Hard class, but he is a super nice guy and will help you if you ask for it.

No need to read the textbook, he explains everything in class. Hard tests.

helps you when you need it. all essay writing in the course

helpful, all essay writing and very nice

Hard course, great guy. Ease up on the essay's though Doran. :)

No Comments

Slightly unfocused; no discussion of ex-wife though (did I miss that class?)

No Comments

tells alot of bad jokes, and looks somewhat like Bob Saget

He's a good guy. Didn't discuss his ex at all. And he's actually a pretty funny guy. Very sarcastic. Knows his topic and encourages discussion/debate.

Some girls liked this guy in class... OK. Didn;t know he split up, but who cares... pretty clear guy, honest, makes U feel bad 2 live in Canada, but we should do more 4 the world. That's why war in Iraq is necessary... let's see what people say now..he he

i thought he was a good teacher- highly intelligent in his field of study. i would recommend him. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.Cute and sexy!!!yummy

awsome guy easy to get along with, i came to him about a mark and we disscused it told me if i did well on the final paper that my B- would be a B great guy smart gives u exam questions for one exam no hard feelings towards him nice,clear, and good notes

great teacher, very very interesting lectures. he's a tough marker and does not tollerate bad grammer.

If you want some good entertainments, he's the one to take. Superb lectures (the best i've had), he should be a part time comedian. Tests are easy, but tough marker. Recommended for further classes.

Doran is the best prof that I have ever had, and this was the best class that I have ever taken. This class helped me in all classes that I have taken since.

Philosophy is not my forte, but I must say that Doran's class is one of my favourites. He explains the coursework fabulously, is funny without even trying, and gives test questions ahead of time. Bonus: classes end half an hour early!

His class is tough; mid-term, paper, final and participation-that's it. But he explains everything really well and he's hilarious in class. Always willing to help after class or through email.

One of the best teachers i've ever had. He, along with Globerman make me LOVE philosophy and i'm a science student. Awsome teacher, Awsome guy. Take his courses!

He is a very good teacher. Very clear with all his explanations and wery helpful with his students.Make sure that on his tests, you write as much as you can and give a lot of examples to show that you understand it and you will do fine.

doran is a great teacher and if you can't pass his class with at least a c you are definately a dumbass who should't even go to kwantlen

good guy good course 4 first time students

The material was pretty interesting, but he was a bit too arrogant for my taste. A pretty good teacher; I just wasn't a big fan of his personality.

First time taking a philosophy class, and it was great. Great prof.

Very interesting class. Doran is an excellent professor. Really got a lot out of that class.

His hotness distracts from his arrogance. Its a pretty good class that actually broadens your mind and attitude toward common ethical and moral questions.

He's a great teacher. Always up for a discussion, but if you ask a dumb question or make a wrong piont, he has no problem telling you. Just make sure you write down EVERYTHING when writing his tests.

Alright class, he's pretty cute so that made me overlook some of his personality traits, did someone mention ARROGANT? It's a fairly easy class, for those who said he's an unfair marker that might have something to do with the fact that you're a moron

Not only is he CUTE but he is VERY HELPFUL if you do find a time to approach him and talk to him about your school work. A good TEACHER. you have to make sure YOU LISTEN and listen GOOD

All you have to do is show up! and if u dont jus get notes off someone and make sure u understand them! very easy course, easy marker 2 take home essays and very easy midterm! overall hes a good guy

Very good teacher. First Phil class I ever took and found it enjoyable. Very clear on what to expect on exams, and always willing to help. Just study his notes and keep up with readings and you'll do great. I really recommend taking him!

I think hes a good instuctor. If you take down the notes, you'll do fine. His tests are directly from the notes and he helps you a lot. Overall, i would take him again.

AWESOME TEACHER! He is very clear on what he wants on exams, fairly easy marker. Considering the material he has to teach, he teachs very well. Enjoyed his class thoroughly. Not arrogant and never heard him talk about his book. Write down everything and don't ask a stupid question!! Awesome guy!hot

dr smolkin is not arrogant as some of the students described him previously, excellent instructor, fair tests, and very interesting topics. Kwantlen Best!

not as arrogant as ppl think. very nice + helpful. but if you are wrong watch out! he has no trouble correcting ppl. i think that is b/c he wants ppl to do well and understand material correctly. ppl do fall asleep but their loss. notes are easy to understand, tho tests are very hard.

He seems like the typical philosopher. He'll explain slowly and thoroughly and won't rush the lecture. Its very clear what is expected for tests and essays. If you did bad, learn to think.

One of kwantlen's best teachers by far. Very clear on what he wants on exams, notes easy to understand. Excellent at explaining material. Takes his time in lectures, glad I took this class and glad I took it with him!

AWESOME is the word for him...he explains very well in class,even though phill is a hrd course he makes it interesting..tests are hard but if u r in class and get his notes u will do fairly good..fair marker..i would take him again..DEFINATELY!!

umm this teacher is great. as long as you come to class and take down the notes ur set. everything on the tests are in the notes and he gives u outlines of what exactly will be on the test. if u study the material ur likely to do well.

explains everything well. very humourous

NICE GUY, and yeah, hes hot!! Had to do one term paper and exams are in essay format. He explains really well altho course material is a bit dry.

This guy is an amazing prof. Considering the material he has to teach, he explains it soooo well. He states exactly what he will ask you on the exams and is soooo clear. Kept me interested thoroughlly. Doran Smolkin is 'Smolkin Hot' too! Brains and Looks...wow!

omg doran most of the comments tell you how HOT you are -- i find it amazing that even gets mentioned! you are an excellent teacher with a kind and caring attitude toward your students and i'm really glad i've come to know you -- go cards! ;) d

Smolkin in a good proff, his class consists of 3 papers and an exam. He is humorous and seems to like his job. Although the course material is somewhat dry, Doran does a good job of keeping everyone awake.

Dr Doran Smolkin is a great guy who is enthusiatic about his teaching his class... His classes are interesting if your engaging and get into some heavy debates on religion... A must take class for philosophy...

engaging helpful concrete clear

Well first of this guy is kida funny. His arrogance is explainable...he lives in the United States and comutes. His exams are hard if you dont spend twelve hours memorizing word for word and im not kidding. You miss one word its wrong. If your willing to put up with his arogance and hard exams then hes for u!!!

good teacher

Very clear and very helpful. You'd have to be trying not to understand what is expected of you in his class. He is very explicit in his requirements. He will read, criticize and return rough drafts of essays! He gives examples of exam questions. Tons of course material, but it's very interesting. Will take more with him.

Doran is awesome! It's imperative that you show up to class because he goes through a lot in just one class. His tests are hard but he's very reasonable. If you give him the respect he deserves then he'll respect you right back (even though he will make fun of you in class)

Good teaching

Had him for 1100 and 1110 in the same semester and had a good experience. He was very approachable, funny and you can tell he genuinely loves philosophy. Sometimes the lectures got a little boring, but he did the best he could with the intro-level subject matter. Very fair marker. Tests were made up of 1-2 essays, MC and short answers.

Good professor - very laid-back, good communicator, deep-thinker, and mysterious - the stereotype philosopher. Seems to mark on a bell-curve though. For instance, if you regurgitate his lecture notes on exams, you will get a "B" even though your answers are right. Since he has a PHD, he is probably expecting more from his students.

Good teacher overall, hard marker with his tests. Prefers inclass essay exams.

I think he was a pretty good teacher. He is a nice guy and if you ask for help he will help. He explains concepts very well and if you pay attention you will do good. It is very hard to get an A but if u try you can get a B. I like his teaching style and i would take him again, mostly because i acually learn something after leaving his class.

Doran is an amazing prof. I loved his out of the box teaching style so much that I took him again the next semester. He has no unrealistic expectations, everything is very do able. His tests are not easy and you can't bull**** your way through them...he designs them that way!! YOU MUST ATTEND CLASS but he doesnt badger you if you dont.TAKE HIM

Really nice guy but a hard marker... exams are really tough even if you spend all your time studying for them. Deffinitions, short answer, long answer. He markes them WAY too hard in my opinion. Also in class surprise quizzes are horrible.. I lost 15% there just because he's so specific. Will not likely take again.

Yea, Doran's the typical philosopher type. Intelligent, chill, enigmatic, and a very clear lecturer. Although lectures are a bit long- night class can be a bit much to sit through. Thats really my only criticism, other than the tests are really hard. you CANNOT improvise them. If you study and you're pretty smart, you'll do ok. And he's SUPER nice!

Doran is an awesome prof. Very clear in his expectations, and teaches the subject really well. Willing to help if you need it. In class quizzes are easy, OPEN NOTE and straight from the readings and NO problem if you actually did the reading. Tough material but he makes it easy to learn. Must study hard and attend every class! Can't BS thru exams!

awsome

Doran is an excellent teacher. Taking philosophy class has got to be one of the best decisions I've made while going to school. Doran will tell you what he expects on the tests, and the papers. If you do what he asks, and you understand the material, you will do well.

Doran is the best professor I have ever had. Extremely nice guy that is down to earth and has a good sense of humor. Also, he is very helpful if you need help on a upcoming paper. Plus, nice to see he isn't strict on citation styles or grammar mistakes. Doesn't remember names well; only people that can read out loud well like Fred from Iceland

I took this guy in 2006. This guy stands out as one of the best profs I've had in my 6 years in post-secondary. The material is difficult, but he was so clear on how to approach papers and was so helpful. Awesome, awesome prof. I always remembered this guy.

I loved his class, Doran is very kind and makes the content very interesting. I had never taken a philosophy class before, and wasn't sure what I was getting into but I loved it. There is a bit of work required with studying, writing papers, but I found he was a fair marker.

Awesome professor very smart and clear. Only gripe is his classes are harder than most ethics classes, a lot more readings and papers. Basically he's really good but there is usually a lot of work in his classes.

Fantastic! Doran is by far one of the best profs at Kwantlen. He literally spells the answers out for you. It's easy if you care to come to class and take diligent notes. He makes excellent use of class times and gives out easy participation marks. Doran is brilliant and passionate! Already, my writing has improved substantially. Take him!

Is a really good prof. Good lectures makes things interesting, would take again. Is some what of a hard marker on exams asks for fine details. One Midterm and two Essays plus Participation. I liked him, made class interesting.

Doran is an awesome prof. He is by far my favorite teacher at kwantlen. His lectures are interesting especially if you're doing the readings. He is really open to other's arguments and really encourages students to participate. Would take a class with him every semester if I could. I always looked forward to going to his class.

Genuine and down to earth guy! Is thorough with his lectures in making sure students understand the material. Class participation marks weighs heavy so stay away if you want to get an easy A. Class time drags by if you zone out so pay attention!

Amazing teacher. He made me want to go to class. He explained everything in a way that everyone could understand and went out of his way to make sure he taught us what we needed to know. Super nice and fair marker.

He made this class more interesting than it already is

Awesome guy. Explains everything, goes through notes well. Would take again.

He is one of my favorite profs at Kwantlen. Aside from being funny, he's very clear when it comes to grading. He'll tell you exactly what to expect on the midterms what he wants. On top of that he will provide you feedback on any outlines or drafts you have. If you go to class and do the work, you'll do just fine

Good lecturer who clearly understands the material well. I skipped lots and missed a big assignment so my grade was very poor, but showing up and taking notes should secure you an A without much difficulty.

Dr. Smolkin is a caring prof, he gets the class to engage in discussion which is good because participation is worth 10% of your grade. If you want to learn how to philosophize this is a good class to take. There are 5 reading responses (due before lecture) and 2 longer papers (due 2 weeks after lecture). There are no exams.

Doran is a good choice for ethics. The class layout makes it easy to do decent but pretty hard to do well. The class is very self directed as you hand in papers on topics of your choosing at your own pace. He marks hard so make sure you get him to look over stuff (especially longer papers) before you hand them in.

He was a funny and interesting teacher. Super knowledgeable and makes class entertaining and relatable. Super easy to pass the class but hard to get a good grade. He is a pretty tough grader and felt like my work deserved better then what I got. Make sure you talk in class- only way you can earn full participation marks!

Doran is extremely knowledgeable person. His class environment is enjoyable and he is always keen to help his students. Definitely a professor I would recommend if you have passion for philosophy.

I had this class online (COVID). I took his Tuesday 10am class but he uploaded his lectures inconsistently (weekly recordings, not synchronous for me). There were only 4 papers each worth 25% for your grade. BE SPECIFIC! Take info directly from his lectures and textbook! Overall he's really nice and leaves good feedback on your assignments.

he was super awesome, there were 4 quizzes(20% each) so easy, were just mcqs and 10%of participation and 10% attendance. Amazing lectures, I will be taking his class again for sure

He was super nice and if you study every week in the class itself, you are gonna be fine, there were 4 quizzes and although they got kinda hard at the end, but it was still fine. He gives many opportunities to score good, as well as clears any doubt without any hesitation. 100% would recommend him :)

Engaging lectures & minimal workload. Was my favorite course this semester- little studying needed, just pay attention & participate once each class- he takes all notes and posts on moodle. Grade made up of 4 quizzes and a participation grade, each 20%

super chill professor

Professor Smolkin runs a straightforward class with quizzes and assignments. While the workload can be challenging, he is approachable and offers helpful feedback. Unstuck AI was a great supplemental study tool for me.

Great prof who truly cares about what he does. Attendance is mandatory as he marks participation and gives a lot of insight on what to expect on tests. Overall, I would take him again

Not sure what the 1 star reviews are about. Hes an engaging prof whos clear about what to expect in the class. You get marks for attendance and participation, plus 4 quizzes that are fairly easy if you study the lecture notes he goes through. His lectures are fairly engaging, and he does a good job of keeping the class entertained throughout.

I think he was a great professor, his class was very engaging and interesting. Participation and attendance is important. He only took 4 quizzes which were fairly easy if u studied for it. There was no final or midterm exams. Moreover, none of the material from the previous quiz was repeated. He was actually kind of funny too, I liked his humour.

Good professor who knows and is interested in the material. Attendance and participation matter!! No textbook required but there are readings every week.

Very good prof, only confusing if you really don't try at all but if you have a basic understanding and review for an hour or two before the test, you will get a really high mark .