Professor
David Kaplan
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Most Helpful Review
Prof. Kaplan is quiet possibly, the most eloquent bad lecturer in the world. His mind wonders as much as he worries about the students' understanding. He is so terribly worried about everyone fully getting the material that he begins to sound like he's insulting your intelligence. I had no trouble with the class, cruising through easily to an A- (which is only cuz of the bell-curve, otherwise I would have 3 points shy of an absolute perfect) The computer program helps so much with logic. Be forewarned however, if you're techno-phobic (scared of computers) don't take this, as all the work and all the tests are done on PCs.... hehe I LUV IT.
Prof. Kaplan is quiet possibly, the most eloquent bad lecturer in the world. His mind wonders as much as he worries about the students' understanding. He is so terribly worried about everyone fully getting the material that he begins to sound like he's insulting your intelligence. I had no trouble with the class, cruising through easily to an A- (which is only cuz of the bell-curve, otherwise I would have 3 points shy of an absolute perfect) The computer program helps so much with logic. Be forewarned however, if you're techno-phobic (scared of computers) don't take this, as all the work and all the tests are done on PCs.... hehe I LUV IT.
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Most Helpful Review
I took Philosophy of Language in the Fall of 2002. My expectations for the class were incredibly high. Unfortunately, they were let down. No syllabus for the class and the midterm and final were due within about a week of each other. Although I admire thoroughness, we only discussed two pages of Frege's "On Sense and Nominatum" the entire semester with some supplementary material. He sprinkled his lectures with tons of amusing stories but the small amount of material covered could be maddening at moments and at the end of the class I felt as though I couldn't even describe what I got out of it. Kaplan was absent about four times. Also, there were far too many "Kaplanites" (students who worship him for his reputation in the field) in the class.
I took Philosophy of Language in the Fall of 2002. My expectations for the class were incredibly high. Unfortunately, they were let down. No syllabus for the class and the midterm and final were due within about a week of each other. Although I admire thoroughness, we only discussed two pages of Frege's "On Sense and Nominatum" the entire semester with some supplementary material. He sprinkled his lectures with tons of amusing stories but the small amount of material covered could be maddening at moments and at the end of the class I felt as though I couldn't even describe what I got out of it. Kaplan was absent about four times. Also, there were far too many "Kaplanites" (students who worship him for his reputation in the field) in the class.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - This instructor is the worst! There is absolutely not structure to his class. There is no syllabus. The midterm was given a couple weeks before the END OF THE QUARTER. He goes off on tangents and is a boring lecturer. Do yourself a favor and avoid him! It's been past two weeks since we ended Spring Quarter and our final hasn't been graded, nevermind our final grade! Why should we pay for the incompetence of a beloved and generous (donor) instructor?!
Spring 2019 - This instructor is the worst! There is absolutely not structure to his class. There is no syllabus. The midterm was given a couple weeks before the END OF THE QUARTER. He goes off on tangents and is a boring lecturer. Do yourself a favor and avoid him! It's been past two weeks since we ended Spring Quarter and our final hasn't been graded, nevermind our final grade! Why should we pay for the incompetence of a beloved and generous (donor) instructor?!
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Most Helpful Review
I've taken Kaplan for 127B&C. Kaplan's midterms and finals cover a large amount of material, and there are usually a few questions that demand a some original thought (non-regurgitation) on behalf of the student. As a student, if you can take proper notes on the concepts explicated in class, then you are bound to do well on the exams. With that said, his philosophy of language classes will be hard to follow without a mathematic/logic/formal philosophy background. His courses are filled with technical terminology, so don't try to reinterpret what he or other philosophers say. What is said by Kaplan, Russell, and Frege is technical and original, so use the language that they use. Having the opportunity to work as an undergraduate with the David Kaplan is a very special opportunity to learn a lot of philosophy. He likes to treat his students to coffee, it is to the student's advantage to take that trip to get some coffee.
I've taken Kaplan for 127B&C. Kaplan's midterms and finals cover a large amount of material, and there are usually a few questions that demand a some original thought (non-regurgitation) on behalf of the student. As a student, if you can take proper notes on the concepts explicated in class, then you are bound to do well on the exams. With that said, his philosophy of language classes will be hard to follow without a mathematic/logic/formal philosophy background. His courses are filled with technical terminology, so don't try to reinterpret what he or other philosophers say. What is said by Kaplan, Russell, and Frege is technical and original, so use the language that they use. Having the opportunity to work as an undergraduate with the David Kaplan is a very special opportunity to learn a lot of philosophy. He likes to treat his students to coffee, it is to the student's advantage to take that trip to get some coffee.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2018 - Professor Kaplan is an impressive and unique person to take a course with. A lot of philosophy classes cover hundreds of years and dozens of thinkers. Kaplan, on the other hand, gives you an appreciation for the insights possible in analyzing a paragraph. The entire class is on one paper important to the Philosophy of Language. The midterm and final are each an 8-10 page paper answering a list of questions. They ask for a little original thought and understanding, so pay attention! If you're here, take Kaplan! (If you can only manage one, take 127C.)
Winter 2018 - Professor Kaplan is an impressive and unique person to take a course with. A lot of philosophy classes cover hundreds of years and dozens of thinkers. Kaplan, on the other hand, gives you an appreciation for the insights possible in analyzing a paragraph. The entire class is on one paper important to the Philosophy of Language. The midterm and final are each an 8-10 page paper answering a list of questions. They ask for a little original thought and understanding, so pay attention! If you're here, take Kaplan! (If you can only manage one, take 127C.)
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