David Austin - North Carolina State University

Professor: David Austin

Department: TBD

College: North Carolina State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class has no homework. There will be two true or false questions a week but you have 24 to do them each. The exams are very very hard, open note, 24 hr. I got a 65% on each of them, but he curves a lot so I ended with an A- in the class. The class isn't horrible to sit through but I would do that instead of reading the textbook.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

While there are only T/F quizzes and tests, both are very difficult. There are a lot of readings, and even after reading them over and over again, the concepts are often impossible to grasp. Also, as someone said, he takes it very, very seriously. Avoid this class, take 205 or something else. I only took it b/c it was online. Don't make my mistake.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class 20 years ago and it still gives me nightmares. I remember David Austin dismissing someones question by telling the person that they must be weak of character. He takes himself way too seriously. But some folks seem to have had a good experience. Not my cup of tea.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• 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:

The only work in the class is comprised of doing readings and answering 1-2 true/false questions per week. Here's a tip: If the statement suggests that there's a definite answer about anything discussed in the course, it's false. Not like these quizzes really matter, given that they make up 5% of the total grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

David is a smart guy who really knows his stuff. To the common college student however, it can get confusing. Lots of heavy readings and some really meta concepts- some of it is interesting and some of it just seems unnecessary. Tests are super hard but it doesn't matter because there's a huge curve.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHI221
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The only grades in the class are tests and attendance. The tests are phrased so confusingly that you won't even understand the question. Overall-didn't learn anything. The class itself sucks and there isn't any material that is explained well enough to be interesting. Austin is soft-spoken and difficult to understand.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHI221
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This is by far the worst class I've ever taken. First of all, the class is only 30 people maybe but he speaks at such a low volume that you won't hear him. He doesn't give any homework and his tests are open book, online, and you can work in a group but he still grades it so tough that only 2% will get an a and 40% will fail.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Seems to care a lot about students - gives you a lot of information and statistics to show what you need to do. Information is HARD but tests are all open note/open book and you have 24 hours to take them. They are much harder than anticipated.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I do not recommend this class to anyone. The material does not give clear answers to quizzes or tests. The micro quizzes are only one true or false question and typically don't make sense. There is never an exact answer to a problem, you must interpret to find right answer. Although the entire class was failing, the prof. thought to change nothing.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is the worst class I've taken. It's an absolute disgrace when about 20 people show up in a class with 300 people enrolled. Everything is online and attendance is optional, otherwise no one would take this class. He wrote the textbook and he contradicts himself throughout. It comes down to just guessing on tests, as everything is subjective.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This prof is INCREDIBLY profound. I would SO take this class over again if I could. There's a lot of material to read and no lecture videos. The texts he provides are interesting. You have to work for the grade. DO NOT take this class if you're looking for an easy A online class and expect you can get by without reading anything.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Literally just do the practice exams for every test. The first two tests I just read and re-read the material and I didn't do that great on the tests, but then I did about 5 problems a day of the practice exam and referenced the text when I didn't know the answer and my score went up dramatically. Also, the majority of the true false q's are false.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

God forbid you *think* in a philosophy class. Obviously great teacher, but it's important to note that although there's not much reading, it's all online, and lectures are optional (but fun).

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I personally did not enjoy the class or the subject matter and often found it confusing, but I attended class all of 2 times (attendance is optional) and I did very little of the reading so that is definitely not Dr. Austin's fault. Don't be lazy, put in some effort, and you should be able to make an A- easily.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Austin's class is interesting. His tests are very difficult BUT he offers a major curve which makes them less intimidating. The final is also optional. Overall his lectures and topics of discussion are interesting. Tests are online and he allows people to take them in groups. Make sure to make a Google Doc & share for the test! It will help.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hardest class I have ever taken. Hands down. But the curve makes it an easy B+,A- if you try a little. Also the smartest man I have ever met. Great lectures and amazing content. Will blow your mind but you might hate it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great course material, very interesting. Monotoned and optional lectures, but you will NOT do well without attending. This class is moderately difficult with TONS of reading. Do not work in groups- Dr. Austin allows testing in groups, but provides evidence why this is an AWFUL idea. Do the reading, go to lectures, test alone and slowly- succeed.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I swear this man is from another planet. As a Philosophy minor, I was really excited about taking this class - although I'd heard how confusing it could be. Everyone was right. The syllabus - to put into perspective - is about 30 pages long. Test questions are ridiculous and paragraphs long - followed by true or false. Work in groups - easy B.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• 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:

Very difficult course material, but he's always willing to help. He's clear on directions & will clarify anything. Open book/partner tests. Huge curve. Extra credit. Class is optional but attend anyway. It DEFINITELY helps. He loves playing devil's advocate and making students think.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI340
• 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:

one of the most interesting and mind boggling classes i've taken at ncsu. some days he leads you to believe you don't exist or everyone else isn't really there. kids try to challenge his class but they get owned. its great.