James R. Royse

This class was not that bad. I dreaded taking critical thinking, but I can honestly say I actually use some of the things I learned in this class when writing papers and presenting arguments. Granted Royce is not the most charismatic of all professors, and he does tend to go on and on about some minute point, but his tests are very fair, and it's easy to get a good grade. And if you are motivated, you can learn from this class. I thought his TA/ assistant, whose name I can't remember was actually a really good teacher. Royce is super smart and he knows logic and philosophy inside and out, but the TA is actually a better teacher. He explains things very well and makes way more sense than Royce.

I really feel bad for this guy. You know he's trying but fails so miserably. This class, taught by any teacher, is going to suck, too bad it's required. I will never apply anything I learned. He is condescending and will not take a student's opinion seriously because they are only a student, what do we know. He contradicts himself but willnever admit to it. Try to avoid this class. And those of you who have taken the class, isn't there one word that will drive you crazy: SOCRATES.

Okay, so he's not the greatest guy. He's one of those intellectual types that always has to be right, and although he encourages participation, he'll either shoot that person down or give them a condescending pat on the head for making a good point. BUT. He makes the material very clear, the workload is very reasonable, the exams are very straightforward- no trick questions. The only homework is reading, and if you pay attention in class you don't really have to do that. Just don't miss class. Quizes once a week (not graded) and three exams. I'm a theatre major, I HATE critical thinking, and I got an A, so it's what you make if it.

I took this class as a night class. At the break on the third night I could find no way of preserving my sanity and self respect other than walking out, and on the way placing his "text book" in its proper home. The garbage! It's a shame. This would have certainly been an easy A, but there are certain things that we as students simply must not do just for the sake of a grade. Sitting through Dr. Royse's classes is one of them. I think you all covered him pretty well but arrogant, irrational, petty, and how the hell has this boy made it so far in the academic world are a few of the thoughts that come to mind.

Because I would hate giving anyone an F, I hesitate to give Royce this grade, however, his class was unequivocally one of the worst I have ever taken. Not focused, not consistant and flakey are words that would aptly describe him. If a student were to ask for clarification regarding any matter concerning the course, he would laugh and belittle them, deeming their questions, "not relevant." A waste of time as a requirement, this class is a terrible class. He is boring and defensive, close minded and one of the most irrational of thinkers I have ever encountered. How this guy could write a book entitled Critical Thinking is beyond me...it should have been called Royce Irrational Thinking instead. You do not think on your own in this class critically, you think..."How would he think, what does he want...what are his rules", you become a Royce drone....Avoid this monotone, conditioned state of being at all costs, even Pavlov's dogs thought more critically on their own than you will in this class...Heed this warning...or suffer the dreary consequences!

Royse is an instructor who knows the subject of logic and reasoning inside and out. However, he lacks the ability to maintain the interest of his students over a three hour period. There are positive aspects to his class: First of all, each class meets one night a week for three hours. Good if you want to get it over with in one sitting but bad if you either don't like night classes or have a very short attention span. One nice feature, though, is that he allows you to come to any class meeting, regardless of what night you are actually scheduled. The only exception is the night of the tests. There are three tests only, one every five weeks, and quizzes at the end of every class. The quizzes aren't graded for accuracy, just that you actually did them (basically, an attendance check). Royse is not particularly interesting and often lingers for 40 minutes on an example that is well explained in his self-written textbook. You must be SELF MOTIVATED to survive in this class. If you read the chapters and do the homework(which is never checked), you can manage a B. Missing quizzes will bring you down since they count, cumulatively, as one exam (25% of your grade). His class is a relatively painless way to get this GE requirement out of the way, provided you can stay awake...