James Sheppard - University of Missouri-Kansas City

Professor: James Sheppard

Department: TBD

College: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading, and definitely pay attention during lectures - take good notes. His exams will have questions from textbook readings, and lectures. His content is interesting enough, but he has you do a LOT of readings outside of class. He makes sure you understand what is being discussed in class, and never make you feel stupid for asking a Q.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sheppard has been one of the most influential teachers I have ever had. His lesson plans are incredible and his lectures are wonderfully odd at times. He's for sure a unique individual and I regret that I can't take any more of his classes. Just overall he's a very good person first and an excellent teacher second.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS321
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sheppard is an interesting professor. But his exams are extremely difficult. He says its basic, surface material but that simply is not the case. You have to read and reread multiple times and understand every passage to get a decent grade. The papers you have to write are graded very hard as well. If you do take this class, be prepared.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL321
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are enjoyable, and often go by before you've realized it. This class is really about the work that you put into it: you're given the material as homework, the lectures clarifies and highlights main points, there's discussion, and then there's tests based on comprehension. If you don't study and understand the concepts, you won't pass.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Sheppard is a really nice guy! very well understood, i loved the lecture. You learn a lot about yourself and the world taking this class. You get to express yourself and your different point of view if you have one. You do need to attend lecture, that'll be the only way you get to see the slides. class is based on 3 exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An overall average professor. Most if not all of his lectures are strictly rehearsed and, even though he says he would like class input, never leaves room for others to talk. It feels like listening an over eager 11th graders book report. You need a baseline interest in philosophy to take this class. If you dont have it, steer clear.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love him but if you want to not show up he has a strict attendance policy

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing, inspirational lectures. Sometimes left with tears in my eyes. An unspeakably kind man with only the best intentions for his students.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I have had while at UMKC by far.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS448
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sheppard is the greatest professor I have had in university. I have now taken four classes with him and plan on taking more. He is incredibly thoughtful in his selection of readings and covers the material in an engaging and clarifying manner. You get what you put into this class, if you put in the effort he'll help you every step of the way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing class, amazing professor. I was kinda nervous taking a philosophy class seeing as I am very religious, but Prof. Sheppard does an amazing job analyzing all points of view from christian, to buddhist, to atheist. He creates a special textbook for the class. You MUST read and attend class, that is the only way you will pass the class

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING teacher. Very knowledgeable. He gives you a lot to read, but his lectures are great. I loved listening to him talk and learn every class. 3 days we got to watch videos. Dr. Shepherd will really make you start thinking about the world we live in and what we are doing. Only a mid term and a final.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sheppard gives AWESOME lectures and is all around a great guy. Loves what he teaches and he does a great job. However, I did struggle with his grading system, only two 75 question multiple choice/true false tests determine your grade and they were not easy for me. Learned more than just written content, lots of life lessons.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I LOVED Professor Sheppard... best prefessor Ive ever had. Im not a philosophy major so I wasnt into the topics of what we were taught & I generally didnt like the subject matter at all. I felt that it was boring, but he actually made the class very fun & entertaining. The SIs (Supplementary Instruction) classes helped A LOT!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHILO210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was an above average professor, although I quickly tired of his obviously rehearsed stories. Seemed half-way sincere and half-way staged. Although I took this class because of course requirements, I was genuinely interested in the subject and overall left feeling disappointed. Focuses alot on things that seem common knowledge vs a lecture

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHILOS210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As a freshman, it was so nice to have such a great prof in my first semester. I wasn't sure what philosophy even was, but his teachings have changed how I see the world. He cares deeply about his students and his lectures are usually thoughtful and entertaining... Glad I had to take this class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of, if not the most power class I have ever taken. Not a class for stubborn stuck in their way people, but maybe it is. This class is very engaging, and you can see the passion he holds for the subject matter along with the importance to connect with his students. Hands down best class I have had up until this point and i already have a degree.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Sheppard is hands down the best professor at UMKC, and Philosophy 210 is a class that will change your life if you let it. I learned so much about myself and the world around me, and as long as you keep up with the assigned reading and show up to class, you can too.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Sheppard is such a sweet professor who truly loves what he does. Coolest dude to talk to, stop by his office hours for sure. His readings are only around 20 pages per lecture, and he uses the entire textbook. Go to class. Seriously. Not only is lecture incredibly helpful for his two exams but he's hilarious and it'll change your life

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL210
• 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:

Very passionate and energetic professor. Makes his class seem meaningful and purposeful. One of the most fun classes I have ever taken.