ESM 401C
Thomas Holden
4.5
46 reviews

46
4.5
PHIL20C . 5 Months Ago

Don't take this class as a GE. I'm a phil major, and even I had a hard time fully getting what Holden was saying sometimes. Graded on 2 papers, and a final. TA grading is harsh if you get a bad one. Lots of reading. If you can keep up, it's manageable. Prof is super passionate/funny, but sometimes unclear. Fine class, difficult for a lower div tho

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PHIL20C . 6 Months Ago

If you're not into PHIL- I wouldn't take this class. I think he is funny to PHIL majors, but I found his lectures bizarre. It's really hard to adjust to a PHIL class and learn how to write those papers if you are from basically any other major.

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PHIL176 . 1 Year, 5 Months Ago

Take him. You won't regret!

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PHIL176 . 1 Year, 7 Months Ago

Class was not too difficult, he posts all of the lecture notes online. I found him to be really unpleasant, so I stopped attending and still did fine. If you're not interested in philosophy you might find the content more challenging.

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PHIL20C . 2 Years Ago

Just want to say y'all are WEIRD calling him hot get a life. A lot harder than expected. Prob will have to actually do the readings & pay attention to get a A/B. No iclicker when I took it. Not an easy A unless u alr know philosophy. Need to do more than follow rubric. Charismatic prof, gave out prizes in lecture. Also gave final Qs in advance.

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PHIL20C . 2 Years Ago

Prof. Holden is the best philosophy professor I have ever had at UCSB! He is a super funny guy, and his lectures are easy to follow even if you do not have any philosophy background. I would definitely recommend taking Phil 20c with him.

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PHIL20C . 2 Years Ago

Very average class. Lectures were "mandatory" but 1/4 of the class showed up by the end because he posted very comprehensive notes and there was no need to go to class. A few papers and a short answer final. Pretty easy to only do the readings for the papers and get by. Holden was entertaining to say the least.

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PHIL176 . 3 Years Ago

His lectures were easy to understand and apply to the required paper and exams. Would you take him again

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PHIL20C . 4 Years Ago

One of the best lecturers and professors I've had the privilege of having at UCSB. Took this class when UCSB first turned to remote instruction and the teaching staff for this course were extremely understanding and flexible. Course consisted of like 2 essays (2-4 pages) and a final short answer exam, bought the book but it isn't necessary to pass.

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PHIL20C . 4 Years Ago

Excellent professor. His lecture is interesting and he explains philosophy with vivid examples; notes provided are helpful as well. Course work is not heavy perhaps because it is online this quarter. I would consider a minor in philosophy because of him.

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PHIL20C . 4 Years Ago

Love Holden. Especially during this whole quarantine, his lectures were interesting and very clear. I was able to understand almost all of the topics he introduced from his lectures. For every lecture, he provides high quality notes 2 essays, 1 final.

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PHIL176 . 4 Years Ago

Holden can be a hard to follower lecture, but he is very knowledgable and very easy to talk to. Pay attention in lectures or go to office hours. He is a tough grader if you do not know what he grades by, talk to him in office hours. midterm, term paper, and final. Def gotta put in work

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PHIL164 . 5 Years Ago

Thomas Holden is a really awesome professor. You can tell by both his in class presence as well as his feedback on papers he takes his time with students. I learned a lot about Berkeley in his class and would say hes great at making difficult material approachable.

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PHIL20C . 6 Years Ago

The primary quality of Holden's substratum can be inferred though the causation of the induction. Because there is no resemblance, we cannot posit that Holden's sensible qualities of looking like Gordon Ramsay is indeed representative of his true nature. Lectures are conjoined, but never connected.

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PHIL20C . 6 Years Ago

Ignore any 2012 reviews on Phil20C, they're def not relevent/accurate anymore. Holden barely clarifies the material we read in lecture. The notes he uploads on GS are helpful but his lectures are not. If you want to get an A and understand the material, GO TO YOUR TA'S OH. They are the ones grading ur essays and final. Make an impression on them

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PHIL20C . 7 Years Ago

Papers are graded irrationally considering his lectures provides 0 substance/help. He does not help deconstruct the ideas/theories. His accent is fancy but I have no idea what he talks about during lectures and his slides don't help.

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PHIL20C . 12 Years Ago

I loved the class. Very hard to get an A though. Two papers, one final. Know everything.

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PHIL20C . 12 Years Ago

He has such a sexy accent... I was absolutely obsessed with this teacher. Your grades are really more subjective in this class depending on your TA however:/

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PHIL20C . 12 Years Ago

Holden is amazing lecturer with a sexy accent. Reading per week is very low and not mandatory because he goes over the concepts so well during lecture. 2 papers and a final with a study guide. His lectures are so interesting I never wanted to skip them. One of the best professors at UCSB hands down.

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PHIL20C . 12 Years Ago

He's an amazing professor. Interesting. High chance of a good grade if you work hard and interact with the material. Highly recommend.

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PHIL176 . 12 Years Ago

great class; treats students like adults and keeps lecture super interesting. make sure you read! only a few pages assigned per week. he's english too... best philosophy class (maybe best class in general?) I've taken at UCSB thus far. take him!!

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PHIL176 . 12 Years Ago

A little intense, but lectures are incredibly clear and well organized. Gives handouts for each class in upper division classes so notes aren't vital.

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PHIL20C . 13 Years Ago

Aweome! He explains all the concepts very well and makes lectures entertaining. Phil 20C is a great class for G.E.'s even if your not interested in the subject.

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PHIL20C . 13 Years Ago

I enjoyed coming to class because the lectures were very entertaining. Professor Holden likes to joke around and interact with students which holds your attention. The readings were kept very short (usually 5-10 pages/week) and the class was very organized. I do wish we gave Kant more attention :(

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