I need to decide which course to take as my elective. LABR ST 1A03 is in the evening with Dr. Goutor and PHILOS 1B03 is during the day with Dr. Rodde.

In terms of interest and level of difficultly, which course should I take?

Thanks!

Philosophy 1BO3 was brutal. Most people I talked to did terrible in the course. Marks ranged from failed to a B- at the highest.

marks in both classes are determined by essays iirc. so that comes down to how your ta marks, how much help you get from your ta, what your ta expects from you, etc. they both dont seem bad and pretty light from the outline if you go to your ta to see what they want.

Originally Posted by Lawstudent

Philosophy 1BO3 was brutal. Most people I talked to did terrible in the course. Marks ranged from failed to a B- at the highest.

Really? I thought it was super easy when I took it. I got an A even though I skipped lots of the lectures. I had a really chill TA too

Originally Posted by Goran

Really? I thought it was super easy when I took it. I got an A even though I skipped lots of the lectures. I had a really chill TA too

I agree. Most people I know who took it did well in the course. It shouldn't be too difficult if you're okay with writing essays and/or you're into philosophy.

phil 1b03 was an easy course, ended up with a 10. didn't like my TA though. the profs were awesome.

I really liked labour studies 1A03. I also had Dr. Goutor and he's a really cool guy. Super laid back. But remember: that course is the history of Canadian Labour Studies, so it's really a history course. I enjoyed this course very much and finished with a 10. I agree with Silver though; this course very much depends on your TA because they marks both your essays and your exam.

Thanks for the replies.

I heard that instead of giving out notes, Dr. Goutor gives out lesson outlines. For those who took his class, were you able to take good notes?

Originally Posted by Brendan

Thanks for the replies.

I heard that instead of giving out notes, Dr. Goutor gives out lesson outlines. For those who took his class, were you able to take good notes?

Hmm, that's a good point. I forgot about that. To be honest, not every prof. gives out notes on a power point. Lots of them just post a lecture outline on a overhead and that's all. I tend to do the same thing with all profs: write down whatever I think is important or what they specifically say is important. Lots of my profs have said that what they say is more important than what is on the PP since usually, they post PP's on Avenue later anyway (but not all, so check at the beginning of the semester to see if they do). I liked Goutor's method of just posting the lecture outline because whatever is on it is important. It tells you exactly what to study. Lots of profs are cryptic; they tell you what you need to remember and then it's never on the exam. It's frustrating as hell. So, ensure that as you make your notes, pay attention to whatever he's mentioned in the outline.

Goutor is a very straight-forward, laidback guy. He'll tell you like it is with no surprises.

Dr. Goutor (1A03) is fantastic in my opinion, but 1A03 is a history course so i'd stay away if that bores you. Goutor's really approachable and his lectures seem like he's just having a conversation with you. I took 1B03 for a day and had to drop it, Rodde was boring and I don't like the constant questioning that happens in philosophy classes.

Ultimately, take what interests you. Picking courses I thought that Philosophy of Law and Society would interest me because I want to go to law school. History of the Canadian Labour Movement sounded incredibly boring to me. Yet, after one lecture my opinion was entirely reversed. Plus going into business you may find labour studies more pragmatic, as many Labour ST courses are cross-referenced with commerce

Was there a lot of reading in Labour Studies? How did you find the workload?

A weekly article from the course pack and then the textbook which really just supplemented the lecture. Pretty standard amount to what you'd reading in any 1st year soc sci course. Keep in mind, if you're interested in what you're reading its not bad at all.