Derdak does an exceptional job teaching and is very affluent in his field of study. Lessons he taught were pretty straightforward. Very nice and insightful guy if you see him during office hours. He gives unannounced quizzes on some of the readings, so as long as you stay up to date you'll do fine. Tests are all take home and relatively easy.

Pretty simple course. All you really have to do is read the assignments every once an awhile. He gives 4 pop quizzes, which if you pay attention you can guess when they'll occur. And he has 3 exams, all take home papers, including the final. Grammar is important to him so make sure you have someone edit your paper.

Great class!! The philosophy readings can be difficult, but he breaks it down into what you need to know and then leaves time for classroom discussions on the different issues. He gives 4 open note pop quizzes, as well as 3 take home papers (including the final). He is a tough essay grader, but is willing to help you if you go to his office hours!

Lectures can be pretty boring, but the exams are all 3-4 page papers. Nothing too crazy or time consuming. There are a few pop quizzes, but they're open note so it's easy to get a good grade.

You always have reading assignments! If you don't understand the reading he explains it in class, however he does have pop quizzes before going over the readings occasionally so if you don't understand it go online for clarification! Open note quizzes and take home essays are his test format.

Philosophy is a difficult core class. However, Professor Derdak is the best option to take for the PHIL-130. He does not have test, and grades the essays very reasonably. There is a reason his class is the first to fill, think about it. Do not take any other Phil-130 professor, if you don't get into Derdak wait till another semester to take class.

3 take home papers, 4 quizzes. Derdak is a very sweet man. Philosophy is not easy to understand but he not only makes it clear, but interesting. I hated philosophy but after taking him, I am second thinking my opinion. As long as you write clear essays with information that backs up your stance, youll be fine. Quizzes are open note. Take him.

He's one of the best teacher ever, i like his lectures, no exams just papers.

The negative commenters never did the bare minimum. He is super easy. I'm not a philosophy person but he made me ENJOY it. He applies deep concepts to real life issues and encourages debate and reflection. He wants to see you grow out of this class and that's exactly what happened. He is very easy. His take home "tests" are 4 pg papers.

Derdak is NOT an easy professor. Extremely tough when grading the papers. (3 papers, 4 pop quizzes) With this being said, he does explain difficult content very well. His lectures are very thought provoking which makes the class interesting. Basically, he is a great professor, but an extremely tough grader. Ill be lucky to get a B+...

Gives readings for every class and pop quizzes are open book. You don't have to read, but I recommend it because Derdak is very into the topic he just wants to know your thoughts. There are 3 tests which are take home essays that he gives a week to do, as long as you show support, you'll ace them. Such a sweet professor, 10/10 highly recommend.

Such a sweet man, and you can tell that he really wants his students to get engaged in the class. The 4 pop quizzes are difficult if you don't complete the readings the night prior (gives you about 20 min for 2 short essays). The exams are take home essays which is awesome, and he gives great feedback. I absolutely recommend this class!

Dr. Derdak's class was one of my favorites; he is such an interesting character and a great lecturer. He tries to keep students engaged in conversation and makes class interactive showing videos. He has high standards regarding the essays, and expects students to do readings previously. 4 pop quizzes, 2 take-home essays and 1 take-home final exam.

Professor Derdak is one of my favorite professors at Loyola. He has four, open note pop quizzes throughout the semester. 3 take home essay exams. He is a tough grader, so make sure to outline your essays and run it by him. Take him!

Whoever rated prof. derdak as 'awful' is dumb and lazy. You can tell the man loves philosophy and wants his students to think. he's great at connecting philosophy to real-life political subjects. His pop quizzes are easy if you skim the reading, and if you try on your papers, you'll get an A. No exams other than the 3 papers.

He explained the material thoroughly and concisely which made something like philosophy (with a lot of dense readings) easy to understand. We I had 4 quizzes, 3 papers (including one final paper); they weren't hard to write, especially because they were based on stuff discussed in class. Reading for class will help you understand the material more.

A passionate lecturer that provides a lot of insight for a Tier 1 class. A lot of listening and some history but overall enjoyable. So easy 4 Pop reading quizzes lets you use the material for the quiz (just print or bring your book every class) . Essays organize (intro, 3 paragraph, then conclusion) go to office hours for feedback before its due.

One of the best professors at Loyola! His essays (3 including the final, take-homes) are said to be graded a little tough, but I think the grade and feedback was pretty fair. The pop quizzes are ridiculously easy (I didn't read for any of them and I got full marks). Overall, a thorough professor with engaging lectures! :) You're in good hands.

Best professor at Loyola. Easy to understand and engaging lectures. Pop quizzes that are literally so easy and open book (never did the assigned readings and still got 100%). Class was based off of lectures and documentaries. He is genuinely so sweet, passionate, and knowledgeable. Wish I could take him again. Definitely recommend.

He might be a little dull in lectures but really knows what he's talking about. He doesn't want you to argue with his point of view and WILL talk over you if you try to argue with him. He is very passionate about his experience in Africa, if you go to office hours talk about this with him and he'll love you

Dr. Derdak is an amazing professor and his class is pretty easy. 3 essays, all take home and four open note pop quizzes. You need the textbook for the quizzes, but other than that no outside of class reading is necessary to get an A in the class. He lectures for most of class, but he chooses interesting topics for class discussions.

Really cool guy and the class wasnt hard at all if you just do the bare minimum

Professor Derdak is so nice and you can tell he really wants his students to care about philosophy. The class was pretty interesting in itself, as long as you do the reading he assigns (only about 45 mins a week tops. Overall, he's a great teacher and a great guy.

Best core professor at Loyola! Take him for phil 130 4 essay exams, 3 quizzes, and 1 forum post. Once a week, but splits class in half so you only attend for an hour. Easy grader as long as you write clear concise papers. Super nice old man, one of my favorite professors.

Loved his class, would totally take again! I came in with very little understanding of philosophy but didnt feel left behind at all in class. As long as you do the readings and prepare for discussion this class should be an easy pass.

Derdak teaches in more of a seminar style, in a way that he likes to interact with his students and not simply lecture at them. If no one answers his question he will probably just call on u. Exams are 1000 word essays that he gives you a week to complete. Sometimes not always clear on what he is looking for in the essays but it's not impossible.

He is a really nice guy and his ethics class is really interesting. He does a great job making it applicable to modern day. Quiz and exam questions were interesting to answer. Only complaint is that his class is graded out of 100 points and he doesn't give great feedback. Would randomly take off 1-2 pts but gave only positive feedback.

I really enjoyed Prof Derdaks class. I wasnt able to consistently make class but if you basically regurgitate the readings in the 1000 word essays you will do very well. Carry your essays with structure and clarity you will do well. I liked how he wanted interaction with students and their opinions on the topics. Interesting philosophy topics!!

Makes ethics much easier than other ethics professors, our class was mostly discussion. He is very nice and a mostly fair grader but won't give 100% on essays. I recommend him for ethics as it's not too hard to get a B or A.

While this class can definitely be boring, it is easy to tell that Professor Derdak truly loves the subject. Theres four essays and a few quizzes. If you do the readings its an easy A

If you don't find philosophy somewhat interesting and just need to scratch the core requirements don't take this class. This class isn't an easy A (as the grade comes down to three essays + quizzes). These essays also are graded somewhat rigorous so make sure you're a good writer. Overall, Derdak is an AMAZING lecturer and I loved this class.

I'm terrible at understanding philosophy but he made this class enjoyable! Class is mostly discussion, do the readings and participate. We watch some videos. There are 3 essays and 1 presentation/debate (which isn't that bad coming from someone who hates public speaking). This is an easy class to get an A or B, I def recommend him for ethics!

He is really caring about his students and obviously very passionate about whatever he is lecturing. There is a lot of reading, but it's honestly very manageable and you can easily skim it. The tests are all essays, and he responds quickly emails regarding the tests and has his office hours open! Would definitely recommend :).

Definitely have to pay attention in class! He is an awesome professor with interesting lectures. Mostly papers for homework

Professor Derdak is by far the most interesting and inspirational professor I've had. I took ethics with him, not my subject, but he made it less dreading. He has traveled the world and always applies his experiences to lectures which was my favorite part. Make sure to read and take notes, doe snot post much online. 100% recommend.

Professor Derdak made a philosophy class, which I perceive as boring, very interesting. I never dreaded going to his class and was always eager to learn from him. This class is graded based on 3 essay-tests, which are take-home and open note. I definitely recommend Derdak and his class!

Professor Derdak has great lectures. He is very knowledgeable and funny. Take home papers for the exams with several prompts to choose from.

Overall an enjoyable course. More or less all focused on lectures, and these lectures are pretty thorough & enjoyable. Derdak is very involved in this subject, and it shows: he's a very eloquent speaker on this subject, and very passionate.

Dr. Derdak uses his own book as the only source you need to purchase for his course. It is neither expensive nor boring. There is a group debate project at the end of the semester where students are graded rather critically, but the rubric does a good job in outlining the expectations for the assignment as the syllabus does for the class.

Prof. Derdak was kind and accepting with deadlines and attendance if you talk to him about it beforehand. He also never graded my papers as more than a high B, even when sent the rough draft. The papers are worth almost the entire grade, so make sure to start them in advance. His lectures were nice but sometimes boring.

Dr. Derdak is a very nice guy. The way he teaches is straight to the point and doesn't leave you confused, which is rare for a concept such as philosophy which is literally designed to confuse you.

Pretty easy class as long as you can write since that's all you're graded on. Easy to understand and grades pretty leniently. Came across as more of an ethics class than a philosophy class but I liked that more. The online material was set up well and was easy to follow. He grades quickly and the class goes by fast.

He was a good lecturer but the content came off more ethics-y than philosophy. I would highly recommend annotating assigned readings since he randomly assigns in-class writing exams that are open text. He plays lots of videos/movies during class that were always interesting. The assigned essays are not very difficult, just know the readings well.

Old school kinda guy- always down to chat about stuff. he clearly loves his topics, definitely more ethics/morality based but i appreciate what he assess. he doesn't you memorize dates or people or anything, just more so an assessment of if you can think about the topics.

I had Derdak for PHIL181 and overall the class was good! He is very passionate about what he teaches, and I feel like I learned a good deal about ethics. Graded on 4 papers, 2 pop quizzes, and a group debate presentation. Definitely an old-timey, stereotypical PHIL prof. He's willing to read your essays before you submit which is helpful.

Prof. Derdak is definitely more of an "old school" professor, but he's nice, and his class is fairly easy. There are readings, but I never did them, and I did well! You're mainly graded on papers and other smaller things, but it isn't bad. He's actually pretty accessible outside of class and gives clear feedback! 100% take for Ethics requirement!

Professor Derdak is a super sweet professor and is very passionate about ethics. While the course content can be a bit dull, he makes it as interesting as possible. There isn't much work for the class; three pop quizzes, two essays, and one group debate project.

While there were not many assignments in this class, they were easy to get a good grade if you wrote what he taught. Definitely need to take notes to get a good grade but the lectures go by quickly and he truly does love the subject. Midterm and Final were essays with a week to complete. No extra credit was offered

Professor Derdak is overall a nice guy, he has 3 exams but those exams are just take home essays and 2 pop quizzes. As long as you do the required readings you'll do good in the class.

Derdak is a good professor and a nice guy. He's generally accessible outside of class. His teaching style is quite old school and he only grades you on a few things, but as long as you do the reading and prepare for pop quizzes you'll be okay. For the Ethics requirement, he had a lot of interesting life stories and background.

Overall, PHIL 181 was lecture and reading-heavy. Professor Derdak doesn't assign much work for grading, with two take-home exams, two quizzes, and one group project in the form of a debate. I had no problem with the course or professor Derdak. Just read and take good notes!

Class is lecture heavy, but overall coursework is not bad, just three essays and a couple quizzes no final. Found him interesting at times

I liked Professor Derdak, although his feedback on essay exams was limited and I found my 2.5 hour class slightly tedious to sit through. He is very well informed on the subject and for the most part the tests aren't difficult once you understand what he wants from them.

Long lectures, can be extremely boring, there are two pop quizzes, a tough grader on essays and the group project.

The class was okay, interesting but not my favorite class ever. Professor Derdak is a super sweet person however his grading can be harsh

Prof. Derdak was amazing, the content would be dense but he would make it entertaining. Super passionate about philosophy and teaches old school. There were pop quizzes based on the reading for that day. We had to write a few essays but they were fairly easy. Had a field trips, would watch movies. He is funny, sweet, and down to earth.Recommend100%

Dr. Derdak was such a nice professor! He is passionate about ethics, & I found much of the information interesting. It is such an easy class. He writes everything on the board & likes for people to participate. It is not a boring class if you like learning. The debate at the end of the semester seems nerve-racking, but it is also fun and easy.

Class is graded on 2 quizzes, 2 essays, and a debate presentation. He talks about current events a lot, which makes the content easier and more enjoyable to learn about. He occasionally cold calls, but the class is pretty easy. Just write down everything that he writes down on the board, and you'll be good.

Professor Derdak is a harsh grader, but he's a very sweet old man who cares. 2 take home essays, 2 pop quizzes, and a group project. It helps to participate in class, he values that I believe. Participation is a small percent of the grade. Do seek him out if he's not clear on grading, he didn't put many rubrics up on sakai and sent them via email.

Vary caring and passionate professor. I was unable to submit my final essay before the due date and he was very understanding and still accepted it. No homework but a few pop quizzes and essays. Overall chill professor and would recommend for your PHIL credit.

Sweet old man, can be monotone but is passionate, can tell he cares, two essays that are take home, one group debate, will take a point off and not have much explanation though, still a chill and cool guy who likes to talk about his experiences

Professor Derdak is passionate and educated in his subject, which shows in his lectures. The lectures can be a little dull at times. I also took a 2h30m lecture so anyone would begin to lose interest. As long as you do the readings/take notes, you'll be fine. Anyone who says the class is difficult just didn't try. Also, he's a great and funny guy!

Loved him so much!