Good professor that is very receptive to the feelings of the class. Should there be an issue with any thing from how debate is structured to a due date it could be voted on (within reason) to be changed. He knows what he is talking about and how to foster debate and steer things into the right direction. Respectful and fun teacher.Rate My Professors ↗
Historical instructor
JOEL BALLIVIAN
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Quality 5/5Difficulty 1/5
Quality 5/5Difficulty 1/5
One of the best, if not the best professors at UW-Madison. He has so much passion for a topic that I didn't think was going to be to engaging going into it, but he makes the class something to look forward to. Very easy workload and if you need to take a philosophy course, he is your guy. Can't recommend him enoughRate My Professors ↗
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
Honestly the best professor I've ever had. Super caring about his students. Shows genuine interest and love for the topics. Discussion based class. Makes a very fun and open environment. We have 4 in class written exams, super easy format, pick 1 open ended question to answer. 4 debates in discussion. Show honest effort and you'll do well.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
Take a class with this man. He is very insightful and cares a lot about his students and the topics discussed in the course. One of the best and realist UW professors I have had. Attendance is mandatory with some flexibility, but the lectures are enjoyable. No exams, no papers, three group-based debates, small readings, reflections, & participationRate My Professors ↗
Quality 5/5Difficulty 5/5
The goat.Rate My Professors ↗
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
So appreciative of an enthusiastic, passionate professor. Especially at 8 am lectures, energy never lacking. Bright future ahead, but he is killing it now as a PHD. It is obvious he puts in work, cares about each and every student. I think every student left this class better for having taken it. Easy to tell he is passionate about what he does.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with JOEL BALLIVIAN
No teaching recorded in Fall 2026.
View last recorded teaching term →No courses match this selection. Try the full catalog or another term.
Recorded teaching history
Distinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
| Fall 2025 | PHILOS 241 | Introductory Ethics |
| Spring 2024 | PHILOS 243 | Ethics in Business |
| Fall 2023 | PHILOS 243 | Ethics in Business |
| Spring 2023 | PHILOS 241 | Introductory Ethics |
| Fall 2022 | PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
| Spring 2022 | PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
| Fall 2021 | PHILOS 241 | Introductory Ethics |
| Fall 2020 | PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
| Spring 2020 | PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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