David Penchansky - University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

Professor: David Penchansky

Department: Theology

College: University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I would not recommend taking this class if you don't like writing and public speaking. There is a quiz at the beginning of every class but there are no tests. Professor Penchansky is very knowledgable and I learned a lot.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Penchansky is the man for THEO101. Every Tuesday and Thursday we would have to write 500 words related to reading journals. One of the easiest classes I have taken in my life. Highly recommend it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

No tests or quizzes. He does a "writing intensive" course so that all you do is write two journals a week and one big paper during the semester. It would be difficult not to get at least a B in this class. He does take attendance but you're allowed to miss the standard St Thomas 3 absences. Have taken him for 2 theo classes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He changed the curriculum to be more reading-and-responding heavy, but accordingly removed all testing and quizzing, which is definitely a plus. He's easily one of the most knowledgeable guys I've ever met (seriously, he knows everything), and a genuinely nice guy. He can be a tough grader on papers, but wants you to learn. Expects participation.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 10100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is an extremely interesting professor with a unique background. He gives a lot of information for contact in case you need help. The class is engaging and you learn a lot, the tests and homework are straight-forward, and you can even challenge him on questions if they are confusing. Overall, an awesome professor and would take him again

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great Professor ! One of the best I've ever had ! Quite demanding but very helpful. The classes are very interesting! Take him!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

TERRIBLE! He is an impossible grader. He doesn't know how to spell certain words or write papers, and then deducts points when you write a paper the way you're supposed to. I have had to e-mail him many times to get a response. He is terrible with feedback. He is also very rude to you. Do not take him unless you've been in bible study for years.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Penchansky is one of the most knowledgeable professors I have met. He is a straight up dude. Crazy awesome accent, because he is from Queens. He starts every class with poetry relevant to class material. Tough grader. His tests ask for pretty obscure details, but they are multiple choice.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor. You will learn a lot!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very good professor! There is a lot of busy work, but you can learn a lot as well.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

PAY ATTENTION TO LECTURES. On tests, you have to be able to answer what the bible says, what Penchansky says, and what the textbook says. He is very ambiguous but he will try to help. Tries to throw in a few laughs here and there but overall, it's a very boring class that you have to sit through to get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Genuinely loves his subject, and there are endless rewrites for essays. He accepts extra credit and will answer any questions. I enjoyed this class a lot and if one pays attention it's not too difficult. I suggest you take this course with him about the Old Testament!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Penchansky is hilarious and passionate about teaching. I am NOT a theology major, but LOVED the class. He lets us revise our papers as many times as we like, and his study guides are straight forward. He is also super helpful. Take Old Testament with him and you wont regret it! :) Its not harder then any other class.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr Penchansky is always willing to help via email, phone call, etc. However, he expects a LOT, especially for an intro class. Probably the most work of all of my classes. He covers a LOT of material in class and it's often difficult to decipher what is relevant (will be tested on) versus not. Not judgmental of other opinions though so that's nice.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Only take this class if you are IN LOVE with Theology. He expects way more than should be expected in an intro core class. He has really long power points that only have pictures on them so you never know what to take notes on. AND outside of class he expects you to watch 40 minute videos of himself. (Watch those, that's where he actually teaches)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: THEO428
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Although very fair with workload, it's traded for hard grading. He is very particular and picky but it is only because he has your best interest in the class. I agree if you are trying to take this class for your last theo requirement that it would not be ideal. This is for students with a THEO MAJOR. I liked him, but the subject matter is tough.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Penchansky holds his students to a very high standard. Weekly Blackboard posts that correspond to the assigned readings. Weekly quizzes. 3 test, a final and 3 papers. He is extremely knowledgable and mainly lectures every class. Wouldn't recommend taking if you're not a Theo major or looking for an easy A.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: THEO428
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher! Super into the subject matter. Normal work load, good grader, etc. You can tell he likes the class and he is super knowledgeable.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This professor is not good, he teaches in circles, gets randomly off topic, and is heretical! Just enough that it's noticable, but it's statements, not enough to argue about. I've noticed a lot of professors outside of the Catholic studies program, and he's not nearly as bad as some. He grades fairly, and quizes are easy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I feel like while he is very knowledgeable about the Old Testament, where it relates to the Catholic faith he can be heretical.