Professor
Joshua Armstrong
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2017 - This was my first philosophy class and honestly I feel like I lucked out. Armstrong is a fantastic professor: really engaging and helpful (definitely go to office hours if you're still confused!). I also had a great TA, so the discussion sections were perfect for clearing up any lingering questions. The grade consisted of: 1. Weekly quizzes (about two questions long. One question about topics covered in the previous week and one question about topics covered in the readings) [20% of grade] 2. One short paper (like a page long; served as a sort of tester paper so you get used to the formatting of writing a philosophy paper) [5% of grade] 3. Two longer papers (4-5 pages; one due around midterms and one due around finals) [30% of grade each] 4. Discussion Attendance/Participation [15% of grade] I rated the workload as "neutral" because there is quite a bit of reading, but the grade is essentially the papers. I'd definitely recommend attending lectures, Armstrong really clarified a lot of the readings. Philosophy readings can be pretty confusing to follow (and contain a lot of ideas) Armstrong definitely narrowed down the scope of the papers and talked about the important points. I wouldn't consider the class difficult, because it's really just a matter of giving some genuine thought to the topics and then articulating them via the papers/quizzes/discussions. It's all about how you've taken in the information and formulated your own thoughts/opinions about the material. Armstrong and my TA really stressed that they enjoy seeing students engage with the material and contribute their own ideas.
Spring 2017 - This was my first philosophy class and honestly I feel like I lucked out. Armstrong is a fantastic professor: really engaging and helpful (definitely go to office hours if you're still confused!). I also had a great TA, so the discussion sections were perfect for clearing up any lingering questions. The grade consisted of: 1. Weekly quizzes (about two questions long. One question about topics covered in the previous week and one question about topics covered in the readings) [20% of grade] 2. One short paper (like a page long; served as a sort of tester paper so you get used to the formatting of writing a philosophy paper) [5% of grade] 3. Two longer papers (4-5 pages; one due around midterms and one due around finals) [30% of grade each] 4. Discussion Attendance/Participation [15% of grade] I rated the workload as "neutral" because there is quite a bit of reading, but the grade is essentially the papers. I'd definitely recommend attending lectures, Armstrong really clarified a lot of the readings. Philosophy readings can be pretty confusing to follow (and contain a lot of ideas) Armstrong definitely narrowed down the scope of the papers and talked about the important points. I wouldn't consider the class difficult, because it's really just a matter of giving some genuine thought to the topics and then articulating them via the papers/quizzes/discussions. It's all about how you've taken in the information and formulated your own thoughts/opinions about the material. Armstrong and my TA really stressed that they enjoy seeing students engage with the material and contribute their own ideas.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2023 - I took Philos/Ling M24 as a freshman, and I'd say it was a good experience. Each week, there are two readings which were quite dense. Technically, you only need to read seven to write seven essays for the whole grade and you can wing the discussion sections, but that said, I did them all anyway to help choose the best papers to write on-- plus they were interesting! The whole grade is based on six midterm essays, chunked into two groups of three essays, and a final essay. My TA prepared paper outline guide activities during discussions (which are mandatory) that were very helpful in writing each essay. I did, however, attend most office hours to gain more clarity and advice on how to expand on my answers in each essay. I definitely would not have scored an A+ without the office hours. Definitely recommend Mona as your TA! I only went to one office hour with the professor, but he was quite nice and helpful too. The lectures are all recorded, and I referred to those heavily when writing each essay.
Winter 2023 - I took Philos/Ling M24 as a freshman, and I'd say it was a good experience. Each week, there are two readings which were quite dense. Technically, you only need to read seven to write seven essays for the whole grade and you can wing the discussion sections, but that said, I did them all anyway to help choose the best papers to write on-- plus they were interesting! The whole grade is based on six midterm essays, chunked into two groups of three essays, and a final essay. My TA prepared paper outline guide activities during discussions (which are mandatory) that were very helpful in writing each essay. I did, however, attend most office hours to gain more clarity and advice on how to expand on my answers in each essay. I definitely would not have scored an A+ without the office hours. Definitely recommend Mona as your TA! I only went to one office hour with the professor, but he was quite nice and helpful too. The lectures are all recorded, and I referred to those heavily when writing each essay.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - This class was such valuable experience. Lectures were interesting and the professor is engaging and very knowledgeable. The topics were relevant and the readings were well-selected. I enjoyed all the assignments and feel lucky I had the chance to take a class like this before I graduate. I would recommend this class to anyone!
Winter 2024 - This class was such valuable experience. Lectures were interesting and the professor is engaging and very knowledgeable. The topics were relevant and the readings were well-selected. I enjoyed all the assignments and feel lucky I had the chance to take a class like this before I graduate. I would recommend this class to anyone!
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - I loved this class. I learned a lot. Not too difficult. There's a one-page writing assignment every week and an 8-12 page paper for the final. It was all due at the end, so if you have a rough week, it's fine. He just wants you to think deeply about the subject, and the subject is interesting, so it's fun. He's a really nice guy. He's very good at communicating, and he's patient and encouraging.
Fall 2020 - I loved this class. I learned a lot. Not too difficult. There's a one-page writing assignment every week and an 8-12 page paper for the final. It was all due at the end, so if you have a rough week, it's fine. He just wants you to think deeply about the subject, and the subject is interesting, so it's fun. He's a really nice guy. He's very good at communicating, and he's patient and encouraging.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - Grading: 4 persuasive essays 400 word min (given at the beginning of quarter and due at the end), pick 6 essay question for midterm (600 word min), pick 5 essay questions for final (3 short responses and two long). The class was pretty easy, all information was on the slides and in the readings (assigned at least two weekly about 12-26 pages). Professor Armstrong is very nice and wants his students to be engaged in class the TA I had was a joke but the class was fairly easy so not a big deal. Just keep up and begin essay questions early and you should be fine
Fall 2021 - Grading: 4 persuasive essays 400 word min (given at the beginning of quarter and due at the end), pick 6 essay question for midterm (600 word min), pick 5 essay questions for final (3 short responses and two long). The class was pretty easy, all information was on the slides and in the readings (assigned at least two weekly about 12-26 pages). Professor Armstrong is very nice and wants his students to be engaged in class the TA I had was a joke but the class was fairly easy so not a big deal. Just keep up and begin essay questions early and you should be fine
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