middCourses
with Heidi Grasswick2 months ago

I would say this class is definitely a solid option for people looking to get their DED credit or just have a class that requires minimal writing. Professor Grasswick is a fair grader - she won't go easy on you but she will also explain your mistakes well and all the feedback makes sense. She is also super nice and enthusiastic so the class never feels stressful to attend if that makes sense. Overall, the material is a little difficult to understand and it doesn't really apply to real life much, but if you practice often it is definitely manageable and there are lots of little assignments to keep your grade up.

I would say this class is definitely a solid option for people looking to get their DED credit or just have a class that requires minimal writing. Professor Grasswick is a fair grader - she won't go easy on you but she will also explain your mistakes well and all the feedback makes sense. She is also super nice and enthusiastic so th …Read more

Fast-PacedLots of HomeworkFair Grading
3hrs / week Average difficulty Average value Would not take again
with Tim Juvshik5 months ago

Although I don't see myself ever needing logic in the real world, the class was pretty interesting and fun. You have a homework problem set once a week on a few chapters of the textbook. You don't have homework due if you have a quiz during the week, however. There are five quizzes over the semester with no midterm and an exam at the end. Professor Juvshik is so nice and really wants to make sure you understand the material. If you are struggling with the homework go to his office hours and he will take time and explain the problems to you and even give you the answers in some cases. He wants his students to succeed and tries to make the material on the quizzes pretty attainable and ensures we have a lot of practice before hand. There is a learning curve with logic so make sure you do not get behind and go to him as soon as you can for help if you feel yourself starting to get lost. Overall, the course is pretty interesting and a good way to get the DED requirement for someone who does not like traditional math.

Although I don't see myself ever needing logic in the real world, the class was pretty interesting and fun. You have a homework problem set once a week on a few chapters of the textbook. You don't have homework due if you have a quiz during the week, however. There are five quizzes over the semester with no midterm and an exam at the …Read more

Fair GradingDifficult ExamsLots of Homework
4hrs / week Very difficulty Low value Would take again
with Tim Juvshik5 months ago

Professor Tim Juvshik is a very chill person and he is always good at letting students into the learning environment. There are quizzes or homework every week to test your learning progress. It will be good for students who want to learn more about logics or philosophy.

Chill and RelaxedLots of HomeworkFair Grading
4hrs / week Average difficulty Very high value Would take again
with Tim Juvshik6 months ago

Juvshik is a chill and fun teacher. He jokes around with the class a lot and it's a splendid vibe overall. We have readings and one homework set every week but not too much work at all. Can't see this stuff being useful in my life but it's good for the requirement.

Chill and RelaxedFair GradingEasy Exams
2hrs / week Low difficulty Low value Would take again
with Heidi Grasswick12 months ago

Professor Grasswick is very kind, and her class is passable. However, it won't be easy. Also, to be clear this is a math class not a philosophy class. It feels like the whole time everyone is just guessing, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Exams were very hard, and homework was as well. The very short discussion was often not enough for everyone to grasp the topics. I also am still confused on how that class will benefit me in any other areas.

Professor Grasswick is very kind, and her class is passable. However, it won't be easy. Also, to be clear this is a math class not a philosophy class. It feels like the whole time everyone is just guessing, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Exams were very hard, and homework was as well. The very short discussion was ofte …Read more

Fast-PacedTough GradingDifficult Exams
3hrs / week Extremely difficulty Extremely low value Would not take again
with Heidi Grasswick12 months ago

I think this class is misunderstood. Personally it was not nearly as hard as people are making it seem. Prof Grasswick is super nice and not the easiest grader but she's a very fair grader. The thing is that all the material builds on itself, so plan on coming to every class. If you do put in a little time every week and stay on top of the work, this is a simple and fun class! It's easier than math or CS classes if you're just looking for the DED requirement.

I think this class is misunderstood. Personally it was not nearly as hard as people are making it seem. Prof Grasswick is super nice and not the easiest grader but she's a very fair grader. The thing is that all the material builds on itself, so plan on coming to every class. If you do put in a little time every week and stay on top …Read more

Fair Grading
2hrs / week Low difficulty Average value Would take again
with Heidi Grasswick12 months ago

I originally took this course to get my deductive distribution requirement. Although the course moved quickly, I feel that if you stay on top of problem sets and utilize TA hours it is doable. Prof definitely got excited about logic, but her lecturing style wasn't effective sometimes.

Fast-PacedFair GradingDifficult Exams
5hrs / week Very difficulty Average value Would not take again
with Heidi Grasswick4 months ago

Professor Grasswick is a great instructor and I really enjoyed the course content. I use the skills we learned in this class in a lot of my writing, and it is helpful prep for the LSAT for students interested in applying to law school.

Chill and RelaxedFair GradingEasy Exams
3hrs / week Average difficulty Extremely high value Would take again
with Tim Juvshik5 months ago

Interesting class, more of an arithmetic class than a true philosophy class but that is nice because there's not too much reading. Some memorization but quizzes are easy enough, and so is homework. Prof is also very likable

Fast-PacedFair GradingDifficult Exams
2hrs / week Low difficulty Above average value Would take again
with Heidi Grasswicklast year

Grasswick is a really nice lady. The course moves fast. I remember missing a few days because of extenuating circumstances and waking up a few days later in cold sweats. I have a very developed background in philosophy already, so perhaps I already had the mental benefits of logic that most people cite, but I found it all very inapplicable. You will learn how to write and read formal logic problems (VERY SIMILAR TO MATH) for formal logic tests. Beyond that, I don't know. If you like math, maybe this will be Soduku for your brain. Just prepare yourself for the very tough grading (probably the hardest of any course I have taken) and some moments where the difficulty spikes. To reiterate though, Grasswick is a kind soul who will try her best.

Grasswick is a really nice lady. The course moves fast. I remember missing a few days because of extenuating circumstances and waking up a few days later in cold sweats. I have a very developed background in philosophy already, so perhaps I already had the mental benefits of logic that most people cite, but I found it all very inappl …Read more

Fast-PacedTough GradingDifficult Exams
7hrs / week Very difficulty Low value Would not take again
with Tim Juvshik5 months ago

This course is easy but not really the typical philosophy class where you read a lot about philosophers and their ideas and stuff. It's just about logic and you do a lot of things that is more like math.

Chill and RelaxedFair GradingEasy Exams
2hrs / week Low difficulty Low value Would take again
with Heidi Grasswick12 months ago

A modern logic class is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of reasoning and critical thinking. The course typically covers symbolic logic, which involves the study of formal languages and the use of logical symbols to represent arguments and propositions. Students will learn how to identify the structure of arguments, evaluate their validity and soundness, and use deductive reasoning to draw conclusions. In a modern logic class, students will also study informal logic, which focuses on the evaluation of arguments in everyday discourse. They will learn how to recognize common fallacies, identify sources of bias and evaluate evidence. The course may also cover other topics such as modal logic, non-classical logics, and the philosophy of language. The effectiveness of a modern logic class depends on the quality of the instruction and course materials, as well as the level of student engagement. A good modern logic class should challenge students to think critically, analyze complex arguments, and develop rigorous reasoning skills. Students should be prepared to engage in a significant amount of reading and writing, as well as participate in discussions and group activities. Overall, a modern logic class can be an intellectually stimulating and valuable experience for students interested in philosophy, mathematics, computer science, law, or other fields that require strong analytical and reasoning skills. By learning the fundamentals of logic, students can develop the tools they need to navigate complex arguments and make sound judgments in a wide range of contexts.

A modern logic class is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of reasoning and critical thinking. The course typically covers symbolic logic, which involves the study of formal languages and the use of logical symbols to represent arguments and propositions. Students will learn how to identify the structure of …Read more

Chill and RelaxedFair GradingDifficult Exams
10hrs / week Very difficulty High value Would not take again
with Kareem Khalifalast year

This class was a waste of time. Homework was graded on effort and exams were take-home and straight-forward, so we were essentially never tested on material. Khalifa also cancelled about three weeks worth of class throughout the semester, which is frustrating at a school like Middlebury.

Easy GradingEasy Exams
1hrs / week Average difficulty Very low value Would not take again
with Heidi Grasswicklast year

Heidi Grasswick obviously knows what she's talking about, but the problem is that no one else does. I took this class for the DED requirement, and found it to be near impossible. The class moves at an incredibly unfeasible pace, and we are expected to sort out all our questions in the 45 minute discussion period in small groups with other classmates, who frankly, have no idea what is going on.

Heidi Grasswick obviously knows what she's talking about, but the problem is that no one else does. I took this class for the DED requirement, and found it to be near impossible. The class moves at an incredibly unfeasible pace, and we are expected to sort out all our questions in the 45 minute discussion period in small groups with …Read more

Fast-PacedLots of Homework
7hrs / week Hardcore difficulty Very low value Would not take again