Barry Stroud - University of California Berkeley

Professor: Barry Stroud

Department: TBD

College: University of California Berkeley

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

What can I say. Worst class I was subjected to during my time at Berkeley. This was an upper div philosophical writing course, so not in his area of specialization. With that, he did pick the readings and lectured on those readings which were in his areas of interest and research. Lectures were useless, he was as engaging as a wet sock.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took 104 from him, which is the Philosophical Writing course. For that, he was a train wreck. I doubt he'll be teaching this course again any time soon, fortunate for everyone.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pretty useless class. Go to a useless lecture, rite a paper a week, meet with GSI to discuss the paper.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186B
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

BEWARE - Do not take Later Wittgenstein for an easy A. The grading criteria for this course is nonexistant. Your grade is almost wholly contingent on how brilliant your GSI thinks your final paper is. I doubt more than a handful of people were given A's. That being said, Barry is fantastic and a well-versed philosopher. GSI's are beyond tough.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186B
• 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:

very thorough instruction, literally right out of the book. I found it too slow, but that's okay because I skipped class here and there and found out we were pretty much in the same place we were the time before. Or maybe that's just because it was Wittgenstein. I like the professor a lot - I just hate the subject matter.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL176
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the greatest living philosophers and someone with a deep and comprehensive understanding of Hume's philosophy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Really dry, and grades really tough

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good lecturer, although he tends to linger on particular topics for too long. He demands class participation and sometimes taunts students, but it is all in good humor. Grades are not generous in this course. He expects good philosophy.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

metaphysics is by far the worst class offered at cal. i am a phil major and hate the class. everyone i know in that class including myself could not find the motivation to wake up for the class. the lectures were dry, the material was repetitive, and the grading was unfairly difficult. i had stroud for 186 and he was great but this class sucks

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHILPHIL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Thorough, original, clear. Stroud is amazing. He goes through primary texts with great care and insight. He can be a bit harsh, but this isn't a problem as long as you keep in mind that (1) he doesn't mean it personally and (2) this just underscores the fact that when he says you've made a good point, he really means it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

This is the real thing! Barry makes difficult philisophical concepts relevant -- almost too relevant. He's also a charming and passionate lecturer. If you have half a brain you'll be altered for life. Best, most unforgettable class at Berkeley!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL176
• 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:

stroud is the only TRUE philosopher at berkeley.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HUME
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Stroud is exceptionally methodical and clear. If you're someone who's interested in going through the raw mechanics of philosophical arguments than stroud is your man. He also has a good sense of humor but he won't shy away from shooting down your question if he thinks it's ill founded.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the best courses I ever took. Challenging to the point that it took a week of booze at the end of the semester to pull myself together again, and frankly, I never fully recuperated from all of that Strawson. I totally recommend Stroud to anyone who ants to get their ass kicked.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

So Boooooooooooooring!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

B. Stroud was my professor waaaay back in 1987 and I absolutely LOVED it. He has a way of making abstract philisophical concepts relevant to your life. His class really is mind altering. Keep it up, Barry!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: KNOWLEDGE
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You will not find a clearer philosophy lecturer at Cal (well, maybe Scheffler comes close). Funny, really takes the time to get to the center of the issue..my favorite philosophy lecturer, for sure.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL186
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class was hard, more because of Wittgenstein than Stroud. He was clear, knowledgeable, and funny. Humble despite his brilliance. Quiet, and a bit socially awkward outside of class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL122
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Seems questionable in his scholarship. For example, authored books on Hume, but can't consistently justify the positions in them. Poor office availability. Easily angered. Defers to his GSI's even when questionable.