Thomas Smith - Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Professor: Thomas Smith

Department: Philosophy

College: Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHLAW1
• 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:

A truly inspirational teacher. Before knowing Prof Smith, I had only a passing interest in philosphy. Afterwards, I felt imbued with desire to know more. He always has time for students, and always challenges students to think out of the box.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL21
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

a great guy without the arrogance and distance that most other phil professors create. he's not the most brilliant philosopher in the dept, but he's certainly accomplished and a very intelligent guy. if you have good ideas, he will develop them and make them great ideas with added clarity. but, you must engage in your own phil work first. solid

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ANYTHING
• 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:

nothing but the best to say about him. the reason I'm a philo major.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

the best intro philosophy class i could have asked for. he is a quick, interesting, entertaining and downright amazing guy. how hard or easy this class is wholy depends on how involved you get in it. office hours are fantastic. take this class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• 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:

TPS is the man

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL23
• 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:

Too easy. Doesn't challenge his students at all, which is why we all love him!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHI27
• 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:

A supurb human being with much enthusiasm to teach. A gentle man that makes you feel as comfortable as you would be with your best friend.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The discussions meandered, they were more like conversations between him and a couple students, but it all depends on your class dynamic. Easy email assignments, two papers where you really had to think. Go talk to him during office hours, he's much better there.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, very good prof. Makes you think without stressing too much. It's ok, not every class you take here has to be so "rigorous." I still learned a lot and had some really good discussions, both in & out of class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: NIETZSCHE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Engages in personal reading that he then treats as a master text. Unable to accept alternate viewpoints, gimmicky lecturing style.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL41
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Most definitely over-rated! If you're looking to "read philosophy," have a bullshit session and get an easy A, he's the man, but if you're looking for any insight, challenge, or inspiration seek elsewhere.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Definetely not a qualified 'philosopher' but a decent person to introduce you to some interesting questions that some philosophers used to think about. If interested in rigorous, tough and cutting edge philosophy, look elsewhere.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL21
• 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:

great class, great professor. excellent at organizing discussions. good reading selections for the course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

good

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• 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:

Very Smart and Very Engaging

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good, but over-rated

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1121
• 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:

He is the best prof on this campus by far... makes you think outside of your box and encourages you to have ideas and participate.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL11
• 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:

Great guy, good professor, very interesting, makes you think outside of class, funny, entertaining, not too much work at all.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL32
• 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:

Just hot.