William Bracken - University of California Riverside

Professor: William Bracken

Department: Philosophy

College: University of California Riverside

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the hardest class I've ever taken. He will make you crawl and work for your grade but after the struggle you will find a TRUE learning experience through trial and tribulation. I like taking hard classes because that is how I learn, this is a gem. If you want a grade to be handed to you, pick another professor. Lots of reading and writing.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL135
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor is an excellent instructor. Will assign reading, will go over it in lecture and answer questions. Seems mean and strict at the beginning of the quarter but if you participate and do your work, he'll be nice to you. 1 paper, 2 in class exams, explanatory, expository non-cumulative. Be creative when challenging claim/paper he'll appreciate

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL007
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Phil 007 was the hardest class I've ever taken, but Bracken and his TAs did a solid job. You have to put in work to see result, I went to office hours every week and passed. He grades on a curve and is reasonable, but you'll likely need to do more than just attend lecture to pass.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL007
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've had 2 classes with him(one lower division and the other upper) and for both he is very strict on attendance. He grades on literal terms and definitions that come straight from the material(literally word by word). I received both of my lowest grades out of all of my phil classes. His lecturing style is hard to understand so listen carefully.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL121
• 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:

I took him for 3 Philosophy classes. I never really got decent grades in his classes, but kept purposely taking him, specifically for the amazing lectures. He taught me how to think in ways I never thought possible. I am in law school now, but would love to go back to UCR just to sit in his lectures again.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL008LOGIC
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you are good in math, this would be a walk in the park. Attend lectures to learn how to solve problems and do homework. His notes are great and exams are straight forward. Didn't open the book once but still got an A+. Not sure about other classes but highly recommended for intro to logic, if you're in CNAS-BCOE and need an easy breadth class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 177B129
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bracken is an excellent lecturerprofessor. I've taken two courses with him and both courses were phenomenal in regards to pretty much all aspects that are taken into consideration when evaluating a professor from a student's perspective. Most notable, he's inspirational and probably one of the most underrated professors in academia.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL007
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have to look to your TAs for help. As long as you read the book and put in the effort you should get away with a good grade. As for his grading system, he took the median score of all the quizzes and used it as a grading scale. You have to stay ahead of the curve. Attend all your discussions to avoid the insane final!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL030K
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have to be responsible and go to every class and pay attention. I like that he explains everything in detail, there's no guessing on what you should know. He'll teach you a lot. I don't think it matters if you're an A or F student (whomever made that ignorant comment), it's more like if you have common sense and manners you'll be fine.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL007
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst teachers I have ever had. He was not helpful in any way, any time I asked a question he would say that he would take answers at the end and then turn it back into another question for you, and I caught several mistakes he made and he would try to play it off and say he was testing us.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL165
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher- I can see why others blame him for being hard. The material is hard and if you simply don't understand it make sure you go to office hours. Mr. Bracken is a very reasonable man and will try to help you.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• 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've had Bracken for three separate classes. He's a very good professor, but he does not tolerate normal student bs. If you don't have any interest in the subject, don't take his class. The Phill116 posters are likely business students. It's NOT a business class, and he makes that clear. He does not like B-students and their general idiocy.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• 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:

Admittedly, not the easiest class, and he won't hesitate to correct you if you ask a poorly-phrased question. Pay attention to his words, not any perceived tone. Very clear thinking and articulate. Very helpful if you bother to see him during office hours. He's really rather dedicated to helping you understand if you just talk to him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst class experience I ever had at UCR! Although I passed, I did not like the fact that the TAs were also as hard of graders like the Professor. Ridiculous! >.>

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst professor I ever had at UCR. The exam were hard and the professor did not how to teach. DONT TAKE HIS CLASS at least you want to fail the class. I think UCR should fire him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is challenging and attendance is mandatory. Youll have pop quizzes on the long readings. he gives you all midterm questions before hand. TAs are extremely helpful if you make the effort to ask. 2 essays for the quarter and are graded hard. not easy to get an A but not the worst class ive taken.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL007
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Never ever miss a lecture and sure as heck don't miss a discussion. Every point in this class counts for more than 1% of your grade. This class was boring and I feel as if it was of no use to my general knowledge. Philosophy classes are awesome! Just not one that is taught by Prof. Bracken.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL116
• 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:

By far, the most useless class I have ever taken in my 4 years of college. I have taken the Business School's version of ethics and it is so much better (Good Job Prof. Jasso). During lectures, I was looking around the lecture hall to find some rope and a stool. Very unenthusiastic lectures, hates business majors and business itself.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I didn't even get to take the class cause of his strict guidelines, but during the first two weeks I hated the class. His lectures are beyond boring, and he has no enthusiasm in teaching. He just says what he knows.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL8
• 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:

He makes me want to jump off something tall and land on something sharp. I have a theory that he harvests the tears of his students so that he can drink them and have eternal life. That being said, I have never seen a better looking Human-Pterodactyl hybrid. The deepest Philosophical question he has ever asked was "Do I have feelings?"