Jack Spiro - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Professor: Jack Spiro

Department: Religion

College: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELS108
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Spiro is a kind man but I would advise against taking his class. I enjoyed the class, but I had to withdraw because he's old. This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for how he constantly forgot what he was saying and would often forget that he said he wouldn't test us on a certain thing. By withdrawal, he hadn't posted any grades.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELS250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Jack is the sweetest man!! I love him so much, he tells great stories and throws jokes into lecture when it gets dry. He's super understanding and clear about what you need to do, and his class is an easy A. He's like your grandpa but with actually good stories lol

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RELS305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Spiro is the sweetest old man! He's sooo funny, smart and has so many stories about his life experiences that are really interesting, this man has done everything I swear. He's a great professor and tests are easy as long as you review the coursepack and the textbooks. Highly recommend.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Great class. He's an incredible professor to listen to/very knowledgeable. Class is 4 tests and that's basically it. He also takes attendance most classes. I took the second semester (more recent history), you don't have to take the first one to be in this class and viceversa. He has helpful course packs that guide your studying Highly recommend.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST334
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is so funny and really clear in his lecture. I suggest going to the lecture and pay attention. He is very clear about his expectations for the test. Definitely read the book. I took him for two semesters and he is really wonderful. His lectures are very interesting. He is nearly deaf so if you have a question speak loudly. He is very helpful.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RELS306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Spiro is passionate about what he teaches. Easy class. Easy A. No tests. Every class you turn in a question that you have from the text book. If you turn in a question every class, then you get an A. His grading rubric is solely based off of the number of questions you turn in for the semester. Its that simple. The textbook is super cheap also!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RELS306
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class was an easy A and there wasn't much work to do. We did however read an entire textbook throughout the semester. He's quite funny and very nice to talk to.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HIST333
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Go to class and listen to his lectures. His coursepack is easy to follow with the lectures. He's very informational and I've learned a lot in his class. He takes attendance and only gives out 4 exams, no papers. He's a nice and funny guy too!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HIST333
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are really important to pay attention to and when he repeats material he is trying to place importance on what he is saying (more likely to be asked about it in the test). He is really funny and will answer questions. He is very responsive by email. You will not pass if you don't read the assigned reading. 4 tests are the only grades.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIS344
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Spiro is an expert on Jewish History. And his lectures appear to be from memory, with minor notes. Take notes. Read the book. Read the source material. His study guide spells out what you need to study to pass. GET IT. Test are 50 question multiple choice. If you study, you pass. Simple tests. No tricks. No papers. Attendance taken.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST318
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The most engaging and informative professor I have ever had!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RELS305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Although I knew nothing about the Hebrew Prophets, Dr. Spiro made their identity and teachings very clear. He is a wonderful teacher and really knows his subject. One of the best courses I've taken.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HIST326
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He has wonderful reviews and is informative, nice, funny, lenient, and sincere--but his class was a disappointment. He's forgetful, goes off on tangents, constantly misreads material, fails to understand questions, and tells the same ten stories every class period. Doesn't write on board, just speaks from the podium the entire time. No slides.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL319
• 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:

Hands down one of the finest professors at VCU. I've taken two classes with him. If you want to become a scholar in Judaism and Jewish History, register for his courses. He's an absolute gem of a guy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RELS306
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! Has the best stories, I would listen to him all day. Can explain everything in depth. He follows the outline & readings in the (inexpensive) book and makes great jokes. Easy in the sense it's interesting so studying isn't a pain, but you have to know your stuff. I'd take this class again!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RELS250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting class. Lecture first half of class every time, second half is always a movie. No need to study hard if you pay attention in class. Readings are mandatory, but interesting and short. Attendance is taken. All notes and summaries are in the course packet you buy prior to the start of class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RELS391
• 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:

Dr. Spiro is an amazing professor and person. Really entertaining classes, loves the material he teaches about. None of his classes are extremely difficult if you pay attention, but you will probably learn a lot (I did!).

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RELS250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A brilliant professor and a great man. His class on death was one of the most interesting classes I have ever taken in my life. I have never had a professor who was so genuinely nice. He is a man who loves what he is teaching and his students. He has a lot of real life experience with the subject-one of his P.H.D's is in grief counseling.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RELS305
• 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:

Rarely ever attended class but was never penalized. Love Spiro. His lectures always make me giggle... makes great contemporary comparisons. Always somehow manages to throw the word "sexy" into lecture... mildly obsessed! Take a class!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RELS334
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have taken a couple of classes with Spiro. He is without a doubt one of the most enlightened men I've had the pleasure of learning from. If you get an opportunity to take a class of his, take it! For real.