Richard Eldridge - Swarthmore College

Professor: Richard Eldridge

Department: Philosophy

College: Swarthmore College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL012
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The guy is funny and incredibly smart. Hardest class I took my freshman year - fast paced, few chances to raise your grade. DO THE PRACTICE PROBLEMS.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL008
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very into Cavell and Hegel. Despite this, he is incredibly thoughtful and willing to be called out in class. Classes were remarkably engaging, if at times tough to follow. I had him in a small first year seminar, so I can't really speak to his larger classes.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL001B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the most challenging and rewarding class I have taken at Swarthmore so far. Eldridge isn't for everyone, but if you're open to being constantly challenged intellectually and learning a boatload of philosophy you'll do great. Offers (limitless?) rewrites on papers but also makes you write a final, which is uncommon in PHIL.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL008
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor, really tough grader but truly devoted to teaching students how to think and how to appreciate being in college. You'll be forced to learn how to read and understand a lot in a small space of time. If you're a freshman, this class will have a steep learning curve but it's ultimately very rewarding.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL008
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lots of quirks, just like your stereotypical philosophy prof. Possesses such eloquence and rhetoric ability to the point where his nonstop seminar lectures go over your head instead of breaking down the text for you. Little/no discussion because everyone was confused/intimidated. However, super clear and helpful in office hours.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Easily the best and most inspiring prof I had at Swarthmore.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

easily my favorite prof at swarthmore!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing. Hard to get used to but once you accept his quirks, he is great.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AESTHETICS
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Don't be fooled by his calculatedly gruff exterior - Eldridge was the best prof I had at Swat and by best I mean the smartest and most genuinely interested in what you know and what you're doing outside of class. He'll only be mean to you if you are lazy or obvious in which case you deserve it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: INTROPHIL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he's a genius. sometimes he forgets we're mere humans. tough papers. tough reading. interesting lectures, interesting discussions.