Melissa Burchard - University of North Carolina at Asheville

Professor: Melissa Burchard

Department: Philosophy

College: University of North Carolina at Asheville

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HUM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I missed two classes and she put out an "academic alert" on me, even though the absences were medical and excused. She expects a lot of reading for a Humanities course, and she feels that she is superior or has a superior opinion because of her philosophy background. Honestly, do not take her if you can avoid it. I do not feel cared about at all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL302
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burchard is really nice and I enjoyed the class. Lots of readings that are quite long and discussion posts weekly.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HUM124
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. Consider that youre spending your money at a university, presumably to learn and grow as a person. If this is the case, this professor is the best return on investment out of the 14 some odd professors I have had. Yes its not easypeasy-- but is life supposed to be easy? Not for those who want to remain close minded.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She really wants her opinion to be your opinion. Don't bother disagreeing with her because you'll be made to feel stupid. Definitely agree with a previous review that she thinks she's morally superior. She is very passionate about philosophy but class got to be SO boring. she really only let certain people talk because they were her favorites.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL350
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

most personable professor i had. does do a lot of stuff from memory but it's bc she teaches these classes multiple times & the type of material lends itself more to discussions than lectures. she has strong opinions on morality but that is because she is a moral philosopher. engage in discussions and be civil and she will like you fine, pretty easy

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I appreciate the readings she gave for this class, but I did not like her as a teacher. Very erratic, disorganized, as well as really weird. When people didn't participate in class, she started making us say "Yes, Dr. Burchard", which I thought was super strange. Thinks shes morally superior. You need to participate or she will NOT like you.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ASIA313
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burchard is one of those teachers that can be very hard to please, and then be ecstatic once you use correct terms. In this case, the correct terms being her opinions, because that's honestly how she teaches her classes. She has mentioned she doesn't know bits of the course material, and just wings it. She's super unorganized, and she shouldn't be.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL178
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

attendance based on memory after class so don't stress about that. no tests. lots of reading but you can get through this discussion based class without doing them because they are always 15+ pages. very disorganized, only interested in opinions that match hers. very arrogant will avoid her at all costs. THE FINAL WAS A GROUP PROJECT almost cost me

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL178
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Personally, I wasn't a huge fan of this class, I'm on the fence about it. I get bored really easy and this is a very discussion-based class, so when the class discussed things I'm not that passionate about, I lost interest. That's a personal thing, though. I can understand why some people like her, but I just don't.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

she usually lectures from memory. disorganized to some, but i take it to mean she fully understands the material. she is always open to questions and engages in actual conversation with students. she is nice and good-humored. plus her eccentric and colorful clothing style is refreshing in an uptight academic atmosphere. i recommend!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL302
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Love Dr. B and her discussion based class. I've had her for three classes now and she impresses me every time. She's very politically woke and cares about creating an inclusive and safe environment. She's not afraid to call out annoying kids and will push you until you until you fully understand and can discuss things in class. Lots of readings.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL178
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

great professor, learned a LOT in this class, but I agree with previous posts about the disorganization of the course in general. However, discussions are always interesting and her nice, and open personality are very positive. I would definitely recommend, even if you think you won't like philosophy! She makes it very interesting

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: WGSS365
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hands-down one of my favorite professor at UNCA. She's sarcastic and funny and upbeat and sometimes she can be a little bit much to handle but I love her all the same. She's helpful when you ask questions and more than willing to work with you. I've had her for two classes now and she's only gotten better.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burchard is a brilliant Philosopher. If you are not into philosophy, you're probably not going to like her. However, if you are, you will love her. Despite her bluntness, she is quite open. She challenges you to use your critical thinking skills, so if you have your brain turned on and are interested in a challenge you will enjoy her.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL178
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love Dr. Burchard. She's kind and helpful. She seems a bit disorganized, but she can pull it together for class and the discussions are always interesting. Readings aren't necessary but they help you to contribute to conversations which she loves. Very sarcastic but I loved it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AFST379
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Soooo disorganized and aloof...if you talk in class she will like you...no final exam...learned a lot but the class was so disorganized I didn't know what was going on half the time

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL379
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very poor professor.A biased misandrist with obvious insecurities.When her opinions and views are challenged or even respectfully questioned,she becomes subtley incensed and does her best to make that student regret ever (what she obviously considers) challenging her supremacy and the validity of her narrow beliefs.Major issues,her poor children.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: WGSS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was in Burchard's WGSS class; I disagree with earlier comments that she shows favoritism based on gender, and as one of two males in that class I think I'm qualified to make that assessment. She's very nice, somewhat disorganized, and sometimes appeared to not be comfortable leading discussions. I feel like we didn't really talk about anything.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL302
• 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:

I've had a lot of classes with her, but philosophy of sex and gender was my favorite and great for non philosophy majors as well. She can be intimidating but as long as you can defend your argument you'll be fine. Sometimes disorganized.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: WGSS100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She's very nice, very disorganized, and tends to spring things on you as a result. I also never needed to use the textbook, there were suitable copies online. She's a pretty nice lady, but the lectures aren't very in-depth, and she tends to skim over things. Our final exam didn't really encompass what we had talked about or learned about.