His lectures are pointless. Just go to discussion and the review sessions before the exams.

Overall the class wasn't too hard, his lectures are decent, but the most important this is having a good TA, that's what really makes you or breaks you. Take this class it's not too bad!

i absolutely love professor almog's enthusiasm! people may complain that it is unstructured and redundant and such, but in my opinion, thats just philo for you. it's just awesome that the professor really cares about what he's talking about--it's his passion that really drives lecture. i really enjoyed going to lecture, but i must say that discussions are completely vital, as are the review sessions. i would absolutely recommend my TA, joe hwang--he's completely awesome and knows his stuff. over all i totally loved the class -- it was really awesome! -- and it's one of the major reasons why i'm going to major in philosophy.

Almog's lectures are extremely hard to follow. He lectures with a French accent and no structure. The TAs can be helpful but many times you will find that no matter how much things are explained to you, you still don't understand the material. The exam questions are given to you beforehand but it is still very difficult to answer them. Writing philosophy is very tricky and you have to be specific and be very careful with your word choice. Getting a "B" in this class is not that difficult but getting an "A" is hard.

It's really pointless to go to lectures because the TA's cover everything...The discussions are where you actually learn something and able to comprehend what almog tries to teach during lectures...So go to all the discussion and find out what your TA wants then you'll be set and get a A in the class. Almog gives you the questions before hand so you really have to work on them if you want to do well. But the TA's help you out alot so it's really not that difficult. The subject matter is pretty useless for everyday life. "Pain" is a topic you talk about alot. Overall it's a easy GE class

this class was pritty good. although at times i though if the class isent pointless. there are some interesting ideas thaough. Almog is a good, funny teacher and he is fair. he gives the midterm and final questions out a week before but that does not mean they are easy. you reall have to prepare to get an A. if you want philosophy for philosophy sake take the class, if you want to acctually do someting that might make you think about the meaning of life, pick another one.

Not as easy as people make it out to be because yes, you do get the midterm and final questions ahead of time, but it depends on your TA (who grades both). Go to his/her office hours to make sure that you have everything he/she is looking for because each TA might look for a different thing. The review sessions are very helpful but you HAVE to go to lectures. Oh, and if you like being lectured to directly, sit in the very front row. At least you'll never fall asleep because he'll be talking right to you.
Overall, the class is alright if you go to lecture and discussion. There isn't a lot of outside reading/studying so at least it doesn't take up a lot of your time.

I disagree with the person below in one respect: the TA. I had Justin Kirvan, and he's the most bitter, nitpicky, and spiteful TA I've ever had. His grading was almost merciless, and apparently he expects incredible papers out of a lower div phil class. Almog was most certainly an easier grader, which absurd. These people need a rubric that they must ALL follow, so that people don't get screwed simply because of which TA they have.

As for Almog himself, he's passionate about his material, but his lectures are beyond boring, and have absolutely no substance. Even with caffeine to keep me from falling asleep, I habitually daydreamed about more interesting things, such as the wallpaper in the room. His class is very easy, and I went to every lecture/discussion. Just because it's easy doesn't mean you'll get a good grade, even if you study. I suppose it depends on the mood of the TA when he/she's grading it.

The concepts of the class are interesting, proffesor Almog is not. If you pay attention 20% of the time and go to discussions and review sections you can easily pull get an A. It is a very easy class in that respect..............that is if you get a TA other than Jen Nery. Worst TA ever!! It seemed like some of us in the discussion knew more! Does not understand the material herself at all. She needed students to correct her! Boring yet easy class

Professor Almog seems to be very knowledgeable of the material he teaches but he can sometimes bore you with redundance. Although his class consists of a midterm and a final, this class is not as easy as it seems because the grading tends to be hard especially if Almog is the one who grades the exam. During the exam one should try to write as much as possible in order to show understanding of the material. You should attend lecture because when you go to discussion everything will be made clear and less confusing. Just try to know very well the study questions that he gives before the tests because they the exact same questions on the actual exams.