I agree. He sets standards high but when students fail he really helps. Dynamic teacher, good to have someone so provocative. Tries to get interaction, but we cannot always give it. Fun to look at!

The smartest man alive, and completely nice too. It's not easy, but it is more than worth it. It was my favorite class so far.

great teacher but tests are extremely hard, he is very helpful though and does everything he can to help raise grades

Tough midterm, but added points and gave extra assignments. Also, very good review sessions. Veryhelpful out of class and in it too. Very serious about teaching. Cares how you do if you work. Cannot understand why idiots cannot take it.

If you can't understand in this class its because you have no concept of reality, the class is great, and all you losers who are afraid to read something other then maxim or teen magazine, don't worry you will be grazing with the cows soon enough.

Tough but fair,looks a bit like Jason Statham...you'd better be good at memorization or he'll stab you in a bus aisle fight!

Very hard, but he helps alot. Thought the pipe was cool- he does his job well and does not care what people think. A very different professor. Very technical. Boring only to those who cannot follow. Take him for a challenge.

He was a great teacher. As long as you read the book and keep up with lectures, you'll do fine. IF you are failing, but have good attendance, he'll go out of his way to help you!

Great class. Great teacher. Only 2 grades though...mid-term and final. It will really benefit you to read the book. Really cool guy, he used to be a kick boxer.

Hutchens class was difficult. Regardless of my failing the midterm, I learned more in that class than the 4 other classes I got As in last semester. I ended up with a B with all of his help..he's is a really awesome guy, despite the hard ass attitude.

Just being able to look at him everyday was worth taking his class! He'll go out of his way to help raise your grades. Be there, and participate, you'll do fine!

This guy is HOT HOT HOT! He's an amazing professor and probably one of the most interesting here at JMU. This man will go out of his way to help you understand. Don't be afraid to ask questions. He is a professor that truly wants to help his students.

Instructor is very good, though demanding. Excellent if you want to learn. He cares if you learn. Works hard for us. Many people failed and he was right to chew them out which is why many people will complain. People who worked hard did well.

Yes, I agree with the previous posts that his tests are hard. If someone in the class is able to pass, than obviously you aren't studying enough. :( Office hours would have helped.

Dr. Hutchens is the ideal college professor. Not only is he one of the most brilliant people I have ever heard speak, he's gorgeous, too! His class is always interesting and enlightening as long as you take good notes and participate.

Dr. Hutchens is awesome. He's funny, extremely intelligent and well-mannered. His class isn't all that easy, but he is such a good instructor and gives such clear lectures that it's not hard to learn the material.

Difficult yes, but I really respect him and his "broadening your horizon" teaching.

While he may seem intimidating the first day of class, he is simply trying to encourage you to do your best. I have never had a professor like this man. He is the most intelligent person I have ever met. His lectures are brilliant and humorous! Take him!!

dr. hutchins is one of the best profs i have had so far at jmu; if you want a critical thinking class that will be a breeze, don't take this. but if you want a brilliant professor that will challenge, fascinate, and often amuse you - take this class!

Ignore the last comment. review session was excellent, gave help to failing students, offered encouragment, 17 of 40 students got As. You will enjoy this class and be challenged. If you want an easy class, go to a bad teacher.

This professor is awesome. He gives help when he knows the class is sincere about it. The review session we had was great. I got an F on the first test and an A on this one. He's not such a bad guy!

Pay no attention to the whines below; this man is willing to help you as much as he can, and his lectures are CRYSTAL clear, leaving nothing to be questioned. The only thing in his way is his busy schedule; he barely has time to teach as it is.

Awesome...I never really liked British people, until I met Hutchens. Excellent teacher, explains things very well...Don't be an @$$, and study. You'll get an A. I did.

The BEST teacher I've had at JMU. Definitely worth taking this class - he makes philosophy interesting and you will learn a lot! Great lectures. Difficult tests; only three grades. Oh, and he's hot.

Anyone that doesn't find this teacher interesting & informative is obviously unable to learn and lacks the ability to have an open mind. If you happen to be the epitome of a ditzy sorority girl, he will end up making you cry because you deserve that fate.

This is a WONDERFUL class if you want to learn...if you are looking for an easy A, i would suggest not taking it. However, if you do take it, he will NEVER let your mind wander in class because he is so interesting!

This class was by far the most interesting class I took this semester. His grasp on the subject is beyond comprehension, he is a genius. Only three grades so study hard for the tests. No outside help but the clarity of his teachings is great.

This guy seems VERY intimidating at first, but he is really a good guy. Excellent teacher, good sense of humor, knows his stuff. Those who say its hard must be dumb becuase his tests have a WORD BANK. I got an A...read the chapters and take good notes.

AWESOME teacher!!! it seems hard at first and you might even bomb the first test (i did)...but STICK with it! he is extremely intelligent and makes class REALLY interesting. he's funny too! he might seem MEAN, really he's NOT.

genius

This is the greatest teacher ever!! He keeps you interested with his amazing intellect and witty comments. And the British accent helpd things too! If you actually want to think about things and learn something in college, take him!!!

BEST TEACHER EVER!! He is incredibly intelligent and funny too. Only 3 tests that are fill in the blank with a word bank. Can't get much easier. This is the greatest class/teacher you will ever experience, so take him if you can!!

This guy is a badass. Teaches eveything on the test very clearly, I highly recommend. Taking this class along with GHUM is a good idea also.

No way! I have had philosophy before but this guy makes you think for yourself. I got a C on the first exam, and he sat down to talk to me about it. He is an excellent lecturer ( clear and funny!)If you want to learn, take him!

He's really not mean, the tests are not that bad if you study and he really truly wants everyone to do well. He has an office hour now, so take advantage of it or talk to him after class, he will give you study tips and try to figure why you're confused.

Not an easy class, reading the book prior to lectures and serious studying is necessary to pass... He is one of the few teachers that respect the students for their intellect. One of his purposes is to challenge the students to their optimal abilities.

This class is mindblowing. Hutchens is probably the best professor I will ever have at JMU, and I'm a Bio major. His class teaches you to explore the thought of great philosophers, but also what YOU think. It's a privilage to take his class.

incerdibly funny, interestin, and educated. hes very mucha character, w/a booming announcer voice, ul learn so much but he enjoys teaching his opnions and he pokes fun @ christians alot. i loved his class tho, very fun.

I had a hard time with this course, but I'm a moron. He's a great guy, more than willing to help you out. Makes class very interesting, getting you into the material but making you laugh in the process. This class is worth the work, or the C in my case.

ok,he's very intimidating at first...but you'll fall in love with him. he's mean sometimes, but mostly funny. VERY willing to help you after class if you have questions. I thought the exams were very hard.

Undoubtably the best professor I've had at JMU. He's knowledgeable and has a LOT to say about culture, humanity, and life in general. His tests are hard, so take very good notes. I would recommend taking this class even if you don't need it!

No Comments

Simply put, he is/will be one of the best teacher I have ever had. He smiles at persistance and if you show it you wont be disappointed. My only regret is that I didnt impliment his office hours. People that did ended up with very good grades on tests.

He is the best teacher ive ever had in college. He has an mesmerising knowledge just about everything. He is the nicest and most sociable person ever. Taking his class was a privilege. Tests are a bit tricky but if you prepare and go to class no problem.

If you worked and interacted with him he was great. But if you are a sad loser like the last person then you will get a low grade. Fascinating teacher and very intellectual, but funny. Makes you WORK and THINK.

You either love him or hate him, there is no middle ground. He's a very eurodite individual, and doesn't let you forget that fact. His tests are a bit convoluted, but if you go to class and study hard you should be fine.

TAKE THIS CLASS! You will NOT regret it! One of, if not THE BEST class I have taken at JMU. If you study (maybe a day) tests are very easy. Participate in class...it helps!!

May seem intimidating but he is SOOO AWESOME. I loved him as a teacher. The tests are EXTREMELY easy IF YOU STUDY. His class is so interesting and he can be funny as hell. Definitely recommend you take him at some point in time during your time at JMU!

For real, LOVE THIS GUY. He does call on you randomly in class but i missed 15 classes and it didn't even matter. He gives you a study guide right before the exams. Only 2 exams. See his hotass at starbucks still all the time! He's awesome.

Best profesor I have had at JMU. Attendance counts! I was forced to take a separate final than everyone else due to poor attendance and an initial good grade on the final. However, I would sit outside the classroom to hear this guy speak. Incredible gu

Very intelligent. He may insult you as much as he can, but his overall knowledge of just about everything is amazing enough to make up for that. I agree, sit outside of the class even if you are not in it. His intelligence makes him sexy! Take him!

Awesome teacher...very intelligent. Have good attendance and study. Ask lots of questions. He isn't too tough if you work hard and stay focused.

This guy is very intelligent, helpful and clear. He answered all my questions during his office hours and made me feel better about my work. He is there to help out and is very prepared in class. Do not complain, its your own fault.

Prof. Hutchens is great! He's kinda intimidating at first, but he's definately one of the most helpful teachers. Offers additional office hours and is a very interesting person. This class makes you work, but it's definately enjoyable! Take it for a challenge!

This man is brilliant. The subject is difficult but he makes the class so interesting. Tests are true and false and you have to study for them. Def make sure you take this class before you graduate! Attendance is taken and it will help/hurt you.

I am happy to have a teacher who knows what he is talking about. His lectures are organized and he tries to make them engaging. He has always been helpful to me. He cares and he wants to work with you. Strict if you are lazy. Always asks us what we think and listens to what we say. Fun and sexy!

this is was supposed to be critical thinking class.. he definitely taught gphil 101 material to us....whatever, his tests are tough but he's good guy

Hutchens is the man. One of the smartest men I have ever met, in or out of school. Ya, you have to do reading, but a few pages a night isn't killer. Take him if you want to actually learn something...

Hutchens is brilliant and his lectures are well-organized and captivating. He also has a great sense of humor. However, his tactics can be a bit childish, as when he restructured the final when angry over attendance. Other than that, I have no complaints.

Dynamic, helpful, sometimes funny, has a wealth of knowledge, and cares about teaching. Chews us out, but my grade is higher because he changed his final exam. Much better than my other boring teachers who just drone on. You have to work for your grade. Easy if you work.

He is definitly intimidating at first, but it more interesting by mixing in philosphy. You must study for his test but overall they are not bad. Concentrate on learning the basics of the book and lecture, dont worry if you cant do the hard stuff, it wont be on the test. He will ****you off with his

amazing professor. i have a borderline b/c but i think just hearing his lectures are worth more than my final grade! must study but makes philosophy understandable and interesting, A MUST TAKE :)

Dr. Hutchens is one of the most facinating men and professors I have ever encountered. If you have a weak back bone and cannot take criticism he is not recommended. But he definitely makes you work for your grade but his lectures are amazing. Intelligent and sexy!

I liked this guy despite his hardness. I learned from him and would take him again. I got a C, but this is better than getting a B in some pointless class. Take him if you are tough and want to learn.

Good class. A bit harsh, but he expects a lot and I learned a lot too. I have a B but think that I would not have such a high grade if he had not made benefits. I would recommend him only to smarter students.

I am proud of my A- because I worked very hard for it. He helped me when I had questions and made the subject very interesting. NOT boring at all. Useful for other classes. Do not trust the complaints on RMP unless you are a loser too.

This class was tough, and I worked my ass off for a C-, but I easily learned more in this class than in any of my other classes at JMU. Only 4 tests, some are tougher than others.

I wish more professors were like but not for the average or lazy student. Students who work hard like him. Harsh but understanding.Learned more than in any other class. Helpful during office hours. Very interesting man who gives 100% in the class. Take him if you want to learn.

He's strict about attendance - GO TO CLASS - ALL CLASS! Big brownie points by asking good questions in class and going to his office hours - He raised my grade by three points just because I attended class, visited office hours, and asked questions! Stay on his good side and you'll be okay.

Great professor, best one I've had so far, made me very interested in Philosophy. Has an Oxford Doctrite, very well educated, and is personally very interesting. This class is hard, but if you go to Office Hours and pay attention you will pass. Also do the work he assigns, don't put it off.

Harder than other gphil teachers but you actually learn something. He puts a lot of effort into his classes. Must complete exercises in the book, attend class!, and visit his office hours. You can get an A, it just takes some effort.

Must attend class. Go to office hours. Ask questions in class. Tests are hard, but if you study you can get a good grade. He gives a project towards the end of the semester. Oh, and he talks like Morpheus from the Matrix.

Great teacher. Clear and well-organized, but only for students who want to learn. Office hours show a different side of the man. I dropped out of another 101 class and was happy I did. Work hard and he respects you.

great teacher! very helpful and i remember everything we learn. I do not understand why people complain.

simply the best

One of the best teachers at JMU! Very intimidating at first but very knowledgeable about what he is teaching!

One of the few GREAT profs here! Hes very intimidating, but he is extremely knowledgeable and knows how to explain things clearly. keep up with the readings and go to cass and you will be fine.

I recommend this class. Class will go by fast because he is very interesting. HE talks like morpheus from the matrix. You will be rewarded for studying in this class. He shares some of his vast knowledge to you that ties along with the lecture. He wants you to understand what he is talking about.

This is a hard 120 class. Hutch is an interesting fellow, be prepared to be fascinated by the man, maybe not the material. He will blast the material into your head like a 500 watt alarm in the morning, or else you will fail. Don't take him unless your serious about learning.

Ignore this whining! I transferred from JMU but recently realized how good Hutchens is. He is better than your average professional teacher- he lives philosophy and wants you to understand it. I wish more profs were like him. Study and make it personal and you will be fine. He always helped me during office hours, and i pulled a C to an A.

He is very demanding of his students. This is not a class to mess with. He takes it very seriously and expects you too as well. 3 exams are the entire grade. I pulled a c+ with the extra credit paper he offers, and I am fairly intelligent. Use your discretion, but for a gen ed. Id suggest someone else if your looking for an easy A

strongbad from homestarrunner, the bald eagle creature from the muppets, captain bicard from startrek and a british intellectual. Extremely interesting & difficult. Wants to impress upon you the seriousness of a university and make sure that you learn everything there is to know about his subject, whether he is even interested in it or not.

VERY HARD, go to class, read your book and stya on top of your work. This class is no joke. Hutchins gave a pop quiz the class following the first twleve chapter test. He is very clear on what he is talking about, anf teaches the materila well,but still the class is very demanding. Take this class if you are looking for a very chalenging course

extremely difficult class.material is not as hard, but he is a manipulative man and has tricky mind schemes. he does just what the entire class would not expect for him to do. he is intimidating, but extremely approachable.not the class to take if you just want an easy gen ed!!!!!!!!

best teacher i've had at jmu. difficult material, but very interesting teacher. i took good notes and made notecards and pulled off a 98. i loved him.

Hutchens, though he scared me to death teh first half of the semester, is a great prof. Knows his stuff and IS approachable. Study hard in the beginning AND DONT fall behind, and you'll do great. The class is NOT an easy A, but you should take it if you want to be challenged and actually learn something. He's one of the best profs I had,

EXTREMELY intellegent man.... and he knows it. If you are going to have him dont slack, pay attention to everything he says, do your reading, and keep on your toes. If you are a good student you will learn a lot of intense material and to complete one of his classes is something to be proud of.

I have an A in this class and I have worked for it. He is dynamic, thoughtful and helpful during office hours. Other 100 teachers are dull in comparison. He is direct, but you will be hurt like this last loser only if you are not intelligent enough to pass the class. Stay away if you want an easy A. Take him if you want to learn.

Teaches well, invites questions and then insults you for 20 minutes.

His class is pretty difficult but only if you start falling behind. If you go to him for help he really clarifies things and wants to make sure you understand. Be prepared to study pretty hard and to learn alot about thinking critically.

Great teacher! I got an A- after working my tail off. But things in other classes make more sense, and my reasoning and writing have improved. He is tough, but he helps. Face to face he is a very nice guy, in class he can scare you with his intelligence and character.

keep in mind that this guy got his Ph.D from oxford. he's a brilliant man and challenges you in class. if you're willing to put in the time, you'll learn a lot but if you're just taking a class to fulfill credit, you probably won't enjoy Dr. Hutchens

ben is gorgeous in ALL ways. he's a genius, he's sexy & he cares about his students. everyone else is full of it.. take ben- he's so easy to look at for a full class period : ) woohoo!

Dphil from Oxford. Not PhD.

Hutchens is tough but good. By the way, in response to the previous rating, a DPhil is the same as a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). Duh!

This professor is very tough. I wouldn't suggest taking one of his classes just to fulfill a credit. Be willing to put in extra time, or you will fail. Very challenging class.

Well.. he travels to spain on the weekends to go windsurfing. his character is INTIMIDATING. He got his PhD at Oxford and is BRILLIANT. He takes his class seriously but that means you must as well. very respectable prof. If you dont like studying dont take this class but if you want more than a glorified high school class - he is highly reccom.

I have taken Dr. Hutchens for 2 classes and he is the best professor I have had. If you have an IQ below 140 and/or breathe through your mouth do not take his class-you will fail. Unless you are seriously interested in philosophy and the material being taught, do not take his class. If you enjoy philosophy and want to be challenged, take him.

What a great teacher. Dr. Hutchens has such an interesting persona, and he does his best to make a terrible class such as Critical Thinking as interesting as possible. No homework, but extremely easy to get way behind in the material. He successfully motivated me from the beginning to do my best. Awesome guy.

definitely not hott! but a great professor. super hard class. lots of studying but no homework. as long as u attend EVERY class then it shouldnt be difficult to make a C.

Prof Hutchens had a very intense personality. He demands respect and is a bit moody at times. He explains the material very clearly and then you have to go back and study what he tought that day to really retain it. He sometimes gets angry if people don't ask questions after his lecture. Tells some funny jokes.

Prof Hutchens is a very complex man. He will scare the**** out of you as much as possible but he can make you laugh too because he has some pretty interesting jokes. The class isnt that hard as long as you go and pay attention. The final was really hard but the first two tests were easy. Take this class if you are interesting in learning something

He's incredibly clear, well prepared, and can be pretty funny. I learned a good bit and enjoyed the class. It's just not the sort of genEd you can blow off and still do well... which is respectable.

Very hard class, but entirely worth it. Be advised--if you are not interested in Philosophy (particularly the subject material in question), do not take his class.

This professor demands the generation of understanding for all his students and not the hopeful expectation held that their students will be able to crap out from memory the concepts delivered in lectures.

I am in this class now, and it is great. I would take this class every semester if I could. This man is HOT, and I am a guy!

This is by far one of the most interesting classes I have ever been in. Definitely take his class.

loved him!

Im surprised at how many positive ratings he has. His tests were very hard. I did well on the first one and then horribly on the rest. The last test is crazy hard so study. I would never take this class again unless my life depended on it.

So I was terrified going into this class... all my friends got D's, but it was an easy A for me! I guess it just depends on the person. He is CRYSTAL CLEAR during his lectures, very repetitive, so go to class and you should not have a problem! Be prepared, the last exam is difficult!

Dr. Hutchens is a great teacher. You definitely have to work hard in the class if you want to do well and go to class as well becuase his lectures are quite interesting. If you take good notes and study it's a worthwhile class.

This class isn't for the lazy/stupid. Dr. Hutchens is probably one of the best professors I had at JMU. He is extraordinarily intelligent and he has an amazing sense of humor. I did the readings, went to class, and took notes and my exam average was a 98. I don't know why other people don't like him. He explains everything to death.

I absolutely love this class. The prof is SO interesting and teaches really well. If you take down all the notes he gives you and actually study them, you'll do fine. Office hours are good to take advantage of also. I wouldn't take itwith too manyother high stress classes though. It is alot of material to learn.

Hutchens is sort of a weird dude & seems really into himself... but hey, other than that, the class is interesting, not too hard, and he can be pretty funny. It certainly isn't the kind of gened you can blow off completely, but it's not so bad.

Mr. Hutchens is an amazing professor! The best one I have had so far. Make sure you show up to class, take good notes, and study. Take advantage of office hours - he likes that. If you understand the material, you'll do fine on the exams. Practice the examples he gives you in class over and over.

Be forewarned, this class is not you're typical gen-ed. If you go to office hours you will get an A; he gave an four points of extra credit to students that went to his office hours consistently, if you don't go to his office hours, you will get a C or lower.

Ah! I love this teacher. But thats probably because he loved our class. He's tricky because you actually have to study. But seriously, its not that big of a deal to study every once in a while after class

Dr. Hutchens is absolutely brilliant. He is pretty hard though. You really have to take notes, pay attention, and ask for help. He seems extremely intimidating but he definitely warms up to the class. He gets offended if people blow him off or aren't genuinely interested or actively trying to learn.

He is very smart but also thinks he is God. For the most part he brags about anaconda hunting and how he went to Oxford. Other than him looking down on every one and gloating about his own brilliance, he is a pretty good teacher. Don't take him if you want an easy A.

I loved this class. It is challenging but very rewarding. Yes he is intimidating but that doesn't affect how fascinating he or the class is. I am a freshmen and put in effort into this class but didn't go overboard studying and got an A.The only thing i regret is never going to office hours.Don't sell yourself short and actually learn the material!

A very smart man and his class is very enjoyable. He presents the material in a very easy to understand manner all you have to do is show up to the class. If you don't it will be hard to understand and you will not make a good grade. I have attended every class and got a B on the mid term with only 1 1/2 hour studying. GREAT CLASS!

A rather interesting professor. One who offers you the choice to remain in the class and work hard, or get out and stop wasting his time. He is respectful and willing to help students who actually make the effort to do well. He explains material very well. Also, has a rather appealing style of dress. Very professional, yet stylish :)

Hutchens,is a good teacher. passionate about what he teaches.class is doable, but for GPHIL he expects too much.isn't particularily interesting unless you like writing random variables and letters for eternity. Likes to toot his own horn and makes rude and generalized comments about our generation that make me want to slap him sometimes.

First half the final exam(50 multiple part ?'s in 50 minutes!!) I only had time to finish half the test even though I knew the information on it. I feel maybe next semester the teacher could give students the exam on the day aloted for it. Meaning efficient time to test.

First of all, he's not as "horrible" as previous reviews may claim him to be. Second, know that his course WILL challenge you, but he is EXTREMELY clear and organized in his lectures and is very helpful. He gives you the tools to succeed, it's just a matter of utilizing them. Definitely taught me discipline, and I definitely recommend the class.

Well, I didn't do so hot in the class, bu that's probably because I have a lot of trouble when it comes to Critical Thinking classes. He's a great professor though, he really taught me a lot. I think I will be more prepared for future classes. If you like a challenge, definitely take him, as it is a difficult course. GOOD LUCK!

GPHIL 120 is just a midterm/final class, which can be pretty intimidating in a freshman-only course. Hutchens himself is intimidating. However, what he teaches is crystal clear and I have never met a more precise teacher in my life. If you're willing to go to class and think hard, take Hutchens.

He's a traditionalist with a short temper but the dude knows what he's talking about. He expects students to read, take notes on the reading, attend class, and actually have a thourough understanding of the topic. Tests are difficult. If you take this class, you're going to have to work. If you want to pass this class, don't cram.

Dude is a G, he's funny in a "did he really just say that" kind of way. The class is intense, you have to be willing to work, and you better show up every day. 3 exams, no curving, no redo's, no pandering to the students. He is straight old school and likes being that way. Great professor, clear in his expectations. Highly recommend, learn a lot.

The word I'd use to describe this class is intense. The material is hard, and you have to be willing to work for your grade. Attendance isn't mandatory but you wanna go or you'll be lost. 3 tests make up your grade and be prepared to study study study. You need to know EVERYTHING about the subject to get an A.

I loved this guy! He was definitely a hardass but as long as you put in the effort and rose to the bar he set, it was an awesome class.You have to show up to class and take notes, and if you do that, he is more than willing to clarify something that you have trouble with. I learned so much that I still use in my classes today.

Ok, I don't know what class all these other people were taking, but this was my easiest class last semester.

Take Hutchens want to learn about Critical Thinking, not to get an easy A. Study the material and REALLY know your stuff for the tests. Attendance isn't mandatory, but treat it as if it is to succeed. He can be pretty funny too. You CAN succeed in this class if you try. TAKE NOTES! Good luck :)

I feel like there are a lot of comments on here that make him out to be the worst teacher ever. If you have half a brain, Hutchens' classes are easy and enjoyable. There is not a single surprise. The class is just midterm/final with no other grades, but they look exactly like he tells you they will from day one. If you cna listen, take Hutchens.

If grades were not part of this class, I would have LOVED it. He knows his stuff, tells wonderful stories, and lets class out early and cancels. Unfortunately grades judge us as human beings and this class kicks your ass. Expect to be able to recite the textbook. 5 quizzes/1 test. Nothing else. Wouldn't recommend, but he's quitting this year anyway

Awesome guy. May come across as intimidating at first, but I would encourage you to take his threats and comments with a grain of salt. To hard workers and good students, just do what he says and you'll be fine. For slackers, you may want to rethink his class. He lets out however early he finishes a lecture, which is nice. His voice is epic too :)

I love Mr. Hutchens!! He seems really intense and intimidating, but really he's a nice guy who's got so much wisdom and knowledge that is really interesting to hear. Take him! Don't listen to the negative reviews!

Coolest guy ever. Very smart. Not mean, but very intimidating. Scary Voice. Crystal clear lectures. No papers. All multiple choice tests. Not nearly as hard as people are saying. Read book and go to lectures and easily get a B.

I had him during my second semester at JMU. My one big piece of advice with him is to go to his office hours if you are having trouble. He will actually reward you for doing that if you take advantage of it. The class did seem tough, but you can get through it.

Instructor is skillful and very bright.At first he's intimidating,but he really is a very nice person and has a sense of humor which makes the lectures more interesting.The material could be tricky,but his lectures clarify everything.His exams are difficult,but won't be if you just READ the book,attend class,LISTEN to him,take notes and STUDY.

I would have philosophical debates with him....hard..;)

It would help to be familiar with the course material before each class. Assigned readings are a good foundation. Outside materials wouldn't hurt. Write down questions and wait until end of class to ask them. I have reccomended Hutchens to friends. Only take him if you are interested in the course material. He weeds out the uninterested.Knows text.

It would help to be familiar with the course material before each class. Assigned readings are a good foundation. Outside materials wouldn't hurt. Write down questions and wait until end of class to ask them. I have reccomended Hutchens to friends. Only take him if you are interested in the course material. He weeds out the uninterested.Knows stuff

Only take this class if you're actually serious about learning philosophy. The readings are very difficult, so make sure you read the readings before class.That way, it would be much easier for you to understand what the Professor is talking about. Professor Hutchens is awesome at clarifying difficult concepts! Just make sure you do your part.

If you are interested in the topic and serious about learning I recommend taking a class with Dr. Hutchens. He really knows his stuff and will teach you a great deal throughout the semester. Without question one of the most knowledgeable professors i've had. Read the text, attend class and pay attention and you will enjoy it.

He's very smart about the SM, and treats students with respect. That said, I wouldn't recommend him unless you have to take him. He's very ambiguous about what is on the exam, and a lot of the complex ideas that are worth understanding seldom show up on the actual exam, rather trivial facts are there instead. Focus on names/works/quotes, and get A

Dr.Hutchens is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He is helpful; in my personal experience, he was always available if I had questions or concerns. It is necessary that you are familiar with the readings before coming to class each week. Attendance is mandatory. Overall, a wonderful professor who rewards his hardworking students.

Makes lecture interesting, super intelligent! Very understanding and helpful. Grades fairly. READ TEXT BOOK and Attend lectures to pass!

Intelligent and is enthusiastic about subject. Makes lecture interesting. Very helpful and interesting, grades fairly. NEED to read TEXT book and Attend lectures to pass.

Very smart man. He doesn't take any shenanigans from anyone. He said that he gives grade boosts to those who regularly attend class. I thought the final exam was really hard, but I somehow got a 96 on it. (He clearly boosted my grade).

Dr. Hutchens is a very wise man. However, he is a professor who is serious about his subject. I got an A in the class, but it was not easy at all. You must attend EVERY lecture or you might miss something important on the test. When studying, read everything including what may seem vague or unimportant. He is helpful if you approach his kindly.

This professor will put you to work! Be prepared to do ALL the readings(highlight and take notes, show up to class everyday and don't bother asking him questions about the exams because he will not even bother answering it. I learned a lot, but he made me sweat. Show effort and dedication and he will take it into consideration. GOOD LUCK!

Great lecturer. Intimidating at first, but he seems to be a very fair grader. I got an A, expecting a B. Would definitely take another class of his.

A very good lecturer, very knowledgeable. A lot of students were expecting an easy ride and were upset that they didn't get it. I've enjoyed the class.

Intelligent professor and makes analogies that are relevant to students, also quite humoreous. Do his work and you won't have a problem with him.

Don't expect an easy A, but if you want to actually learn about ethics, definitely take Hutchens. He is very knowledgeable, and makes the dry material somewhat humorous. He tells you on day 1 how to pass the class, and if you show up and take notes you'll pass with a B, if you read the book and ask questions, A.

Easy, Helpful, No Worries, You will pass,

Definitely not an easy A but the class was really interesting. Getting an A isn't impossible though. Professor Hutchens genuinely wants students to learn and he does a good job of doing that. One of my favorite classes I took at Rutgers.

A highly educated and intimidating man who has no time for uninterested students. No power points, and no electronics in class. The two tests before the withdrawal period are fill in the blank, but after the withdrawal period, he adds a word bank. He had no final.

Not very difficult but not a very easy A either, he rewards you if you stick to the class; it gets better and easier as it goes on.

He was a very hard professor but he was very talented in his work. I learned so much from him, and i was intrigued by his lectures everyday. If i could i would definitely take him again. His class was worth every day that i was there.

I'm so happy I took this class and stuck with it till the end. Sure the tests weren't the easiest things in the world but if you go to every lecture, take good notes and actually read the book your chances of an A are entirely possible. His lectures really make you think which I enjoyed. I feel like I better understand myself which I'm grateful for

Do not expect an easy A. I had to work extremely hard for this. 5 papers jammed into a 3-4 week course. Regardless, it is one of the most influential classes I have ever taken and the man is brilliant. If my major allowed it, i would take more classes he taught.

An absolutely phenomenal professor I highly recommend you take him. You will come out knowing philosophy as you grasp different schools of thought. His lectures are amazing and you can tell he understands the material to the bone. Sure, he is difficult, but you reap what you sow. I'd even say he runs the class almost in a meritocracy fashion.

He is a great professor, but he is not easy. His exams are hard, they have a matching format. Group project is stressful but he grades it well, the way he does it is that it can only be 15 points higher than your current average so make sure you do good on the first exam. If you want an easy A this is not a for you.

Absolutely Outstanding Professor who gives superb lectures. His class is challenging however he does grade fairly and with equity. Just note you must read and apply yourself , if you are serious about academics you will do fine .

an OUTSTANDING professor. He knows how to teach and do it well. Coming in the class he tells you exactly what to expect. you NEED TO READ. His lectures are interesting but his exams are matching, fill in the blank, or short answer. no curves. But he's sooooo good at teaching. He helps those who need help and show interest in their education.

This professor means business . He is very dedicated to teaching and it shows within his lectures. The readings require annotation if you want to pass his tests. His tests consist of short answer/short essay. They can be tricky but as long as you do the readings and STUDY you'll be fine. He has 2-3 papers. Very straight forward. I loved his class!

Dr. Hutchens is a Excellent professor who attained his PHD from Oxford. Your just not going to find someone with that kind of education anywhere. I have learned a ton in his classes and feel I will perform well on the LSAT. Those of us pursuing careers in law or those of us who find philosophy useful will find his classes beneficial

Although this professor IS very intimidating and blunt, he knows his stuff and is tremendously good at teaching it. You will learn so much throughout the course and if you show up to all the lectures and take good notes, you'll pass with an A.

Is very passionate about what he teaches, you can tell he really cares about your learning. There is only 4 tests and one presentation but he tests you on every little detail. Do not miss class everything he says is vital

If you're a philosophy major then definitely take his class, if you're just tryna knock out a core and get an easy A he is NOT for you. I'm pretty sure the first exam was a weed out exam because half the class left after. 2nd&3rd exam get easier and he gives extra credits. Take notes on EVERYTHING he says and puts on the board. Don't skip either!

My absolute favorite professor thus far! If Looking for an easy A? This is not the class for you. This class is for those who are serious about acquiring knowledge. You HAVE to take notes as he lectures, he makes the material easier to understand by reiterating the concepts in different ways and everything he lectures about shows up on the tests.

Professor Hutchens lectures are informative and entertaining. He knows the material by heart .YOU MUST READ the textbook; there are only 4 tests. All the exams are based on the lectures and the book. If you're not a great note taker, I recommend asking someone in the class for their notes. These notes are essential for your success in the course.

Professor Hutchens is a tad intimidating but he is really passionate about teaching. He genuinely cares and wants students to do well in his class. He expects the class to keep up with the readings. Just read what he assigns you. He gives everyone a fair chance to succeed. It is an actual learning experience to take his class.

Very honest professor who truly wants his students to get something out of his class. You must show that you are dedicated to earn a good grade in the class by always keeping up with the readings and showing interest. His tests are straight from his lectures, so be sure to take good notes. Also gives opportunities for people to do well. Great guy!

SO he is the best prof. you will ever have period. For this course make sure you just read and make sure to actively pay attention to what he says during lectures, no dead notes. He gives so many opportunities through the semester to succeed in his class. Trust me stick with it and do not drop the class. ACTUALLY DO THE WORK ergo READ ^_^

If you aren't interested in philosophy, I would not recommend Dr. Hutchens. However, if you are interested like I was, he's great! He can definitely tell if you have a passion for the course, and that significantly helps your grade. The class is not an easy A by any means, but if you pace yourself with the tests, it's not too bad.

Biggest hardass I've ever had as a professor. The only reason I'm giving such a high rating is because I can tell he's only like that because he REALLY cares about teaching and wants you to learn, not fail. He is merciless but not unnecessarily cruel. If you're taking one of his classes and don't really care, he would be an absolute 1/5 rating.

A very harsh professor and grades depend only on a few papers. Does give extra credit. The feedback isn't the clearest and don't respond to emails. Gives very good lectures and keeps the content interesting. If you can dedicate a huge amount of time to his class you can do well and get an A, do not take his class in a credit-heavy semester!!!.

1. If you're not into philosophy and just want credits, this isn't the best option. 2. If you love philosophy, Dr. Hutchens is the best professor I've had. His voice, lectures, and teaching style are exceptional—both fascinating and motivational. Papers are challenging but engaging, with extra credit opportunities. Attendance is mandatory!

I would look forward to attending this class every week, Hutchens teaching style makes the course material very very interesting. If you are not interested in philosophy, this class will be hard, but if you like philosophy, it will be a good challenge and very interesting. Hutchens is extremely smart and also very witty.

Hutchens was the most rigorous and intense professor I had at JMU. He was neither easy nor forgiving; he was--and still is, apparently--committed to philosophy as a discipline (and perhaps a way of life) that aids one to live and thrive on this planet. I took him for PHIL 120 as well as a seminar devoted to Alain Badiou.

Good prof. Material is not that hard but you might struggle if you don't read before class and take notes during class. He is pretty intimidating when you first meet him because he does not like when students don't take notes and skip lecture. Overall, he does care a lot about the course material and he is really good at teaching it as well.

One word to describe his teaching method & the overall content of the existentialism course: LIFECHANGING. He may come across as intimidating at first because he wants to ensure that only those truly devoted to philosophy continue on the path he &the class are about to embark on. Once you get past that initial layer, he's witty & caring.ATTENDANCE!