Allen Stairs

This professor has taught: HLTH672, PHIL170, PHIL170H, PHIL201, PHIL209I, PHIL209T, PHIL236, PHIL282, PHIL354, PHIL409X, PHIL418K, PHIL808M, PHIL858F

Sort By:

Information	Review
Allen Stairs PHIL282 Anonymous 12/08/2023	This class was taught completely online, with only one class a week, which most people stopped coming to anyways. In class, Professor Stairs gave a very convoluted and overly lengthy explanations of the concepts of the class that were not very helpful. Professor Stairs would rarely let me or other students finish speaking when either asking a question or responding to one of his. If I wanted to say something that required multiple sentences, as many things do in a philosophy class, I would typically get cut off in the middle of my second sentence with an interjection by Professor Stairs that was not even relevant to what I was talking about. There was one paper in the class that was supposedly intended to be a paper that challenges current perspectives on the issue of the free will problem, so make sure you spend some time on this. All in all, Professor Stairs is an incredibly knowledgeable person, but a frustrating professor that made the class unnecessary painful when it came to understanding concepts.
Allen Stairs PHIL201 Expecting a C Anonymous 12/01/2022	Hands down the worst class I have ever taken, coupled with the whiniest "teacher" I've ever met. Lectures have no direction, he fails to answer any question accurately, and will constantly backtrack leaving you wondering what the real answer is. He asks for a specific format for his assignments, but even when you do as you are told, he will throw a fit and claim that you did not follow instructions. He also asks for a "modified APA" style for references and give you his awful mess of a paper to use as an example, yet even his own citations aren't consistent with each other. At least he's an easy grader so even if you fail everything you still pass. Would not recommend unless you really enjoy quantum theory AND torturing yourself, but I'm not gonna shame you. You do you.
Allen Stairs PHIL201 Expecting a C Anonymous 09/21/2022	Truly horrible experience, I see no reason to put yourself through this
Allen Stairs PHIL201 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 02/02/2021	Awsome teacher, but requires a lot of effort from the student in understanding the material. You probably won't like this course unless you have a strong interest or background in quantum mechanics or at least modern physics. There is a small disadvantage to students who aren't familiar with special relativity at all. As a physics major, this was my favorite class. The focus is more on quantum mechanics than "philosophical issues." The first 2/3 of the class is learning quantum mechanics at a kind of conceptual level with some math, and the last 1/3 is using philosophical argument structure to analyze a quantum mechanics issue in a final paper.
Allen Stairs PHIL201 Expecting a C- Anonymous 12/12/2020	This class grades on mainly participation. But, you will be lost for the assignments in class. He tries to explain stuff and demands clarity from you as a writer, but things are never so clear in class lectures. If you feel you are smart or "hard working" but don't have natural smarts it doesn't matter. You're basically learning about quantum entanglement, quantum swapping, and other material that doesn't have good educational resources available. In short, there are no TAs or YouTube videos to help you very much at all. Do NOT take this course take something else for your credit. This is harder to grasp than even entry level computer science. This is not similar to physics and if you even have a background you will be confused because things in this class are not tangible.
Allen Stairs PHIL209I Expecting a C+ Anonymous 12/19/2018	Planning on taking PHIL209i or PHIL201 (Same class just different name)? ABORT MISSION! Do not take this class unless you actually are super interested in quantum theory or anything having to do with philosophical physics. Professor Stairs is a nice guy but he thinks you understand things when you obviously do not at all.
Allen Stairs PHIL209I Anonymous 08/17/2018	Philosophy professor but not open to arguments which conflict with the opinions presented in class.
Allen Stairs PHIL209I Anonymous 12/17/2015	I would not recommend this professor unless you already know some philosophy and know how to write a philosophical paper, enjoy reading boring books, and don't mind a professor ranting about his personal beliefs all semester. Additionally, don't take this professor unless you don't mind regurgitating said beliefs on tests and papers. Also you have to be proficient in math for his classes, like other reviewers have noted.
Allen Stairs PHIL354 Expecting an A terpgrad14 05/23/2014	Stairs is a great professor and does a great job at combining philosophy and physics into one course. However I took this course as a physics minor and I was one of the only people who followed the math and physics. I don't recommend taking this class if you math skills aren't the best. However this class was very stimulating and Stairs does a great job at unbiasedly presenting interesting philosophical arguments.
Allen Stairs PHIL236 Expecting a B- Anonymous 05/17/2012	I would not recommend taking this class unless you love to read and can learn off of a professor ranting for 50 minutes. I am not an auditory learner, and this class has 0 visuals. Even if you go to class, you will never get all of the material. You must read the book which isn't too hard of a reading. The tests are hard because his review sheets literally tell you to reread every chapter. On another note, this class is interesting and the professor is a great guy. He has a sense of humor that you may or may not understand. His online lectures are great (yes there are online lectures)
Allen Stairs PHIL354 Anonymous 06/06/2008	This class definitely had its ups and downs. But that's because of the topic...I don't think the average prof. could teach quantum mechanics and relativity in-depth to students who are not majoring in math or science. Stay away from this course ARHU kids!!! However, Stairs is a great teacher. He was more helpful outside of class, so office hours are a must. As the very least, as long as you put forth the effort, Stairs will not fail you or give you a C. it is possible to get an A. We had a 8 page paper, and two exams. Class attendance was apparently optional.... some days there were only 9 out of 20-some people. I would never recommend PHIL354, however, I do HIGHLY recommend Stairs.