Tian Cao - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Tian Cao

Department: Philosophy

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PH470
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the most profound and exciting professors in the department. Of course it's sometimes tough to keep track of everything that is going on in class, yet if you are truly interested in any subject he teaches, grabbing his course will be a blessing for your knowledge in the field.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PH470
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I had him in 2010/2011. One of my favorite professors. He holds you to a **very** high standard, and will help you to reach it if you put in the effort. Expect to read a lot and expect to learn a lot. He has a very funny sense of humor, and he will also make a lot of jokes about his accent if you get to know him. He's worth it all.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PH270
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His accent takes getting used to and he is just so boring. You only have to regurgitate arguments presented in lecture and in the book to get a good grade on the papers. He puts students on the spot and asks questions. Make sure he knows your name if you study any natural sciences. Go to OH and let him speak, he loves the sound of his own voice.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PH470
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I hate when I read comments about his accent. Some people aren't receptive enough to see how smart this guy is, you get used to the accent. YES--He is tough, critical, and extremely blunt. But Cao changed my life. He is probably one of the most accomplished teachers I've ever had. Plus, his life story is astounding-he won't share unless you ask.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PH160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Condescending, impossible to understand (also, purportedly, when speaking Mandarin) and brilliant. He teaches the book closely- read it and go to discussion and you will do pretty well. Subject material is not very interesting but, because it is a class about framework of arguments, not specific topic, examples can be interesting and relatable.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PH160
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cao wasn't really the center of this class, nor were his lectures. According to my TA, the professor has a speech impediment, along with an accent while he speaks English, so it is very difficult to understand him. He just stands there and talks the entire time; no handouts, no powerpoints, nothing. Discussions & TAs are the way to pass.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PH160
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult to understand, honestly it didn't even sound like English most of the time. The only reason to go to class was for the participation grade, because reading the textbook and going to discussion is where you really learn the material. I feel like I definitely would've benefited from a different professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PH160
• 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 really like this professor. Just read textbook before lectures and you will definitely get an A

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PH160
• 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:

He is an arrogant guy and his accent just gives me a hard time understanding what he's talking about. And sometimes it's kinda hard to catch his logic. There is no compliment for hard working or effort but there is only extra credits for those so-called "smart" guys who do not really need those credits.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PS251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Cao is awesome! Our class was really small because a lot of people dropped it due to his accent, but I'm so glad I stayed in. His lectures are fascinating and he spends so many days on each philosopher that your notes are extremely in depth and helpful. Essays were actually fun to write and he's a fair grader. He's really funny, take it!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PH443
• 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:

He's tough and blunt, but if you put in the effort, you will learn a ton.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PH418
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class is a great one to take and the professor is very intelligent, but he gives no feedback to the student's work. Only negative feedback can be expected

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PH270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I had a rough time understanding what he was saying in lecture; his accent was tough to decipher. Pretty easy material and he keeps the notes for the semester on reserve. Fairly low effort = B+. Boring as all hell, though.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PH270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class if you are a psych major; it is irrelevant. He is condescending and incoherent. The vast majority leave class feeling frustrated and confused.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PH270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Don't take for psych requirement. It's a completely irrelvant class.He's really hard to understand

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PH470
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Conceptually dense class but readings well chosen, lectures relevant, deep. Always willing to entertain questions &c., even if he's often short on tact. Thick accent, but not a problem once you become accustomed: he speaks excellent structural English.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PH470270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most brilliant people in the world. Take any of his classes before he leaves for Princeton!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PH270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor I've had. Don't take this class if you're a psych. major...choose another philosophy class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PH271
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found the topic of the class interesting, but his accent really got in the way. Always lecture, little discussion. Also would say this is too complicated , but try to explain it anyway. Could also be condescending. Outlines of lectures badly needed.