Douglas Brooks - University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Professor: Douglas Brooks

Department: Religion

College: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You wound regret for taking it

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My mind is blown every class with him. Amazing. He's incredibly intelligent and his arguments are flawless (and he knows it) and makes you want to convert to Buddhism. He likes to pretend he's a hard-ass but is really a soft soul that wants you to do your best work and for you to succeed. One of the best professors I've ever had. LOVE.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL260
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is probably the best with Professor Brooks. He talked a lot about Kashmir Shivaism and Sri Vidya. His area of expertise in Hinduism . Very interesting class but you gotta go to every class to keep track of material.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brooks is not your conventional professor, and he is brilliant because of this. He walks in to lecture and speaks to students on a string of interests - never a planned lecture. This class is more than just lecture+memorize A. Its about stirring thought, broadening your horizons, and leaving as a more open person. Check his history - he's so cool!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Absolutely amazing lectures. Made me very interested in eastern philosophy. Can't wait to take other classes taught by him.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is super passionate about C2Z and treats the class as almost a part of his legacy. It's really interesting hearing him lecture as well. Anyone who missed class was severely missing out. Also readings are the only real homework, but don't get behind since the assignments severely rely on them.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brooks is without a doubt the best professor I have ever had. The reason the "clarity" isn't too high is because the material itself is incredibly confusing. As he says "If you don't leave this class confused, you weren't paying attention". But that "ah ha!" moment is completely worth it! That class is worth it just for his life advice and stories!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 105
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is funny

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brooks is funny and one of the sweetest, most inspirational people you can talk to. If you look him up on google, he has done really great things. He knows a lot, but can sometimes go off on tangents in class. He is incredibly helpful in office hours. I plan on taking 105 with him too!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• 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:

You'd be crazy not to take his classes! He knows what education is really about, and if you find it incomprehensible it is only your own understanding which must be opened and revitalized.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Douglas Brooks may be the most incomprehensible teacher I have ever had during undergrad. He goes on random tangents that completely misconstrue the main point of the class. He has no idea what an intro class is supposed to be. Most students think he is intelligent, but actually he is just an exceptional ****ter. Sometimes has good stories.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Brooks clearly did too many drugs. He rambles on about nonsense in such a way as to make it totally unclear to his students what the hell he's talking about. He may or may not know his stuff, but the way he presents material to students leads only to confusion. He doesn't give enough background to make reading worthwhile. Bad Professor

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• 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:

This man is so hysterical, so inspiring, incredibly dedicated, and shockingly knowledgeable. As a freshman I feel thankful to have stumbled upon a gem nice and early so I can take all of his classes. His lectures are jam-packed but they go right along with the reading and he repeats himself incessantly from lecture to lecture. TAKE. HIS. CLASSES.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Brooks is one of the most inspirational teachers I ever had. He is an amazing asset to the University.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• 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:

Wow, this was one of the best classes I have ever taken (and I'm a bio major). He allowed for a great class room dynamic with lots of questions being asked. Class does have substantial reading to it but books were good. He is fair in grading and can be available to review an essay if needed. Over all, professor and class both highly recommend.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL310
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the most inspiring professors, had it not been for him, i would never have known the beauty of religion

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL105
• 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:

He makes me want to learn and shows a concern for the education of his students. You'd be doing yourself a favor to take one of his classes and see that college classes don't have to suck.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL000
• 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:

Brooks is awesome, funny, and genuinely cares about his students. Very "upayic" teaching method, cause he goes over points until he's sure most of us understand them. Oh, and he really digs getting chili peppers on this site.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANYONE
• 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:

I chose UR for the study of religion, philology, and philosophy. In him I found an eclectic, polymathic guide to a better education, and I might have judged my academic studies as ignorant rhetoric if not for him. Opinionated, yet most open-minded to other views. He cares for his students and their education. His courses are bliss meets brillance.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL106
• 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:

I've been attending his class the whole semester and I'm not even registered. He's absolutely brilliant and has an extremely broad knowledge base. Knows how to walk the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous. One drawback is that he can couch his explanations in overly academic language that can make him difficult to follow at times.