PHIL 3310

The other reviews here are accurate. Merricks is a fantastic professor and a true expert, and his course was one of the best I've taken at UVA. I felt challenged in a good way, and I became really interested in the material. 5/5

This class was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster (in the best way possible). Metaphysics is a daunting subject, and a lot of the theories you will go over with Merricks assume prior experience in logic, epistemology, and history. That being said, Merricks is the coolest professor in the philosophy department and it doesn't even come close. He's very accomplished, hilarious, and genuinely cares about his students. Merricks is very fair with his grading and emphasizes that he is not trying to make things difficult. There are two tests that are non-cumulative and are based 100% on the lectures. If you skip lectures, you will not pass this class - every single lecture is **critical** to the tests. He also posts very extensive study guides so that you know exactly what will be on the tests.

Beyond the two tests, there is also a big term paper that you will work on throughout the semester. It ends up being very manageable because you are assigned a partner and have to turn in parts of your paper throughout the semester. By the end of the semester, your paper will have been turned a few times and you don't have to worry about getting a bad grade unless you just completely ignored every single step.

I found the material really interesting, and Merricks' examples are funny and very interactive. He's a passionate guy and it comes out. My advice: don't take the course lightly, do your readings, go to lecture, take really good notes, make sure to note what Merricks says verbatim about solutions to problems - and give it your best. If you do that, you will come out fine; if you slack, it will hurt. I kinda slacked and came out with a B+, but do as I say not as I do.

Merricks is easily my favorite professor. If you're a philosophy major, I highly recommend taking this course. It's very challenging , but definitely worth it. I also took Philosophy of Religion and actually ended up doing a lot better in Metaphysics so I wouldn't worry too much about grades if you know how Merricks runs his course. Other than that its still a fun class that is very much so worth it.

This class is just like Merrick's philosophy of Religion class. It's a hard topic but he makes it very understandable and fun. There's a large final paper, but he spreads it out through the semester to make sure you do really well and have all the help you need. Tests are easy and he fives you a study guide with all the material that will be on the test. Highly highly recommend any class that Merricks teaches.

If you took Phil Religion, this is the same style. You work through readings, take two non-cumulative tests and write a term paper. He grades on a curve.

Merricks is the best philosophy teacher in the department and his classes are always entertaining and fun. You learn a ton and its really fun.

However, this class is HARD. Readings are NOT easy and the difficulty level is tough. Take multiple Philosophy Classes before you take this one.

This is an awesome course if you like philosophy! Merricks is the best teacher I've had at UVA. Theres almost no homework, but there is a paper. (about 10 pages). He walks you through the whole thing though so It's not bad

Incredible class, incredible professor. This is why I'm a philosophy major.

Fun but difficult class... well, maybe not that difficult. Make sure you go to class and take notes, then you should be fine in the two tests. For the paper, you'll do two drafts before turning in the final one, and Merrick's comments on the paper were really helpful. Just follow whatever he said.

Great class. Difficulty can easily depend on background in philosophy. This was the last class I needed for my major and I found it to be pretty easy.

Great sense of humor. Trenton grades on a strict curve. Be sure to take notes in class. Overall, a good experience.

If you have had philosophy of religion with Trenton, you know what to expect. This class is structured the same way, except one test is replaced by a paper. You do three drafts of the paper, which certainly makes you write a better paper than you normally would have, but since Trenton grades on a strict curve with only the best students getting A's, and since every student does three drafts, your grade will probably be about the same as it is in other phil classes....sad.

Great for Phil majors; this is not the class to take if you have not yet taken any philosophy or have and struggle with it. Merricks is very hard and grades on a curve with the best few students getting As, but he is one of the best profs at UVA -- heck he won an award for it!

This class was definitely a challenge, but Trenton Merricks is such an enthusiastic guy that it's definitely worth the time and effort.

Merricks is very enthusiastic and a prominent metaphysician... If you're a philosophy major, try to take metaphysics with Merricks, though I hear Cargile's class is good as well. They will focus on different topics. The class is tough and the 2 exams and final paper are graded comparatively (against other students). Exams are straight forward. You do 2 drafts before turning in the final paper.