3.3
Quality2.5
Difficulty56%
Would Retake94
Reviews56%
Would Retake
94
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
36
4
17
3
12
2
14
1
15
What Students Say
“Said he hated his first philosophy class and didn't want us to hate ours, well I did”
PHIL110 - 2.0 rating“Although he will state he is not opinionated, Mr”
PHIL125 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
75%
Textbook Required
75%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.05 avg changeRatings by Course
110
5.0
(1)INTROPHIL
5.0
(1)PHILO110
5.0
(1)POL110
5.0
(1)PHIL100
4.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
PHIL101
5.0
PHIL102B
5.0
PHIL120
4.0
PHILO110
4.0
PHIL100
3.7
Reviews (94)
likes to hear himself talk. So bad i dropped it to take chicano studies.
A talky subject, but he tries to keep it interesting
Loved the stories/funny comments/he knows the material well/makes good examples
He is one of the best speakers I ever heard. He covers the subject well but has his own points of view. He expects you to understand his point of view even if you do not agree. You will get it after you finish school. Signed a 47-year-old.
This man is a TALKER! He tries to clarify every point and to answer every question. I've learned more from this guy than any other professor I can think of!
Loves to TALK!!!!! the class is only an hour and 15 min but it seems like 4hrs! Funny guy and fairly easy, but way to easy to fall asleep in!
Thinks he is quite unique among humans and is often surprised at how funny he really is. With that in mind, I still enjoyed the class.
Interesting material. expresses his opinions quite frequently. can use notes on the tests. Easy A if you read through the packets he gives you. Talks alot w/out much class discussion.
Well, this guy is certainly a unique character. The lectures are very interesting, but are rarely pertinent to the subjects on the test. The class might as well be a study of "his" philsophies, and you will rarely study in depth about real phi
Cool Guy! A Very interesting class that makes you look at things in a different light. I would definitely take him again!
Josef's dry wit and sarcasm made the class enjoyable everytime for me. He is FULL of wonderful stories about Switzerland and he seems to know German. What else could you possibly want in a Philosophy teacher?
He's a funny guy! Really boaring at times!!! No work at all just 3 tests and its all open notes! Hard class to follow!
Mr. Binter should not be teaching at a community college, but rather a four year university, like UCSD. Very intelligent man and he definitley knows what he is talking about. If you really want to learn something at grossmont take Binter.
I took this class and at first everything seemed like it was going to be easy, and it was at first! I admit i learned a little knowledge about life but nothing about philosophy.Thought it was going to be an easy A but i got a D instead!
Very interesting Prof with a high level of enthusiasm, knowledge and helpfulness. I got a good dose of General Philosophy.
Most seem to find him easy but they really don't seem to understand how deceptive he is in his teaching. He changes you even if you are unwilling. He talks a lot which shouldn't be a surprise in a class--want to listen to the others in class? He's sup
Discriminates against everyone and everything that is not Jewish. Does not like to be corrected in any manner and will go out of his way to screw you. Takes pride in failing students and brags about it the following semester.
easy A if you read his materials.knowledgeable? he'll make you think that life did NOT start in Africa if you listen to him long enough,at this level you have to figure out facts from fiction and not what a prof. decide to imprint on your mind.
Took his class fall 03', loved it! Great personality. If you appreciate Joel from Mystery Science Theater 3000, then you will LOVE Joseph! He's FULL of knowledge and cane actually show *PROOF* of his convictions!
This class is mislabeled. It should be called "Introduction to Athiesm" or "Religion Bashing 101". I was hoping I would learn more about the great philophers, but we spent to much time discussing JFK etc.was very disappointed. Got an
Mr. Binter is very knowledgeable but thinks he knows everything. Is boring because of long lectures. Talks the whole three hour period. Didn't do to good on tests even thought htey are open notes.
Do not like him at all. He is the worst!!! If you like professors that dont even talk about the subject, take him. But if you want to listen to a professor talk about how junior college students are just drop outs and you might as well just drop out take him by all means.
the class is super easy and he breaks the material down in a clear manner, HOWEVER, lectures are very boring, he talks the ENTIRE 3 hours, and he spends a great deal of time talking about how cool he was as a kid and how everyone (besides him) sucks now, boo on that.
Finaly,a democrat that makes sense.Who'd a thunk.. But really he is a cool dude and logic is a fun class.
My first and probably best professor!! BUY THE BOOK! Hilarious if you comprehend and appreciate his type of humor. He has a very different way of teaching unlike most professors. He eliminates the BS and uses techniques to help you remember. Keeps you awake. Tests are easy, and you'll see why...
This instructor is the worse. He treats students like they are trash and ignorant. He rarely talks about the subject. He loves to talk about dates, politics, religion, etc. Very boring. He is not a good teacher, he may know the subject, but does not know how to teach it. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Recommend. Ensures that students understand material before proceeding to next section. If you don't get it then ask and he will explain it. He does take all 3hrs to lecture, be prepared for a long night, but his lectures are enjoyable if you get his sense of humor. His tests are easy, trust me...
Very smart teacher, but needs to humble himself. He has a really negative attitude towards college students and that came through when students had adverse ideas (NO NO)!! He did try to help and does make sure everyone understands the material. Talked too much about unrelated matters.Dont suggest
I took the class over intersession. And as long as you pay attention, there is no reason you shouldn't pass this class. I felt he was a very dedicated teacher and you can tell he truely enjoys his job!!
Binter is one of the coolest teachers I have ever had. He has a lot to say and whatever it is, is always interesting. I would highly reccomend taking his class to anyone. He is one of the smartest people I have ever met. Tests were easy and open note/book. Take this class for an easy A/B+.
PROFESSOR BINTER IS THE BEST! REALLY enjoyed his lectures, funny guy. His tests are based on some reading, mostly on inclass discussion though. (HAVE to attend class and pay attention) Tests are kinda hard, but OPEN book/OPEN notes. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! REALLY GREAT GUY
He's a nice teacher. Unfortunately, there was not nearly enough PHILOSOPHY taught. The class was 1 week on existentialism, 1 week on Theology, 1 week on the greeks, & 1 day on handful of philosophers. Too much time was used on unrelated information like atom bombs, racing, dates, politics, etc.
Great class - great professor for this subject however, even though tests are open note you will need to work to extract the correct information from your notes. Tests are straight from lecture so you MUST attend class. His sense of humor helps get you through the lectures. Highly recommend him.
Great Teacher!Alot of reading so you have to go to class everyday and grasp all the material especially if your taking him on a 3 week session. Funny! He does talk about things beyond the subject but it does relate to philosophy in a weird way. Highly recommended!
Tells his life story but spends very little time on Phil. Hope you like the JFK assasination and**** he spends alot of time on both. Recomend staying away. Teaches soly off hand outs no need to show up for class. But over a hundered pages of hand outs per test. Very difficult to get an A in class
Great Professor, I enjoyed his lectures. Even though he tends to repeat some things often, it was a good way to get the info down. He is a very educated man and I would take him again. In fact I followed him to Mesa so I could take his Phil Logic class. I highly recommend this professor, just do the reading.
Purchasing the classroom textbook is not necessary since all of the exams are based off of handouts and lectures. Exams are open to notes and handouts. He will often run on tangents about his own life.
I took this class over summer, and found it rather easy, no need to buy the books, read all the handouts, tests are take home. I don't recommend this class, especially if you are Christian!! He is VERY against Christianity, and we spent the majority of the session "poking holes" in the religion!
This guy is a ****. You won't learn anything relevent that you don't learn in life anyway. Thinks he is cool and that he "deserves" your respect. What he desrves is... I can't say but don't waste your time.
No Comments
Rad guy. Can go off on his tangents - but in general, the lectures are all interesting. Generally keeps you til the last minute. Talks a lot, but is pretty funny. Go open-minded, w/a sense of humor, and ATTEND class.
hell, its a class about logic, how can you fail? great teacher, funny, interesting. take it to meet ged requirements. cant go wrong.
Very impressed with himself. Tangental lectures. Could compress actual teaching of content into 30 minutes and dispense with the 2 1/2 hours of babble. He definitely knows his subject, but seems unable to grasp that others do not. Good tips on book buying. scarcastic, droll, megalomaniac. Need I say more?
Little bit crazy, whole lot knowledgeable. Got a worse grade than I could have because I was too wrapped up in his lecture to take notes. Definately goes off on tangents, but for the most part they are applicable.
I hated the course but he made it interesting, I had never had Philosophy before so it was tough for me. He does go off on tangents but he helps as much as he can. If you have to take it he is a good instructor.
gets lost on his life stories extrenmly booooring!
Being a dyslexic student, he was a total jerk to me. Expected us all to be nice little republicans and agree with all the Iraq rants he would come in and waste class time reading. Pompous ****.
Professor Binter is easy going and is really fair. You definetly won't be bored. He's perfect for a winter session.
TALKS WAYYYYY TOOOO MUCH...PUTS ME THE HELL TO SLEEP!!!
OMG he is extremely boring and not worth the time. He is hardly on topic and talk way too much. Even though he hands out packets instead of books, a mess of them, and one test is take home open book it is still hard to find the answers in the freaken thing. I studies for this class but the way he words things on the test is way off from the packet.
Loves to talk about himself, racing, dates etc. Tries to subtlely instill rebublican ideologies. In fact, all his examples involve Monica Lewinsky and bashing the Clintons. If you are a liberal or a minority you will be offended. Loves to talk about how stupid his students are, and everything you're going to do wrong...still an easy 'A'.
NEVER take him, especially if it is a 3 hour long night class. He's very self-involved, and if you don't agree on his views you will be easily offended. Instead of teaching from a textbook you get a bunch of packets that HE wrote. Pretty much he tries to brainwash you with all of his views of the world. Somehow I got a B though..
Shares his personal opinions and stories all night long. Sometimes hard to follow what exactly is his point. Very insensitive. Some difficult chapters, but if you stick with it and don't miss class, you will get a good grade.
Although he talks about himself waaaay too much he's a great teacher. Some days he only talks about what needs to be learned, but some days he hardly sticks to the topic, but he's highly entertaining. I found that I didn't have to study for this class at all because everything on the test is exactly what he teaches and it's open notes and book.
GREAT PROFESSOR. I had read several comments on here about how self involved he was an how much he talked... EVERYONE IS SOOO WRONG... HERE is the true scoop. Mr. Binter is halarious He talks about anyone and everyone & criticizes everything Including your views. IF you're not ready to be in a college class and hear a lectutre Stay home!
Much more of a professor than one of those who teaches only from textbooks. He probably isn't for everyone, but he doesn't mind being the butt of his own jokes. If you are the focused type, you'll do well. If you are the aimless type, he has a tendency to get on your case. For a Democrat he is pretty open-minded.
Why anyone would take a logic class from anyone else is a question I doubt anyone can answer. His intesest is keeping students in school, but there are many students who resist this. Great class and a lot of fun as well!
Binter was the best teacher I ever had!Peter
Very entertaining. If you come to class you will do well on midterm/final. He tells you EXACTLY what you need to know. No homework, one paper. I highly recommend this teacher to anyone looking for interesting opinions on topics that include but are not limited to critical thinking.
You might get shocked by his personality at first, but he's great guy once you get to know him. He does go off long tangents and gets repetitive throughout the course though, causing me to dose off a couple of times. 3 weeks for a course is intense, but if you pay attention and read the packets, you'll get an A if not a B on the exams.
This was a fun class! I would recommend it highly. It will get you to think outside your current belief system but if you don't have an open mind you may not like this course. Professor Binter was a great teacher with interesting stories and he really cares about his students!
I could see how if you are a "minority" he might be offensive but that doesn't mean what he has to say is wrong either. I agreed with 99%. He isn't always politically correct but its refreshing! There is no tip toeing around with him. No expensive textbooks, open note tests, great class!
This teacher is great. I was in his class 6 hours a week and I actually enjoyed it. He says he is a democrat however when he talks about issues he comes off extremely conservative. Either way, its a great class. You may not agree with him but in the end he knows more than you do! Open note tests...
Professor Binter is very chaty, he loves giving words of wisdom to his students, he's inspirational, he makes a point to not require expensive text books, take him if you want a fairly easy, fun, and cheap class
awesome
Worst teacher to learn anything from or to try to get an A in. Will give you a C just for showing up. Gives Handouts that he wrote himself and they don't make sense. The more I read the worst I did. This teacher needs a reality check. Most students thought there was something wrong with his tests maybe 3 students understood his madness.
As noted by many others, he tends to ramble, but I honestly enjoyed his class for that reason. He applies concepts to the real world and is very quotable. His tests are open note/book/etc. Have patience and I guarantee you'll learn a lot about philosophy, literature, history, and many other things. Certainly worth taking any of his courses.
Great class, you'll learn a lot about yourself and the world around you.
Long but interesting lectures. Like others said he tends to ramble but usually ties it in with his lecture, and you do learn something about yourself at the end.
Binter spends about 1/3rd of the class period talking about race cars (his hobby). He does a poor job of explaining logic & mocks students who ask clarifying questions. I would not recommend this professor to anyone.
One of the worst teachers I've ever had. I took this class because I had an interest in philosophy, but 90% of what he says isn't philosophy related. He spends most of the class talking about racing, or taking two girls to his school prom. Great class if you want to pass without learning a thing but stay away if you're looking for an education.
He spends most of the lectures talking about taking two girls to the prom, racing and his cars he had in highschool. I was looking forward to philosophy before this class, but his lectures were truely a waste of time. About 20 percent of what he said was informational and helpful, and the rest was just him rambling. i wouldn't recommend him.
Very poor professor. Spends the whole time repeatedly talking about the two girls he took to prom, racing, and his cars. Passes out thick handouts with superfluous info that never gets discussed. VERY HARD TESTS. Your grade is based off of only 3 tests. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!! Stay clear of this professor!!
Useless class, I really wanted to learn about philosophy and all I learned was he likes blondes and used to race cars. He rambles about his personal life and doesn't even use a proper textbook. Said he hated his first philosophy class and didn't want us to hate ours, well I did.
This class was pointless! From day one tothe last day you will hear the same old story about how he met his wife and all about his racing life, and high school experiences. I thought philosophy was interesting and i wanted to learn more about it but after having his class screw that! TESTS ARE HARD!! would not recommend his class to anyone.
Took the class in Spring 2011. I enjoyed Prof. Binter's class. He was funny and tried to teach the class in context with life and the real world. He made the subject more interesting. The book was confusing and the professor made it a lot easier to learn. One of the best teachers I ever had. Some of his stories were repetetive but I did learn
Interesting professor. Takes a while to understand what he's trying to get out of a question. Ask him a question, and he'll probably take it in a direction that has nothing to do with the answer you need. It's almost like he's daring you to call him on his BS, and trying to figure it all out can be tiring. Just show up and pay attention.
All he did was talk about himself. Doesn't teach you anything! You didn't get tested on a book or lecture notes, you got tested on a collection of his own ideas and stories. Pointless class. No one ever showed up. And no matter how well you did on anything you always got a C.
The worst class ever. This guy needs to retire and get some counseling about resolving his past because thats all he talks about. Dont waste your time.
Tried this class a few times before at other schools and other professors. This was the first time it made any sense. He's easy going and shows you the inside way of doing many of the kinds of things done in class.
Prof. Binter has a very good mind and obviously knows what he is talking about, but his execution in lecture is lacking. I found myself struggling to stay awake in lecture sometimes. If you take his class, I would recommend relying more on his handouts, which are wonderful for learning the information.
Binter is very inspiring. If you pay attention to his lectures about the material, you'll be fine. I aced every test. He does talk about his life frequently but I found it interesting. He critiques our society & points out things humanity doesn't wanna face: pain shouldn't be an objection to the truth. I learned much about life in his class.
funny cool and laid back only 5 test and 1 final. you can use your notes on the test just follow the rules this class is an easy a or b. at first you might not like the class and may not understand his letures listen closely ask questions and youll be fine
I feel bad writing this because I can tell Prof B wants to be a good prof. However, I seriously think he needs some mental health counseling. He seems to be going a little mad- ranting about his past in class, discussing refugees and the clintons more than philosophy. His bitterness towards immigrants is scary and unprofessional. Easy A though!
Professor Binter is good and interesting person; however, it's too much offtopic in his class. 15% philosophy and 85% talks about politics, insurance problem etc.
I am writing this review simply to say that if you think Mr. Binter has mental issues, you have obviously not understood the entire point of the class. Mr. Binter does go off on rants, but it is NOT without good reason. People don't understand that he is tying philosophical concepts into his rants. Great teacher, just be open minded and laugh! :)
If you're taking Philosophy 125 as a GE, take it with Binter. I got a 100% in his class, and there's really no excuse not to. Exams were open book and notes! You have to be dumb as a rock to fail his class. If you're a Philosophy major, take someone else. Funny guy, great stories, and good advice. Talk to him after class. No mental issues at all...
I took a couple of classes with him: introduction to philosophy and logic. Both good classes if you want to get easy A's, though I'm not sure how much I learned. Introductory philosophy was a series of rants and monologues tangentially related to the subject at hand. And, I can't stress this enough, if you are female, avoid being alone with him.
If you are looking for an easy A then this is your guy. His test are open note/book and he gives you handouts that show you what he will ask. Be ready to listen to him talk tho and while he says he has no opinions, he will be sure to tell you what is wrong with every one else.
Although he will state he is not opinionated, Mr. Binter will consistently go off on tangents about his subjective political, and cultural views/opinions. A majority of class time will be spent this way, listening to him talk about whatever he finds interesting. If you want an easy A , take this class.
Great professor highly recommend taking his philosophy class. Got an easy A
He is funny, intelligent, and takes his time to inform his students about how philosophy can be used in every day life. Books are recommended but not required as he usually shows you short cuts. The final was a breeze as long as you show up to class and all other tests were easy as long as you review notes ahead of time. Really easy grader
Amazing class. Keep throwin them grenades Mr. Binter!
The entire semester was spent listening to him go off on tangents that had nothing to do with philosophy. Mandatory attendance just for us to listen to rambling for over an hour. His "teaching" method is just him reading thick packets that we'd have to read on our own anyway. Words can't describe my experience in that class but numbers can. -1/10.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
75%
Textbook Required
75%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.05 avg changeRatings by Course
110
5.0
(1)INTROPHIL
5.0
(1)PHILO110
5.0
(1)POL110
5.0
(1)PHIL100
4.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
PHIL101
5.0
PHIL102B
5.0
PHIL120
4.0
PHILO110
4.0
PHIL100
3.7