Great teacher. If you participate in class, the class is very engaging. He is extremely helpful if you have any questions and he knows the material.

He is an extremly nice professor who is willing to help you. His lectures are important because he breaks down everything in the books you have to read, so I would attend class as much as possible. His quiz are easy, you'll be fine!

Spacey guy. First time teacher, adn it shows in his unpreparedness. We were like a month behind the syllabus b/c of hurricanes, but it is an easy class. He assigns a lot of HW, but he goes over everyhting very well in class, so you dont have to read, but it makes it moer interesting.

you never know what kind of adventure youll have with prof. bates. odd character, never met anyone like him before. he likes to recognise you in class, be sure to attend for clarity of the readings. simple class.

Ok its is physically impossable to fail his class.A 0 is a c on his weird grading scale. we had 2 take homes exams 1 optional exam and 2 exams including the final where he gave you the exam before the exam.TAKE HIM FOR THIS CLASS! The only problem i saw was that he is very opinonated with his grades

Very interesting guy--quirky to say the least. His notes suck because he just kind of randomly writes on the board, but he makes things very interesting, especially with his way of speaking (speech impediment maybe?)

Definitely an interesting guy...and class, too. He has a good sense of humor, and gives helpful reviews before each quiz and test. Consistent class attendance is not necessary, just make sure you read the materials. It would be hard to do poorly in this class!

Interesting professor most of the time, however can be just as confusing. Class has no real structure, thoroughly goes over the books in class, don't need to buy the books if you listen. Gives review sessions before quizzes, define the concepts in HIS words(not a big fan of synonyms). I got a B.

Extremely nice guy! Although is class is very boring. Don't really need to buy the books, as long as you attend class and take notes you'll make decent grades on the quizzes!

U really don't need the books 4 this class but u do have 2 pay attention in class! Don't zone out! He gives plenty of examples of the same thing. He worked w/ me when ever I had issues in understanding info or questions about quiz grades.

Osbscenely easy. Explains all concepts 5 times over at least, grades very leniently, and is willing to work with you on any problems. Can get a little long-winded, but interesting class and laid back. Don't buy the books; you won't need them.

Bates is an interesting professor. Class was interesting, but focused on political thought, so you have to like that, else it may be less interesting. He gives great reviews that walk you through what he expects, but it took a long time to get graded material back. I enjoyed the class.

Very engaging and knowledgable. The people who didn't like him seemed to me the ones in the class only for an easy A. If you like philosophy but don't like to do a lot of work, take Bates. Oh, and buy the books...even if you don't need them class discussions are boring when only a few people participate.

Intriguing little man who doesn't seem to think in a straight line. Nonetheless, his lectures are clear and deep, though purchasing books is not entirely necessary. Prepare for many a tangential discussion, each of which largely ties into main themes of good book choices. A definite keeper; his random humor alone makes it worth it.

He is better the higher the class level you take with him. He is funny in a quirky way, and knows what he is talking about. Only having a presentation, midterm paper and a final is tough, but taking good notes will ensure you do ok.

This class is really easy...i only went like once a week and still got an A. He basically gives you all the answers to the exams. Don't buy all the books at once, he never finishes them.

Nice, funny, and understanding. Test questions are always covered in class. However he only has few quizzes and two tests to make your grade.

Make sure to take notes that you can read months down the road because you won't remember what his pictures and symbols mean. He is really funny, kinda like the nutty professor. He knows his material well. Don't bother reading the books, he explains them all and if you go to class you will know it. They don't make sense anyhow. Take him if you can!

TAKE HIM! dont really need to buy the books. he is really funny. class discussions get interesting when people ask questions. def. go to the review before the midterm and final. should probably try to go to class so you wont be too lost. loved the class, really good teacher for it

Ok, for your own benefit DO NOT read the negative comments. Those with negative comments probably cant have an intelligent and mature conversation even less brain processes. so if you know you cant handle that sort of atmosphere, then no, dont take it. for the rest of us. TAKE HIM NOW! BEST PROFF @ UCF HANDS DOWN. EXTREMELY FUNNY AND HALARIOUS!

This teacher is hilarious! Amazing! You have to have an interest in philosophy and some brains. You will laugh you butt off! We had two tests, both with study guides! The curve made it nearly impossible to fail! Bates is a wonderful, funny, caring man. Take this class!!

Awkward is the way I would describe the professor. Unshaven and always wearing a white shirt and black pants. But that alone should have you keep the class. He is really funny, laughing at his own jokes. His knowledge is amazing. The class only consists of a midterm and final, maybe a few quizzes. Go to class and get the notes.

He is a great professor. As long as you go to class, you will do fine. He is a funny guy and very laid back. The study guides for the exams make it very easy to do well.

wow, what a fun class. he really makes you think however he makes it easy too. take him!

Good class. The reading wasn't terribly difficult.

he was excentric to say the least but i loved his class... it wasnt hard BUT you did have to go to class and take some type of notes but other than that all went well and i would recommend him for those who have a dry sense of humor

I took PHI 2010 in Fall '05. Bates gave only a midterm and final w/few quizes, had decent grading, and gave helpful reviews before tests. He was friendly and humorous - I looked forward to his class. You must read the books.

Failed this class when I took it with Nguyen a year ago, but with Bates I got an A-, and I barely ever went to class. I took it in the summer, so I didn't have time to read the books. But he gives you the tests beforehand, so as long as you have the notes, whether they're yours or someone else's, you'll do fine.

A very good hearted person who is also very quirky. If you're interested in the material, you'll enjoy the class...as well as his easy tests.

Absolutely the best professor ever!!! He is quirky, interesting, and hilarious. He covers the material in depth without making the tests/essays painfully difficult. If philosophy is your area of interest he is the best professor to take. Please remember that philosophy is an abstract study and this class may be difficult for some.

if you're really interested in philosophy, then you should definitely take this class..he really knows his stuff. if not, it will be incredibly boring. but it's definitely a GPA booster. he tells you EXACTLY what's going to be on the quiz and exams (only had 2 quizzes, 1 midterm, and 1 final). you don't need to go, just have the notes. REALLY EASY!

Bates is a great guy. He is pretty funny and he is very smart. The class was not that hard, seeing as he lets you know what is going to be on the exams beforehand. I doubt you will like the class if you are not interested in Philosophy though.

Good professor, and very funny. Very intelligent guy, interested in his subject. Sort of goes off on illogical tangents sometimes and becomes hard to follow, but for the most part he is fairly understandable. Definitly go to class. May be a bit boring during lecture, but you won't do well if you don't go and atleast try and listen. I recommend him.

He's a cool dude. Quirky, sense of humor. It's an easy class if you make sure to TAKE NOTES. 2 quizzes, midterm, and final. Gives you the questions beforehand, so if you prepare you're almost guaranteed an A. He's a really cool guy; take him!

really nice guy, helpful outside of class. this class is all political philosophy, which isn't really what i was expecting. he really knows what he's talking about though.

This is what Nicholas Cage would be like if he were a philospher. Sure, Professor Bates can be pretty eccentric, but mainly because of his brilliance. He really knows his stuff. GO TO CLASS AND TAKE GOOD NOTES. Test topics given ahead of time, however all essay and free response. Reading not really necessary as he explains all in lecture.

Very Intelligent and it shows in his lectures. Has a great sense of humor and is very nice. I enjoyed taking both of his classes. Grades are based on papers where you can choose from a few different things to write on. He is very generous with his grading also. I highly recommend taking him for any philosophy class.

Very intelligent professor. Take this class if you're interested in the philosophy of government and politics, because most of the material is based on that. He tells you exactly what the test questions are, and they are all essays. So read the books, formulate your ideas, and go write them down on test day. Pretty easy A.

fun teacher, very philosophic. im taking him again in another class. all essay testing.

Eccentric and extremely amusing. I can’t imagine anyone not loving this instructor. He is clear and organized. I recommend you attend though and take notes. Your essays will write themselves if you do. I HIGHLY recommend him for anyone genuinely interested in philosophy. He is defiantly one of a kind!!!

He is a wonderful professor. He knows so much about philosophy & is really passionate about it, so he knows how to teach it very well. His tests aren't hard at all, & it's not mandatory to attend, but you'll want to go anyway becaue he makes it really interesting.

Professor Bates is a really great guy... he tries his best to keep class light and interesting. If you are interested in Philosophy, he is an amazing professor! The subject material really bored me, but I got an A because he is very helpful with tests. I highly recommend him!!

He is a great teacher that is rather lax on his grading. He reviews the information before each tests and tells you what your are going to be quizzed on the class before the quiz. His appearance when he comes into class is a little less than professional, but it makes the class interesting.You will love this teacher.

Prof Bates is really nice, his lectures are very thought provoking and intellectually stimulating. His exams are mostly essays and they're fairly easy. He reviews before them and pretty much gives you all the answers. Very fun class, ask questions, read the material, and only take it with Prof Bates.

Easy A for those people who lovesto think outside the box when it comes to everything but logical stuff such as physics and other science stuff. Was in class everyday and made my notes. Borrowed books from the library as well. Very interesting Lectures but Hard to follow especially if you're used to the science mushy stuff!

Prof. Bates is a great teacher. He's fun to listen to most of the time because he comes up with the funniest examples and keeps things interesting. I would deffinately reccomend him. The tests are extremely straightforward, he tells you EXACTLY what will be on them, even the short essay.

Loved this teacher. Let you think on your own & didn't bash your ideas, mostly b/c he had some quirky ones of his own. Extremely easy and nice. Attendance not mandatory but you want to go anyway. Tells you exactly what to study for test and is lax on his grading. Awesome.

Wacky personality, but made philosophy interesting enough. Really made you think. I didn't read much of the books because he tells you what you need to know. Definitely helps to be in class for the review. Pretty good guy. Not a hard class.

If you're interested in learning about random people's philosophy on life day after day in lecture format, than this is your class. He's pretty funny and definitley knows his stuff but I found it hard to pay attention. Only two tests that were pretty easy.

Bates is passionate about what he lectures; however, I found myself confused after the first 20 minutes of class. It seemed like he, and select few classmates, would carry on in another world. He's nice, passionate, and gives reviews for tests (just a midterm and final). Oh and there's random attendance checks that you get credit for!

Extremely nice guy, very amusing 2! Know's his philosophy and even though I didn't like the material (i hate philosophy lol) I was ok with his class because he made it bearable! Take Notes, 3 Essays! and read the books and you should be good!

Todd Bates Rocks!!! Very good professor. The class is very interesting, and he seems to love it. Had a great time learning. Very generous person. All around great guy. Take his class!!

Easiest class ever. Prof Bates is EXTREMELY nice, helpful, and makes the material interesting. The class is bearable and if you're looking for an easy A gen ed, go for this one! Would def take him again. 1 midterm, 1 final, 2 quizzes was the grade. each exam had like 15-20 ques. Has review days before exam & gives all answers. Def easy.

Great teacher! always kept our interest. very funny and knows what he is talking about. knowledgeable when you ask questions and helps you think instead. id take him again just because of how awesome he is. dont buy all the books at once. wait til he tells you which you need cuz there are like 7 required and we used only 4

Such a great professor and teacher. Today he passed away. May he be remembered fondly.