Joseph Neisser - Grinnell College

Professor: Joseph Neisser

Department: TBD

College: Grinnell College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHI295PHI215
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the best Profs on campus. Really knows how to balance class discussions with very important remarks. Extremely open-minded about different ideas. Very accessible Prof ass well. Very genuine and humble as well. Classes are extremely eye-opening and exciting

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHI253
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took his Phil & Lit (135) & then Phil of Mind. Both were fantastic classes. He's a very chill/laid-back guy. I appreciated that we had oral exams in 253--they took a fair bit of prep, but were ultimately faster & easier than papers or written exams. I find his perspectives & speciality very interesting, but he always welcomes diverse ideas.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• 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:

Interesting discussion, amusing lectures

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• 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:

Doesn't assign too much reading, and class is interesting for both those very interested in philosophy as well as those without as much dedication. Tends to explain difficult concepts simply, and is prepared to expand on those depending on class discussion.

Rating # 5

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Neisser:basically it'd be fabulous to talk philosophy with this guy casually over the weekend(he actually did attend block party, entertaining),but hes not the most clear teacher.Hes young so that could be inexperience.Tells often corny but amusing jokes & will sometimes do Schwarzeneggar impressions. Also, quite attractive.Talk to him about ethics

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Joe's a funny guy, which make his incredibly dull and unfocused lectures a little more bearable. He knows his stuff, but he doen't really help you to understand things. He is a fairly easy grader though. I suggest his class only if you have some background in philosophy--otherwise, it is easy to get lost.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHI106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Neisser is a fun, interesting guy, but he seemed to give the highest grades to assignments where we regurgitated the reading, and was very critical when students tried to apply the learned concepts in different ways. Not a great supporter for original thinking or a reworking of ideas. . .

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Neisser made no secret of his political views in my intro to Philosophy class. While sometimes mildly amusing, I often wished that he would stay on subject. I found him to be rather closed-minded and somewhat arrogant.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHI106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Joe is hilarious! The discussions in class are always interesting. He's a fair grader and really wants you to understand the concepts. Super helpful in his office and if you mess up an assignment, he'll work with you to fix it. Really wants to you do your best.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Philosophy is not a class for everybody. Beware of this class if you aren't sure you like philosophy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• 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:

No Comments

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a great guy. I found his lectures very interesting, helpful and entertaining. He is definitely an attractive man...wow. He helps his students out if they ask and is a reasonable grader: he's not obsessed with technicalities and wording. He'd rather you understand the ideas. A great class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Neisser is a lovely man. I thought lectures were quite clear; he does a good job "motivating the image", even with complicated material early in the morning (lots of pop-culture references). Discussions weren't so hot - often lacked direction. Not as scary in his office as he seems in class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHILOSOPHY111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A really chill, funny guy who tends to ramble in his lectures. I really enjoyed the class, if not everything we read.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Neisser is much better on a personal level than in his lectures. The some of material was confusing and his lectures seem kind of unfocused and didnt lead to any better of an understanding of the text. Fair-easy grader. The way he does grading makes the class easy and a good intro

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's awesome. Very funny, very nice. Contrary to what others said, I thought he did a good job keeping discussions focused. While the material in this course is often confusing, he does a great job clarifying, and is, in my opinion, a fairly easy grader. Highly reccomended

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHI111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Affable guy with lots of interest in garage rock. His cynicism makes class far more interesting, and is good at provoking interesting discussions, although they aren't necessarily about the material at hand. Pretty recommendable in general.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Neisser is funny, easy to relate to, and an easy-going guy all around, but when it comes to actually teaching and instilling discipline in class discussion, he is lacking. For weeks the conversation wandered aimlessly. he's got ability, but need to cntrl

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Sometimes confusing, but funny and entretaining.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHI101
• 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:

He is hilarious and interesting, and extremely attractive. He makes boring material come alive and has one sexy chainsmokers' raspy voice!