Tony Smith - Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Professor: Tony Smith

Department: Philosophy

College: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Smith is great. The class is very discussion heavy, be ready to talk if you want an A. There's a lot of reading but he reviews the topics thoroughly. You will learn a lot about socioeconomics in this course. He emphasizes what is and isn't his opinion, challenges you to challenge him. He has a self-deprecating sense of humor that I love.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Many issues discussed in the class are economics based. The first half of the semester leaves little room for discussion in my opinion. The second half is marginally better. Tony seems to express opinions that he agrees with more than he should. Two written exams, two 5-7pg papers, weekly 1pg papers. Didn't feel like an environment for discussion.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, gives good lectures that are lively and enjoyable. Homework assignments are long, but I wouldn't say hard. If you are taking 343 with him, you might be surprised with the material that is covered and will sometimes feel more like you are in an economics class than a technology based class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Tony is a great guy but the class isn't what I expected. The title should be "Philosophy of technological innovation". If you were looking to get into the ethics of technology, this is NOT your class. Many topics are economics-based in nature and offers little room for philosophic though in my opinion. Weekly 1pg papers, 2 5-7pg papers, 2 exams.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL335
• 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:

Tony is so knowledgable and passionate. He helped me and was empathetic. You have to put in the effort to do well but if you do, it is a very rewarding experience. He may seem a little unapproachable but is a really great guy. The lectures are amazing and he likes class discussion. He will help you improve your writing skills.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 316535343
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I've taken three class with Tony now. He is the most influential professor I have ever had. He is the reason I decided to start studying philosophy as well as my main major. If you truly like to learn, Tony is the best professor anybody could ask for.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love Tony Smith with all my heart. Changed my life forever.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Tony's a great professor. If you put the work in, it's easy to get an A or B. There is quite a bit of reading, and sometimes it can be dull, but his lectures more than make up for them. We had two exams, two term papers (15 pages each), and weekly discussion papers (1 page each). Highly recommend taking PHIL 343 with Tony.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't know if he had a personal vendetta against me, but even when I thought I was doing well he managed to put me down. I've always been very good at essay writing, but he took off points anywhere he could. Show up to class and side with his opinions and you'll be okay. He was very rude at times, to me and other people.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL316
• 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 love Tony Smith. He is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the topic. The class I took with Tony changed the way I view the world.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Wasn't helpful at all when I had questions or issues with the class and was rude to me several times. He might be a good teacher to other people, but we had issues.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343A
• 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:

Dr. Smith is a great teacher. Prepare to do a lot of reading and writing, but the emphasis is on class discussion. He knows a lot about his subject and loves to hear student thoughts!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL343
• 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:

Awesome! I had to take this class as a computer science major and I don't regret it for a second. Courseload: weekly discussion paper (1 page), 2 term papers and 2 exams. Tony has quite the breadth of knowledge and I learned a ton in his class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Tony had the acuity to sort through my unfocused observations and find their relevance when I was just beginning to attempt 'unpacking' the complexities that our coursework presented. He guided me on a path that still continues to this day, twenty some years after first entering his classroom. He exemplifies the best that education has to offer.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SPC1608
• 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:

Great Professor. Very helpful, understanding and a brilliant communicator. Enjoyed this class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL317
• 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:

Knows his stuff. One of the best philosophy professors I've had. Brilliant, interesting lecturer and passionate about helping students understand the very difficult material.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL535
• 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:

Tony is a great teacher that is an expert on the subject AND cares about the students, so double bonus. The material isn't easy but I really enjoyed it. There was a paper assignment (~20 pages), two exams, and weekly tests. The assigments aren't difficult- just do the readings and present clear, interesting arguments. Great professor overall.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL317
• 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:

Brilliant, a pleasure to take a class with.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL316
• 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:

Amazing teacher. Clearly passionate on his subject, although good at relating to Phil and non-Phil majors. Material covered is very difficult- obtuse language abounds, ESPECIALLY with Hegel. If you're at all interested in learning this stuff though, and you can persevere with the long readings, papers, and exams, you'll master everything discussed.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 230
• 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:

Smart, good teacher lots of reading for this class, he gave freedom with the paper topics, which was nice. Great teacher Good class.