William Newell - Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

Professor: William Newell

Department: Philosophy

College: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took an intro philosophy class with him, and he was truly a big tool. At the time (and I assume still), professors were not allowed to teach out of books they wrote. He did. I spent my class time editing the second addition, because his lectures were all the same. If you want to pass a class with him, just put his opinions on your papers. Easy A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHI375
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was in two classes with this exceptional professor. Existentialism and Philosophy of Religion. I will say this much- mature students have benefited the most from his lectures and his style of teaching. You have to be prepared to think and to listen carefully. If you are looking to coast in this class, you won't. Mature students only!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI34001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is a cool professor. I had a lot going on this semester and he was very understanding with me and patient as well. I took Philosophy of war... the readings are interesting but being in class is SOOO BORING!! He reads for the hour and 15 minutes. Other than that, he is pretty cool.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

In the 3.5 years at ECSU, my last semester with this professor was awful. For Islamic philosophy, he talks more about his beliefs in Catholicism and his distasteful jokes about anything that isn't agreeable in the bible. As an atheist, I was thoroughly offended every class. I have learned absolutely nothing.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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 had Prof Newell for Philosophy when I attended U-Hartford back in 1987. To this day, I remember him as the most interesting and thought provoking professor that I ever had. The man has an amazing view of the world, and much of his future insight from back then has been spot on. Consider yourself lucky to have the opportunity to listen to him!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHI312
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED HIM. He was such a good teacher. He is crazy though! You can basically guess on all the questions on the test as long as you went to class and you're guaranteed at least a b+

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHI300
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Newell was my dude, I loved his class, philosophy man, loves the Lord too, bold upstanding guy. Need honest people like him in universities, brainy and down to earth good peoples

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• 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:

Newell was the best teacher I had at Eastern. He was very interesting to listen to, and the fact that he wrote the textbook himself made following along in class really easy. His tests are a bit confusing, but if you pay attention in class and read the book, you will be fine. I would LOVE to take another class with him.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

the first half of the semester i had no idea what he was talking about. He goes in and out of the book, skim the chapter before class so you stay up with him, take notes on what he says. definitely reread because he makes sense, very interesting.. 100% would take another class with him, he has done EVERYTHING, awesome prof

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHILO230
• 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:

Do not take his class. This was one of the worst experiences of my life. I fell asleep in his class a lot while listening to him preach the whole time. No one should be stressed out about studying for tests but for him, you have to memorize 40+ questions for each exam if not more. Don't take his class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Newell is an interesting teacher. some times his classes are really interesting but sometimes u fall asleep cause u have already hear is be for! also dont miss a test cause no excuse is good u will not be aloud to make it up! its super hard so see if u can take something else unless this is ur thing

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHI220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I wouldn't say he's the easiest professor out there. Very intelligent! I felt that going to class is what helped me out. He gives hints as to what's on the exams and seems really fair with grading. I studied hard and felt that I did well in the final.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• 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:

I can see that people are really polar with Dr. Newell. Thats exactly it, either you hate him, or you like him. Scholarly speaking, you might not take a lot of facts from his classes, but you will get a nice change in perspective, My advice, if you enjoy philosophy and thinking outside the box, take his class. Dont take just for a GER.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

He trends toward classic philosophy like Aristotle but he's formed his own fusion philosophy. The Christianity comes from being a Jesuit monk. He'll give you random latin and you really have to think in his terms, especially when words and grammar are redefined. Overall I absolutely loved it but I saw one or two folks cry from that class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a boring teacher. Has his own philosophy and if you dont know that you are wrong. this guy talks about his how mny degrees he has and thinks there is only one philosophy. if you take him just read the book and highlight during class the answers are there.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHI255
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Too many people complain about how boring he is, but they probably never paid any real attention during class (dont forget he used to be a priest, so when he's up there lecturing he might as well be giving a service). But he's a really nice guy and if you actually listen to and can comprehend what he's saying, you'll end up liking him too.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not only does Mr. Newell teach from a self-written "textbook" which is poorly written, grammatically nightmarish and obviously opinionated, but his lecture style is lacking in all the worst ways. He discourages class input by flat-out rebuking any ideas that do not align with his own on an atomic level. His class was disheartening to say the least.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Drop the class while you can.I found this class to be extremely useless.I got a B+ with almost no studying because all you need to do is know how to ramble for answers.He makes no sense,tells stories that don't relate,doesn't explain,don't bother asking questions(doesn't answer them),and buying the book is only good for him(he wrote it, no refunds)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHI120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So far im unable to understand a word he is saying. The man had to have taken too many acid tablets back in his day. It's a really interesting subject but all he teaches is religion and aristotle. Im so sick of hearing about desire, intellect and will. So far im not doing too well in that class. You either get it or you don't.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy, Smart, You will get an A!