great teacher & class. Repeats himself which makes concepts eacier to understand

a great professor. He likes what he does and he is eager to teach philosophy for life not just for grading the students. You do not understand how fast time passes

No Comments

One of the most enthusiastic professors I have ever had. The class is somewhat difficult but if you take REALLY good notes, he gives the test questions in advance. Make sure you don't miss class and take awesome notes and you're set.

His class is an intro. to Philosophy. Therefore, the material is easy to understand. However, your TA is the person grading your exams/paper, not Charles Griswold. You should seek out the TA, to understand what he/she is looking for in any of your work.

Very articulate, intelligent, and honest professor. He is extremely dedicated, and he truly loves what he does. The course is somewhat difficult, but it is certainly worthwhile. I truly enjoy the class and think Professor Griswold is fantastic.

Interesting and in depth. The pace of the course is rather fast.

The class is hard to follow, but getting a good grade isn't too hard. Impossible to stay awake during lectures, and attendance is mandatory. I would try to avoid as a PH requirement i heard there are easier classes out there.

I love this man! The lectures are usually interesting. TAKE GOOD NOTES! He gives exam questions in advance and usually goes over them very clearly in class. It isn't too hard to get a good grade if you pay attention and go to him when you need help

Griswold is a good lecturer, sometimes. His class isn't too hard. On his tests/papers, just give him exactly what he wants, and you can score big. His TF's grade all the stuff, and they have outlines of what to look for. Checks attendence at lectures.

Makes Philosophy a fun adventure, which can't be said for everyone( or can it ????) i enjoy his class thoroughly.thanks for the spacce,i'm gonna go drink some hemlock juice now ...see ya

griswold rocks my world. any teacher that references esacpe from la is fine with me.

Good for kids who enjoy reading and thinking, which isnt me. Articulate and motivated teacher whos lessons may be interesting to many while putting the others to sleep quick.

Great professor. The texts are very interesting and thought-provoking and some of the most essential philosophical themes are covered--religion, meaning of life, government, piety, and love. If you pay attention, take notes, and know how to think critically and philosophically, you will get an A.

Griswold is a world-class scholar, who delivers lectures with venerable eloquence. Not only is the course work extremely reasonable, but it gives a student a good appraisal of the different facets of philosophy. Those who derides this man are likely in SMG, where they belong.

Sometimes a good lecturer; just as often, intentionally abstruse and semantical. When he talks about philosophy proper he's a good thinker, if not a very good speaker. When he veers from his areas of expertise, he comes off as arrogant and not very knowledgeable.

Philosophy is always miserable, but Professor Griswold at least holds my attention.

Charlie Griswold makes the extremely uninteresting issue of ethics bearable. He is soo cute and always goes off on tangents that make the lectures more fun to go to!!

Ethics is a very interesting but complicated course, do not take it if you don't like to think. The grade consists of two essay tests and a 7 page midterm which is basicallly a take home test. An A is no problem if you come to class, do the readings, and think critically the whole time. He's an awesome guy who will make sure he answers questions

Griswold is a really nice guy and likes what he does. He will really like you if you speak up in class and go to his office hours (too bad i didn't figure that out till the end). You get test questions before the test. grading is a little irritating but not too hard.

According to ISI College Guide,Griswold is one of the best philosophy profs in the nation.He knows a lot.Lectures bring up interesting discussions.Very helpful in office hours.Grading is difficult but fair.U get the questions before the tests. Attendance is taken.Some good readings,some boring.If phil is required, definitely take his Ethics course.

The class includes many interesting discussions that will make you think. However, many of the readings were very difficult, and I felt like some weren't completely applicable. Grading is nitpicky, but fair. (Our class test averages were about 80.) The prof knows what he's talking about, and if you're going to take a philo class, take his.

If you have to take a PH class, take his. He is a great guy and I almost enjoyed myself. Just do the work and listen in class and you will do fine.

Charles Griswold is a nice man and he desparately wants you to be interested in the material he teaches. His lectures, however, are insanely boring. Attendance is mandatory, and ends up factoring into your grade, so make sure you show up. Also, he's really tough about scheduling conflicts, so make sure you read the syllabus when he hands it out!

Excellent professor. He had a sense of humor and made sure that everyone understod the material. Every once in a while things got a little repetitive but that definitely would not prevent me from taking another one of his classes.

Rousseau seminar- way cooler than i expected. do the reading (theres ALOT of it!), make a few comments in class and you will do fine. Griswold is a very clear lecturer with a sense of humor; brings cookies to class for his students during the mid-class break! (its a 3hr once a week course). interesting discussion topics and suprisingly fun class.

I was surprised when I found myself enjoying this class since I hate philosophy. It's frustrating at times because they want very specific verbatim in the tests and quizzes, but they're always willing to look into any questions you have about grading though they may or may not change anything. Griswold is more often than not a fascinating lecturer

Great professor. Almost dropped the class, but he helped me overcome my 'epistemological skepticism' towards philosophy as a useful subject. His discussions are mind-altering and hard, but still relevant the way he presents them. He's a sympathetic, genuine guy too.

Very intellectual guy. Cracks a few jokes here and there, for better or for worse... I tend to think the material we covered goes beyond the scope of an intro course. The material is definitely difficult. Griswold's "teaching fellows" are bright, but the discussion classes are useless. Overall, an enlightening course. Griswold's a good guy at least

Great Guy! Discussion sections are a useless waste, and attendance is mandatory even to the lectures. But the lectures are extremely helpful. He's extremely helpful in understanding the readings that are quite difficult. If you have to take an intro philosophy take him. Two tests, a few quizzes, very fair class.

He is a great professor! He is very clear. Pay attention in lecture, take good notes and really listen to what he says b/c it will show up on exams. I found discussion section to be helpful especially since the TF's grade the exams/quizzes and participation. Attend lecture, takes attendance. helpful for exams and any questions.

Griswold is an amazing professor. His lectures are interesting, mostly because he cracks jokes and encourages a lot of participation. He goes through the readings thoroughly and uses all the texts. Discussions are helpful. Fairly easy class.

Excellent professor! Really helpful in class, went through the reading thoroughly. If you took notes and engaged yourself into discussion it was impossible to do badly. Great guy, really helpful and wants you to do well. My favorite professor at BU by far.

No essays; only tests and quizzes. Gives test questions beforehand. Really interesting and Griswold has a wonderful sense of humor!

Griswold is an amazing professor. He tells you as simply as possible exactly what you need to know for each quiz and test. Makes complicated texts crazy simple, and really cares about his students and getting you interested in philosophy

Gives you test questions a week beforehand, so you can prepare. Quizzes are quite simple. Attendance is mandatory, but lecture is really stimulating. Readings are pretty short and TF's are good for extra help if you don't understand them. Take him!!

Best professor I have had so far at BU...stimulating class, even though he just lectures the whole time. Tells you about exams beforehand. He gives you all the questions for exams and the regular quizes are basic. Before exams, students are free to ask questions about certain subjects they are worried about. Looking for more of his classes, A+++++

A great great guy! He is so helpful and loves the subject he teaches! Really didn't think I'd like the class but if you pay attention, and work hard, you'll get the results. Grades are dependent on your TA so make sure you get to know them! Really would recommend this class to anyone!

Took a graduate/upper level seminar on Philosophy of Emotions Fall 2010, great class, very through syllabus that traverses philosophical works on emotions from ancient to contemporary thinkers. Sophisticated discourse and analysis.

Great class. I learned so much about Ethical thinking and Professor Griswold is always readily available to help out in office hours. Attendance to lectures and discussion are mandatory but he gives the test questions ahead of time so as long as you prepare you'll be fine. I'd encourage anyone to take this class!

Griswold is an awesome professor, an engaging lecturer and an all-around fascinating person. He is so personable, witty, and non-condescending that it's easy to forget to take notes during lecture because you are caught up in what you learning. His class doesn't require too much work, I did half of the readings and took bad notes, got an A-.

One of the best professors I've had. I didn't particularly enjoy the class, but Griswold does a great job of explaining things and he's always available to help if you need it.

Really nice, actually pretty funny, but I'm warning you, his poodle always chooses #1 and #3 for the test questions.

Absolutely great professor. Extremely helpful in class, and if you take the time to go to office hours will help you with any problems you have. He leads the class like a big debate, so it is engaging and you want to participate. Great guy, made the class lots of fun as well as understandable. I highly recommend his class, you won't regret it.

One of BU's best professors. I had little interest in philosophy prior to this course but he was engaging and classes felt more like a conversation than a 1.5hr seminar. He's brilliant and classes were thought provoking and rewarding. Paper due every week, do the readings, participate, he'll take a personal interest in your learning. recommended

He had such a clear passion for philosophy that it was difficult to sit in that class and not be enthused by the material. Definitely go to office hours and introduce yourself, you'll become an instant favorite. Only criticism: didn't need to read textbook, he explained it all in class.

Best teacher I've ever had. Incredibly enthusiastic about the subject he teaches. Genuinely interested in his students' learning. Loves hearing what you have to say in class - respects/ values students' ideas. Very interesting, smart, cool guy in general. attend class & a little effort studying and you'll do well.

Excellent professor and excellent class. Perhaps one of the most intelligent people that I have met in my entire life. I admire his ability to stay neutral and unbiased in his teaching and he honestly wants his students to do well. A lot of reading that you can get away with not doing if you pay attention. A genuinely good person.

Griswold is easily the best professor I've had this semester. The material we cover is challenging, but he breaks it down in a way that's easy to understand and encourages students to argue about it. He gives you exam questions ahead of time and the quizzes are very straight forward and out of the text. Go to office hours! He gives snacks/treats!

Easily the best philosophy professor at BU. Take him if you can and definitely go to one of his office hours.

Professor Griswold is the best professor I have ever had. He is an excellent and interesting lecturer, and he is undoubtedly one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. This class was fascinating. Plus, he gave every test out the week before so you could prepare your answers. He truly cares about his students. Go to office hours!

Literally one of the best professors I've had at BU. Kind, interesting, passionate. He's helpful, clear, and cares both about his students and the subjects. The class was also super interesting - and Griswold made sure it wasn't too difficult but also not a boring easy snooze. I really recommend him/the class!

Loved him so much. He gives you all the test questions before hand so if you do bad on the test, it's your fault and your fault alone. Definitely go to his office hours just to talk, he's the best.

Griswold is fantastic. He turns complex material into interesting class discussions. He gives you options for test questions ahead of time so you know what you're getting yourself into. I can't wait to take another one of his classes!

Griswold is absolutely amazing. This class has no homework besides readings, which he will discuss and clarify the next day in lecture. Although the entire period is based around lecture, it's still super interesting. You get all the test questions ahead of time so you can prepare yourself in entirety for the exam. TAKE THIS CLASS.

Wonderful professor. I highly recommend this class. He is super helpful in and outside of class. No laptops during lecture so some people might not like that.

Love Griswold. Definitely take the class if you have the change. Read beforehand and his lectures will blow your mind.

I'm a freshman, so I was super nervous about my first semester of classes. Professor Griswold showed me there was no reason to be. He's easily one of my favorite teachers ever. The material is super interesting and his lectures always helped with my understanding of the readings. He always illuminates something I didn't notice. Take this class!!!

Griswold is so nice and funny. I had to take a PH requirement so I chose politics and philosophy. I find it so boring as someone not interested in philosophy, but I think if you're into it you'd like it. He makes a seating chart and calls on random people so do the reading. Attendance is taken in lecture and discussion. Discussion is useless.

Griswold is sweet, understanding, and funny. he really wants students to participate and challenge each other. he's very insightful and definitely not the type of philosophy prof to tell you what to think. read the textbook and study for the quizzes/tests and go to your ta's review sessions/office hours bc there's a lot of material to get through

One of the most knowledgable professors I've ever had. I went into PH 155 with absolutely no knowledge in philosophy, but I always left lecture completely miffed by Professor Griswold's intelligence and awesome anecdotes. Gives out test questions before the test and is always there to help! Would definitely recommend.

Griswold is a great guy and a good lecturer. He not only knows the material well, but he is skilled at facilitating discussion and will press you in questioning. If you skim the reading, pay attention in class, and CONTRIBUTE, you will do fine.

He's a great teacher. Lectures are fun and engaging and he always helps out and makes sure everyone understands what is happening. He gives you the test questions a week ahead of time, prepare your answers and you'll do fine.

Absolute babe that wants you to learn. Although the lectures may become a bit draining, he tends to spice them up with some quirky Zeus impersonations and candid humor. Also gives you all the test questions beforehand, bless up to my main man C. Grizzy.

Professor Griswold is a great philosophy teacher. He cares more about students understanding and questioning the material than tests. If you pay attention in class and especially if you take notes, the tests are an easy A. The readings are dense, but he goes over them in detail each lecture. He keeps class interesting, even though it can be dull.

Awesome professor.

He's just a great professor and can keep the conversation going on forever in a discussion. He explains everything clearly and lucidly, and he's honestly just a great guy who has a huge passion for what he teaches. Overall, I would love to take him again, and he really inspired me to take other philosophy courses. Take his classes if you can.

I really loved this class! We had great discussions and the material is so interesting. Dr. Griswold leads the discussion really well too. 1 paper each week and no exams throughout the course!

LOVE. Griswold is wonderful, and you should absolutely take a class with him if you can. He tries to put as little stress on his students as possible, and we had so many great discussions this semester.

The class was fairly hard but Prof. Griswold is amazing! He's so passionate about what he does and he makes you really understand the content through meaningful discussions. He's super nice and he can explain the hardest concepts in the simplest way

Very knowledgeable and respected and a great teacher. The only thing is that he's not at all approachable and calls on people who didn't raise their hands, which I'm very against. Very reasonable and makes the class interesting and challenging.

He is a great teacher who has wisdom and cares about students. The reading is hard, but he explains everything clearly. As long as you put effort and focus on the lecture, you can do well in this class. By the way, he has a sense of humor and make some great jokes during the lecture.

I LOVE HIM! He is the nicest kindest sweetest man in the whole world. He wants you to succeed and he cares about philosophy so much. Participate in class and visit his office hours and you will succeed. Literally love him i miss him so much

He's an extremely knowledgable professor and very impartial when it comes to class discussion. Philosophy is no doubt a difficult field of study but he makes it so much more interesting and less dense. Definitely come to his office hours if you want to be *enlightened*

Unbelievably passionate about modern philosophy. Provides a very in-depth course about its development and several major writers of the time while making you very familiar with life-changing philosophical arguments. More than willing to talk about the material after/outside of class. However, can spend multiple weeks on the same subject.

Presents complex philosophical arguments clearly and in an unbiased way. The class gets into spirited political debates but he always moderates fairly. This class will challenge you to think critically about your beliefs and gain a greater understanding of / respect for political philosophy.

Prof. Griswold makes a difficult subject sensible and easier to understand. He is very comfortable and willing to engage with students and explain concepts further.

Prof. Griswold is AMAZING! Definitely take his classyou'll learn more than you ever thought possible. There is quite a bit of reading, but Griswold goes over everything in detail during the lectures. If you attend class and take good notes, you'll do well. He's funny, caring, knowledgeable, and engaging! The material is super cool, too.

Griswold is goated. Sad that he's gonna retire soon but everyone should try to take the opportunity to have him once before he's out. Class was graded solely on quizzes and tests but he prepares you extremely well for them and tries to help you succeed as long as you put in the effort.

Very enthusiastic about philosophy. Amazing upper level class, requires you to think critically constantly. Helps you develop your skills as a concise writer. Be clear in your answers to the 4 tests (outside of class, 1 week long, with 5 short answer questions totaling 2000 words. Doesnt demand perfect writing, just clear expression of thoughts.