3.5
Quality2.3
Difficulty75%
Would Retake145
Reviews75%
Would Retake
145
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
53
4
39
3
27
2
15
1
11
What Students Say
“Laurence Thomas's class was disappointing”
PHI191 - 1.0 rating“If you value the education you are paying for, this is not the class for you”
PHI191 - 3.0 ratingClass Info
Attendance Mandatory
19%
Textbook Required
78%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.36 avg changeRatings by Course
MANYPHI
5.0
(1)PHILOSOPHY
5.0
(1)191AND363
5.0
(1)PHI191PHI125
5.0
(1)PHIL191
4.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
1992
5.0
PHI200PSC125
5.0
PHIL191
3.0
PHILOSOPHY
3.0
191AND363
3.0
Reviews (145)
really makes you think, is very interesting, great lecturer
Awesome. 'Nuff said.
F*&#in hilarious, but can def take it too far
Only take this class with him. His opinions and anecdotes make it well worth it!
Great Class! Lectures are awesome and intriguing!
great lecturer, but a little pretentious
funny class funny to look at, good experience
A Syracuse institution. A teacher you'll remember for his brilliance and humor.
No Comments
Hard class, but the best prof you will have at SU.
One of the most though provoking and worthwhile classes I have taken at SU.
He was great, I love him
If you take an hour after each lecture and just think you will succeed
His ego suggests an underlying self esteem issue. Good professor overall
funny as hell
Do we even need to comment on this guy? His reputation says it all.
Every class and conversation is an experience. Take 191.
Really pretentious, unapproachable, but great for a large lecture
No Comments
Great Prof for a large class, Nice but doesn't take crap. Some one handed in a bonus test for a friend and he called on the kid that wasn't there. When no one answered he gave that kid an F in the class. Funny and thought provoking.
keeps your interest the whole time and makes you think
They guy thinks hes god and that the whole world is out to get him. Basically i thought he was a jerk
Great lectures. They really make you think. However, he's bit pretentious and unapproachable. Nevertheless, the class is great and easy too!
Brilliant man. His brain works in magnificent ways, and for some students, he's the only reason they develop an interest in philosophy. His downside: He's a rock star and he knows it. You don't exist in his world unless you make a RARE impression on him.
No Comments
he only seems unapproachable because of his strong personality. anyone who has taken the chance to meet with him one on one will see that he is quite capable of one-on-one conversation and will challenge the mind until the end.
Most amazing prof. I have ever had. Point blank, he had a lot to do with my development. If he doesn't give you the time of day because you never made an impression, the ansewer is simple make one! He is brilliant and doesn't have time if you don't care
No Comments
No Comments
I SAID CAMMEEEELLLL... TICKETS!... Chocolate Pudding... this man is Cosby
Thought-provoking prof - Wasn't quite sure how putting a child on an airplane can compare to an abortion but whatever... I think my brain exploded after his classes
more like a stand-up comedy act than a lecture. humorous, yet informative.
He is the man...has the capability to change you as a person in a wonderful way.
Sometimes he states a position so well, you think he believes it. Then he tells you he thinks the opposite. You don't need pen or paper for these lectures. Just read the material, listen to the lectures, and sit back for an hour and just think about it
easily the most interesting and thought provoking class I ever had. Go to lectures, they're fantastic. Forget about recitations, they suck. I learned so much about how to set up an argument and about myself. Strongly recommend this class!
I regret the day I signed up for this class. Thomas thinks he is so smart and funny, but I was not amused at all. A lot of students think he's funny because he gives them the finger and swears every other word, but it is so stupid and pointless.
Hes a great teacher and hes funny. Defnitely the best professor ive had this semester
Such a good prof!!!! I would recommend 191 with LT to anyone!
Everyone thinks the world of this guy, but I don't agree. He's pompous, arrogant and thinks everyone is mediocre and don't care about anything. He needs to take a chill pill and stop practicing reverse racism like he does with the people he calls on.
Best class I have taken at SU, all because of the Prof. Challenges you to think about society. I'm taking PHI 191 next, which he also teaches. Very engaging. Take if you like discussion based lectures.
If you like to be told what to think, then this is your class. If you DON'T want to listen to conservative babble 24/7 and reiterate what he thinks about life on tests and in papers, STAY AWAY!
Awesome class!! Thomas is the man!! He's so funny. Anyone that doesn't like him is just mad.
LT is a brilliant man, though he finds it neccesary to tell you so often. Topics are very interesting, but if one wished to speak up in class, they would inevitably be cut off. Based on participation, LT will either know your name or find you unexcellent.
interesting subject material. however, thomas prof. regards himself very highly, and that in itself made the class mean very little to me.
Awesome in class. Very entertaining and engaging. Very dedicated to his work. If you respect him, he can lead you down amazing paths. Makes you want to work harder.
LT is very funny and tries to engage his class by talking about sex all the time, but when it comes down to his tests, "they are bloodbaths," the TAs say. LT's tests are confusing and worded in a misleading manner. Seems to want to trick you on tests. If you care about your grades, don't take this
This man thinks that he is the best professor ever just because he swears during class. It's funny once and then it's just lame. He's completely over-rated and self-important. I once walked to class in the middle of a blizzard just to have him walk out because some girl was reading a paper.
I'm a fan of LT. People bash him, sayong he's real cocky, overly confident, not in our class. He let the philosophy do the work, gave his opinon on things, too, yes. But he backed it up relevantly and fully. Good class, great prof. I only wish the material was a bit harder (like more Kant).
I used to study with him at Oberlin; when he left to go to Syracuse, he inspired me to go with him. He changed the way i think. Outstanding.
LT is a great person as well as professor. Although is he a little cocky, his class are always amusing and filled with thoughtful discussions. I recommend that everyone should take his class at LEAST once. You can take it anywhere you want from there.
Great course, professor
awesome class, best ive ever taken. im a lazy person, but going to this class was so easy. LT may be a little cocky, but he made me actually want to learn. lots of chances to boost grade- tests get easier and easier. take his classes.
I learned more listening to his lectures than I have from any single other teacher in my life. He explains things beautifully. Also, he is extremely entertaining. Great, great teacher. This class is a must before you graduate.
Boohoo you can't read English so you failed the philosophy test. Stop blaming other people and start trying to figure out what is going on besides how smashed you are going to get this Thursday. LT is awesome, end of story.
hated the man, dreaded the class. but philosophys not my bag either...
No Comments
Can be both interesting and dry depending on the topic. He sometimes pushes absurd arguments, but if you show interest you'll do well.
I thought Thomas was really overrated. His class was entertaining, sure, but I didn't learn much.
Great. Funny, and demands only what your capable.
This guy is a ****ucka cant teach and he was not willing to help a student in need i hope he contracts some awful disease
taken two classes with him now. interesting professor. puts you on the spot often. actually remembers your name in a class of 400. stresses excellence.
The man is a genius. Plain and simple. The class moves pretty quickly, but as long as one does the reading it's not impossible to keep up. The class is quite entertaining as well.
Wow. Dynamic. Explosive. Attention-grabbing. Swears like a sailor. Uses life to teach. Relates to students like few professors can. Demanding, but respectful. DEFINITELY MUST TAKE A CLASS OF HIS AT LEAST ONCE.
LT is the man! He is the best professor I have had at SU.
This guy f*ckin went off on a girl for biting her nails in class and at another girl for going to the bathroom. He went off on mindless tangents and I have numerous notes that are half sentences. He spent more time blowing his own damn horn than teaching. He cuts on 'Cuse students for Greek life and has posse surgically attached to his ass.
LT is the simpleton test. If somebody likes him, they are a simpleton. He is like a bad dead poets society impression with enough hot air to raise the dome. Embarassing to listen to and almost as impressed with himself as his legion of followers. Don't waste your time.
This man thinks he is god's gift to the universe when in reality he is just lazy and disorganized. The lectures were all about his life, his tastes, his jokes, his thoughts...who cares? And how do hundreds of people end up buying this stuff?
Don't be hating on LT. He's a brilliant professor, and his "arrogance" simply derives from his thoroughness in preparing a given philosophical standpoint. Uses many realistic examples to bring an abstract argument to a concrete level. Hard to understand at times, but I always get a lot out of his courses in the end.
He's brilliant... whether you agree with him or not, he is a smart guy.
Take this class. It's taught by one of the best and most interesting professors on campus, and it's easy.
I'm impressed with is ability to remember people's names, has a great sense of respect, and he's very friendly, but his act seems to get old quick. He's pretty all over the place, and could really get his lecture over in 10 minutes insead of the 45 he usually fills up, but whatever.. It's an easy class.
Amazing Class, BUT DON'T try to get away with reading the paper or playing with your cellphone in class, because no matter how sly you think you are, LT willll find you
Completely pompous, masturbatory windbag. Class is absurdly easy if you do the reading, which 99% of the students don't seem to get. Thinks he's a god when in actuality he's a total showboat. Scatter-brained lectures and patronizing theatrics. Don't take him if you're serious about your education.
A lot of people get offended by him because he does not try to sugar-coat anything. Classes are very interesting and a lot of fun
BEST class in my 4 yrs in undergrad, HANDS DOWN!
Colossal ****. Quite intelligent but lacks the desire to honestly listen to a contradictory opinion, regardless of how much he says he listens. The class is an absolute joke in terms of grading, although the tests are poorly worded. I recommend this class if you need an easy A or a thorough Conservative brainwashing, both of which he denies.
He is hilarious and he makes the class fun
The man knows his stuff and knows how to keep class interesting... He gives like 30 points extra credit per quiz if you just show up, and if you work with him, he will cut you some slack on anything... Great man too
BEST CLASS YOU WILL EVER TAKE!
One of the most halarious professor i've met.
AMAZING!! I can't wait to take another course with him
So easy! The class is really fun, he makes jokes and keeps you engaged. Reading the material is really important for the quizzes, but thats it. There are 5 quizzes and one paper and then a final.
Interesting guy but the class is disappointing. Somewhere along the line he lost momentum.
Self absorbed, uninteresting, and clearly gets off by hearing himself talk; mostly about himself. Woefully inept, wants to be seen as "the cool one" and is too focused on being accepted rather than teaching or presenting mildly interesting ideas.
I am currently enrolled in his class and it is cake. Thomas takes forever to make a point and includes music and videos that are hardly relevant to grab the attention of the class. People find him funny because he talks about drugs, sex, etc. But it is all a show. The quizzes are common sense. The subject is bland and he is pompous.
Take the class. You may or you may not enjoy it but it is a fixture at this university and you will learn lessons about life.
Delightful, Inciteful
He is brilliant, provides students with a unique in-class environment. The man encourages individuals to offer opinions, in a 400 seat lecture! If you haven't taken it you shouldn't be paying over 40k a year to go to SU.
This was the one class that I looked forward to going to.I never wanted to end early or be canceled.Participation and opinions are encouraged which is great.The use of music and videos adds to the uniqueness of the class and makes the material understandable and interesting.This class has changed how i think.Future classes will be hard to beat this
Certainly an interesting character... However, he presents his ideas as colossal and groundbreaking, when they're often built on objectionable premises... Also, on several occasions he was angered when students presented very valid objections to his ideas. Class was easy though; I went to 1/3 of the lectures, wrote one paper and got an A-
Best professor I've had.
very interesting prof. swears like crazy and delivers lessons from his life. he is willing to listen to your point and encourages participation. Just know that you're wrong and he's right. He's great and you learn a lot, but its all about his views. I really liked the class but i don;t blame others for not liking it so much.
Easy class, but Thomas dumbed down his lectures to try and get people to pay attention. The cursing, youtube videos, and "shocking" antics get old. He will listen to your opinion, but he will always think he's correct. Some of his arguments are poorly reasoned. Overrated.
Prof. Thomas does not keep to curriculum, he teaches off the top of his head whatever is in his mind that day. The quizes don't reflect course work nor does the final and the entire class is a waste of time.
I found him extremely annoying. He talked about whatever he wanted, was extremely dramatic and not at all organized. I took PSC125 to learn about philosophers, not Thomas' theories about whatever he felt like discussing.
At first I fell for his openness and theatrics, and thought he was great. But as the class went on I realized learned absolutely nothing. Repeat: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I feel like I was robbed because I was really interested in the subject matter described in the course booklet but he talked about NONE of it.
very easy class. attendance at the lectures is not necessary, but it is at the discussions. all you have to do is read the book and you will do fine. you only have to answer 20 out of 25 questions on a quiz of which he gives two of. EASY A if you put it partial effort
Don't take this class unless you (somehow) have to. Laurence Thomas doesn't have any formal curriculum, and instead talks about the same nonsense he wrote in his books. The title of the class is deceiving. He CLAIMS that the class is a joke grade wise, but it's really just ridiculous.
He makes you want to go to class to hear what he has to say each day
great class if you don't take this you are really missing something at SU. A class i always wanted to attend. 400 person lecture where the professor actually remembers peoples names. highly suggested
Enjoys two topics: devious sex acts and himself. In every topic he "teaches" (trust, lying, etc) he will only use sexual examples and examples from his own life. His antics get old quickly, he takes himself to seriously and worst of all, you can't learn anything in his class. Avoid this train-wreck if at all possible.
"Gifts of human excellence at their finest". Some things he says are a little ridiculous, but it's an interesting class, looked forward to lectures, even though i don't really see the point in the information we learned either, but i'd recommend taking it. Lawrence is a great guy. Easy class too, though the tests can be a little tricky.
VERY easy class. VERY pompous guy who likes to brag and show off but defends his acts with the material. He thinks he's aristotle or something. I would say stay away from this class, but its so easy, you should go ahead and take it anyway. This might be something a freshman might enjoy. Curses too much & crosses the line between student and teacher
Well if you need an elective I highly recommend this class. You will unlikely ever have the opportunity to come across a teacher like LT again. And you will be doing yourself a great injustice leaving SU without taking this class. You actually want to hear what he has to say.
Easy A, if you pay attention to lectures and do the readings. Absolutely take it for a elective, and LT is a very interesting character and professor. There were 4 quizzes and he uses the same questions over and over again. Put a little effort and don't put yourself at a disservice, because this class will probably be the easiest A you get at SU.
Thomas is a very interesting and inspiring speaker. The class plays out like a comedy show or an motivational seminar. Attendance is not really necessary, but this is a class you don't want to miss. LT may come of pompous to some, but if you can get past that and get yourself to class you'll get an easy A.
tries to be the "cool" professor by cursing and attempts to be relatable to students. he lectures like a motivational speaker and uses videos and music to prove his point. this class is fun and interesting, as well as very easy.
This guy is an egocentric maniac. You will not learn anything useful or much of anything at all for that matter. The classes would be entertaining if they weren't just that, classes. The course is a joke and I couldn't muster up the ability to respect him as a professor. It is a pretty easy class if you need a humanities credit.
Best. Ever.
Go to class for an easy A. As much fun as it was to simply sit and listen to Laurence, the class really has no point and you won't gain much from it. And sometimes it seems he may be pushing his own beliefs onto you. Likes to talk about himself. Uses youtube/music in his lectures all the time.
i dont know about this being an easy A class, he is pretty chill and laid back but his quizzes are tricky the answers are basically what he believes dont get caught doing something your not suppose to be doing in class he will call you out, so basically read the article and listen in class and this will be an easy humanities class you dont learn re
love his class!!!!! it's the ONLY class I look forward to going this semester. He jokes around in class and makes the class seems like a chill discussion with videos and music. Words of advise for the class is NEVER use laptop/mac, cellphone or talk to ur friends 24/7 because he will call u out, or walk out of the class if continue to be a problem
Prof. Thomas offered an interesting proposition regarding the class. As we explored various topics that were intriguing and philosophical, if the class created a proposition to obtain the A, he would give A's. Unfortunately we only made it to a B+, but I'd say the experience was rewarding. He encourages face to face speaking and brilliance.
I'm not really sure how this qualifies as a philosophy class. Great class if you want to slack off and listen to a normal discussion that you may hear from friends or on the street, but it hardly relates to the readings and isn't anything that new. Most test qs relate to lecture, not readings, so go to class. Oh,&don't use technology in this class.
If youre serious about school, even just somewhat, this isn't the class for you. I was fond of the fact it was going to be an easy A, but it just wasn't worth the tuition money. The professor might as well be a student because his TAs have shown a more in depth understanding than him on numerous occasions. As a non phi major I felt like I knew more
Although I do disagree with Prof.Thomas on certain aspects, as an educator he is one that strikes passion, curiosity and interaction. An act that many other prof. should learn and adapt in their teachings.
Good class. Although its not completely mandatory to attend class he sometimes does random attendance checks. Class is interesting to go to though and I usually went even though I didn't really have to. Hes a funny professor and jokes around with the class often. Overall a good professor and good class.
very interesting class. such a funny professor too! and NEVER turn on your phone in class he will see you and walk out. class can be kinda confusing at times. i did nothing and got 3 100% on the quizes, he just gives you them but on the final is a 50 multiple choice test that you pick 40 to do. easy A clas and very interesting
Nothing ever really makes sense. I felt like I never actually learned anything and his points were inconclusive.
Pretentious. He had us read 2 of his own writings (out of like 9) and put questions about his views on the tests. Has techie play music like Chariots of Fire softly under his lecture at times. Easy class. 4 quizzes, lowest dropped, short final. All mult. choice. Wording is tricky for some. Not worth the easy A though. Gets old after awhile.
Super dooper easy class. No readings, papers, or attendance. Easy to get a good grade.
Quizzes are VERY tricky. Alot on what other students, himself, or Youtube people said so go to class. Got 65 & 85 on the past 2 quizzes. rather have a textbook so can have something actually tangible to study..
One of the best professors I've had. Super easy class, often gives out extra credit on quizzes. He makes the class fun. Take this class easy GPA boost
There is no doubt that his lectures are interesting. His quizzes are so so. Pay attention in class and write down everything he says. The quizzes are all of his beliefs and life examples given by other students. He's very "perceptive", don't text in his class, he will get angry. Otherwise, pretty laid back. He plays a lot of music and videos.
Thomas is pompous and rude. If you want an easy A, this is not the class, b/c you have to put in work for this class. You have to go to all the lectures, b/c most of the stuff on the quizzes comes from class. the textbook is pointless, and I wouldn't count on the extra credit for help b/c he can apparently take it away w/o telling you until after.
He is very rude and arrogant. He seems to value the power of leading the class and is very vain. A large portion of his exams are based on his own beliefs or his beliefs in comparison to another authors. I left learning nothing about philosophy but I certainly know what professor Thomas thinks about everything.
Avoid him. A complete waste of money & time, textbook is useless. Nothing make any sense, rude & weird. Haven't learned anything! Took off the extra points he kept offering during the whole semester! The exams consist lots of mistakes! NOT WORTH the stress, find more useful electives with real professor! NOT recommended
Great professor. Very entertaining and funny. Definitely one of my more enjoyable classes during the semester.
I love this class! By far my favorite of the semester. If you go to lecture the quizzes are very easy. I haven't read the textbook once and my lowest grade is a 95.
The Quizzes build on eachother (questions from quiz 1 will be on quiz 2..3..4). Easy grading method. Quizzes will contain countless opinions he holds on views and will require an understanding of the material as well as its application in regards to videos shown in class. Participationgrade boost.
If you value the education you are paying for, this is not the class for you. The content of the class was irrelevant and the lectures were not factual, just the teacher's opinions. There are no powerpoints and the content is repeated half of the time. The class is an easy A, but I only recommend it if you need a GPA boost.
Good easy class. Show up to each lecture and you'll pass. Received some valuable information. No need to buy his reader from the copy center, you can easily pass without it. Just don't open your laptop or look at your phone for one hour and you'll get an easy A.
It's an interesting class. Laurence is on the stage, getting warmed up by playing classic R&B. Then he goes into the lecture, which 9 times out of 10 revolve around self-worth and parental love. He tells us to read some weird philosophy stuff and take a few quizzes. I didn't do great on them. But at the end, he gave me an A. I'm baffled, and happy.
Easiest class ever. All the test questions are from previous tests (which he gives you the answer key for) so you really only have to study for the first one.
Lectures are interesting. He is all about students being attentive. even in a 300 person lecture, if he sees one person on their phone he calls them out. We were supposed to have 4 exams over the course of the semester. Three of them were cancelled and he gave everyone an A on the cancelled tests. Made is super easy to get an A. easiest class ever
This class is probably the most popular class at Syracuse, mainly because he's a very interesting teacher and the fact that this class is an easy A. I personally didn't think his teaching style was adequate for a big class. There was no material to study from, as all we had to do was sit and listen to his life experiences and watch his videos.
great mentor
Very laid back and funny guy. One exam - the final. Discussion based class. No homework. High recommend.
Show up and you will be able to pass all the quizzes and the final. He is an interesting professor who usually ends class after 30 or so minutes. He repeats the same 3 lectures each class and you don't really learn anything. If you want an easy A then take him and enjoy it
This is the easiest class you will ever take. One grade, the final. Gives out sample questions. Gives extra credit for attendance. No homework. This will be the easiest class you will take in college.
Honestly, if you want an easy A, take this class. But if you really want to learn something, this isn't a class you should take. Prof. Thomas is a funny guy, but the whole class just consists of him talking about the same 3 topics all semester and ending class early.
Laurence Thomas's class was disappointing . He routinely backs out of his promises and the class has no structure. Consists of posing random questions and people calling out answers. Professor Thomas claims to be teaching for the benefit of his students learning, however no learning goes on here. Quite a shame, thought he was better than that.
love him
You don't have to attend class but if you do DO NOT go on your phone and you maybe do one or two assignments/tests
Took LTs class about ten years ago and it was the most memorable, impactful classroom experience I had at SU. Professor Thomas is a true gem. His PHI 191 course should be a priority for every student at the university as an elective or otherwise. This one you will remember, this one will change you.
Class Info
Attendance Mandatory
19%
Textbook Required
78%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.36 avg changeRatings by Course
MANYPHI
5.0
(1)PHILOSOPHY
5.0
(1)191AND363
5.0
(1)PHI191PHI125
5.0
(1)PHIL191
4.7
(3)Difficulty by Course
1992
5.0
PHI200PSC125
5.0
PHIL191
3.0
PHILOSOPHY
3.0
191AND363
3.0