Hard class but worth it. His midterms and finals are scary, though.

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Tough teacher... but fun, and fair....

Great teacher and a great class!

A lot of hard readings. The midterm and final are hard. You have to study pretty hard in order to do well.

Fred is a nice and funny guy---the class is for thinkers, and if you want a good class that will be a challenge, then take Tabor. the tests require lots of studying, but overall, i am really glad i took the class. if you participate, he'll like you.

Good class for pushing your boundaries. Encourages debate and participates on both sides. Not enjoyable if you do not like having your ideas challanged, but besides that a great teacher. His tests are ungodly hard though!

Difficult but worth it.

By taking this class I learned how to read more skillfully and to summarize ideas from readings more efficiently. This was largely because of the amount of reading assigned and the regular quizes. This class is demanding and not for everyone; however, if you work hard and have a good attitude, it can improve your reading, writing and verbal skills.

this is college, if you are interested in these type of philisophical topics you will be challenged and will ultimatly learn very much. Isn't learning what we are here to do? quit complaining or please give up your efforts entirely. These were the two most difficult and most fullfulling classes that I've ever taken

LOVED his classes, wanted to take more. students either got into this or didnt (lots didnt). must think outside the box, it is possible to get an A but you'll work for it

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the only people that have a problem with this teacher are people who have problems with doing their work. You learn a lot and can get a good grade all you have to do is read.

Don't take him if you don't like thinking or being questioned. You *will* be made to look stupid. Chances are, what you believed *was* stupid. He was helpful, and clear as you can be with philosophy. He facilitated discussion wonderfully. Fantastic teacher, even if he's a walking nervous twitch.

Fred's a great teacher. He PURPOSELY tries to outdo you in discussions, even if he agrees with you. It's his way of making you think, and it works great. He doesn't do it to make you look stupid. Just don't take his comments personally, because he doesn't mean them to be. His method is very thought provoking, and works great in a Philosophy class.

A very smart man. He could usually out-argue the whole class. Really makes you think about defending your position. Mid-term and final are tough and cover a lot of material, but not impossible if you study. Very interesting material

socially inept, but teaching style is effective

Strange instructor, though very good making you think, as well as test your own thoughts and beliefs. The class is difficult if you don't read the text. If you do, your in good shape-he discusses the main points/ideas in the next class through "debate"

Fred's confrontational keeps you on your toes by forcing you to constantly defend what you're saying. It can be too much for many people and his grading can be challenging, but if you're serious about learning his classes are a complete joy.

Very interesting teacher. Doesn't tolerate ignorance or stupidity. Daily quizzes make attendance mandatory. Don't take if you don't like being called out for bull**** arguments.

I LOVED this class! It makes you think and Tabor goes against everything you say (to make you think) which I thought was very good. If your sensitive I wouldn't reccomend this class to you, but if you like a good debate on current ethical issues I would recommend this class. Tabor was very humorous! One of the BEST instructors i've had at Whatcom!

I have to admit, Tabor is a damn good instructor. He really challenges your perceptions of morality, and indirectly helps you better understand yourself. Naturally, the content can be difficult. My one complaint is that he relinquishes control of the class and lets holier-than-thou know-it-alls hijack discussions. Patriot-types: do NOT take this.

You must read all of the assignments. There are daily quizzes which are pass/fail. Classes are very heavy on discussion and Tabor challeges all ideas that are presented. The class is usually fun and always interesting. Mid-terms and finals consist of an essay on the readings but the majority of the grade depends on quizzes/attendence.

This is the second class I've taken that he's taught (this one being Religion), and I will warn you that these readings are often nonsensical, contradictory, and self-fulfilling... with that said, thank whatever powers that be for Mr. Tabor, because he does his best to make sense of it all, and is easily the most entertaining prof on campus.

Mr. Tabor was one of the best teachers that I have had at Whatcom. For every topic presented (usually very conterversial as it was a religion class) he gave bot sides of it and was always fair. Great class and great teacher.

I took Environmental Ethics with Fred Tabor and found it really worthwhile, although it started to feel repeatative at the end. Everyday you take a four ? quiz on the assigned reading and then talked about it for the rest of the class. Tabor challenged me to think about and support my opinions and was really funny, but at sometimes he annoyed me

Sometimes I got the impression that Fred liked to appear nutty and confused because really, what teacher has trouble remembering that the name of our new presidential elect is Obama! He is also very proud of how many books he has read and will mention it often.

Hands down one of my fav prof.... The class work is very easy- you just have to do it. He is very Knowledgeable and entertaining. You will learn a lot and enjoy his class. must be open to evaluating beliefs and ideas that you may not agree with. The lazy and/or ignorant will not enjoy or do well with this professor.

Fred will challenge ALL comments, but especially challenges those who clearly speak from ignorance. If you are interested in philosophical subjects, his class does not fail to hold your attention. It is most enjoyable, but requires thorough, slow reading.

he is alright. we read the text alot and talk about it even more. that is about it

I don't understand most of the comments on here. How is this class hard? All you have to do is show up and pay attention. Pretty easy if you ask me.

If you read the short assignments and show up you'll pass. Tabor himself drives me crazy he contradicts himself several times within the same lecture and although he claims he will keep his personal views seperate from class it is quite obvious where he stands. Speaking skills are awful he talks to the wall and says um a hundred times per sentence

Fred is an amazing teacher...all these people bad-mouthing him on here clearly just lacked the intellect to understand that he challenges ALL ideas (something that he makes clear he will do from the start of quarter btw; he doesn't just spring it on you). I've taken three classes with him and have been very happy with them. He knows his stuff. :)

This class is NOT hard! I don't understand why people are complaining. Read the book and listen to the classroom conversations. That is it. Easy class.

You must do the readings and you must be open to learning to think critically about competing views. You may even come to question your own programming and learn to think on your own eventually. The class is a must if you want a life worth living.

He's a hard teacher to grade, he is a very good teacher who really challenges you. He makes attendance required because he almost always has a reading quiz on the text. The articles are dense but if you like the subject they're interesting. His point is to challenge you by pointing out where you are wrong, he even said he will make you look stupid

Tabor has made philosophy much more interesting than I expected it to be, but don't take him lightly. Be ready to explain your reasoning for everything, read the material, know it well and show up for class because there's nearly always a quiz. Midterm and final are written exams on 1 of 3 topics but he doesn't tell you which one. Study EVERYTHING

Amazing class, never felt attacked, strongly considering changing my studies from bus. admin. to philo & psych bc of the way tabor showed me how to challenge my own thoughts in order to expand the range of them. Ive told my family and friends this class changed my perspective on life and although it was difficult work wise, amazing class in my op.

He was a really great professor that would argue with you using the arguments/reasoning that the author did. Reading and attendance weren't "mandatory," but you would miss quizzes that you couldn't make up. You could give him your answers before the mid-term/final and he would tell you whether or not it needed improvement. Overall great teacher.

Tabor engages the whole class in discussions that are highly philosophical and push students to think critically. He makes the class personable by actually learning names and encouraging expression of personal views. Yes, you have to do all the reading. If you put in the effort you will succeed and enjoy the class!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: He is the toughest teacher I've had. By far. Env Ethics was all about discussion, but very focused around the material. We were tasked to commit to memory full understanding the philosophies of dozens of authors and passages. And he graded hard. I had to work, but it was absolutely rewarding exercise, which I am better for.

If you don't like him you are not open minded and take everything to personal. Read everything many times, take detailed notes, and take part in discussions. He is one of the few who test what you actually know and understand of the readings you do. Midterm and finals are 1/3 topics, doesn't tell till test day, its essay format, study for it all!

He is hilarious! One of my favorite teachers. Apparently a lot of people don't like him, but I think that is because he actually expects you to read and know the material. He even says that his class is hard, but it really isn't if just you do the readings. He is the best at challenging ideas and views, a lot of people don't like that either.

People who complain it is a hard class don't even listen to him on the first day. He say it is a hard class, and the readings are hard, and requires you to read it a lot. The reason he wants you to understand the authors view is because how can you talk about something someone said without actually understanding what he said? Love his classes.

I loved this course. The readings (especially for the first half of the semester) take some effort, but are nevertheless interesting. Tabor is funny and very smart, and often brings scientific studies to class. The exams require quite a bit of studying. My only complaint is that he never introduced himself, so I don't know what to call him.

Fred is a joy to listen to, he throws many jokes into his lectures, whether you catch them or not usually depends on how hard you listen to those lectures. He tends to ramble a bit before he asks his class questions, making it difficult to understand the question clearly. Class is a discussion, join in and understand the authors, quote them often.

Just read and take the quiz

Easily one of my top favorites, but be prepared to work. You must do the readings every day, and you will get a quiz first thing every day. Do this. be articulate with your ideas, verbal or written, and you'll have a great time if you want to evolve your ideas. Tabor's hilarious, witty, cutting, aloof, and caffeinated. Need help? Ask, but work.

midterm was open ended (no rubric) and therefore a little difficult. quizzes and reading are easy once you get the hang of them. don't take him too seriously! when he challenges your beliefs he's trying to get you to expand on your ideas, not tell you you're wrong. he is witty and sardonic, quick grader, loved him as a teacher!

I really enjoy Fred's class. The information I have learned has changed the way I look and live my life!

Fred is an amazing teacher. He is funny, challenging, and very intelligent. If you show up to class and read, you will do fine on the tests. 40% of the grade is the quizzes he gives each class, which if you read at all, are extremely easy and open ended. He says at the beginning of the quarter what he expects of the students and he sticks by that.

I graduated from WCC in 1994 and Fred is the only teacher who I remember as having learned something from. Highly recommend. He is a wise dude.