If you are interested in philosophy and ethics, take his class. He explains Hume, Kant, and Aristotle in very interesting and clear ways. If you go to lecture you don't necessarily need to do the readings but the readings are still interesting regardless.
Lectures were pretty boring. He is very responsive to questions and comments during lecture which is nice. There was a midterm, a paper, and a final. They are all graded relatively so as long as you do better than your peers you'll be fine. I bought the required books but didn't open them once, but I never missed a lecture and still got an A.
Look. I was excited to take this class as i love ethics. But professor Hanser is one of the most BORING lectures i have ever been too. If i had no prior knowledge of this subject i would've probably dropped this class. Its hella easy if you took phil 4 like me. Otherwise be prepared to sit there for nap time bc he can't keep me awake.
Dr. Hanser is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and he has made me a much better student of philosophy. He knows a LOT about the subjects on which he teaches. Biggest problem is people asking stupid questions and taking time away from his explanation of the course readings. Go to office hours with rough draft if you want to do well.
Really knows his stuff. Very willing to attempt to answer questions, which is a pro and a con when this class is where I witnessed some of the stupidest questions ever uttered. Chalkboard and talking, but don't worry if you get lost occasionally because the entire grading is on 2 papers, the content of which you are basically free to choose.
Hanser knows his stuff really well which is a double edged sword. Two papers worth 50% and he didnt return the first paper until week 8. Lectures were chalkboard and him talking in circles. If you dont go to office hours youre probably not going to do well. Tied for least favorite professor
My first upper division Philosophy class. (Phil minor) A really good lecturer. No powerpoint, just an overhead, piece of paper, and him speaking. Pay attention, take good notes and you should be fine. One 8 page paper, midterm, and final. Helpful in office hours.
Hanser: great prof, great lecturer, helpful in office hours without spoonfeeding. Problem with the course was the TA. Kyle D. contradicted lecture (& text), gave recycled answers to questions, and often made the material unintelligible.
2 papers no midterm no final. Took him a MONTH to get back the first paper (week 9) and he said he took it easy on us. Got a B-, worked my butt off, and made the corrections he said to in office hours. B freaking minus. Don't take. He's unclear, unhelpful, and his lectures are spectacularly boring. Furthermore, rude when approached, unprofessional.
The Professor is OK, I got a worst TA Daniel Story which is the hardest grader ever, I hate him. He's terrible and doesn't want to help student, never give exact answer out for the questions. He's the worst TA I have ever had!
Knows his stuff. Would not recommend his class for anyone not majoring in Philosophy, as it takes someone truly interested to pass.
I had him for 100A as well, he is an awesome professor. Readings were a bit long. Attendance wasn't mandatory, but extremely helpful. He goes into detail and you will be able to take all your notes or cover anything you missed. Two papers only. Topics of your choice. Oh an no textbook! PDFs all online. One of the few classes I have actually enjoyed
This guy is razor sharp, totally congruent and clear in his arguments, always finds a new take on things and twists your mind in awesome ways. TAKE HIS CLASSES!
This guy is so boring. It's hard to be engaged while he lectures since he doesn't make use of the board much. It didn't help that I hate ethics, too. Other than that, it's a relatively easy class, depending on your TA. Attendance isn't strictly mandatory since they test on the main concepts, which are easily understandable online/section.
Hanser is great! Very clear and easy to understand. He is enthusiastic about what he teaches and can be funny also. DON'T buy the book, you won't need it. But DO go to every lecture and take good notes. Short answer midterm and final, one 8 page paper. Definitely not an easy class, but if you attend lecture and pay attention you should do fine.
Very clear, knows the material well and knows how to present it in an understandable way. Seems to enjoy teaching aswell.
A very good, entertaining and smart professor. He's very clear, and very accomodating. You have to go to class or you're screwed. Book use is only for essays everything comes from his lectures. Only bad is the TA Alex Bundy, worst TA i've ever had & hard grader. Just avoid him at all costs. If you go to class you'll get a B atleast. Finals long
Nice enough guy, just a little redundant. He covered stuff in days and weeks that should have been covered in one lecture. Paper and midterm were straightforward, but we were expected to know WAY too much for the final, things I didn't feel were fully explained. I also had Alex Bundy as a TA, he was a very harsh grader and unhelpful.
He's gives good interesting lively lectures but his exams are base mostly on his lectures and not the book. His exams are based on things not found on in the books or during lectures so its like wtf? lol hes cool but the t.a.s are kinda wack. Esp the Bundy guy lol. The guy was a unlikeable arrogant loner-type hahah bad discussions & way hard grader
Very understandable and well prepared.
two papers, 50% each; and he's a very hard grader on them.
This is the most easily understandable philosophy teacher I have encountered at UCSB. He is also one of the least dry of them. Great teacher, great class.
Great teacher. Explains things really well and keeps your attention. Hes happy to answer questions and help. If you always shows up to class and pay attention reading isnt really necessary. A short essay midterm and final, you get the questions in advance. One term paper, but its really easy
Don't read the book; it's not helpful. Don't go to discussions; the TAs are not bright and clear. But, be sure to catch every second of the lectures; if you take excellent and detailed notes, you'll ace the class.