Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
James is so awesome. He encourages debate and conversation in his class and you can tell he absolutely loves to teach and he loves philosophy. This class was easily my favorite I had this semester, I would recommend him to anyone.Rate My Professors ↗
Probably my favorite teacher that I have ever had. Hilarious, engaging, and knows what he's talking about. No matter what argument someone has he is ready to provide a counter which makes the discussion during lecture fun every time. I genuinely think this class has made me a better critical thinker. It is easy overall and you'll never be bored.Rate My Professors ↗
Extremely inviting and cool lectures. Brings everyone together and knows everyone's names while having great discussions. Not to mention he is hilarious. Recommend to everyone.Rate My Professors ↗
Find his classes and take them.Rate My Professors ↗
James is one of the best professors I have had in my four years here in Madison. He shows his passion for teaching and philosophy in every lecture and is the funniest professor I have ever had. He is incredible, I think every student interested in philosophy should take a course with him before they graduate.Rate My Professors ↗
As a philosophy major, James is a gem in the department. He is energetic and funny, constantly making the material easier to understand with his humor. Attendance and participation matter, but he is very understanding in personal cases. We were graded on four papers and five discussion posts.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
PHILOS 101 introduces students to various philosophical questions and the strategies philosophers use to address them.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
James Messina is described as engaging and entertaining, using humor and active discussion to make lectures interesting for beginners. Reviewers note his grading is fair and clear, with study guides provided for exams, making the course accessible to those with no prior philosophy background.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026PHILOS 599 is a directed study course allowing students to pursue independent research or study topics arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited samplePHILOS 681 is a mentored study course for senior Philosophy majors to complete honors theses.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
PHILOS 682 is a mentored study course for seniors completing honors theses in the Philosophy major.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=2 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited samplePHILOS 691 is a mentored study course for seniors completing their theses, arranged individually with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
PHILOS 699 is a directed study course allowing independent research arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
PHILOS 799 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
PHILOS 990 is a graduate research and thesis course involving individual mentored study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
PHILOS 999 is an individual mentored study course for graduate students arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 101 | Introduction to Philosophy |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 599 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 699 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 799 | Directed Study |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 990 | Research and Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | PHILOS 999 | Independent Work |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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