PHILOS 4
Philosophical Analysis of Contemporary Moral Issues
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Critical study of principles and arguments advanced in discussion of current moral issues. Possible topics include revolutionary violence, rules of warfare, sexual morality, right of privacy, punishment, nuclear warfare and deterrence, abortion and mercy killing, experimentation with human subjects, rights of women. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - This class was a super easy GE and fairly interesting. For someone who has no back round in philosophy, this class was pretty interesting. She gives screen shares which are super important to study for the tests and the TAs are super helpful too. Id def rec going to the TAs office hours and conversing about essay structure and clarification on topic comprehension. I believe this class is super TA dependent. I would rec this class.
Fall 2021 - This class was a super easy GE and fairly interesting. For someone who has no back round in philosophy, this class was pretty interesting. She gives screen shares which are super important to study for the tests and the TAs are super helpful too. Id def rec going to the TAs office hours and conversing about essay structure and clarification on topic comprehension. I believe this class is super TA dependent. I would rec this class.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Ok, you know he's an easy prof. He gives out the midterm and final questions before both tests and answers any question you might have on them. I didn't get an A in this class however because I got too lazy because it was THAT easy. You don't HAVE to go to lecture, but you should, for the tests. Sometimes he goes over the same topic for like 2 weeks, but thats a hint right there that that's going to be on a test so you should write down what he says. If you don't go to lecture and you don't know the answers for the questions for the midterm or final, go to his or his ta's office hours and they will TELL YOU THE ANSWER! But if you're too lazy like me to do any of those things, you can still easily pull off a B, at the least.
Ok, you know he's an easy prof. He gives out the midterm and final questions before both tests and answers any question you might have on them. I didn't get an A in this class however because I got too lazy because it was THAT easy. You don't HAVE to go to lecture, but you should, for the tests. Sometimes he goes over the same topic for like 2 weeks, but thats a hint right there that that's going to be on a test so you should write down what he says. If you don't go to lecture and you don't know the answers for the questions for the midterm or final, go to his or his ta's office hours and they will TELL YOU THE ANSWER! But if you're too lazy like me to do any of those things, you can still easily pull off a B, at the least.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - Stunningly fantastic class. Hands down, I can confidently say that Brad is one of the best professors at UCLA. Great clarity in lecture, despite the convoluted concepts we wrangle with throughout this course. Extremely engaging and often displays his concern for students' learning. Never harsh or judgemental when students participate, ask questions, or even challenge the material! There are two exams (one midterm, one final) and two papers. A very manageable workload, with lots of time and material provided to prepare. Both the TAs and Brad often host extra hours in the week(s) leading up to exam dates and paper due dates. They are extremely helpful and really get you to practice philosophy and increase your understanding. There were no materials students needed to purchase. Brad would upload chapters and articles for us when necessary. Read them! Lectures often center around the arguments provided in those chapters, and Brad helps clarify and organize them to better suit learning. Brad also uploads (nearly) weekly handouts that contain the specific wording of certain concepts and moral arguments. Extremely helpful and important! Most of the exam material can be sourced from the handouts as well as the lecture explanations regarding them. Waner was my TA, and she is fantastic! Very willing to meet up for extra office hours, and provides easily understandable clarifications on the course material. Also, the most fashionable philosophy TA :)) Please take this class. I've had an amazing time in it; it really expands your understanding of moral issues today. During this quarter, we discussed obligations of aid towards people in need, abortion, as well as the issues regarding medical experimentation. If you thought you were informed on your stances before, think again. Put in the effort to learn in this class; you'll find that you'll get a lot more out of this than you initially thought!
Spring 2019 - Stunningly fantastic class. Hands down, I can confidently say that Brad is one of the best professors at UCLA. Great clarity in lecture, despite the convoluted concepts we wrangle with throughout this course. Extremely engaging and often displays his concern for students' learning. Never harsh or judgemental when students participate, ask questions, or even challenge the material! There are two exams (one midterm, one final) and two papers. A very manageable workload, with lots of time and material provided to prepare. Both the TAs and Brad often host extra hours in the week(s) leading up to exam dates and paper due dates. They are extremely helpful and really get you to practice philosophy and increase your understanding. There were no materials students needed to purchase. Brad would upload chapters and articles for us when necessary. Read them! Lectures often center around the arguments provided in those chapters, and Brad helps clarify and organize them to better suit learning. Brad also uploads (nearly) weekly handouts that contain the specific wording of certain concepts and moral arguments. Extremely helpful and important! Most of the exam material can be sourced from the handouts as well as the lecture explanations regarding them. Waner was my TA, and she is fantastic! Very willing to meet up for extra office hours, and provides easily understandable clarifications on the course material. Also, the most fashionable philosophy TA :)) Please take this class. I've had an amazing time in it; it really expands your understanding of moral issues today. During this quarter, we discussed obligations of aid towards people in need, abortion, as well as the issues regarding medical experimentation. If you thought you were informed on your stances before, think again. Put in the effort to learn in this class; you'll find that you'll get a lot more out of this than you initially thought!
Most Helpful Review
His lectures are boring if you have no personality and are bitter. Yes his Philosophy 4 was early in the morning, but he always made it a cheerful atmosphere with his little jokes about odd human behavior, and he always adds in his behavior to laugh at as well. He is not monotone and explains all his concepts in full depth. The midterm was not that hard. The papers are a little more challenging but your TA will explain will help you out. I would definateley recomend this class to someone.
His lectures are boring if you have no personality and are bitter. Yes his Philosophy 4 was early in the morning, but he always made it a cheerful atmosphere with his little jokes about odd human behavior, and he always adds in his behavior to laugh at as well. He is not monotone and explains all his concepts in full depth. The midterm was not that hard. The papers are a little more challenging but your TA will explain will help you out. I would definateley recomend this class to someone.
Most Helpful Review
Prof Roth is cool. He does his best to make a fairly uninteresting subject appealing to everyone who is a non major in Phil4. Do not bother reading anything, especially if you have a great TA like Justin. The paper topics are just based on your notes and the TA's tell you what to include and the professor repeats the same concepts constantly. The final is also easy. Just know the review sheet and you will ace it. This class=A if you go to lecture and stay awake.
Prof Roth is cool. He does his best to make a fairly uninteresting subject appealing to everyone who is a non major in Phil4. Do not bother reading anything, especially if you have a great TA like Justin. The paper topics are just based on your notes and the TA's tell you what to include and the professor repeats the same concepts constantly. The final is also easy. Just know the review sheet and you will ace it. This class=A if you go to lecture and stay awake.