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Really good teacher with a sense of humor!

It's an easy class but he can be very...grade-school

Total hotty. I wish he was everyone; everyone but me.

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No more Fashion Merchandising major for me ;) Sign me up for Philosophy!

Yummy. He can Hume my Scotus any time!

This is one philosopher who ought to be king!

Who knew that Latin could be so sexy. He is cogito-licious!

He can diagram arguments; he can fill out a pair of chinos.

Voltaire was right. Any world that includes Chip is the best of all worlds.

He is to sexy as Reid is to common sense. Yowza!

Ticklish distinctions, probing questions, and satisfyingly penetrating arguments

Oh la la. I would swim in the reef of his solipsism anytime.

If he were to lecture to an empty classroom, the lecture would make a sound.

All logic courses are not the best. Chip's is!

Another Bartek! Hereafter I see only chaos, but I understand all to be triangle

Man is born free and is everywhere in chains. I wish.

Looks like Bobby Hurley's father

Interesting and engaging teacher. Helpful. Could be more open to opposing views.

Lot's of homework, kind of junior high feeling class, but its good

Soooo understanding! Great sense of humor; makes class fun

he's cool, class is a little dull but he wants you to pass.

Explains everything well but lots of homework. I like his teaching style.

Awesome. Recommended.

great guy...lots of homework, but it's not difficult, take him, he's swell

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very good teacher...very good at explaining things not understood..good class

great teacher so willing to help you..funny guy..he makes you want to do well

Cool Guy, a lot of homework, good class

Chip is a nice guy, open to new ideas and suggestions- hw every class- helpful

Chip is really nice and funny. He wants us to do well and understand

Great guy - but the worst class ever! im glad i never have to take it again

But where was he when Max Zorn died? Hmm?

Did you know that it is possible that Trotsky was killed by an inside plot? And did you know that it is possible that Chip was in charge of Trotsky's security detail?

Great teacher, paces a lot. Exams can be hard. Just do the work and work hard to grasp it.

great guy, but a really stupid class. HW nearly every night- but it's really easy. He's so nice & cares that students do well. I recommend him, not the class.

Not too bad of class, Chip's not bad. Seeing that I have to take the class to graduate, I would take him again. You do have HW almost everynight, but usually it's not that much. Sometime's his grading can get picky, but usually not too bad.

Great class, and great teacher! Homework everynight, but it pays off. Grading of tests are a bit picky, but the homework grades can make up for it. I def. recommend this class!

so-so class, kinda boring. tests are very hard and he is a hard grader, unfair at times. not too bad for a Gen Ed class, i'd rather take someone else, but phil. isnt that intersting anyways

stupid class with lots of homework but it makes up a large part of your grade, tests are graded ridculously hard, but Chip is a nice guy

Makes class interesting. Tough grader and lots of HW that brings up your grade

This class isn't going to be fun no matter who teaches it but Dr. Bolyard makes it bearable. He's sweet and kinda corny but a very tough grader on tests. He assigns tons of homework but I don't think you'd understand it if you didn't do it. Go to class.

CHIP'S THE ****. I appreciate him greatly, highly enjoyable! What an oddball...you gotta love that. Reminiscient about all the stuff he too forgot in his college drinking days. don't **** about the homework, helps your grade an UNBELIEVEABLE amount.

Chip is AWESOME. He's so cool! Do the homework and come to class and you're almost sure of a good grade :-)

Chip kicks ass. He's a bit dry, but he tries really hard.

He's back! Hide your phallousies and practice your prestidigitations!

Definetly was not looking forward to this class, but Chip made me want to go. It gets a little tricky and Chip is always willing to help you out. Very good professor, definetly take the class. Homework is a plus and helps improve your grade even if you bomb and exam!

Chip is awesome. I went into the class saying how much I was going to hate it, and honestly I don't mind going to his class. As long as you do your homework and participate in class, you are definitely guaranteed a C or B. He really is a great teacher!

Chip is the only teacher here at JMU that knows my name. He really cares about students and their success. If you do your homework you will definitely get a good grade. Chip is great, my favorite teacher here!

Chip is awesome. Always willing to help you when you need it. Stickler for homework, but drops lowest 4. GREAT guy! TAKE HIM!!!

Chip's awesome...nice guy, understandable. Chip makes the material easier. Do the homework and go to class, its not hard to get a B or an A.

Chip is what every prof should be like. He learns your name and he will slow down the pace if he doesn't think that everybody is catching on. He's funny/corny and really the class discussions are laid back. Definitely take Chip and you'll learn a lot.

i am not into philosophy so this class wasnt for me i only did it for my BA. but basically he is a nice guy and is pretty fair. study a good amount, he curves which is nice! if you like philosophy take it otherwise ehh i guess its not toooo bad.

Chip is a really nice guy. The first day of class I left thinking he was an ****, but boy was I wrong!!! He is so awesome and does whatever he can to make sure every student understands whats going on. If you ask a question and he can tell you are still confused, he makes sure you understand!TAKE

Great Prof GO TO CLASS, everything is from notes! Drops several homework grades. TAKE CHIP!!

Excellent class, grades papers kind of hard. Test are pretty easy if you study a little. Great guy, very approachable. Would recommend taking any class offered by him.

Great Professor. Does all he can to make information clear. Tries to be funny and makes class pretty fun. Definately take him if you get the chance.

good teacher but not an easy class. gives hard midterm and final, homework almost every night but he gives you an A as long as you tried- def. one of the better gphil 120 prof. i'd recommend him.

I really liked Phil101, but I did not like this class at all. I found it extremely hard-- for ex. he failed 99% of all of his students on this one quiz that is a large part of our grade...... gave out f- come on.... there has to be something wrong w/ that. Don't take him. ok guy, just freakin hard.

Great Prof. Outlines clearly what to accomplish

Chip is a pretty funny guy and his class is easy if you do the homework and pay attention. He tries to make sure that every student understands, and if they don't, he'll talk it out with them until they do. He's nice, class is a little boring somtimes, but he's a good professor.

Listen anyone who complains about his class needs to step up and stop expecting to be spoon fed and burped, and just be a good student! He has a great personality that comes through in class, explains well and presents the challenge of philosophy as well as anyone could. If you still don't get it, stop griping and go to his office hours!

I adore Chip! I can't see how anyone couldn't. He's so sweet and funny, without really trying to be! He's so dorky it's so cute! He explains everything and never gives any surprises, and will spend as long as you want on just one problem. It was my FAVORITE class. He really knows what he's talking about. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Aww Chip is great, and hilarious without meaning to be. He explains everything, over and over again until the class finally understands it. Some of the concepts are sort of difficult to grasp, but he really tries to be clear about them, and truly cares about whether or not the students are learning. Anyone who complains about him must be a slacker.

He's a great teacher, if you have a brain and an opinion, and know what is going on. People that embarass easily should not take his class - he will question you - maybe that's why he's so great. He's not a pushover, and he hates bad writers.

Bolyard is a little awkward, but I liked that about him. He makes quirky jokes and pokes fun at people a lot, but he means it in a very friendly way. The class itself is my most difficult this semester. DO the homework - he goes over everything class. Hard grader and rushes through explanations a little, but really gets you to understand.

Bolyard is a good teacher, but his heart ain't in the right place (philosophy). Does not return students' emails regarding a tangent discussion of philosophy, which makes me want to cry.

Chip is a good guy, very knowledgeable. However, he does not run class effectively. He allows for tangent discussions and "sharing" which is unacceptable for a philosophy class. 90% of the students in my class were total dullards and this seemed to drag down Chip's enjoyment as well. Be prepared for the idiots who seem attracted to his class.

As a non-philosophy major, I appreciated his ability to make really difficult material comprehensible. As the person below me noted, he's not too tolerant of stupid discussions, but if it was relevant, he usually listened. Really funny philosopher death stories...Aquinas falling off a donkey was probably pretty sad, but not the way he put it.

I loved Chip. He did a good job of teaching, and we had some good discussions in class. Most people don't participate though. The tests are made up of multiple choice and an essay, and the essay part was pretty hard for a 101 class. Otherwise, it was a great class.

I've had Chip for two semesters now, and he has to be my favorite teacher thus far. He takes time to make the reading comprehensible in class, while having you try outside of class. Which isn't easy, but is great practice and quite fun for me. Extremely helpful and quite fun, would recommend his class for anyone. I took gphil 101 on phil 342 w/ him

i really love chip :) but philosophy is hard in general for most people straight out of high school and who are used to just spitting out facts. Speak up because even though he is going to play Devils Advocate to whatever you say, it helps the class think as a whole and when he compliments your argument it feels AWESOME

tests are far too hard for the subject, definitely too hard for a 101 class. interesting topics, homework due every class but drops 3 grades. will argue anything you say.

I found this class really interesting. Chip is a real cool guy and has some cool stories. The first test was incredibly tough,if you take this class you HAVE to memorize the arguments word for word. I would recommend this to someone though, you learn a lot, it is worth the experience.

Chip is a really good professor! He gives you everything you need to know for the tests which are hard but i haven't gotten below a B. Attendance isn't mandatory but it definitely helps to go! there is alot of reading with homework but i barely read and i still got good grades on the homework plus he drops the lowest 3!

So the class itself is pretty interesting, but it's ALOT of work. There's a one page paper due every class, and they're based off complicated philosophical readings. The tests are pretty difficult, but you can do well if you spend 5+ hours memorizing the material. It's not not hard, per se, it's just a ton of memorizing very similar arguments.

Chip is an awesome professor. He really is interested in his material and he explains things so you can understand. YOU MUST MEMORIZE every argument verbatum or else the test will be difficult. 1/2 multiple choice, 1/2 essay. A lot of readings, but he give you an A if you attempt it. I highly recommend him if you're willing to do the work.

Chippy is one of the best professors that I've had at JMU. Get to know him personally and you'll love him. He's DA bomb :)

Bolyard is so smart! His lectures are very long but very interesting. If you don't enjoy philosophy you may be bored, but he really does a good job explaining the material, and will work hard to make sure you understand. He is also hilarious. Really knows his stuff and you will most likely get a good grade if you put in effort. Take him!

Really nice and helpful outside of class. He teaches a really cool class BUT even the best philosophy majors should prepare to have their GPA wrecked. You'll learn a ton and become a better writer & thinker, but just depends how you value that compared to your GPA. Class is so hard, but definitely a learning experience.

I love chip as a person and I enjoy his class. Only bad thing is im pretty sure im failing but he doesnt post grades online lol, i feel like im learning a lot but if youre looking for an easy a i dont suggest this. love him tho

If you show up, do hw, and study, you will get a good grade. The people who did poorly were the ones who never showed up. He is very clear when teaching and encourages student participation. Learned over 60 student's names in a week, which shows he cares. Great guy and wonderful professor. Pop quizzes were easy if you memorized the basics.

It is lecture based heavy so if you don't pay attention you won't do well. The practice problems help A LOT for the midterm and final. If you are stuck or don't understand E-MAIL HIM!! I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH. He is there to help and really gives great feedback if you get something wrong. It is not easy unless you put in the work.

He tries to make the class interesting but if no one participates it's boring and a lot of notes. There's a 3 point reading quiz almost every class but if you read you'll be okay. He's a good professor I just think the class is hard in general, he does his best to keep you interested. I would recommend if you need it as a GenEd and you like arguing

Chip is really passionate about philosophy and loves tslking sbout it, but the material and memorization is really difficult. I took a similar class in high school and I think that is the only reason I did as well as I did in his class.

I know some people weren't huge fans of him, but I loved Chip! He clearly feels very passionately about philosophy, and he definitely cares about his students and their success in the class. GO TO CLASS because teaching yourself the very specific and tedious material is just about impossible. Tests are difficult, but do the homework and listen :)

Chip was great! He cares for students and wants us to do well. GO TO CLASS. You will not pass if you skip. No course content is posted on Canvas. Daily homework. Tests are both multiple choice questions and essay answer questions-- DIFFICULT. Great guy and clarifies whenever it is needed. Lots of class discussion, just very dense lectures.

Prof Bolyard is incredibly caring and you can tell he's passionate about the topic. I loved his lectures and what I learned but dear god, was it insanely hard for GenED. He's a rough grader (which I understand why but geez, relax a little), and your grade will take a hit on even the smallest mistakes. Take the class but be very very attentive.

def not my favorite class but he is a great professor. I failed this class and had to take it again and he was very helpful and supportive.

Bolyard is a difficult professor. You have to be up to date on homework, do extra work, and study if you want to do well in the class. Bolyard will also ask you to do work and give you criticism. If you can take criticism, this input can be incredibly helpful. The first half of the class is harder than the second.

Good teaching style, overall great prof

LOTS of reading dictated solely by a three question quiz the following class. Grade will mostly be determined by three exams. He is a fantastic lecturer and an even better person but I do feel like unless you put an unnatural amount of effort studying you won't get the grade you desire. (He does curve though sometimes tho!!!)

nice teacher and very funny, he makes strong effort to know everyone's names. homework gets an automatic 90% as long as you do it all and turn it in on time. no late work accepted. no submitting homework online only in person. attendance is graded. drops your three lowest homework grades. midterm and final were the only grades besides homework.

The class was difficult but worth it. Weekly reading quizzes mean that you have to make sure you read the material, and force you to learn it. The lectures were fairly engaging (for a philosophy class) and I liked how Bolyard took on the role of the philosopher being discussed during our class discussion.

As long as you show up to class and do the homework you should get a grade in this class. Professor is very nice and good at teaching the material. If you understand the topics, the class is very fun and interesting and easy to do well in. I would 100% recommend this professor for Phil120

Prof Bolyard is passionate about the subject, but the class can be quite challenging. Attendance is a must, and he's a tough grader - even small mistakes can hurt your grade. Unstuckstudy and the textbook were helpful for study prep. Overall, an engaging class if you're willing to put in the work.

Philosophy seems to be something that you either get or don't get, but he makes it super easy to understand and although there is a lot of homework, it was actually enjoyable to do it when you understand it. Super nice, pretty fun class, and if you go to class and do homework you will do well. 100% recommend this professor

He's super picky with how the exam are graded, but only expects you to know what was covered in class. Honestly, the reading quizzes weren't even hard either and I feel like I actually learned something in his class, which is not something that can be said for everyone in the Phil department. If you care about learning, take Bolyard.

He is a very nice guy and has strong lectures that mirror what will be on the exam. Each test, you will need to memorize around 15 arguments and how they work. You will do 25 multiple choice then an essay where he picks 2 arguments and you need to explain, object to, and defend the argument. Easy daily quizzes, as long as you do the readings.

TAKE HIM!!!! There is a reading practically every class, as well as a quiz on it- sometimes can be about random things in the readings, but LOVE HIS CLASS!! He makes it enjoyable to learn things as well as really makes your brain work. He curves exams a lot, and he is so sweet and cares about you.

He is a great professor, is funny, passionate, and makes class interesting. HOWEVER, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS unless you are really interested in philosophy and are ready to memorize an insane amount of arguments. He has quizzes each class that are basically free points if you read/chat gpt.

Fantastic professor, the class is just hard. You have to study a lot for the exams but he curves them and also he makes it very clear what will be on them. If you're late or go on your phone he may mark you absent be careful. Short daily quiz from the reading. He's passionate, explains everything well and leaves no room for confusion.

Chip is super passionate about philosophy & he gives engaging, funny lectures and encourages students to argue with him. The only thing is that a huge part of your grade is his tests which are multiple choice plus an essay which he grades pretty harshly and he expects you to memorize all the arguments from class. Not an easy course but engaging.