Colin MacLeod - University of Victoria

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Colin MacLeod - University of Victoria

Professor: Colin MacLeod

Department: Philosophy

College: University of Victoria

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He directed his attention to me personally during class. A friend even asked, "Are you aware that he is looking at you all the time?" I was acutely aware. It was intellectual attention, but I was more embarrassed than flattered. I pretended not to notice. I put my face in my notes every time he looked at me. Does he idealize other students?

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: C+
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I did not receive a stellar grade in this class, I would not fault Colin for this however. I found his lectures to be quite stimulating and enjoyable as they engaged wholeheartedly with the readings. Several other reviews assert Colin to be a snob pertaining to his legal background, I perceived him to just be passionate about the subject.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: PHIL101
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 2.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Colin will give you the mark he thinks you deserve as opposed to the one you earn. Expect to have marks taken away (or given) based on his subjective assessment of YOU, not your work. He is an unabashed snob.

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Was probably born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Arrogant. Talks down. He's a philosophy professor, but if you go four years at UVic in the Philosophy department without hearing about his association with the Law school a million times, you deserve some sort of medal.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: C-
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I did the readings, sat through the monotonous lectures, and put effort into my essays. What killed me was my mark seemed to be based on my verbal participation in class. Due to a condition, I found it tough to speak up, so I tried to visit him during office hours. He gave me 5 minutes a week. Worst mark I've ever had. Still graduated with honours.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a tough professor, but he's also one of the best. I did well on the tests, but awful on the term paper. I ended up with a B+ (somehow), but that's aside from the point. Take his class, write a draft, get better at writing philosophy.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

MacLeod is not dry; on the contrary, he brings liveliness and enthusiasm to what is inherently technical material. He understands the relevant philosophical distinctions and employs terminology which accurately and helpfully characterizes them. He is tough, true, but his criticisms are fair and well placed. I highly recommend him.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
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:

Dr. Macleod knows his ethics through and through. He is versed in the cutting edge contemporary problems of moral, legal, and political philosophy. I read some other comments here and many people think that he is dry and technical. These criticisms would be more fairly directed at the material itself. It's philosophy!! Highly recommended.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
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:

Dr. Macleod lectures clearly and knows his material. He is fairly open about what he thinks and some may find him unsympathetic to contrary ideas. My only real complaint is that Macleod lets students get a bit too carried away with irrelevant or repetitive discussion. He is very helpful in office hours, and I recommend his classes overall.

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's not great at seminars, but lectures well (he's particularly good at fielding questions). If you don't seriously dig the course material, you will not find his thoroughness enjoyable. If you do, you'll find that he provides useful readings and good clarifications on the key or disputed points. He's tough and a little intimidating, but fair.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the smartest profs ive ever met. Very clear and organized class- you definately get more out of it if you come prepared to debate. This guy knows his stuff when it comes to philosophy, law, and politics.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: PHIL232
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:

Unfortunately MacLeod marks you, not your work. Very disappointing, I expected UVic to provide better teachers. He also manages to thwart all enthusiasm. Avoid him if you can.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: PHIL400
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this man is evidence of the sad state of the philosophy department at UVic

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I took during degree.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
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:

Holy hell, this class was as about interesting as watching something fossilize. And no windows to stare out of. Torture. I could almost count how many MOLUCULES the ceiling consisted of. And prof is a tough marker. However, he's helpful, and always up for a good discussion if you come prepared (ie. do the readings).

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
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:

the absolute worst class I have ever taken! his class is horribly boring, it is almost painful to sit through class as I would rather poke my eye out with a pen. he dwells on stupid small points that have nothing to do with the issues and like to confuse it with some big words. take my advise don't take this class unless you have to.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: PHIL
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:

Clear lecturer but the issues he brings up in the class are techinical and largely irrelevant to 99% of the population. Tough marker.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A stuffed shirt, and that's all -- unable to move the class into anything that resembles actual discourse. Instead, he haggles over minute, dry technical points. His lectures are droning and insightless. At least class structure is really flexible, to the point where you don't actually have to attend.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: 300S
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If intelligence is gauged by clarity of expression, synthesis of complex material, and receptivity to other ideas, then Professor MacLeod simply isn't intelligent. It's amazing how much time he spends talking without making substantial points that truly make you THINK about moral issues.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: PHIL335
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.5
Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not a bad prof, although with a topic like moral philosophy, you'd think the class could be more interesting. Don't rely on the web notes, they are not enough, and are often unclear. Buy a dictionary!

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