John Thiel - Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Professor: John Thiel

Department: Theology

College: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!! ONLY 3 TESTS AND NO HOMEWORK, AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT WOULD MAKE IT "AN EASY CLASS" BUT THE EXAMS ARE DIFFICULT AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE GRADED BESIDES PARTICIPATION. THEREFORE YOU CANT BUMP UP UR GRADE IF YOU DID POORLY ON THE EXAMS.... VERY TOUGH GRADER

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy who is clearly enthusiastic about the subject. There are only three tests and then a final plus he is a tough grader. Lectures can be pretty boring but he does not assignment any homework.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RS0010
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super difficult. Only 3 tests and a final. Tons of readings and if you dont do the tests exactly as he said it in class he tears you apart. Impossible to get an A. Not worth taking for a core class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RG101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Many students would advise you not to take Thiel, but he is not as bad as people make him out to be. Like yea you have to show up to class and take down his notes but his tests (3 small in class written essays) are super easy as long as you literally memorize your notes and write exactly what he said. If you're lazy dont take this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RS239
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are long, boring at times, important to take good notes. Essay based tests-heavily impact grade, very much based on taking good lecture notes. Really nice guy and great professor. Lots of reading but he explains them in class so you don't really have to do them. One presentation but really easy and straight forward.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RS0010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great guy. Great professor. A lot of reading, but if you don't do it, it's okay because he explains each reading in great detail. Tests are essay only. Available for extra help on any material you don't understand. If you understand the concepts the tests are easy. Make sure essays reflect what he says in class and taking good notes is essential.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He cares a lot. He only grades 3 tests and a final all in-class essays, but if you take good notes and write what he says in class you'll do well. The reading seems like a lot but it's not bad. The class is objective, not pushing toward believing anything. Don't be late &try not to skip if absent get notes from friend. Don't be absent on test days.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RG101
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WORST professor I have taken at Fairfield. Talking with upperclassmen and faculty I found out (too late) that he is known to be arrogant, narcissistic, & unhelpful. Thiel ruined my GPA freshman year, and was very unwilling to help me understand the material better. DO NOT TAKE! (would rate 0 out of 5 if possible)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thiel is a great professor. He's accessible outside of class and will help you if needed. Three tests and final, do the optional essays and you will do well. You will leave class knowing something new each time.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't let the bad comments scare you. John Thiel is the best religion professor I've encountered. Yes, he is a tough grader, and yes you have to study but the best advice that I can possibly give you is to take very good notes. Try and write down as much of what he says as you can. Writing down nearly everything he says really helps you write essay

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Tests are based off of prompts he gives, but you have to ask for them. Very fair grader and makes topics interesting. Great professor for religious studies. Lectures can be boring but you genuinely learn from the class and leave everyday knowing something you hadn't before. Notes are easy to follow and tests are open ended questions.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RS0101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't grade us barely at all- only tests are graded. He is an excellent, energetic lecturer and a nice guy, always saying have a good day when we leave, but he does give you a hard time if you miss a test. If you're absent you can get notes from someone in the class you know and you'll be caught up. Do the extra essays he assigns.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you take notes and pay attention in class, you will be fine! His syllabus shows so much reading, but I literally never read and still did fine! His tests and the final are essay questions.. He does not give them to you in class, but if you just study your notes and know them you're good. I enjoyed his lectures, and learned a lot.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's really a great professor when it comes to lectures. He's very interesting, and I loved every class. I looked forward to going to his classes and if you want to learn, take his course. I didn't read at all during this class and I did perfectly fine for someone who didn't read. Take Thiel!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John Thiel is the worst professor ever. He doesn't take attendance but will grade your test much harder if you don't go. Very rude, awful man with no regard for other people. AVOID THIS CLASS!!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Only having 350 characters to describe the treachery that is John Thiel will be difficult, but no where near as difficult as his class. The grading in his class solely consists of three tests (in class essays) and one final. I went to his office hours to go over my last test and he just said I didn't even deserve the C he gave me. HE'LL MAKE U CRY

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thiel was one of my favorite professors at FairfieldU. He teaches religion from a purely historical perspective and opens up your mind about other religions. Attendance is not taken, many people don't go to class which is why so many negative reviews. They don't go to class then get mad when they fail. Go to class and you will succeed!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took this class as a freshman and he makes you work for the grade. Essays aren't required but he gives essay q's after every section and usually those q's are the test questions all lumped up (all tests are essay format.) Interesting topic but kinda all over the place. Hates tardiness so don't be late or you'll get the death glare. Decent teacher.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RS101
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This man is terrible, he is honesty the worst professor I have encountered. Any good review written on here was definitely written by Thiel himself. He voices his opinion and if you do not agree with him your screwed. He will make you life hell. His lectures are boring and long. DO NOT TAKE HIM you will regret it.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RS0101DC
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gives no HW all semester. That seems good but it isn't because you don't know what will be on the tests. 3 tests all semester, 20% of grade on each. Final is 30%. 10% participation which everyone gets. In all honestly, he's a super smart guy and knows SO much about Buddhism and Christianity but you NEED to take notes, pay attention, and not skip.