3.8
Quality3.6
Difficulty52%
Would Retake247
Reviews52%
Would Retake
247
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
135
4
40
3
17
2
19
1
36
What Students Say
“Extremely charismatic teacher; keeps lectures incredibly interesting”
PHIL310 - 4.0 rating“I like Alan Fox as a person”
PHIL309 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
94%
Textbook Required
17%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.81 avg changeRatings by Course
PHIL204W
5.0
(1)WORLDRELI
5.0
(2)PHIL204PH
5.0
(1)PHIL434
5.0
(1)PHIL310A
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PHIL308
5.0
PHIL1000
5.0
PHILOSOPHY
5.0
PHIL204H
4.7
204
4.3
Reviews (247)
VERY interesting class;he's the professor we wish we could have had all 4 years
one of the best professors and one who really cares and remembers his students
Challenging and rewarding class. Unfortunately, some make him out to be a guru.
OUTSTANDING.
outstanding teacher... if you ever get the chance, take him.
excellent teacher, inspiring, friendly
Really knows the subject, remembers everyone's names!!
best teacher I've had at UD, very hard, but worth it, highly reccommended
amazing teacher, good friend as well
He's a very smart man and he's very helpful... grades tough but you know stuff
best teacher at this university. take him if youhavent already
exactly what a college prof is supposed to be, inspires you to want to learn!
Best prof i've had here.. but class is very hard. Good luck with tests
Possibly the best professor I've ever had. He's challenging yet fair.
No Comments
def dont be late to class- without a doubt the best prof at ud
the best prof. i've ever met. he remembers everyone's name even years later!
One of the Best Profs I've ever had!!!! AWESOME class!
The best professor I have ever had! take the class!
Impossible to get a good grade.Material very hard to follow.He failed me!
Possibly the best prof at the university
BestProf ever,Material hard to understand at times,butProf always willin to help
nice guy, but id like to know how the hell he grades answers? who is right?
Fox is the bomb, but his class is not. When in doubt, say "axis mundi!"
Magnificent professor. Funny in a corny way. Great person. Knows his stuff.
awesome teacher, come to class with an open mind!
try to get a copy of an old test... they don't change much. good prof
great teacher, interesting, great class; highly recommended
Fox is great, he forces you to think
amazing professor, great forum for learning. Class is hard but worth it.
Very difficult, yet very interesting.
Teaching from an Anti-JudeoChristian, pro-Islamic, pro-Buddhist idealology
hard class, worth the effort, you want to learn
He has no BIAS if you are an open minded person, very wise and respectable man
Best prof there ever was. He's minging his ming de all over the place.
No Comments
so intelligent, a great teacher in many ways
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worst prof ever...offers no help and finds it enlightening to lose you
By far the best teacher at UD and the smartest person i have ever talked to
Absolutely the smartest man I have ever met- Never learned more in my life.
expected to hate this class but didnt and got a B
will help you 24/7 if you ask him, his joy in life is to teach, challenging...
Worthwhile course
interesting,great teacher but misrepresents Judeo-christian religion
taught me so much about eastern philosophy! brilliant man
The best professor at UD. Witty. Knowledgeable. Refines teaching to an artform
Brilliant man!! very nice! I'd do his mind if i could!!
No Comments
Great class, great prof, and he has a witty and charming sense of humor
his buddhism class blew my mind....forget credit.....take this class for life
very interesting and intelligent.didnt undertsnd 1 thing he was talking about
Good lecturer, very smart. Tests are impossible, can't figure out what he wants.
Excellent teacher, great speaker, know his views inside out for tests - HARD
Greatest Prof Ever
very fast-paced, you will learn a lot about eastern religions, tests are hard!
I took this man's world religion class and added a philosophy minor just so I could take his other classes. This man is an amazing introductor, thorough, thoughtful, full of energy and enthusiasm. I love this man!
Wow. I can hear new neural pathways being made in my brain....
If you are taking World Religions and you are a Christian, watch out, he can get hostile! If you start answering questions based on the Bible he will tell you it is your personal belief, not fact. Otherwise, pretty good prof.
Very intrsting class, nice guy, exams are esaay and he is a hard grader
Amazing lecturer, mkaes you think, approaches every topic from every angle, but be wary of his tests. He may look for something specific, ask it in a convoluted way, and give 0 on a 25 pt question, no matter how much you know if you don't hit a tiny poin
Great professor. Tests are hard but as long as u do really well on papers u should do fine. Definitely best prof. at U of D.
Makes you think. Not the easiest class, but def. most interesting. Very open minded-not a conservative jerk like many other profs here.
Though I acknowledge Fox's knowledge of the subject, I dislike how he frames class discussion -- you get the illusion that you're discussing issues, when in fact his leading questions lead to his personal conclusions, presented as fact.
Great professor. Not easy, not hard. Go to class and pay attention. Don't expect an A unless you're a major or minor. Definitely a class everyone should graduate with just to keep an openmind.
1st, appreciated his open discussion and involving the class, but then that's all he does! He accepts every stupid BS answer and every wrong ans. So u never no which one is right. Sometimes, I wish he would just completely deny a student & state 1 fact!!
Arrogant, Ambigious, Allan. What a freak- thinks he's asian.
No Comments
Very confusing- looks like the guy from the original WaterBalloon Drop.
Just read the book! What is that growth of hair extending from the back of his neck? I don't think it qualifies as a ponytail...
You will get nothing out of the lecture- no actual information whatsoever- and it sux cuz attendance is mandatory!
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring!
Horrible class. Boring. Boring. Very Boring. Can never pinpoint a single answer. Very ambiguous. Class is unecessary. The worst part is that everything is literarily criticized. DONT TAKE THIS CLASS
does present his opinion as fact at times, but let's face it, his opinion is fact ... smart, funny, easy to approach
Who is this joker below me? Yea Be-low ME. Smart? Yea so is Joe Millionaire. Funny? Yea and I'm Madonna. Easy to Approach? Yes those beady eyes through the thick bifocals are so inviting.
He is one of the smartest professors I've had. Though he sometimes recycles ideas between the classes he teaches, he always presents them in fresh ways. You'll have to work, but it is definitely worth it and your A will mean that much more.
I think he really does want you to pass, but he asks way too much out of people who aren't of the philosophical mindset. The class is easy but the tests are killer. Take this course at your own risk!
Hey dont listen to the negative feedback, exams are hard but papers are fair. It'll blow ur mind. Dont take it if ur not ready to sit back and think. Thats what philosophy is people!
great professor, very helpful outside of class, but very hard tests, recycled info throughout classes, dont take class if you NEED a high GPA, it WILL bring you down.
Best philosophy/eastern religion professor ever! Entertaining, brilliant, highly interested in his students!!!
If you are looking for a survey course in world religions, don't take this one. If you are looking for a course that is interesting, challenging and engaging, YOU MUST TAKE THIS COURSE! Dr. Fox is an extraordinary teacher who really wants you to learn.
His anal-retentiveness comes through in his teaching hardcore. Grades on a whim, tests all short answer/essay, VERY HARD. If you dont click with him, HE WILL FAIL YOU. He memorizes every person's name, so HE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE and EVERY TIME YOU MISS CLASS
Hands down best professor at UD in any department. Class requires some effort, though. Very interesting.
Ive had him for 3 semesters and he is top notch. Extremely smart and engaging; he teaches the way every professor should teach. Other professors could learn from him.
Everbody who thinks this guy is a good teacher or who is confused- just listen to this: I am a straight A, Dean's List student, and I got a D-! in his class. what doest that tell you- he is an **** 4 real. If u're not all overzealous, he'll fail u.
Not the freakin genius that some students like to make him out to be, but still very smart and a very good lecturer/teacher. You will learn but you'll also definitely work. Tough to get an A
Not the easiest class but one of the best profs at UD. Read everything. Nice guy and very helpful.
Not an easy class. You must participate in order to gain points. Make sure you go to class everyday, but he is a nice guy and will help you out if you're willing to get it
Very Nice, Very Witty, Very hard. Things go well till the test. Not an easy grader, and pay attention to class. He has a handout on how to do well....USE IT!!!
I took two of his classes. Prepare to work, but it is worth it. Dr. Fox is an amazing teacher, if you participate and take thought into the papers, you'll do fine. Study with a friend and discuss the class, it helps!
Not a hard class if you go everyday and really pay attention and participate; plus a semester with this guy will do wonders for your vocabulary
Incredible teacher-you will learn a lot. However, this class is NOT an easy A and more than likely, Fox will not give you an A. Take the class if you want to be enlightened and want to learn-NOT if you need a GPA booster.
A great class to take if you want to see Sunday School activists proven wrong in an auditorium setting. Fox is a tough grader and expects the best, so stay away if your GPA is already low. But i guarantee you will see the world differently when you leave.
Topnotch Asian philosophy teacher -- good command of subjects, sometimes provides better exposition of difficult stuff than in any books available in English. Can form reasonable guestimates of what essay questions will be on tests.
Might be the best prof I have ever had.
Incredible teacher. Will open your eyes. One of the best courses at the university and I don't know if it could be taught better. Definitely worth it.
Amazing class and prof. Worth the small hit to the GPA. Not an easy A, but a fun, thought provoking class. And no, this is not from an "artsy philosophy major" either, but a hist. and posc. major usually stuck in concrete facts.
completely full of himself and thinks he knows everything. be ready to participate, he knows every single person's name and knows when you don't go to class. Grades on a whim and WILL FAIL YOU- don't listen to the honors kid
He is just one of those professors that opens your eyes to other possiblities than what you have been taught all your life...this class is definitely worth taking but don't do it unless you are prepared to read, participate and think
Took him for World Religions. Fantastic teacher, really gets you thinking, questioning everything. But not an easy A. Read, do the essays, study, go to class, stay awake. Great class, but definitely not a GPA booster.
absolute worst teacher i have EVER had. arrogant a**hole...completely full of himself and talks forever to sound like he's important. don't have your own ideas b/c he only wan't to hear his. don't go to him for help b/c he's so NOT understanding
arrogant teacher who doesn't allow you to think on your own, you have to believe his ideas, hard grader and class is very boring
if you have to take world religions to fulfill your multicultural, take his class and not Dr Raine. Raine is the all-time worst teacher ever. I took Raine because Fox's section was full and it wrecked my GPA.
Very difficult class, very entertaining however. Explains things very clearly and challenges you to develop your own thoughts. Do not take thinking it will be easy, because it definately wil not be.Tough Grader, you must read,and go, will know your name.
Don't get me wrong his test are complex and require a good deal of study and effort. But his papers are easy and he knows a lot about the material. He's a great guy and good to talk to about the material after class. Wei wu Wei baby
He was helpful, I just didn't like the subject.
Great professor, instead of just lecturing at you, he makes you come up with the answers. I didn't sell back any of the books. Papers are super easy, midterm was harder than final (only because his specialty is eastern religions), still got an A
First half of class and midterm are tough if you can't understand the abstract Eastern stuff, but he tries to make analogies and help you out. Second half is great, especially if you like looking at the monotheistic stuff! Fair grader.
I can see why some call him arrogant, but it works for him somehow. He's a very entertaining and humorous lecturer, and he gets the class involved. I am very glad I took the course, but there is a lot of reading and you REALLY have to know yer sh**.
i havent actually started his world religions class yet, but he let me even after the seats were taken.
awesome lecturer, involves everyone and takes the time to re-explain things that you dont understand. fair grader, read your stuff, make sure you do the papers, go to class, and you'll be fine
Great Prof, he's very accepting of everyone's beliefs, while still managing to make you think about what you've always considered to be given. Not an easy class, but well worth the effort. If you have strong, solid beliefs can help to reaffirm them, and if not, then it can help you to realize it.
if there's 1 class that U have to take before u leave udel it's world religions with fox. He's a great teacher and and just a really good guy- if you like to think and wanna question ur beliefs don't hesitate to take this class...
Best Professor at UD! He is interesting, funny, friendly, and intellectually stimulating. Really makes you think about what you previously believed. Tests and essays are really easy.
great professor but a hard class. a lot of reading and writing is involved but ends up being worth it. i took this class online and whatever you do don't get behind on watching the lectures! seems like a really nice guy who is willing to help. tests require a lot of studying
class is terrible and boring
By far the best non-engineering class I've taken at the University. Very tough, but you'll learn boatloads.
Fox is one of the best professors at UD! I think for those that struggled with it they probably didn't take good notes. Don't write everything but the major concepts and ideas and the examples he uses to illustrate them so u remember the context. If u do this tests will be a piece of cake I got an A
This guy is the best professor and this is the best class I've take so far at UD. Not an easy A, but not too difficult either, and it really stimulates you to think about things rather than just regurgitating facts. I can't say enough good things, so just take it.
This is the 4th class I've taken with Fox. Nicest, most informative, and concerned professor i've ever had. I've never learned so much in a college course before, ever. After taking 2 of his courses I changed my major to Philosophy!!! If you can take a class w/ him definately do you'll learn so much
great professor, will change your outlook on life. Really knows what he's talking about. The class is hard though, you really have to understand everything well to pass the exams. Grades tough.
This was the best class I have taken yet. Fox is extremely knowledgeable & its obvious that he loves what he's teaching. The material is at time difficult to understand but, don't worry you'll get it eventually. Exams not to terrible and he makes u look @ your beliefs in a whole new light. It you want a class that makes you think, get this one!
World Religions with Fox was awesome. Really makes you take a look at your personal beliefs and changes how you look at other religions. Great class, hard though.
I guess the hype about Dr. Fox being a great guy is right on...but his class and grading are like his interests, completely philosophical! I put exactly what came out of his mouth as answers on his tests and I still ended up getting a D- for the class (got As on all the short papers) Answering hisexamquestions are like answering the question "why?"
I loved this class. This man is a genious.
Material is tough and class IS demanding, but Fox is a great guy, and the most interesting Prof I've had so far. Keep up with the reading and assignments, definately. You'll like going to his class.
Probably the only philosophy class ive ever enjoyed. Notes from class are the only thing you need for midterm and final.
Fox is awesome. Seriously. Brilliant guy and he's so nice and helpful. He actually cares about his students and what he's teaching. By far one of the best professors I've ever had. Not an easy class, but not too hard either. He's also very very willing to help if you go to him. You're missing out if you don't take a class with Foxy!
He's a fabulous professor. He makes it funny and insightful, when the material is hard to comprehend or dry. He's sweet, friendly, and very outgoing. The class was fun, but alot of work and alot of reading. Take a class with him, you won't regret it.
All the other posts pretty much nail it on the head. Consider not taking this class online--you will apparently benefit more from an actual lecture. The only complaint I can make with Fox is that he gave no feedback on papers which harmed me on an exam. Other than that a decent professor; and if given the choice to take the class again I would.
World Religions was interesting; Fox's sense of humor helped with that. The exams and grading were fair, but by no means a piece of cake. Study!
Smart, witty, and a killer smile. If you want to learn from an intellectual who has high expectations (meaning expects a reciprocated effort), he's ideal.
I have taken several classes with Dr. Fox. He's the best. A must-take before you graduate. He has won the teacher of the year award (for the WHOLE univeristy) twice! Enough said.
Dr. Fox is a nice guy and will help you...but that is it. Figuring out how he grades a test is in itself a philosophic puzzle. You can put his lecture down word for word and STILL not pass a test. The mini papers were all that saved me!
He's extremely intelligent and engaging. It's important to go to class to participate, Read, write, revise, read, write, revise. This class is not easy.
amazing, inspirtaional, def. knows what he is talking about, LOVED him and his class
Very mixed feelings. On one hand, he is brilliant and you feel SO smart when you connect the dots in his lectures. He is funny and seems likeable. But he can be very nitpicky and overly critical. Tries to see others' POV but doesn't do a good job of it. Not enough time on tests. Take the class, but be prepared to work HARDDDDDDDDDDDD.
This Professor is ridiculous. Don't bother taking him he is hard and not fair. The tests are hard and his grading is over critical. It is a mystery to find out how he grades the tests and the papers.
absence of clarity made the online course difficult (and his tests nearly impossible to prepare for)
Very fun class, Fox is very helpful and very nice. He makes the information interesting even though it's tough to understand. Class is not an easy A and exams are tough, but if you study enough and go to lecture you're fine. Loved the class, learned a lot. :)
Fox is amazing. He has great examples for everything he teaches which make even the most difficult information easy to learn. He's helpful and seems like he really wants students to do well, but that doesnt mean he'll give you a grade you don't deserve. I've had him twice now and hope to have him again.
Guy is arrogant as all hell and loves asking students questions just to prove that you're wrong and he is right. Highly overrated. There is no clear grading system and it is impossible to know what kind of answer he wants.
I don't see how anyone could not find this class extremely interesting. Fox has been teaching this class so long, that it seems like the lectures are scripted, but he is amazing. Very captivating and intellectual lectures. Grading is difficult, but it's not hard to pass. Participating is intimidating but makes you think. Question your beliefs.
Nice guy, knows his stuff. That said, he is so knowledgable about religions that he seems to forget that it's a lot for people who are just being introduced to this. Even with a prior knowledge of the religions, I still struggled in the class. While I did great (100 average) on the short essays, the tests were tough with intimidating grading.
Fox has interesting lectures and wants you to participate (he knows everyone's names, too). I feel like he gives the same lectures word-for-word each semester, though. He's a tough grader on tests (& write your test essays with a thesis and use support), but short papers will help out. He comes across as arrogant, but I still recommend him.
Dr Fox's class is great. He's very knowledgable about the material, but he doesn't try to lord it over you. He says that he has his own beliefs about it, but he doesn;t want you to just memorize his thoughts. But if you want to openly disagree, be able to defend and explain why. Its students that ask crazy questions that make him seem arrogant...
Dr Fox's class is great. He's very knowledgable about the material, but he doesn't try to lord it over you. He says that he has his own beliefs about it, but he doesn;t want you to just memorize his thoughts. But if you want to openly disagree, be able to defend and explain why. Its students that ask crazy questions that make him seem arrogant...
if alan fox said that worshipping squirrels was the way to go i'd be outside with some walnuts right now. the man is amazing. world religions will change your life.
one of the best and most challenging teachers I'm had yet in my college experience. If you are looking to just pass a multicultural choose another because the class is challenging.
Dr. Fox is extremely intelligent, and the course material is very interesting. The writing assignments are graded fairly, but I feel that there is something off about how he grades the mid-term and final. YOu could have everything memorized, feel like you've done a decent job, and end up getting a D+ (when you're an A student even) on his exams...
Read, come to class, and do the assignments and you should be fine with Dr.Fox. The readings are essential to understanding what the next class will be about. He's very flexible about scheduling time for extra help and is always more than willing to do so, as long as you do your work. I would love to take one of his classes again!
His world religions class is easily the most interesting class I've ever taking. It's a lot of reading and a fair deal of writing, but it's worth it. He's extremely smart and makes every discussion in an interesting manner. I enjoyed going to the class each time and learned loads from it. I would absolutely take any class Professor Fox taught.
Dr. Fox is amazing. While it's a lot of work, it's definitely worth it. You will learn a lot. He expects a lot on exams, but the essays are graded easily. Take him if you can, but be prepared to work.
Dr. Fox is an interesting funny guy and he usually keeps lectures interesting. There are about 8 short writing assignment, class participation, and a midterm and a final. The course material was very interesting but Dr. Fox is a VERY picky grader, you can leave a test thinking you got an A and actually get a D. If possible avoid him!
This class was wonderful. Dr. Fox is very funny and the lectures are thought-provoking, even if you can tell he's done the same lectures over and over before. A lot of people struggle with the class, but really all you have to do is keep up with the reading, take good notes and understand what he says. Definitely take Fox before you leave UD =]
truly a master in his field. it is a privilege to take a course with Dr. Fox and if you can, you should. world religions opened my eyes to so many things, i would TAKE IT AGAIN. do the readings, write the easy papers, participate, and most importantly,show him that you're interested... not only will you succeed, you will LEARN!!!!!!!!
Phenomenal. Take him. Pratityasamutpada baby
He is a wonderful prof. You should take his class because you will learn and it will stay with you in the future. Not a read the book and forget about it class.
Professor Fox will change your life. Guaranteed.
Amazing professor, extremely clear, very approachable with questions, recognizes effort of students and takes it into consideration when grading; anyone who thinks otherwise does not know what they are talking about or failed due to not trying.
Probably the best professor I've had so far. I positively looked forward to going to his class. He's very open to questions and keeps the whole class engaged as he teaches. If you can get him as a professor DO IT! Be prepare to put some work into the course though
horrible grader
Do not take this professor online b/c the material is very outdated. His opinions have obviously changed since the several year old recording and he implies that it might change based on comments in the videos. He uses different naming of key elements in his slides vs what is in the class books. So you have to decide which you are going to follo
LOVE LOVE LOVE Fox. Taken a few classes with him. I have to say a few people have mentioned, with respect to the difficult exams, that you could write his lecture notes down word for word and still not do well. That is a major point of the class. He wants your opinions. He wants you to think for yourself (and have good reasons). That IS philosophy.
Best professor I've had at UD. I've had him for 2 classes and it's just...fun. Material is fascinating, he is brilliant, and the class structure and grading just make sense. It's a difficult class only because you're asked to THINK, not just memorize, and wow that is refreshing.
If u want an a, don't write from a Christian viewpoint. He loves to be funny and get people to like him and act like he's presenting the facts openly and being fair to all religions. Yeah, ok fox.
Not nearly as critical, difficult, or good as his reputation. Purports to be "critical but sympathetic" but is not really that critical, especially toward the weirder claims of Daoism. Claims to want arguments, but actually wants generalizations supported by cherry-picked examples. I've been in excellent philosophy classes and this wasn't one.
Fox is no joke. World Religions was the toughest class I've taken at UD. He loves if you participate in class and MAKE SURE YOU READ THE BOOKS. He knows if you don't. He checks every essay for the slightest bit of plagiarism. Don't take the midterm and final lightly, either. Study like your life (or at least your GPA) depends on it.
Taken a few classes with him. He wants you to think for yourself (and have good reasons). That IS philosophy.
GENIUS! A real Robert Langdon...Dr. Fox's class has truly inspired me. If you received anything lower than a B, then you just didn't try. Whether it be for his witty tone or insightful analysis, this course is a MUST for all majors at this university. I'm not sure why this brilliant man is at UD instead of Harvard, but be sure to take advantage...
Best prof I've had at UD. Took his 204 last semester, currently taking 309, next semester taking 310. The man is a wealth of knowledge that some students know to tap into, taking his classes would really do one wonders. Did for me.
This was the biggest waste of my time. I took it to bring my GPA up and the teacher and class let me down. He is arrogant and thinks as though it is his way or the highway. He is not clear about what he wants and grades harshly. Even a student on the dean's list can earn a D+ on the midterm or final after studying for hours. DO NOT TAKE.
Prof Fox is so overrated. the people giving him such high praises are in his cult. to break it down, he's a below average professor. I am a pretty good writer and always get good grades on my papers, not in this class. ask him what you did wrong and you will be even more confused than you were to begin with the majority of people that post
Unclear on what he wants. Do not take.
Professor Fox is a great lecturer. He is very witty and funny. You must attend the lectures if you wish to do well. The reason why some people do not do well is because they don't listen to him when he says you must make an argument and support it. This class is not about writing down everything you know. Make relations between things you learn.
I have taken both 204 and 309 (same format of 7-8 papers and 2 exams) and loved every minute of it. But "there is no whatithink.com", and philosophy requires thought. Dr. Fox is a great man, always willing to help, and a pleasure to be around. He has opened my mind, and I will always be thankful for his guidance. I wish he taught all of my classes.
Extremely charismatic teacher; keeps lectures incredibly interesting. You will learn a lot. But I could not comprehend his grading - As far as I can tell, it's subjective and sometimes done in a hurry. I got a higher grade in the class I felt totally lost in and gave up on the reading than the one in which I had strong, well-developed ideas!
I took the class to satisfy the multicultural requirement. I left picking up a philosophy minor. The dude is awesome and the class is really interesting. Do not try to memorize facts. Instead, draw conclusions.
After viewing his online video, I feel like I'd take philosophy over again just to be in his class face-to-face.
I took this class during the second summer session, and learning from him really shaped part of my current worldview.
Dr. Fox is a great professor who clearly shows interest in not only the topics he teaches but his students as well. My only problem is that, in a World Religions class, I would expect material to be equally covered. When we got to Christianity, Dr. Fox didn't even talk about the core and essence of what Christians believe. I was disappointed.
I like Alan Fox as a person. He's very cool and lectures are interesting and I feel that I've learned a lot. The material can be difficult to understand and when I have gone to him for clarification he doesn't really clear it up, more questions why I don't get it. The midterm was three essays, kinda hard. Interesting subject, hard class.
One of the most amazing professors and interesting subjects, but hard class. The material was very difficult to keep up with and he expects a lot from everyone in class and in the papers (8 mini) and exams (2 all essay exams). Very tough grader. Expect to work hard. MUST BE A GOOD WRITER. Worth taking but could hurt your Gpa. Take with caution.
This class WILL hurt your GPA if you aren't already extremely savvy on Philosophy. Not worth it if you are looking for a Breadth A requirement. Go with THEA instead. He will not "mark up" your test so you have NO idea HOW you got the grade you did. He just circles a #. That said, the lectures were interesting and going to class was always fun.
Professor Fox is amazing. I took this class with him and ended up taking 3 more. He is a great lecturer and is more than willing to go over difficult concepts with you out of class. There is a fair amount of reading but usually interesting content. The tests are difficult so study early! Easy to get a B but hard to get an A
Do not take a class with this man. His tests are awful, your entire grade is basically 2 tests. He expects you to make miraculous conclusions from lectures that seem to be almost no help in forming arguments. The books don't help either and often left me more confused.
Dr. Fox is an inspiring professor. His lectures are amazing and really get you to consider world religions from a critical perspective. His grading style is difficult. He expects you to account for every nuance of your argument. 1 Midterm 1 Final all Blue Book and 8 mini essays. Even still, I would still consider taking another one of his classes.
Dr. Fox is funny and insightful. He shares his own ideas and experiences, but wants students to develop their own views and welcomes thoughtful disagreement. He makes an effort to learn everybody's name, and participation and discussion are important. The class I took was his Honors capstone; it was definitely reading-intensive, but it was fun!
Professor Fox simply wants you to regurgitate his exact thoughts in papers and exams, and even if you do this he will take points off arbitrarily. He will completely stop reading your paper if he disagrees with something, even if you disprove it two sentences later. Doing everything in your power to do well will be fruitless unless you ARE him.
I took his colloquium, 'Gods and Superheroes'. This class wasn't too hard, I didn't read any of the material but you are graded on 3 papers and class participation. His grading style is unclear and there is no feedback on the papers. Very difficult to follow if you don't know psychology and have a vast knowledge of superheroes.
Im taking his class in Buddhist Philosophy and Ancient Chinese religion & Philosophy. Class is made up of 8 homework essay assignments and a midterm essay and final essay. Very good in lecture he has a lot of energy and explains complex subjects with ease. If you are interested in the subject he is teaching take the class!
This class was super fascinating and Dr. Fox is very knowledgable and makes the class very interesting. He talks without bias and explains abstract concepts simply. That being said, this class is also very difficult. The exams are very difficult worth so much of your grade and he assigns so many readings. You need to put in the work to get an A.
I dont know what he wanted in his papers and I dont think he did either. He was incredibly vague with little to no feedback on everything. He doesnt seem to want analysis in essays, but is unclear on what he DOES want. Im taking this class online now because of corona and he clearly doesnt know what hes doing in the online world.
I LOVE ALAN FOX. He quickly became my favorite professor that I've had so far. If you are interested in the subject, take this class! He makes the class so interesting and time flies in his lectures. He is very clear about what he expects from his students so as long as you listen to him, you'll do fine in the class. He is also so caring! 10/10 :)
High standards HQ. He wants original analysis and emphasizes using your own understanding of the material, and then justifying it with proof from the readings. He grades on quality of argument - you won't get an A by being a parrot. If you want a professor that will blow your mind and change the way you look at things, take Fox's classes.
I took this class as a breadth requirement, thinking it sounded interesting. I strongly don't recommend you take this class if that is your case! You are expected to have a DEEP understanding to even get a B. Only take if you are an Indian Philosophy die-hard. He's nice and insightful but too much prior knowledge is expected for an "intro" course.
Requires you to read an insane amount of books, requires you to go to office hours. He is very brief and vague about topics, but expects you to draw deep conclusions about them. Take this course if you are extremely interested, have an otherwise light class-load, and are ok with prioritizing it over your other classes. TLDR; likely to lower GPA
Do not take, this course is more work than it is worth.
This class is awesome. As you put in effort and follow some of the easy recommendations in his syllabus. If you are taking this class for an easy A, that is a poor choice. This class is fun, if you put in the work.
assigns readings on the material but wants you to basically repeat his own beliefs that he had during class discussion, which is just him talking at you and then asking if you have any problems with what he said. you can do alllllll the readings but if you dont ride on his beliefs, youll fail. weird for a philosophy class.
I took two of his classes so far and enjoyed myself during the lectures. He is passionate about in-class interaction and gives good feedback if you ask for it. Writing, reading, and participation matter in his class since homework is based on textbook understanding and exams are based on lectures comprehension. Great instructor of Asian PHIL study!
Professor Fox is a good professor, very enthused about his teachings. However, if you aren't prepared to argue your view 100%, you won't get credit if it goes against his. Must be paying attention at all times, little to no notes are written on the board. And you must read everything otherwise you'll be lost. Participation is a must, gets graded.
8 1-2 page papers, 25% of grade: pass (95 A), pass minus (75 C) and not pass (50 F). 100% for doing all of them. 25% participation: go to class and speak up for a 95%. 50% take-home midterm/final. Challenging, but manageable if you keep up. Fantastic lecturer and educator. Witty, eloquent, energetic, compassionate, precise, responsive, engaging.
The class consists of 10 1-2 page essay assignments and two open-note exams. The exams have 3 short essays and one longer essay. The class is very interesting. A lot of reading and overeviewing material is needed for a good grade. The professor makes class fun to go to and makes the information intriguing.
Def not an easy A. I consider myself a pretty good student and I barely passed. All your grades are based on writing. You also need to be prepared to ready 100 pages of the bible or other religious books a night and then write about them. Tanked my gpa for no reason.
This professor is just difficult if you care about your grade avoid him. He barely gives feedback and when he does he just insults you.
Dr. Fox's class was definitely challenging the whole semester and there was a lot of work that needed to be put in to do somewhat well. You actually have to do the readings he assigns otherwise you are not going to understand what he says. Very strict grader. Other than that he is a really nice professor and knows what he is talking about.
Avoid if you can
Great professor and would take again. Class consisted of about one reading and a short paper each week (not graded hard). Participation is part of your grade but you will do a lot better on exams asking questions and taking notes in class and the material is interesting. Midterm and final were the only exams and both take home.
Absolutely loved this class. Not challenging at all if you actually put the work in. Class is all incredible and engaging lectures. There are short one page papers that you will receive an A for with basic effort. Two big take home essay exams that are graded fairly. Participation really matters, be prepared to contribute to class discussion.
Spends as much time talking about himself and his own ideas as he does the actual philosophers. Harsh grader, and somewhat condescending in person- definitely likes feeling like an authority. If you like Chinese philosophy you'll still get a lot out of the class (I did), but it's in spite of Fox, not because of it.
Avoid this class at all costs
Alan Fox is what all teachers should strive to be. His presence invigorates me. He is a very kind and caring man, I always felt safe and secure in his sexy presence. I once saw him take down 10 ruffians in one move. Take this professor if you can!
He's amazing and really fun. He gets personal and knows all of his students by name. His lectures are great and he gives anecdotes and examples to help you understand a complicated subject more easily. However, the reading amount in this class is really intense, so if you don't like reading (or tbh, don't have the time), steer clear of this course.
If I could minor in courses only taught by Fox I would, I want to take every possible class he teaches. He is that good. Probably one of the most knowledgeable and passionate professors I have ever had, never learned more about a subject in a single semester. HIGHLY recommend. If you are interested in religion its a must-take course
Fox is the best professor I've ever had! Every low rating on this page is written by someone with no work ethic or interest in the subjects he teaches. Fox is knowledgable and passionate, changing your perspective with every class and encouraging you to think critically. If you take one class at UD, make sure it's with Fox.
Professor Fox is easily one of the best professors at UD. He is such an interesting and intelligent person which make his class easy to become engaged in. Your grade is based off of mostly participation but this includes simply just asking questions. I highly recommend doing the readings to be able to participate better during class discussions.
Professor Fox is very keen on discussions happening in class. Participation is graded throughout but the lectures are easy and interesting enough to get involved. He was not that tough of a grader on the papers and the course was very ambiguous was work and dates. Definitely one of the better colloquiums at least compared to what I have heard.
Professor Fox was challenging, but I liked his class. He is a very nice man and wants the best for his students. However, he only grades the class based on homework essays, the midterm and the final. The essays are short but can be a bit challenging, and you can only use the assigned readings or else you'll get a zero. Midterm and final are online.
Not a good experience. Only enjoyed the sound of his own voice. Avoid anything he teaches.
Anyone who dedicates their career to the PHILOSOPHY of RELIGION is a red flag. At first, Fox seemed ok but when it came to grading, if you weren't handing him scriptures straight from Jesus it wasn't good enough. Anything discussed in this class is a difficult concept to grasp and if you can't get it right away you're screwed. DONT TAKE IT.
The worst professor in the United States. Professor Fox really hates every living being beside himself.
All assignments are either papers or exams. You will be graded on attendance. Prof is very nice and entertaining but shows some gender bias. There are SIX textbooks which are rather short and inexpensive, but you will be reading at least 3 chapters per week if you want to pass.
Be prepared to read and write a ton. His superhero colloquium requires papers due almost every class, with extensive reading required to do well. If you don't have previous knowledge of superheroes, be prepared for a low participation score. Discussions in class are hard to follow and participate in if you are not an avid reader of comics.
Not great, don't recommend.
I went into this course thinking I would have a religious studies minor. Not only did Alan ruin my love of religion, but he ruined my semester. I can genuinely say I have never had a professor as terrible in my life. He is disorganized, unprofessional, and makes offensive jokes. He will shame you for any incorrect answer. Don't even consider taking
If you want a good grade in this course make sure you participate! The midterm and final were essay based and open notes. Not too many assignments and the lectures were pretty interesting.
Dr. Fox makes you think! This class is discussion based. The best way to get a good grade in this class is to read the assigned material and participate! Ask questions and take notes! That being said, you don't need prior philosophy knowledge to be successful, just a willingness to learn. Exams are take home and essay style. You will learn a lot!
Genuinely one of UD's treasures, by far the best professor I have ever had. You will have to read (a lot) and you will have to participate, but if you can put the work in I doubt there is a more rewarding class to take at all of UD than one taught Professor Fox.
If you do bad in his class thats %100 on you. These reviews are crazy. Show up and put some effort in and you're golden. These kids just don't wanna put in an ounce of work. Even if you miss sometimes you're perfectly fine. Literally just try. When you read a bad review just know they did not do a single thing in his class once. Easy. Just try.
Professor Fox runs a thought-provoking class, but it can be challenging. Staying on top of the readings and participating is key. Unstuckstudy AI helped me prepare for the essays and exams.
Fox is an amazing professor. The class is reading a book every week and writing a small essay on your OPINIONS on the topics of the text. Fox really cares about his students and is interested in what they have to say. The people giving bad reviews are looking for easy As. Don't be afraid to take him
Do you ever have that professor that you think back on and just adore them? Well he's one. I truly almost started crying saying goodbye to him. He's phenomenal in every single way. Just try and do your best on the work and you will be okay. He's a great person!
An engaging and incredibly knowledgeable lecturer, Professor Fox is about as good as it comes at UD. You're going to have to do a lot of reading and come prepared, but this is college and the workload is nothing out of the ordinary.
MY FAVORITE PROFESSOR EVER. I've taken five of his classes, one of which was an independent study. He single-handedly changed my career path, and his classes have changed my life. He only expects a one-page paper every week or so, and a midterm and final where you write four one to two-page papers. Participate and show up and you're golden.
Dr. Fox is an excellent professor. His lectures are engaging and he commands attention effortlessly. The assignments are all short papers and they are all very clear. However, he is not always understanding when it comes to participation/attendance issues, even if absences are formally excused. He weighs participation very heavily.
Had an A all semester until the final. I, along with other students, got a 56/100 on that. I'm not going to claim bias, but the grading is kinda arbitrary. Sat in front, answered questions, paid attention, and did well. Until he ripped my final apart, giving me 0's on entire sections that were seemingly well written and connected to the class.
I honestly loved Prof. Fox! He made his students think and I learned so much in his class. It is hard work, but it's college. I loved that he shut down know it all students and gave everyone respect. He is the professor and he is very intelligent. he cares so much about what he is teaching. I highly recommend!
This was the worst professor I've ever had. I had a medical emergency and every single one of my professors was able to accomodate me expfet for him. He made me feel bad almost for such a terrible thing that I was dealing with.
he is actually the sweetest funniest dude. it was a difficult topic (buddhism philosophy) but he did great explaining and teaching in a way we can understand. does not use slideshow all chalk or just talking. he cares and loves the topic. the actual topic is kinda interesting and contradictory soemtimes which makes it confusing but I recommend him
I took this class as a breadth course and ended up struggling in this class more than in my core classes. I ended up withdrawing from this course because of the heavy readings. The discussions are good and he seems like a good teacher but, he takes grading very seriously and expects you to be on par with him.
This class is very hard. DO NOT TAKE IT. I am a straight A student and he said my work was bad and gave me all 0's.
Fox is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about philosophy, but he also expects his students to be and will talk to you that way. His class is confusing most of the time and despite that, you're still expected to ask/answer questions. No slides/notes to follow along with either. For essays, you're expected to follow HIS interpretation of things.
Don't bother. Your effort grade starts at 75, and you have to earn the points. I ended with a 73, though I did all the reading, volunteered, and put in effort. The exams are 4 papers, each with specific questions you need to know. You need to submit within 48 hours. Also, He just speaks, and it's hard to get specifics down bc he talks quickly.
I have never written a rate my professor review... but seriously I have got to say something. It is very clear that as a professor, fox is passionate about the information in this course. He is unbelievably knowledgeable and seemingly personable, yet lacks the empathy for life's circumstances while he talks at you and not to you. Had to drop.
He is kind and enjoys teaching, but a tough grader. The class is discussion-heavy, and it's often easier to agree with his arguments. He is strict about punctuality. Ideas are complex, wording must be precise, homework is graded with little grace, and office hours are essential. Harder than a core class—double-check your arguments. (DistinguishedH)
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Textbook Required
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