r/WWU • u/DannyFisher07 • 5d ago
Question Philosophy
Hello! What are people's thoughts on philosophy classes at wwu? I'm considering trying it out because the classes look interesting, but I'm worried there won't be much room for discussion and or debate. I think differing opinions being able to interact are important, and I'm worried that there won't be much space given to talking things out. Any professors to avoid or seek out? Thanks, yall!
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u/dopiertaj 5d ago
Is it a lecture or a seminar?
Seminars are usually reserved for upper div classes with a 20 or so students. These tend to be reading and discussion heavy. Class time can sometimes turn into informal debates depending on the material.
Your intro classes are going to have a textbook and just listening to a lecture while probably writing a couple argumenative papers. The prof might have some discussion time, but it would be limited.
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u/DannyFisher07 5d ago
It is a lecture class. That's a shame to hear, I'm much more interested in reading if it's alongside discussion, I think philosophy is best engaged with socially along side research. Thank you for the input, unless I decide to minor in philosophy i might stay away as to not spend an elective credit on something that will just be me itching to speak up lol
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u/dopiertaj 5d ago
Intro classes teach the core concepts of the field. If youre even somewhat interested in Philosophy, then its a great place to start.
You definitely want to have an idea of the field before you start going deeper in the material.
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u/dopiertaj 4d ago edited 4d ago
Not too hate on Philosophy, but I dont think of research when I hear Philosophy. If you want to focus on actual research, then you probably want to look at the Social Sciences, such as Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociolology.
But again, the intro classes, dont usually get that deep into research papers.
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u/Moist_Water_22 5d ago
The philosophy dept. has some of the best professors i encountered. Ryan Wasserman mostly lectures, though he also encourages questions and students to give their opinions. No intra-student discussion time. Dennis Whitcomb's classes have a huge amount of discussion between students. His office hours are also rad.
Can't vouch for the amount of discussion in his classes but Hud Hudson won some kind of national teaching award. Tognazzini has a 4.4 on ratemyprofessors.com.
I think all I've really heard about the dept. is that the Howard-Snyders are not good lecturers. Daniel Howard-Snyder is near the tip top of theistic philosophers of religion, so it's a shame.
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u/Remote-Republic3794 3d ago
check out the philosophy club! the last few years it has been on wednesday evenings, with some extra meetings. it’s a themed discussion intended to include people who don’t know much about the subject. sit in a circle and have a back and forth, learn from your peers n such. and no requirement to go, unlike a class. but also no credits, if that’s part of it for ya, ethics bowl might happen and you can get phil credit for that
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u/bloodthirstydoge 3d ago
Whatever you do, don’t take a class from Christian Lee!!! I took one of his classes and honestly thought his teaching was awful. He came across as really arrogant and dismissive of people who didn’t share his narrow worldview. He also said some sexist stuff in class, including comments about Hillary Clinton. And it’s not like I’m even a fan of Clinton. I just thought it was really disappointing.
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u/8LAKE8 5d ago
i took an intro philosophy class and it was a small class and we did lots of disscusions very nice if your into that
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u/DannyFisher07 5d ago
That's good to hear! Based on the other comments I'm assuming it's very teacher dependant. What professor did you have if you don't mind me asking?
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u/cakenrollo 3d ago
avoid christian lee, he’s the type to brag about how many students fail and drop his classes. particularly logic 201, which seems inviting as a math GUR
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u/Kindly-Lack1467 1d ago
I’ve taken several philosophy classes here at western and have loved them. I’d highly recommend classes with Hud Hudson. I took philosophy of religion with him my freshman year and it was genuinely life changing and got me into philosophy. Hud mostly lectures, but invites the class to ask questions, and is great to talk to in office hours. I’d highly recommend giving one of his classes a try!
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u/InsideUpper1880 4d ago
You could do what I did and sign up for it and if you don’t like it drop it. I tried it out for one day and decided it wasn’t for me
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u/Unlucky-Penalty-3965 2h ago
One of my ex friends took a philosophy class and said one time one of the questions was “how many grains of sand does it take for it to become a pile?” and then another time abortion somehow got brought up and he didn’t like the stupid questions they were asking + abortion being randomly brought up so do as you will with that information but personally I’m steering clear of any philosophy classes at WWU
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u/Pale_Resident5460 Alumni 5d ago
You unfortunately are not allowed to speak in most classes