Absolutely loved his class and the effort he put into making our time in class as exciting and engaging as possible. Always gave very good feedback on my assignments and was very helpful during office hours especially when meeting about the final paper. He has the best personality of any professor I have encountered. Would highly recommend him!

Amazing teacher and amazing person. He taught my class in the form of a dungeon and dragons game. I know that may not be for everyone, but it added a huge flair to the class and kept people engaged. You can see the effort he puts into each class. The quizze are manageabl if you read and he is always willing to help on papers. 10/10 would take again

Certainly tries to keep the class interesting and engaging, not just boring lecturing. He tried to turn the class into a type of game, which took a little getting used to but was interesting for the most part. A bit slow to give feedback during the middle section of the course, but he made up for it by the end of the class. Works for his students.

Enjoyed his class. Cool guy. Just give a little effort and you are good

Great professor!!!!! Very informative and makes class fun!!! It's based off of Dungeons and Dragons, but putting it in a fictional way really helps you understand the material!

Very fun, stimulating class. Discussion is enjoyable and group work is common. You need to come to class to do well, but class is always entertaining.

The class was awesome. The whole class is based of a mid evil role playing class which makes it super interesting. Way better than just doing a lecture class and taking notes for 75 minutes twice a week. Definitely recommend taking Dr. Ryan if you have to take a philosophy class.

Ryan is a great professor! He makes you work for your grade, but at the same time by the conclusion you feel as though you've learned a great deal.

In 390, kind of an intimidating class at first as it is based of Dungeons and Dragons Board Game. It's really not hard once you get the hang of it and he explains it really well. There are a lot of little grades, midterm is essay, final is essay, and there is a final 2,000 word paper. Would recommend.

Ryan is one of the best professors I've ever had. He is very willing to help if you have any sort of trouble. There are a lot of readings, but they're fairly easy and he does a good job of synthesizing them in class and sparking discussion. The class is very group oriented, and normally I don't like that style, but in this class it worked well.

My class used a "Dungeons and Dragons" template to discuss and compare multiple ethical theories. Classes are rather laid back and discussion based so if you come prepared, the class and discussion is quite entertaining and enjoyable. 60% of your grade comes down to the final project and paper, so pay attention. Great class, loved professor.

His class is so enjoyable and interesting! If you are interested in philosophy and do not want to take a normal speech class, I highly recommend his Professional Responsibilities class!

Thi class is so fun! I was worried about the RPG format at first, but I came to love it and prefer it because I wouldn't have been interested in the class content otherwise. It's a hard class, though, if you aren't familiar with the content of an ethics class. You MUST do the readings and do well on the quizzes to succeed. Dr. W is awesome!!

This class was in and of itself difficult, but Dr. Windeknecht made it enjoyable and entertaining by making things into a game setting. The class was intriguing, and the quizzes were all straight forward. There is one 8 minute presentation, but it is totally worth the public speaking credit you receive. I enjoyed the class and the professor.

Ryan's classes are SO much fun. Most of your grade comes from one big presentation and a paper over the same topic -- if you show up and pay attention all semester, neither of those should be difficult. I finished the semester feeling like I really understood "my" ethic. Ryan also really cares about his students and how they feel about his class.

I didn't do as well in Ryan's class as I had hoped and a lot of that has to do with the amount of detail I added for the first two exams, but he's a great guy and a good professor that really cares about the content and the students. He takes attendence to heart, so go! And he can tell when people haven't read. Don't let him down!

Ryan is an awesome professor who really wants to make sure your grasp course content. He allows a lot of discussion of personal opinion, both about the class material and current events. His grading is not easy but he doesn't kill you either. If you take his class prepare to learn a lot and if you try he will not let you fail!

Take his game-ified classes!! They are so fun and don't feel like real schoolwork. He literally has never failed anyone who actually tries. I don't want to say its an easy A, but if you show up and turn everything in you'll at least get a B.

This is an interesting class and pretty easy as long as you go to class. Take notes on what we discuss in class and the exams are essay format. Not too hard and Ryan is a really good guy!!

Dr. Windeknecht constantly modifies this class to incorporate a sort of game theory into the understanding of the material. It seems sketchy at first but it honestly works. The concepts you are supposed to understand come naturally when you're forced to apply it to fictionalized fantasy scenarios. Easy to approach professor and wants you to do well

Professor W is a fantastic teacher. Possible my favorite I have taken in college so far. To begin with, he has set most of his courses up like a dungeons and dragons game. This makes it not only extremely easy to recall information, but it makes it actually pretty fun while doing it. You don't have to come to class, but participation grade is big.

Fun way to learn in groups

A new and fun way to learn.

I really enjoyed this class! It is super interesting, and it is by far the most low key class to take for the speech credit. I am terrified of public speaking, and this was easy.

Chill nerdy guy, requires you to read if you want to pass the quizzes, but the quizzes are worth one attendance grade so..

Professor Windeknecht is an awesome instructor. I am a senior and had to take a PHIL class and am glad I took him. You will learn a lot but also have fun doing it. In addition, he teaches this class from a game theory aspect which really allows you to learn complex philosophy in a simple way. Take him, you will not regret it! Great Class.

Professor W is an amazing teacher. He designs the class in a way that is different than just sitting in lecture learning material. The class is very interactive so I wouldn't suggest skipping. He gives great feedback and answers any questions you may have. Overall I would highly suggest Professor W for any of his classes.

not many grades which is nerve wracking because everything you do has to be the best. but, it was a fun class and very engaging. great teacher would definitely take him again!! wish he could teach my other classes.

He did a really good job at teaching but there was quite of bit of reading in the beginning. Be ready for quizzes later on and make sure you do read or you wont do so hot on the quiz. Overall he was a really great teacher and loved receiving feedback about how he was doing.

I really enjoyed this class! The game aspect was very entertaining and a nice change of pace from the normal boring lecture hall type of class. Dr. W is also very nice and keeps everyone entertained. The only thing I did not like at all about this class was how 2/3 of the grade are a presentation and a paper that come at the very end.

This class is entirely discussion-based, so be prepared for group work. That being said, the class is essentially one big roleplaying game, and that alone makes it better than the other Professional Responsibility classes. Ryan gives decent feedback if you ask and he makes himself pretty available outside of class.

Professor W was the best this semester. Him gamifing the course made it so much easier for me to learn about the ethics in class. He also was always available to talk to either before or after class or even by email. I would take him again if he taught the next PHIL class I need!

One of the most fun classes I've taken in college

The gamification (D&D) of the class is a shake up but after you get the hang of things it can be really fun!

Absolutely loved his class. Wasn't part of my major but was by far my favorite class of the semester. Dr. Windeknecht is the best. Wish I could take more of his classes.

You want an "A" ? Take this class. Show up for attendance points and have FUN! This class is based off of Dungeons and Dragons, unlike any other class at UTK. Final Presentation and Final Essay are major for final grades, other than that, you come to class, you pass.

He made class enjoyable and not a burden to go to.

Ryan runs a great class. At the beginning of the course you create a DnD type of character, and throughout the course you learn different ethics first hand by acting our scenarios. Ryan also does a great job of creating a comfortable environment.

Very engaging lecturer and nice guy

This is the weirdest class you will ever take, but it was good. WRITE DOWN EVERY GRADE YOUR GROUP RECEIVES BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOUR GRADE IS ALL SEMESTER.

Hes a great person and very informative with his topic. When I took the course, it was gamified and it wasnt my cup of tea but hes good at what he does. Very kind and very responsive, hes almost always at his office hours if you need him!

This is a super-easy Gen Ed! It's also D&D themed. Only 4 Short Essays and group quizzes. Everything else that's graded in the class is basically participation.

Great Teacher! He really tries to make his class fun and not dull. The only thing is to watch out and make sure you do the essay correctly; he is a tough grader when it comes to that. Overall, there's a lot of group work and talking involved. Recommend.

Interesting class that is based in Dungeons and Dragons. If you're dreading taking PHIL, don't worry, Ryan makes it so much more easier than others. Show up for class, do the small assignments, you'll definitely get an A.

This class was really fun! I am a biology major so the thought of taking philosophy didn't appeal to me. However, Ryan makes the class super fun and easy. If you like games and having fun, take his class!

I did not know what to expect for this class when I signed up for it. He tried to make Phi 101 more enjoyable by gamifying it. Once we got the hang of it, the class became more enjoyable. It's an easy class so I would recommend taking it.

This class is tought using a play on dungeons and dragons, which can seem odd for philosophy but I can assure you that it only makes the class more enjoyable.

There are only 4 really short papers for this class. You will always be working in groups. Ryan makes the class interesting and fun.

The class is structured as a game similar to dungeons and dragons. The structure keeps the material interesting and engaging. Your grade is primarily built off of in class work and group quizzes. Other than that there are four short papers and you turn in a portfolio of your work at the end. Would take again.

Awesome professor, fun class! The class periods were heavily interactive and there was not much busywork, it seemed. Everything we did over the semester felt like it had purpose and I felt engaged in the topics during class. Whenever we would do a class activity, he always tried to find out from the class how it flowed and if it needed tweaking.

Ryan is a great, energetic teacher, and although the class doesnt require much outside work, you do still learn a lot inside the classroom. Theres a few essays that are no more than two pages each, but its generally a very easy class with a lot of good discussion

Ryan's class was novel and interesting. You can tell he was testing the waters in this class and therefore constantly had to change things. The role playing aspect of the class helped me learn a lot. However, since he is so passionate about the class, you can tell he grades the essays too harshly for an intro level course.

Weird class, but pretty easy and very nice guy. The material is interesting!

Ryan is a really cool guy, his class is not that difficult but you will definitely learn a lot. The class structure is set up like a game and at the end of the course you will have a philosophical battle. Definitely an interesting way to learn but keeps you engaged and makes it fun. Very easy, but do your work!

Professor Windeknecht definitely does his best to make his class educational and entertaining. He doesn't teach in the traditional lecturing style that most professors do, and as someone who learns better through active engagement, I appreciated his teaching style. The grading criteria was a bit vague at times, but he wants you to pass!

He made the class easy (which is nice for an intro level course) and fun. My year was the first to do his "gameified" class, so we had to sort out a few kinks in the system, but once everything got rolling it was great! He DOES NOT GIVE TESTS!! which is fantastic, and there's no real lecturing either, mostly group discussion. Easy A

Ryan gamified the class which means there were no boring lectures and instead we made cards to "battle" with. Honestly a lot more fun than a normal class. The only downside is that he grades essays really tough. I took this to get an easy A and as of now I don't know if I'll get one. If you come to class everyday you'll at least get a decent grade

Super respectful, not lecture heavy, and interesting material.

Ryan is fantastic! He truly cares about how much you're learning and doesn't care to alter the course if it means you'll learn more. The class is super fun and I didn't mind going to it after a full day of classes! Its set up like a game, and even though I dread group work, it was fun the way it was set up. He grades the four papers tough though.

Take this Professor any means necessary!! He was great all semester. Show up to class and you will make an A easily. He teaches this class in an interesting way by doing a Dungeons of Dragons type of game all semester. He was easily my best professor!!

Class is set up like a game. At first, you're skeptical, but it's actually a lot of fun, and helpful. You end up learning and having fun and forget it's about philosophy.

Ryan is an amazing professor that is genuinely passionate about the subject. He really helped me learn the material, while in a fun environment. The game-like style of this class really helped me grasp the material, and his personality always made class that much better. I would definitely take his classes again.

if you show up you will get an easy B or A, essays are graded tough but if you follow criteria you'll do great. Game like class, very fun

Ryan is one of the most interesting professors Ive ever had. If you have the chance, you really should take this class. The material is engaging and the class structure is super unique.

Ryan is a really nice guy who is well informed on almost every philosophical concept and is just interested in making the class informative and interesting.

Ryan is a beast. The class is actually fun to take and if you get confused about the content you can ask your "teammates" and more than likely they will help you as well as Ryan who does a great job of explaining. Ryan lays out the "game" part very simply and almost feels like explains things too much but for the students benefit.

Ryan is an outstanding professor. He genuinely wants you to succeed and enjoy the course, and he makes every effort he can to make sure you get an A. Take this course.

He was a really great teacher. Taught the information in a more entertaining way.

Really great class. don't be scared that it's a card game it is a better and more fun way to learn philosophy. Definitely better than most other electives at UT.

Always read the material and come prepared.

Weird premise for a course in professional ethics (dungeons and dragons), but he made it work. Much better than a straight up lecture class by far. Highly recommend.

Class structure was like nothing I have experienced, however it helped me learn the material from the text and apply it more. Ryan's awesome!

This class is the definition of organized chaos. It's trying to be a lot of things at once--a philosophy, professional responsibility, oral communication, and a "gamified" course. Ryan really makes it as stress-free as possible. He has a great personality and makes it easy to learn. Only main complaint is that it's tough to figure out your grade.

Fun class. The entire class is set up a game, which really helped with understanding.

This class is a GREAT alternative for the public speaking credit everyone needs to graduate. There is very little speaking in front of people in my class, two group presentations and one individual, so it definitely beats giving speeches. If you have Windeknecht, he makes the class like a game (dunges & dragons) which makes it more fun than normal.

Ryan is a great teacher and his class is one of the most interesting courses I've taken at UT. He is a very tough grader, though. Quizzes are hard and papers are graded pretty harshly for a philosophy class. You definitely have to show up to class, but overall it's easy to show up because the class is interesting and at times, fun.

This class is a lot of fun. Ryan is an amazing professor who really seems knowledgeable. He wants to make this class as fun/good as possible. The format of the class is very fun and inclusive as long as people participate. He seems to really care about us liking as well as learning the material. 10/10 w recommend.

Awesome dude. The lectures were always really enjoyable and hilarious as well as helpful. The essays are time consuming but Ive enjoyed them all nonetheless. I would take the class again with him in a heartbeat if I could.

Ryan is one of the best professors I have ad UTK. His class is set up as a game which makes it fun, easy, and not a drag to show up to. He doesnt like to lecture so you do a lot of work in your "house" or group. Decent amount of reading but work with your group and its an easy A. He's more of a friend than a professor.

Ryan is the best. I took both of his philosophy classes and enjoyed them both.

This class is amazing, its gamefied so you play games where you discuss different philosophical arguments. Super fun, pretty easy to get an A if you pay attention and apply even a little bit of effort. Take it! I wish I could take it again!

As long as you do the reading and take the individual quizzes you'll get an A and even then at the end of the course you have a chance to make up for it or cancel out quizzes you did bad on. There are NO tests and only one final paper. The course is pretty fun and easy going.

You essentially play a card game as a class and it's great. You can't skip class many times and expect to end with an A, but your grade mostly comes down to participation. The reading quizzes are frequent, but not hard at all. The big paper we write is pretty difficult, but the professor is more than willing to help you out with it. 10/10

Here's the tea. He is a very intelligent professor with a new style of teaching that makes the course enjoyable. It's fun and goes smoothly until the final paper where the rubric is so vague and the so far perfect score you have earned get backstabbed and can easily get you a C. It makes your final grade a wild card and it is terrifying.

the class is set up like a game which seems daunting at first but if youre open to it it ends up being super easy and lots of fun i really loved ryan and wish i was able to take another class under him he is a wonderful teacher and human being and he does such a great job with this class!

I was a little unsure about the gameified course, but don't let it scare you away! It's just a unique way to keep you engaged and on track. Ryan is fantastic: great lectures, easy to talk to outside of class for extra help. He knows what wants and is particular in grading, but just follow the rubric and you're golden. Take any of his classes!

Overall good course. Very different than your normal course.

It turns Philosophy into Dungeons and Dragons. Its a fun class. The only thing is is he is a little unorganized, and not clear sometimes.

Not a bad class! Interesting content and fun games. If you need your Communications gen ed requirement, then be sure to take this course!!

Very fun class. Windeknecht made boring material very fun to learn. Decent amount of reading to do before class, but if you take the time to do it, you'll get A's on all the quizzes.

Ryan is an amazing teacher, and I truly learned something by taking this class. It is Dungeons and Dragons themed which made coming to class easy and exciting. You will need to read to understand the material, but it isn't too bad. Easily one of the best gen eds I have taken at UT.

I think this class was great. There was an issue with posting quizzes in a timely fashion, but there was still enough time for them to be doable.

The class was set up around a game which was helpful with the material.

Great Professor with a lot of enthusiasm behind what he is trying to teach. Great lectures with a lot of fun information to learn about. You will have to be in class if you want to receive a good grade and you will have to participate heavily if you want the A. Class is taught in a manner I've never seen before so be ready. In all would take again!

A good teacher! Enjoyed attending class. No test or huge writing assignments. Several presentations, but nothing extreme. Would definitely take a class with him in the future. A fun classroom environment and I learned the information! 10/10 recommend

This class was very interesting. It has been my favorite class of college thus far. The class structure was set up like "Dungeons and Dragons." PHIL can be very hard, but with him as the professor, he made the course very fun and exciting which helped retain much of the information taught throughout the course. For sure suggest him for PHIL!!!!!!

This Class is amazing and he is a ton of fun! Definitely take him for PHIL 244!

Very interactive and fun class. He is very engaged in the class and enjoys teaching it. Class is based around Dungeons and Dragons and I feel that helped with learning the content. Overall, I would take it again!

No tests, only big assignments are group presentations. Class is based off of Dungeons and Dragons which is kind of hard to understand for some people but it ends up being fun, relates the game to real world issues seen in workplace. Nightly reading/quizzes but it's manageable. End of semester workload mmuch easier than beginning which is nice.

Really interesting class, it was set up like a game which made learning the material pretty fun. The structure of the class was a little confusing at first, but it gets better throughout the semester.

Great professor! This was my favorite class I took this semester. Can miss a few classes but other than that he takes attendance. Some reading outside of class but helps to understand the discussions in class. Small group presentations, but they are all done in class. One group presentation at the end but not too hard and fun to come up with. 10/10

The class was pretty easy as long as you read what is assigned.

Dr. Ryan has made this class so enjoyable. This class is pretty easy because there are no tests and only a few homework assignments. It is a super interactive class but enjoyable and I recommend it.

This class is a fun way to learn philosophy if needed for a gen ed credit. It helped break up the normal parade of lectures I have in a day and kept me more engaged. He is a fun professor and knows what he is talking about if it ever gets confusing. He tries his best to get you an A so it's definitely worth the effort.

He is a very good teacher that allows you to learn a lot about ethics. Easy A if you attend all class periods and keep all of your papers together. Read the articles and do good on the quizzes!

Overall, he is a good teacher. He makes class fun and easy. If you show up to class you will get an A. Does not require much work, but make sure you keep all your papers for the end of the class because you will need them. You have reading quizzes but they easy to complete and do the work well

BEST prof i've had at UT!! makes this course fun and makes the information easier to understand!! i would definitely take this class again!

Ryan is intentional in making this class accommodating for students who just need to take the credit. I can without a doubt say that this class has helped me understand important concepts and theories. Additionally, this class has benefitted me by helping me apply ethical theories in my own life. Please take it!

Ryan was a good professor. The class is styled after Dungeons and Dragons which keeps everything really interesting and fresh! There's an assessment tracker to keep track of your assignments, and I would recommend doing that throughout the semester. Don't skip class and make sure to stay on top of readings and quizzes. No final & no papers.

Unconventional class setup. No test. No big papers. Awesome professor. Very personable and understanding.

Great class and great professor.

A lot of reading and quizzes, but Ryan is a good teacher and he makes all of his classes very interesting.

Great Professor. Style of class was very engaging and made learning the content a lot easier. Would recommend 10/10.

He is such an amazing professor and really makes class engaging and interesting. He is very understanding and thoughtful so if you have any problems at all he is very willing to help. He also takes feedback really well and will change grades based on what he feels would be appropriate for you instead of harsh and sometimes cruel grading.

he makes class engaging and fun. it's always something new and exciting. the homework and quizzes focused on the readings, so just read the assigned articles. overall, great class.

Reading/quiz heavy but no exams. Good class and nice guy.

This class has really improved my experience here at UT. Ryan is amazing and he has spent so much time developing this course and he is very funny and an all around great guy. He cares about how you do and your understanding of the material. You can get better grades by using your character tokens at the end of the semester.

No tests or papers. Just have to show up to class and do online quizzes and you will succeed! Very unorthodox philosophy course but I learned alot

Good professor. Will work with you

A very open and caring professor. If you ever have questions or are worried about your grade, he is definitely there to help. Just ask! Also, PHIL 244 is like a Dungeons and Dragons type of deal. SO, be ready to be creative.

Great class, take this guy.

good class . windeknecht's class is interesting. It's game-themed so don't take it if you're not into that, but it's not that hard. The game is easy to understand & the presentation style is NOT intimidating it's very engaging.

Attendance is mandatory, there are always in class assignments or participation so if you miss that day you also don't get a grade for whatever assignment was done in class. Easy course, easy participation, online quizzes are slightly difficult, doesn't use traditional grading, he's really nice and tries to make the course fun!

The whole class is structured like a game of DnD, so if you are nerd like me and you love DnD, take this class. Its easy to make a good grade, and the professor found a way to turn a really boring class into one of the best classes I have ever taken

Loved Ryan's class! If you are unfamiliar with him he gamifies his classes similar to dungeons and dragons. Makes learning philosophy fun and engaging. Probably my facorite class at UT. Attendance is important but as long as you show up you should pass. Also counts for an oral communication credit. Cannot recommend this class enough!

Great class and great instructor!! I enjoyed the gamified style of learning the philosophy behind professional responsibility. Don't take this course though if you do not want to participate.

Ryan's class has been amazing. For someone who was just trying to get the OC credit, this is the class to take! I knew nothing about D&D or anything like that but Ryan created such a welcoming environment with actually interesting discussions. One of the easiest and most fun courses I have taken in the department and at UT.

Great teacher, great class. Pick this professor

Ryan uses a teaching method called gamification. It is different and fun and you will learn alot if you give it a chance and have fun with it. Participate in the fantasy and interact with your group to have the best experience. This is a great way to learn philosophy and get away from mundane lectures and memorizing facts.

If you have the chance to take Ryan for Phil 244, take it! This class has been my favorite class I have ever taken. There are three major presentations, but they are low-key. In this class you will learn a lot, but will have fun while doing so! The only thing slightly bad about this class is that he is slow on giving feedback.

This class is an awesome pick for a Philosophy credit. Ryan is a great teacher who cares about his students and is willing to help anyone for their grade. Just show up to class and participate.

Ryan turns his class into a watered down game of Dungeons and Dragons. He does all the explaining so you don't have to worry if you've never played that kind of game in your life like me. It makes the otherwise boring material into something pretty fun. The course isn't a lot of work and it's graded pass-fail. You have to show up to class though.

Loved this class. It was a literal game. I had so much fun and never wanted to miss a single class.

Ryan's methods for PHIL 244 let you actually retain the information and not feel stressed about grades. If you need the credit, take it with Ryan.

Ryan teaches classes in a unique and fun way. This was the second class I took with him, and want to take more. He teaches hard topics and makes them fun and exciting. He cares much more about you learning than giving hard grades. He doesn't give tests but you do need to show up to every class. I highly recommend.

The class is basically a game of dungeons and dragons. If you're afraid that ethics will be boring, I would definitely recommend taking his version of the class. He makes everything easy to understand and fun. Participation is pretty mandatory because most of the assignments are in class work.

Great Professor, if you have the chance to take PHIL 244, do it!!

Professor W's class was so cool. It's gamified, so the class works like a mini version of D&D, but you don't need to be into that to enjoy his class. The structure was extremely well thought out and efficient, I never had to guess how well I was doing or what was going on. 10/10 would recommend.

He was an amazing teacher. Always thought of his students first and was very understandable. His teaching style is very unique and not a typical lecture. Very interactive and fun!

This course was the most creatively designed class I've ever taken at UT (because he utilizes something called game-based learning). It made philosophy fun and engaging!

Dude is the GOAT.

Ryan is one of my favorite professors I have had at UTK. Hes just overall a fun guy who is passionate about what he teaches. He structures his class around the game Dungeons and Dragons, but makes it very easy to understand after one class of explanation. His grading is very fair and as long as you do the work and participate, you will do well.

Great professor - makes things/class fun by transforming the class into a knock-off of a knock-off of Dungeons and Dragons. "Have to" read a few pages each week, weekly quizzes, three presentations, group setting, extra credit opportunities. Only qualms is prof doesn't put in grades often (but you can ballpark your grade based on a scale he uses).

Amazing class, fun learning style. An easy class thats fun but you still learn. Would highly recommend PHIL 244 with him

Dr. Windeknecht is by far the best professor Ive had during my experience at UTK. He teaches through game-based learning by basing the course off of dungeons and dragons. I am not one to play in real life, but towards the course, this was the most fun Ive ever had learning and I actually retained the information. I highly recommend his course.

Definitely a fun class and probably the best way to get an oral communication credit. If you aren't big on Dungeons & Dragons you might be lost for a little bit in the beginning while everyone is still figuring out the game, but once everyone gets the hang of it you will enjoy it.

I really enjoyed this class! Its quite straightforward in design and execution. This is a game class! So be prepared to interact and participate with others and the professor. Think Dungeons and Dragons style table top role playing. Super fun and such an engaging way to learn fundamental philosophy and ethical theory.

he is a really kind and intelligent professor. He is extremely understanding of your circumstances and will help you out. Teaching style is different but you learn a lot though. Grading is not strict and assignment due dates are usually flexible. definitely take him if you can.

Dr. W is a great professor and he teaches in a way that can keep my attention. Lots of assignments, but due dates are usually flexible, and they are not super difficult. Overall, Dr. W is definitely a great choice if you're looking into taking PHIL244.

This is my favorite course this semester. All I need to do in class is to read an article and do a quiz. In addition, this quiz can be done twice, with the highest score as the main part. The class will be as easy as playing a game. It's just that sometimes you get confused about the details of the game. Anyway its very interesting.

If you need to take a philosophy class, this is the one to take! Ryan makes philosophy so fun to learn. He is super helpful and caring as a professor. This class is set up as a DnD game, which keeps students engaged. There are two group presentations, and one presentation by yourself (not scary at all). Definitely take this class!

This was an innovative and very fun way to learn the material in a Magic the Gathering type of format. Attendance is essential and so is the reading if you want to be of any use to your team. The final paper was intimidating, but the required office hours to go over it helped make sure it didn't tank my grade, but I wish the instructions were clear

In this course, you are put into a group with about 4 other members and you are an "adventuring party" where you learn the content through "dungeons" where you discuss the philosophies of professionals. Make sure you show up to class. Be ready to present (3 times) if that's your weakness. Not a biggie, but his upspeak is annoying if that ticks you.

Great professor with an interesting way of teaching that makes it different and enjoyable

Relatively easy class and a great professor who still teaches you the material without being too harsh. Uses a fun gamified format that still held up over Zoom. Would definitely recommend.

He's a great professor that teaches a game-based class. The material is super easy to learn and there are assignments that you have to complete weekly. He doesn't put grades in until the very end (and I mean probably when grades are due), but as long as you give a good effort on the assignments then you should be fine (that's what he said).

He is a great teacher with a fun style of learning the topics. Each week you go over a topic and play games with your party your assigned. He is one of the most caring teachers I've talked to at the university. He cares about his students a lot and the subjects. The only thing is to make sure to email and message him about the final project.

Ryan was awesome. His class was enjoyable, yet also taught me a ton about professionalism and how to handle certain situations. It will be a great asset to me down the road.

Ryan is an awesome guy and a great professor. The class is super laid-back and chill. Super easy class and it's as fun as you want it to be! The class is designed through D&D so just have fun with it. Some work is required after every class, but it's nothing compared to other classes. Take him if you have the chance!

This professor is receptive to student's needs and will happily help you if you're having trouble. He balances the material well, and the stress load of this class is low enough to actually enjoy learning the subject and discussing the ethical theories (who'd have thought a class called Professional Responsibility would be fun?)

This class was great! The professor is extremely nice, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. If you are worried about earning your oral communication credit, this is the class to take! The presentations are few and very low-stress. On top of that, the course is actually very fun and enjoyable! Highly recommend.

A very fun semester, especially if you are familiar with D&D or even Lord of the Rings style monsters and character types such as Paladins or Mages. Class is lots of group projects graded for completion with lots of extra credit simply by being present and participating. Final project is large, but a small price to pay for otherwise easy class.

I loved this class!

Great teacher and a great person. His style of teaching may not be for everyone, but if you try to get excited by the DnD theme, you will love it. If you are going to be a square and complain about a fun board game-themed class, save us the trouble and complaining and do not take it. Ryan deserves the world

The Dungeon and Dragons theme is very helpful when discussing ethics. It assists you in thinking outside of yourself in the context of the game. Ryan is also extremely helpful and is very willing to have further discussion with you about the material. Passionate and amazing professor.

Absolutely amazing! Class is very well set up and he takes your feedback to heart which is hard to do with how any students he has! You do not need to attend lecture, only the discussion groups and they are so much fun and a great way to end the week! Highly recommend.

king. he's so chill and the class is so easy

He really cares for his students and this subject and it really shows with how much attention and precision is given in his quest for the weekly activities. The gasified version of the class really gets students to learn about the topics at hand in a very fun way. He also cares about the students and honestly as I student I felt very respected.

If you like video games and using your imagination, this is the class for you. Easy A and fun along the way!

This class is taught in a M-W lecture format while Friday's are used to attend a smaller group class taught by a GTA. I didn't attend most of the lectures as all he covers is the material he posts in the module. Class is easy, but set up in dungeons and dragons format so be prepared for that because that made things a little more complex.

Awesome class, 10/10 take for public speaking and just learning the theories! The class was super fun, and for the public speaking portion 3 times in class you will have to speak for 1-2 minutes on a conclusion you and your party came up with. The teacher and section teachers for Friday were awesome as well. Great class, take it if you can!!

There is a lot of keeping track between keeping up with the details on your questlogs and playbooks. He said tha this is a new element to this class, but it does force you to stay organized, which is nice.

Ryan is a creative professor who cares about what he's teaching. He is willing to change his teaching based on student feedback which a lot of professors won't do. The class is based off of dungeons and dragons which was easy to follow along with as someone who doesn't have any d&d knowledge. As long as you try, the class is not hard to pass.

Ryan is a great guy. Super approachable. Course itself is definitely VERY easy, all homework is on completion. As long as you put in a little effort, you will get an A. Discussions are compelling, since the class is set in a DnD universe (but is still approachable if you have never played!). Presentations are VERY laid back.

Ryan was great! He is very approachable and he truly wants his students to succeed. I took his class for my Oral Communication credit, and I am so glad I did! The presentations are not hard and not really something you have to spend time preparing. His Game-Based learning makes the class enjoyable!

He created his own D&D based course and loves gameify'd, low stress learning. This class has been easily one of the most unique and enjoyable classes I have ever taken. I still wish I would have had more time with the actual teacher rather than a GA but that can't be helped.

Dr. Windeknecht was great. The game-based learning for Phil 244 was amazing. Take this for your oral communication credit if you can. Basically our public speaking was discussing philosophical ideas in the ways of a D&D game. So much fun!

Dr. Windeknecht was amazing and I'm so glad I had the chance to take this class for my communications credit! The class was very interesting and entertaining being that it's set up like a D&D time; this set-up, especially with the small group discussions, made the public speaking aspect very approachable. I also loved my TA and discussion group.

i can attest to all the good reviews; ryan's class is genuinely so fun + easy gen-ed credits. the weekly assignments may get repetitive, but i liked that because it was predictable. no need to know anything about philosophy or d&d going in, but they make it accessible. i usually hate group work, but discussion days are very chill & casual.

I was terrified to take this class because when my sister took it with another professor she told me it was one of the hardest most confusing classes ever. However, he makes the class actually fun because he has it set up like the game Dungeon and Dragons. I overall thought the class was informational and I would highly recommend taking him!

This professor has a great class set up that makes everything more interesting and fun. I enjoyed the class work given. I really just felt like this class just had me right what I feel about the topic that was given to us. Very eye-opening. If you need PHIL244, take him!!

Fantastic teacher and really fun course. Would definitely recommend.

Loved this class! Favorite Gen-Ed, not too time consuming!

I am a Neuroscience major and had to take this class for a gen ed requirement. For me this class was fully online and a little confusing at first but everything is laid out very clearly that it made the class enjoyable. There is a good amount of work and a very accessible teacher!

Super simple, super useful, went out of his way along with the TAs to make sure you passed

Ryan was AMAZING for the one short semester I had him. He made class entertaining but also kept it professional. He does however take attendance for every class time, so make sure you're present!!

Ryan was chill. He uses EZCheckme so you are unable to skip class which was annoying. You only get 3 class absences and 1 discussion absence.

Easy Gened. Recommend this class

He is an amazing professor who genuinely cares about his students. It's engaging and super laid back. It's more about discussing and writing down your thoughts than anything else. The only outside work you will have is one log a week that will take you about 30 minutes max. He even gives plenty of time for it in class. Take this course in person!

I honestly hate philosophy so at the end of the day I never enjoyed the class, however his class was alot less boring than other philosophy classes I have taken. I am expecting a good grade, and it is generally pretty easy as long as you do the work. You can also buy assignments with "player tokens" that your TA's give out during the semester.

Makes learning as fun as it can be. Its an easy A if you do the work and show up (1-2 easy assignments per week). Completing the work will give you an A.

THIS PROFESSOR SUPER EASY AND SUPER NICE. All you need to do is follow the canvas page, at first (for some) the canvas format might be confusing but later it won't be as confusing. And the grading is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. TAKE IF U WANT ORAL CREDITS AND PHIL CREDITS!!!!!

Ryan makes this class so easy and fun by gamifying it. They give you so many opportunities to get full credit/satisfactory grades on any assignment so it's really an easy A and covers two gen eds.

One of the easiest classes I've ever taken, and a really nice dude.

The structure of this class was very rigid, there wasn't a lot of room for flexibility. However, the class itself was very easy and there are no tests.

I thought Ryan was a good teacher. Learned a lot and overall enjoyed the class.

Ryan is super chill and his class honestly was a breeze. It's not too work heavy and if you just complete the assignments and attend the discussions and lectures you're basically guaranteed an A, the class is really built for you to succeed, and it's great for getting a different classroom experience. It takes getting used to but it's good!

I wasn't excited to complete my oral communications credit, but there are no actual speeches required of you. All you have to do is record yourself giving a few short (

Dr. W is a great professor and is very open to helping students succeed in his class. The class is very easy but you have to attend lectures and discussions in order to get a good grade. Dr. W is a fun professor that is passionate about his courses.

Ryan is a super cool professor. This class is really fun and does not have traditional tests. Easier and fun class to take!

The class is gamified, which makes it both fun and easy. There are no tests, and all grades are done by completion. Lectures are engaging and fun yet still give you a good understanding of the topic.

An AMAZING professor. Nice, funny, and easy to pass this class. You either get satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Redoing assignments is a thing if you have enough player tokens. Discussion with Troy is the best, he made me understand everything said in the lectures. TAKE if u need ORAL and/or PHIL credits!!! You cannot fail unless u try.

Professor Windeknecht was really understanding with workload and I recommend him to everyone! One assignment a week and Kahoot on Wednesdays

i originally thought the d&d style of this class would make it harder to wrap my head around the content based off the reviews i read before i registered for the class, but even as someone who's never played d&d, it all comes really easily even after the first 3 or 4 weeks. ryan is a great, chill professor and he's super accessible outside of class

This professor was very easy, and forms the class like a Dnd game. He grades based on whether you've done a satisfactory job or not, so basically if you've done your best you will get a good grade. Attendance is pretty mandatory and can impact your grade, and he also is very slow with grading. The class made it a lot easier to understand philosophy

I was recommended to take this class by one of my friends. I highly recommend it this class to people who want a change of pace for Philosophy.

Dr. Ryan Windeknecht is really great and really cares about his students. The class is set-up like DnD and is graded on a satisfactory or unsatisfactory scale, so it was very easy to get an A. Attendance is mandatory but the class was overall so much fun and Ryan and his team are great.

This was the most fun class ive ever taken. I took this as my last arts and humanities credit, but it ended up being so much more fun than just a boring check on DARS. Ryan is the first professor that I have ever had that genuinely cares for their students and their comprehension of the material. so refreshing. 100% recommend!!

Hard to digest content in an easy to understand format. This class teaches some good stuff and helps you understand it through an RPG gamified approach. The work is easy and helpful, and he takes criticism and actually puts it into changing his class. Do your work in class and talk to your classmates and you will succeed.

AMAZING PROFESSOR AND SUPER EASY AND FUN CLASS. Very minimum requirements outside of class and most of the work is done during class. No exams, easy final project, and a genuinely fun class and great professor. He's super open to feedback and frequently asks the class what they think about the structure.

This course was fully asynchronous. I did not get grades until the end of the semester, but he does not grade tough. I learned the objectives in the class, and I did not have to stress about exams or papers. Fun set up! just commit to being a fun theme.

The class is interesting, but very fun. You work in groups the entire semester, everyone takes a turn to present every Friday. No work outside class, except for the 2 projects, but that is fairly simple. Prof is really caring and great. Must go to class for the sake of your entire group.

Ryan was really nice and so was my TA. It's an easy class if you put bare minimum effort. Prepare to present in front of a small class though and to write a lot.

Two solo projects, and the rest are group presentations. It used to be just one solo project, but he changed it to two. Overall, Ryan is a great professor; the class is super easy, but be prepared to know your stuff when it's your turn to present the group presentation.

Professor Windeknecht is very understanding of his students. He loves teaching this course and his class is designed as a very fun way to learn philosophy. He is an extremely creative professor.

Ryan made his lectures and content engaging and entertaining and went out of his way to find a whole new method to teaching the topic. Instead of following the same boring guidelines of books and tests and studying, he found a way to reinvent a way to engage students. Some may find the class cringe or unorthodox but I learned a lot from this class.

he is a good person

Ryan is a great teacher, his game-ified class is a good way to learn this class. He makes the material very accessible, and his online sources are really good. In this class, he is a comical and nerdy teacher, which makes the class perfect for him, but he also explains philosophical theory really well and is always willing to work with the class.

Dr. Ryan is an amazing professor! He is so kind and funny, he is always ready to help students, and he always brings an amazing attitude to class! Dr. Ryan is easily one of the best professors I've had an UTK!

This is an amazing class. If you show up to class and participate you will be fine.

Dr. Ryan makes this course super fun and engaging. He is a super kind professor who gives plenty of time to complete assignments in class. There aren't any exams and only two projects that are really easy to complete.

Dr. Ryan's class was one of my favorites. It was very low stress and you have time to finish almost everything during class. Majority of projects were done in groups so participating does matter! This class taught me a lot about philosophical dilemmas in the real world, and his lectures were very engaging. I would 100% recommend!!!

I liked this class! I didnt actually expect to like it because it was game based or because of the content, but being able to work in groups within the class made it very enjoyable and not hard.

I was in a small class, and having the opportunity to talk to Ryan one on one is great. They've got good insight and know the content like the back of their hand so if you have questions they can often get clarified pretty easily. He's a great professor and keeps it really casual in class.

This has been my favorite class that I have taken! Everything is very clear, and the class was made very fun! I highly recommend it!

Professor Windeknecht is awesome. He bases his class off of Dungeons and Dragons, and it makes it very fun. He is very personable and really wants everyone to enjoy his class. Show up to class, participate in group discussions, and you will get an A.

TAKE THIS CLASS A refreshing respite from my other classes, a huge part of this class is just attending it. Attendance makes up a big chunk of the class, and Ryan makes the class really fun through his gamified way of teaching. A stress-free course, honestly. If you are a DND/Fantasy nerd and/or philosophy is difficult for you: TAKE THIS CLASS

Just a really great professor with a fun course. Would take again if I had an open slot to fill!

Take this class for your speech credit you won't regret it. It's so enjoyable and fairly easy. You create a powerpoint each week with your group and it rotates each week with someone else presenting, so you present twice the entire semester. Professor Windeknecht is caring and does anything he can to make sure you understand everything fully.

he was honestly the best and most fun proffessor i have had. has such an awesome and unique approach to teaching, and made the course enjoyable. 10/10 reccomend

This class was by far the most fun class I have taken since being at UTK. I loved every minute of it and I would definitely take it again if given the opportunity.

This class was very easy, the professor really cares for you to enjoy his class. He also strucutures it in a way it will not take up any of your time. He is a really cool dude and just show up and put some effort in the projects! Grading is not tough and over all the lectures can seem long but he is really funny.

I absolutely LOVED this class. The entire thing is themed like a Fantasy DnD game. PLEASE be aware of this, I've heard this is a struggle for some, but it made me (someone who likes that sort of thing) understand the material to a degree I have never understood a class before. This class also involves lots of group conversation and work.

Love Dr. W and his gamified learning class. If you're like me and not a gamer, the stuff is a little hard to get the hang of at first, but a few weeks in, everyone was good. You basically sit with your adventuring party and guild during the lectures, and then each group has a presentation on Fridays. Easy for the public speaking credit.

Easy A if you go to class. Group heavy work but everything can be completed during class time.

Dr. Ryan is one of the best professors I have ever met. He is very caring and accessible outside of class. Be prepared though, every day is group work. All you have to do is show up, participate, and do the Sunday night homework and you'll pass with flying colors.

Ryan is easily one of the best professors at UT. His game style class is so interesting and fun, and I personally don't like philosophy. He's very chill and really understanding when it comes to his students. A very easy class overall and I do suggest giving him feedback about it, he loves any feedback to improve his course! Awesome professor!!!

easy class. attendance is mandatory for grade.

Great Professor. I would definitely recommend taking Phil 244

Dr. Ryan made class fun. I was not looking forward to this class at all becuase I am not a big fan of philosophy, but he made it enjoyable. There was not a lot of work other than group work in class. He was very helpful and very understanding. I would 100% take his class again.

Dr. W is honestly a great professor. His course was very easy and exciting. I looked forward to lectures every week. TAKE THIS COURSE FOR YOUR SPEECH CREDIT!

Ryan was a delight and I have never held a class closer to my heart than PHIL244. He structured it as if it were a game, which sounded groan-worthy but ended up making the content easier to digest. He was a joy to listen to speak and made every class fun. Definitely my favorite professor at UT: go out of your way to take this class.

The readings were confusing at times, but all concerns are cleared up in class. We did group assignments that took no time to finish, and we only had to give 2 presentations the whole semester. The presentations were like 30seconds a person, so nothing to worry about, trust me!! There's virtually no homework. Super super chill class. Recommend!

Take this class!!! It was fun and an easy way to get credit.

great professor

Dr. Windeknecht is an amazing professor and cares about how you do in the class. if you show up and participate then you'll be fine and will probably earn a low b but an A is not hard at all if you do good on midterm and final project. quizzes are not hard and the exams are projects. highly recommend taking the class, he makes it really interesting

Very fun class! Super friendly and will answer any and all questions in a timely manner!

I think that he does a great job gamifying a course. In general, philosophy can be boring in some respects because you spend a lot of time reading, but this course aims to contextualize those readings by having you do actual thought experiments and justifying your answers! Genuinely so much fun!

I took this class as my ethics credit and it was such an easy A. There aren't any exams and the only work outside of class are the quizzes on Sunday(super easy). The only 2 projects you have is the midterm & final; which took me 30 minutes for each. Just make sure you show up to class because if you miss one it'll bring your grade down 5+ points.

Dr. Ryan was patient with me starting back to college. I believe this class was the most engaging with it being online. I never felt alone. Dr. Ryan was prompt with his email and offered to meet as needed. He was always available to me. I would take another class from him and highly recommend him to other students.

Dr. Ryan is such a cool individual and heavily considers student enjoyment in how they run the course. You def have to take 244 in person to really get the gamified effect. This class was not too labor intensive, as long as you show up and collaborate with your group.

Dr. Ryan is one of my favorite professors I have ever had. Anything I ever needed he was willing to help me. His class is really fun and is based around D&D. Philosophy can be hard to understand and this class makes it fun. I will forever respect Dr. Ryan and will come to him if I ever need anything. He loves his job and reflects it in his class.

This class was really easy. You have 2 groups you work with throughout the whole semester and 2 projects. You mainly communicate with your TA for everything and they're the ones that grade all of your work. Attendance is mandatory and you are graded on participation in group assignments. Sometimes things were posted late, but very easy class.

Great professor, PHIL244 is an easy A if you do the work and show up to class. Dario Vaccaro is the GOAT of TAs

If you want to enjoy a philosophy class, take this one. He is so nice and funny and it's so fun talking with him and within the groups

Dario Vaccaro is the goat TA- shoutout Friday 3:00 discussion period. Class is fine if you do the work, attendance is very important, grade drops 1-2 percent per class missed which sucks sometimes.

The DND theme for the class was so fun! The texts were interesting, hard to read at times, but that's just how philosophers write. A group video presentation through Zoom and short quizzes make up most of your grades. Honestly, if you read the material and put in a little effort, the class was very easy. Beware of group members not doing work!

Lots of reading, but interesting and fun! The D&D thing worked well.

I was very confused when I started the class however it was so much fun and a different learning style using a game called DND. You would have to let yourself fail because the class is very straight forward.

This professor is very open-minded and accommodating. His homework and class-work are very easy. All you need to do to receive an A in his class is show up and participate!

Homework and classwork is very easy and manageable. Just show up to class and participate and you will pass with an A.

Absolutely loved this class and this teacher the class setting is in a dungeons and dragons theme which makes learning super fun. Homeworks were a little time consuming and difficult but it was only ever a total of 8 questions never any more. The class itself is so fun being able to openly discuss with everyone. Id recommend this class to everyone

This class is based on the game Dungeons and Dragons. It's super easy, but there is a lot of work. Mostly group work that you do in class, and then small assignments and small quizzes. I highly recommend this class

As someone who just took the class for credit, Professor Ryan did a great job making sure the class structure is appropriate for those who don't enjoy philosophy and for those who do.

Be prepared to read.

just know going into the class it is solely based off of dungeons and dragons the game, because i did not know this going in to it and it was a shock knowing this is how we learn everything. pretty easy class and he is really nice. just make sure you go to class because its a lot of work to make up what you missed.

Great dude, very easy class if you try. Regardless of your knowledge on DND, the class will still be enjoyable. The ONLY issue I have with him is he doesn't grade almost at all throughout the semester. Really down to Earth and chill.

Ryan is a wonderful professor, and I would definitely recommend this class! Your knowledge of DND really doesn't matter (I didn't know anything beforehand); he explains the content very well. Only thing is that attendance is very important because he explains everything and you work in groups in class. Overall, super fun!

I would absolutely take Ryans course again. He made confusing concepts very interesting and easier to understand.

Very easy class. Definitely would recommend. The gamified version of PHIL244 makes it very easy, engaging, and non-confrontational. You would have to be braindead not to pass this class.

Dr. Ryan is great and I recommend this course to anyone! It is so much better than taking an public speaking class, and he organizes it in a fun way. Do be ready to participate and do group projects, but 99% of the work is done in class!

This class made boring information fun to learn about and engage with. Basically, all of the work is done in groups, and he is very clear with what is expected of you. Take this class if you need to meet OC requirement, especially if you do not like public speaking.