice guy, but often uses his opinion as the trust. His tests and quick writes are hard, but not impossible. The information in the class is fairly interesting and the class usually kept my attention. Since there are quick writes almost everyday, you have to be there. Let's you use notes on quick writes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• 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:

The material can be tough to learn but Ric makes it a lot easier. He grades the tests within 1-2 days of taking them and always responds to emails quickly. The class lectures are recorded and put online so you can go back and watch them at anytime. I would recommend this teacher if you need to take a logic class!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• 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:

Ric Machuga is an amazing teacher. I had little interest in this class prior to taking it. But I am so glad I did! I'm an experienced student with many units under my belt and Machuga's Common Sense Logic class (Phil 6) is the BEST class I've taken. It's hard and requires doing the homework to gain understanding, but it will change your life!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• 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:

Machuga is awesome. He makes a tough subject fun and as easy as it can be. I haven't heard anything positive about any other logic teachers so I was lucky to get him. I highly recommend him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, very smart, pretty tough class but if you pay attention and do the hw its pretty easy.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• 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:

Makes the hard subject a lot easier. You buy the book he personally wrote, which is only 12$ new, overall very satisfied with this course

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL6
• 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:

I took S. Burks in 08 and it was a terrible experience compared to R. Machuga. Ric has made Intro to Logic less stressful, manageable, and understandable. He offers video lectures via Blackboard so attendance not mandatory. Also his book is written by himself, cheap but useful. Expect to put some effort in study. Logic is NOT easy, but Ric made it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2
• 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:

One of the coolest people you could meet. A philisophical genius!!!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2
• 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:

Ric is the most comical, personable, easy to understand, helpful teachers of philosophy I've ever known. I took PHIL 2 with him, he wrote the $4 book, and was thrown into a ravenous interest for philosophy. Next semester I went for a Special Studies course with him and went over his newest manuscript with him one on one. He basically is Artistotle.