Richard Shek - California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

Professor: Richard Shek

Department: Humanities

College: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HRS70
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Wanted us to write reading notes based on our opinions, yet got marked down 20 points for no reason. How can my own thoughts and feelings be wrong? He'll pick specific quotes from readings and put them on quiz and expect u to know who said 'em. Very heavy reading, Gods have multiple nameshard to remember, rarely lets u out early, gets off topic

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class covers lots of dense material in a short amount of time. Two 10 page papers are required. Shek is an extremely knowledgeable professor but his grading system is odd and will leave you confused until the end of the semester. If you can write argumentative essays at a college level you'll do fine as long as you're willing to work hard.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was initially really nervous about taking this class based off reviews on here. One thing forsure is that he is a tough, but fair grader. If you put the time in to understand what he is saying and if you pay attention in lecture, then you should be fine. Professor Shek is very compassionate instructor and really wants his students to succeed.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HRS174
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Eh, he's okay. He can be kind of boorish at times and I feel like he goes off tangent a lot, which confuses me because I do not know if he's on the same lecture topic.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HRS220
• 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:

I had the pleasure of taking Dr. Shek's graduate level course on Ancient Chinese religion: Confucianism, Daoism, and Zen Buddhism. Spectacular. Shek has a great deal of knowledge and understanding, and his lectures are always informative.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved Shek! After taking Chinese History with Shek, I had to know more. I took a second semester of Chinese History with him, and the his Chinese Culture class. His classes aren't easy, but they aren't that hard. Shek is cool as heck and even inspired me to study abroad in Taipei for a year, something I will always appreciate it. Go Shek!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Old school, but he will E-mail you a glossary list with all the answers to the quizzes, you just have to put them in the right places, which is easy if you can read. Papers are a different story, you really have to take initiative because the prompts are short on detail, yet high in precision. He will challenge everything you say. Ask questions!!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HRS172
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting Professor, however, don't take him unless you're a Humanities major. Those were the only people that seem to have an understanding what was going on in class. Also, he has long lectures, usually late in the evening.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• 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:

Very difficult class. Lectures do not help with success on the quizzes, exams or papers. While a brilliant man, he is almost impossible to follow. I cried many tears over this class. It made me feel stupid even though I know I'm not! The quizzes on terms were hard but doable. however the papers and 2 exams were so hard I wanted to pull my hair out!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely disorganized teaching style. Lectures seem to last an eternity. There are two 10 page papers, 4 quizzes, a midterm, and final. Quizzes are simple as long as you study the terms on the list. That's all the quizzes cover. The Midterm and final we're two of the most difficult exams I've taken in my college career. Avoid if possible.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Shek's World Religions class was one of the best and most useful classes I took in college, I still use the knowledge I received from him on a regular basis for many areas in my life. His teachings are objective, insightful and concise. Its pretty awesome to take comparative religions from a guy who looks just like the Dalai Lama, too.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• 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:

Not interested in helping the students, not very clear in instructions, received bad grade with NO instruction or reason for the poor evaluations. Also, the lectures poorly cover the material tested. I am a senior and have taken four years of instruction in religious studies and humanities, and I always liked my classes until this.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• 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 is funny and keeps a long lecture interesting. He is helpful is asked for advice and very open to questions. He is very nice and I would highly recommend him and this course!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• 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:

Tried my hardest but still failed his class (I'm an A/B+ student too!) His class based on 3 term papers (total of 15 pgs) he grades harder than an English class, super strict. I always pass Eng with an A, but his class I fail, that's how hard he is! I pass his mid-term with a B+ and he still fail me. only offer 1 mid, no final. only term papers.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he was really tough. You have to take very detailed notes! I tried my hardest but still got a D. His lectures are a bit boring and he can be funny at times. Quizzes and exams based on terms and detailed information about people and their relationships. I wish I never took this class! Avoid if possible.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HUM135
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable professor, and makes lecture interesting. His attendance is lackluster because he has lots of other responsibilities, which makes a difficult class even harder, but thats my only complaint.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• 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:

yes, he is a tough teacher but this is an upper division class!! he is one of the most knowledgeable teacher i ever had! his tests are very difficult but they are made to make you think. If you're looking for an easy class, i would no recommend him. But if you're looking to learn a lot from a great teacher with a sense of humor, go for it!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• 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:

One of the most knowledgable, entertaining/funny, and respectable professors I've had in college.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HRS171
• 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:

Tough class. Kind of a combination of history and literature, not made any easier by Shek's high standards. Still a good professor and a good class, but not if you're looking for something easy.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HRS140
• 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:

You will hear a lot about his toughness, but it is not all true. Know your key terms and key concepts and spend some time researching for your reports and you will be surprised by your grade.