Thanassis Samaras - George Washington University

Professor: Thanassis Samaras

Department: TBD

College: George Washington University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2010
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Samaras' tests are essay based and are usually 1-2 questions. If you go to class and take good notes (and then regurgitate exactly what he told you), you'll get an A. His lectures are good, and he gives great examples that go beyond the theoretical philosophy. He is funny and keeps everything entertaining and relevant. I'd recommend for an easy A.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL1101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's pretty funny in the lectures, so you'll seldom get bored. Tests can be reasonably tough if you miss a day or two (they're open note and book, but the emphasis is really on your notes, so take good notes and borrow from a friend when you miss), but are not bad otherwise.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lectures can get confusing and might seem disorganized, but it's all connected. If you ask him for help, he will help you. He's funny and his tests aren't that hard. It's open notes and open book, so if you take good notes during lecture, you'll be fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

you don't need to buy his book! i made the mistake of reading it before class and it just confused me more. just go to lecture and word for word notes. tests are 2 questions and answers are in the notes. he has an interesting type of humor and likes to call you out in class to answer his questions. breakout sessions are pointless and boring

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really really enjoyed this class. He was a good professor, maybe not the best I've had, but I was content. Tests were 1-2 questions, didn't know what they would be, so that was somewhat stressful. But they aren't too hard. Open note. If you are going to take PHIL, I recommend him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2010H
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He has a very dry sense of humor and likes to make jokes about how we're all going to fail... slightly discouraging. But he's very knowledgeable and interesting. Definitely pay attention and take lots of notes. No tests, just a few essays and short answer questions throughout the semester.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL51
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Write down everything he says, then go through your notes later and organize them. Type your notes, so you can write down a lot! Memorize the wording his uses in class, and you will do well. Very nice, he wants to help you.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst profs I've had at GW. Incoherent lectures. Arbitrary grading of essays (actually, I didn't get a grade, just a "good job"). His class is not difficult, but he insists on giving very few As and a high number of Bs and Cs just to prove to himself and his department that his class isn't easy. I discourage you from taking this prof

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Samaras said on the first day, "it is hard to get an A in my class." He wasn't kidding. The only problem is that it's not that his class is intellectually challenging. He wants to break egos by giving Cs/Bs. Lectures are often off-topic, though necessary for exams. YOU MUST PARTICIPATE - even if he will painfully laugh at what you have to say.

Rating # 10

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:

Quite possibly the best professor at GW. Has a European feel, and a great sense of humour. He is a great teacher, the classes are all discussions, and you will laugh a lot. His exams take about 10 mins to complete. The readings are very interesting but you can do well without reading if you go to class. Go to his office hours, he is a great guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Samaras is a great prof who wants his students to do well. Go to office hours. Reading isn't really necessary, and he knows it. Those who participate in class (fill in the blanks in his sentences) will get high grades. My only complaint is that his essay assignments are incredibly vague (i.e. you can write about almost anything).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great guy! very understanding, I was almost going to fail the first 2 weeks, but he sat me down, and help guide me through the class....quizzes are hard, but they ATTENDANCE WILL GET YOU an easy B

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

First B of my college career and I've gotten straight A's in all my other philosophy classes. Write down every word he says during class. You don't have to do the reading. Our final was true/false (unheard of for a philosophy class??). He is quite entertaining though.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• 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:

Your grade is completely subjective based on whether he likes you or not. Answers to quizzes and tests must be what he wants otherwise they're wrong. Easy in that reading isn't really required, but hard in that you have to be able to fill in his blanks when speaking during class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL051
• 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:

Don't be fooled by previous ratings. He doesn't give out too many A's, aka he tries to make it "harder" for people to get A's. attendance is important since the quizzes and exams are based on the what he lectures in class. His class is pretty interesting though and he tends to make the class laugh.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL051
• 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:

Samaras knows his stuff. He is very funny and make the class entertaining. He expects alot, wants knowledge as opposed to memorizaiton, the class was really instructive.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL051
• 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:

Not as good as the previous reviews make you think. He is unclear about what he expects from students and grades papers harshly. class could be enjoyable but the final grade could be a great disappointment.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• 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 Professor! Extremely funny with a laid back style. Expects you to do the reading and to keep up but helps you if you ask. Wonderful class!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL121
• 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:

Best teacher I've had at GW. I'll take every class he teaches for the rest of my time here if at all possible.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• 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:

Best class ever! I took his Phil 51 class first and thought he was the most interesting engaging professor. One mid-tern and final. and a few tests/quizzes. If you enjoy and get philosophy, take his classes! any of them!!!