Paul Fairfield - Queen's University at Kingston

Professor: Paul Fairfield

Department: TBD

College: Queen's University at Kingston

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL256
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This man hardly knows what a powerpoint is. If you're a person who cares about political correctness, I wouldn't recommend his classes. He's not an awful prof, he does have interesting points, but he's a droner, with no backup visuals, and his classes generally just feel like you've stepped back a few decades.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL373374
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Once i got past his mumbling at 8:30 in the morning, his lectures actually are quite interesting. Fair marker and highly suggest you actually go to class. Nothing gets posted online.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL273
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am the most disinterested university student alive. This is the only professor who made me want to impress him and really show what I've got. I had never in my life reached my full potential prior to this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of my favourite professors from first year! He's genuinely interested in the material, engages with students after class, answers questions during the lecture, has a dry sense of humour that'll surprise you. His lectures simplify the readings IMMENSELY. Cons: Talks very softly so sit in front. Doesn't use slides or online resources.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL153
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. F takes being a quiet lecturer to an extreme level, to the point that its almost impossible to hear him if you aren't in the front 3 rows of the class (yes, this is with a mic). His sentences often lead to quiet mumble rants. He is the only prof I've ever had who doesn't use "OnQ", making the class anti-student friendly.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL276
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No late papers, period. Not too difficult but can be kind of boring; generally a pretty nice guy who seems genuinely interested in the material he's teaching. If you go to class enough you'll be fine.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL256
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The course didn't have much to do with Existentialism - more like continental philosophy, not what I signed up for. Speaks lowmonotone. Wasn't helpful when I emailed with a legitimate question - which he didn't even respond to. Talks about texts not on syllabus. Lectures not organized well & repetitive. Missed half the classes and got a B.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL373374
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not only does Fairfield cover material that no other teacher want to read, he does a great job breaking down hard material and making it understandable. For those worried about their grades, I would recommend Fairfield. That being said, you CANNOT skip lectures or not do the reading and expect a high grade (but you can expect an A- or A if you do).

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL256
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you are in to Philosophy, he is a great prof. I think the general consensus in this class was that he was great. Do the readings and go to class, and you will get an A. He rounded up grades - if you were on the edge (83A- going to an 84A). Great professor. Do the work and be rewarded.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHIL273373
• 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:

He is crystal clear, concise, and his demands on students are both realistic and challenging. He makes you want to do well, and explains his expectations thoroughly. His lectures are insightful, and provide a level of detail rivaling the best profs I have had at Queen's.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a great lecturer. Those who don't understand what it takes to make a good lecturer don't like him, but he is very clear. It helps if you do the readings but if not if you just go to every class you will do fantastic.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL157
• 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:

Great Prof! Liked to joke around with students but his voice can sometimes be dry. There are a lot of readings but for the exam he provided a list of works that would be on the exam.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is the most condescending person I have ever come into contact with. People who like him are delusional and worship the ground he walks on. I've never regretted taking a class more. Also, he is very boring and repetitive.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL157
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He's very dry and dull but is very clear in his lectures. Material was interesting but in order to do well you have to be good at writing essays.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL272
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Fairfield is an amazing professor. He sometimes chooses difficult content, but he offers crystal clear explanations so even the most dense concepts become easily understandable. The only reason why someone would do poorly in his class is if they skipped lecture.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL330
• 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:

Fairfield is absolutely brilliant. I find him extremely captivating and interesting. You can tell he knows what he is talking about. He covers difficult continental topics, but is still clear. I found him to have high expectations on essays for coving material not relevant to the topic.Still love him and the course however. Absolute yes,fair marker

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL272
• 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:

Very clear, very dry, often hilarious. He's very sober and reserved which can come off as unfriendly if you're not used to that sort of approach, but in my experience he always gives questions serious thought and treats students like adults when he answers them. Definitely an acquired taste though.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL115
• 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:

He's an amazing prof. If you're interested in philosophy, you should definitely try to take classes with him. If you go to his office hours he'll give you all the time in the world. You have to earn his respect, but if you're willing to do that, he'll give the same back to you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL157
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this course in my first year at Queen's and it was the best decision of my life. Paul Fairfield is absolutely the most dry, honest prof here and if you found him condescending, you may have missed the point. RE: Pop Quizzes - If you attended class regularly they were a God send.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Philosophy students, do not be hesitant. Fairfield is a spectacular professor - He is not arrogant or condescending, he is just deeply concerned with the state of the human condition. I've never had a professor so devoted to his studies. Great dry humour, and do not be late for his class.