Charles Taliaferro - St. Olaf College

Professor: Charles Taliaferro

Department: Philosophy

College: St. Olaf College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Taliaferro is one of the very best. Genuine, a genius, makes class interesting and even applicable. He wants you to learn and to think critically, not just "spit the information back at him." One of the best professors I have ever had and one of the best (though somewhat intimidating) classes I have taken. THANK YOU, TALIAFERRO!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's the type of professors that you can only learn from him if YOU WANT TO. He doesn't force anyone to keep deadlines, but if you're diligent and have self-motivation it's a lot of work and very rewarding. As someone who has done independent research with him, a one-on-one class with him is insanely rewarding beyond belief.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I can not even explain how much I value you this professor. He is absolutely brilliant in every way. Yes, you can choose to slack off in his classes, but, if you put in the work you will not be regretful. He is a very kind man who deeply cares about his students- to almost a fault. I would take any class with him no matter the topic.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL236
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Amazing Professor, easy grader and passionate about what he does! Visit him during office hours, he gives great feedback! Yes he is not all that strict on deadlines but if you are self motivated you can learn a lot in his class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There's a lot of hype about him, but I was sorely disappointed. His class is so ill structured that I didn't learn anything. He is so lax on deadlines that I didn't feel the need to complete any of the readings and I BSed the papers. A smart guy, but he was more concerned with how the students perceived him than teaching them. Wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL257
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You get out what you put in. If you show effort to know him on a personal level by talking in class and visiting in office hours, you'll realize just how amazing of a guy he is.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you are too serious about philosophy, go for him! I won't say that I learned a lot but he does make a class bit more interesting. Go to his office hours couple of times especially on the paper and you will be rewarded.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL257
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Taliaferro is an extremely witty, passionate, and weird professor. But weird in a good way. Easy, easy grader but gives great feedback.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Due dates don't exist, gives multiple chances on long papers, much of your grade is based off of a self-evaluation, easy to make up missed classes, final is whatever you want it to be and minimally affects your grade. Basically, you have to work to NOT get a good grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A comedian in groups (with a secret agenda to get to think more deeply on the goodness of God), and very obviously earnest in private settings. Loves his students with everything in him, always curious about the deeper things in life.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Possibly the most genuine human being I have ever met

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL243
• 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:

He is a charismatic genius, and he's absolutely overwhelming and hilarious in class. He's passionate about the subject and great help on papers (he requires office hour visits). Readings are rarely relevant to discussion. You'll get out of the class what you put into in. If you're lazy, it could be dull, but if you participate, it's great!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL243
• 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:

This class goes best for the highly self-motivated and I do not fall into that category. Be prepared for a fun and interesting but disorganized time spent in class. Talliaferro has a truly wonderful spirit and passion for teaching.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL243
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Actually was surprised when I got my grade back as it was much better than I thought. Class consists of 8 short response papers and 2 10+ papers. If you're not into philosophy T makes it fun. Enjoyable prof.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Did not have a positive experience. Although he is very funny, class discussion was very disorganized and usually did not have anything to do with the assigned reading for the day. He lets too many students into his classes and I did not feel that he had time for his students.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Awesome guy! Lets you design your own final. You only have to write 2 (long) papers during the semester, both of which you can re-write. He TYPES UP his comments and #s them on your paper, so you can read them. Will talk with EVERYONE indiv. about their papers. Fun class discussions, usually brings in Tiepalo his dog, if no one is allergic.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL245
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very nice guy. Funny and entertaining, though this can often get in the way of the learning. Does not like conflict and often avoids readings/discussions/papers that could be seen as controversial. Philosophy majors may be disappointed as his classes tend to fill up with GE seekers, not other majors and discussions often lack depth and context.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have no words. Taliaferro is amazing! You cannot leave Olaf without taking one of his classes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GCON114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

has great ideas. Has good balance in discussions. creates open atmosphere. Easy grader (altough it WAS interim). totally awesome!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL241
• 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:

CT is fabulous. absolutely. although i'm not all that into philosophical theology, this was one of my favorite olaf classes to date. great guy, great discussions. another plus: will let anyone and everyone into his class. also, doesn't believe in deadlines. take a class with CT!