James Boettcher - Saint Joseph's University

Professor: James Boettcher

Department: TBD

College: Saint Joseph's University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHL330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nicest guy ever! But his class was very hard. It was easy to participate but his tests and papers were very hard because the material is difficult to comprehend. Wish that he realized none of the students were Phl majors.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He can be intimidating at first and you can fall into the idea that since the material is new and tough, that he's hard. However, as long as you pay attention in class, participate (!!!), and go to office hours, you will be completely fine. Readings were not necessary for comprehension. He's a great teacher who is respectful of your thougthts.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHL154
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took his class as a pre-req but I wouldn't recommend him for a non-major. Too intense of a course we were learning at too high of a level. Philosophy is hard to understand but with lots of reading I didn't do most of it so showing up to class was where most of my learning was. Exams hard, but he lets you bring notecard for essays.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I have no idea what's going on in this class. I try to pay attention and I take notes but I have no idea what is going on. Would not recommend. A philosophy major tried to tutor me and he had no idea what I was learning.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a tough teacher. As a teacher, he definitely should stick to upper level PHL courses because that is where he excels. Goes on and on until he loses the whole class, very confusing.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SL10111021
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy. A lot of reading on specific philosophers, two major papers, gives extra credit throughout year. Def need to read and try to ask questions. Office hours are always open if need be. Check out his funky socks.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHL330
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a senior to fulfill my ethics intensive requirement. I despised showing up and could not pay attention for the life of me. Extremely boring lectures and readings, hard exams, stupid in-class assignments, and a professor who is not helpful. Not the best recipe for a college course for your last semester -___-

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHL330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

PHL 330 Social and Political Philosophy is the WORST class I think I have ever taken. It is a philosophical anthropology class that also satisfies ethics but it's awful. Readings every class, lectures are boring and confusing, and a lot of major assignments. Highly recommend you do not take this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHL220
• 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:

If you are looking for a class that satisfies multiple overlays but bores you to death this is for you. Dr. Boettcher is a nice, well spoken, professor but unfortunately the readings assigned consist of theoretical political models that only use hypothetical examples. Few grades but if you can get through the readings and listen you should do well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHL262
• 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:

He's a really nice guy. Takes attendance every class, kind of a hard grader, but it's not impossible to do well in the class. The reading for the class is dry, boring, and difficult, but he breaks it down for you in class. His explanations can get confusing, but he'll gladly help you outside of class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MORAL1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Boettcher is helpful, kind and beyond interested in the subject matter. He's clearly a genius, but humbly communicates information to students. Easy grader and way too hot to be a philosophy professor. Interesting teacher and great eye candy!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: POLIPHL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Boettcher is nice enough. Half the time, I am trying to understand what he's talking about though. He's in his own Philosophical World. PHL makes him smile. Confusing, but fairly easy grader. His babbles are met infrequently with student enthusiasm.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHLSL
• 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:

I absolutely loved Dr. Boettcher. He increased my interest of philosophy ten fold. I am honestly considering entering next year as a phl major because of him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL154
• 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:

He gives a lot of work and is sometimes confusing, but he's a nice guy and if you do the homework, e-mail him about concerns you have, you'll be okay.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHLSL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The class is not easy, but if you make an effort he'll definitely notice. I didn't do so well but I still managed a B-. I had him all year which helped. But when you're taking him he'll be a huge pain in the ass. Material is hard and he understands that so grades easy.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHL1021
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Boettcher is incredibly passionate about the subject, and is more than willing to help any student who needs assistance. He offers plenty of opportunities for participation in class, is a fair grader, and points out specific strengths and weaknesses when grading. Material can be dry, but he is charming, and he makes the class interesting!

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Easy teacher that gives notes for all readings, and tests are stupid essays, but is very very boring and mumbles alot

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHLSL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's not an easy teacher, but he's really a nice teacher and really will go out of his way to help you. Take him for Service-Learning, he never gives you pop quizzes. Overall a decent professor, though sometimes he can get a little long winded.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHL1011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy sucks. he's terrible. he gives pop quizzes on the stupid readings that he assigns for every class. tests are impossible