Dan Williamson - San Jose State University

Professor: Dan Williamson

Department: TBD

College: San Jose State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL57
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took him this past semester for PHIL57 and although he can be boring, his class is not hard. Just read the chapters in the book carefully, and show up to class a few days before the test (which is when he starts reviewing for it). He'll tell you the general gist of what's going to be on it - just read the book like I said and write good papers.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL57
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's extremely confusing. If you don't come to class, you're not missing out on anything important at all because he reads straight from the book. I've never missed anybody's class so much but still got A's on every quiz and test. Easy class to pass but he's a terrible professor. Doesn't use canvas, boring, and doesn't update grades, also rude.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL57
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Okay but seriously, I saw this man in the hallway of the Student Union and I said hello, he did not say anything back and at this point in the semester, he should know who I am especially since I come to every class and come to get help. I have A's in my other classes, but a B in this one. Grader does all the work, I regret taking this class...

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL57
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The worst teacher Ive had since entering the school system. I have an A in every other class and a C in his. He doesnt teach things to the class in a manner that we dont know this material at all. He just lectures like we already know the chapters and expects us to keep up. Definitely need to put in a lot of studying alone if you want to pass.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL70A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he's not good at actually "teaching" the concepts & just reads out of the book & goes off on tangents. barely assigns anything & is very vague on what he wants & due dates. Is not happy usually and is very sarcastic. I didn't think I'd dread coming to one of my G.E. classes so much. he expects everybody is a philosophy major

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL70A
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he's intimidating and can be sarcastic. He's not clear on what to do for assignments. alot of reading, he doesn't like it when you get to class late so be there on time because he'll take roll when a lot of students do not show up.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL10
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Has very dry humor, and is old school. He does not like it if you are late and is blunt with everything. If you pay attention in class and do the readings you will be okay! The midterms and final consists of t/f questions and then multiple choice questions along with 2 short essay questions (its open book for the essay questions)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He can be a lot to get used to at first but his class is really easy. As long as u read the book you'll do fine. He gives study guides that are pretty sufficient for the tests and he grades your papers fairly easy. I went to class maybe half the time. He can be rude but it's a easy A and you get used to his dry humor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL57
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think people misunderstand him. He has a unique sense of humor and a lot of knowledge. He's not afraid to be blunt and straightforward and personally i respect that but some people are intimidated by him. He has his bad days but overall I liked him. If you get his jokes he can be hilarious.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL10
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not clear on assignments or deadlines, says "to be announced". When he's angry he starts slamming things, hates tardiness. Will call you out in front of class. Not very organized. Essay heavy. He wants you to know the lesson, but isn't really a great teacher of them. Philosophy was great now ill never take it again.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BUS186
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Get the book youll need it. hes an okay grader... hes picky in a sense you need to remember what he says in lecture because it will be on the test. take good notes because hell just put like 5 words on the board and just talk about it all lecture. 3 tests. 2 papers. 1 group project. no homework. he loves startrek and starwars.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Although he may be intimidating and blunt, he is really knowledgable and brings in great outside examples. Interesting movie references, funny accents, and different sense of humor. There is 1 group project/presentation, 1 homework assignment, 2 papers, and 3 tests. His lectures occasionally have information not included in the textbook.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While he might not be the nicest professor in SJSU, but I really think he's smart and straight to the point. It's hard to argue a point with him but I learned a lot from his perspectives. There's 3 tests total, one group project and 3 papers. Which is not too bad at all. Take his class and learn something new!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BUS186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lectures at times could be tedious, but as he lectures on interesting topics people are most likely going to pay attention. He has a dry sense of humor. He is really good at faking accents. Midterms are based on class lectures and assigned readings. Study guide tends to be useless, until the final. If you take the time to see him, he is nice

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He has his days where he can be helpful and nice, and other days where he can be mean and think we are all stupid. It makes it hard to approach him, because he can be intimidating. He could probably make you cry! Lectures are a bit confusing because he talks most of the time, no notes on a power point type. (Which I prefer, but that's ok.)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BUS3186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Come with a thick skin and self confidence. Many students are intimidated by him, I don't think he means to be that way, he appreciates participation but not interruptions. He notices if you are not in class and may call you out for missing class. Not particularly clear with his assignments or deadlines.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is super old and hasn't stayed up to date with how to teach. He's really rude and curses at students. He's really arrogant. And his lectures don't help at all so you have to teach yourself the whole semester. He always goes off on tangents. Worse class ever I learned nothing from him DO NOT TAKE HIM

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

There's two midterms and one final that is comprehensive and two papers and a group project just read the book and come to class occasionally you will do fine. He's super rude and annoying. He's a really easy grader I thought I was gonna get a C or lower but passed with a B. Don't talk in class too much or he will just embarrass you just sit there.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL70A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Williamson was one of my favorite professors I ever had at SJSU. He has a very unique sense of humor that a lot of his students do not understand and often times mistake for rudeness. Do the readings, come to class most of the time, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I met this instructor in the elevator at the BBC. After trying to start a small conversation with him, he immediately interrupted and told me to “cut the Bulls**t”, so I just became silent. I felt very intimidated, and I hope that I’ll never encounter this guy again :(