Allan Silverman - The Ohio State University

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Allan Silverman - The Ohio State University

Professor: Allan Silverman

Department: Philosophy

College: The Ohio State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PHIL3210
Grade Received: Not sure yet
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Even online, this class is memorable. Silverman has amazing lectures. He cares greatly about students, and the whole class is graded off 2 papers (but you have to work for it to get an A). He goes on tangents, such as about when he would illegally ride trains as a child in Germany. He's hilarious, caring, smart, and terrifying. Great class!

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PHILOS2465
Grade Received: A+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Death and the Meaning of Life for my GE Lit without knowing anything about philosophy. Turns out I hate it, but this class was still fun and interesting due to Allan's stories. Only grades are two papers, which you can get feedback on from the TAs. Was not an easy A for me, but it is definitely attainable when you ask for help.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PHILOS1100H
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a good professor and very understanding.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PHILOS2465
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:

I took this class to fulfill my literature GE and im so happy i took it! Allan is enlightening and extremely intelligent. Im so grateful i took this class because of the new persepectives on life I have gained. We only had to read two books and write two papers for the entire class. Overall would recommend!!! 10/10

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PHIL3210
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Genuine and caring professor. His class was easy so long as you went to class or actually read the assigned readings. He basically outlines exactly what needs to be said in his paper to receive an A. If you are interested in the material, then this class will be a breeze for you and you will also end up understanding difficult topics in Philosophy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PHIL3210
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Silverman is all-around pretty good. Very tough grader, but definitely willing to help if you seek it out. Kinda a hard-ass, but inspirational at times. Shared some funny digressions about his college roommates and their experiences with LSD.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PHILO1101
Grade Received: A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great lecturer if you like trying to understand/answer life's biggest questions. Mr. Silverman used Plato's Republic as the book for my class, fall 2016. Grade structure is literally just a midterm paper, a final paper, and extra credit for attendance. Definitely helps to read the book assigned since that's what you write about for both papers.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PHIL1100
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a GE and I honestly did not have much of an interest in Philosophy at all. I went to the first two lectures and stopped going out of boredom. There are only two papers and the topics are not hard if you read the book and go to recitation! Recitation clarifies papers and takes participation attendance. GO TO RECITATION!

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PHIL1100
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:

Genuine guy, you can tell he really enjoys teaching. Lectures aren't mandatory but they really do help to clarify the readings. Same with recitation. Recitation attendance will be used as a tie breaker if you're in between grades at the end of the semester. Plato's Republic was a pretty easy translation to read if you get the new version.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PHIL1100
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

There are only a 5 page midterm and a 5 page final. During the recitation a TA will give the answers to the paper you just have to write it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PHIL1100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Favorite teacher at The Ohio State University. Incredibly friendly, helpful, and approachable. The only class I looked forward to going to, take him at least once for a GE if at all possible.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PHIL1101
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:

Going into this class, I had zero interest in or respect for philosophy. Professor Silverman changed that. You can tell he genuinely wants to be there and that he honestly wants to hear what his students think. Take his class--for his stories if nothing else.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PHILO1101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor. The only class I looked forward to going to. Class covers only Plato's Republic. Silverman does go off on random tangents. Some days we barely covered Plato's Republic. I believe that the tangents were related to the material. Knows everything about OSU. If you need advice on anything OSU related he is the man. Top Notch.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PHIL1100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class was pretty straightforward, only two essays. He grades the essays pretty harshly, but let us correct them until we got better grades. Class was fairl interesting, but only focuses on Plato. Not a very good class for broad intro to philosophy, but good if you like Plato.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PHILO301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Silverman's lectures are amazing, and he's great at relating to our age group. If you don't read the material, he will chew you out for it. He's really great in office hours, and just wants to see that you're reading and trying to understand the stuff. Dr Silverman does swear profusely in lecture; keep that in mind if you're easily offended

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PHIL101
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:

Although class is entertaining and interesting, his teaching style is disorganized and not cogent. It's difficult to distinguish tangents from what you're actually supposed to know.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PHILO301
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 entertaining professor & lots of fun to listen to. A lot to read, but he goes over it in class clearly, so you will be able to pick up all of the main points. Doesn't take attendance every class, only when he feels like it. Doesn't always respond to your emails, which is extremely frustrating. Still, this guy is one of the best at Ohio State.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PHILO301
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:

If you come prepared to class, and have an interest in philosophy Silverman's lectures are enlightening. If you don't like reading, or being called out for sloppy thinking/talking, don't take it. Also, he will be more than happy to help you in office hours.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: PHIL301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Silverman is a great prof if you are looking for a lecturer who will keep you entertained and make you want to go to class. Unfortunately, he does have a tendency to wander from tangent to tangent. Assuming you read and understand all of the material, you should be fine, as all of the papers are essentially just regurgitating arguments.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PHIL301
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Silverman was good-natured and pretty funny, but the class was unorganized and sometimes it was hard to keep track of what we were expected to know versus what was just an aside. The TA's created the grading rubric for both the midterm essays and the final essay, so ask them about it first.

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