Will Deming - University of Portland, Portland, OR

Professor: Will Deming

Department: Theology

College: University of Portland, Portland, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: THEO205
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

hes very intelligent and funny BUT his assignment does not make sense so you are bound to get a low grade. His midterm and final seem easy but then you get them back and boom another bad grade. grades very very very hard.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you want a dose of genuine academia from a professor whose intellect outshines all others in the department, and who will whip your critical thinking into shape, be brave and take his classes. Be prepared for brutal honesty that you need to improve, and praise that must be truly earned. Enjoy his dry wit & how he makes crankiness charming.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: THE433
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Will for my Holocaust Theology course in Salzburg during the summer of 2011. I can see why people don't like him for THE 101, but I thought he was very knowledgeable and his class was actually one of my favorites at UP. There was one presentation and an essay final. Both were easy and I pulled off a B+.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: THE205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You should show up to every class as there is a reading quiz at the beginning of each class. Most of his reading quizzes are easy if you do the reading but a few are just plain confusing and he is pretty rude to you if you try and make your case. He often just ignores questions that he thinks are stupid and isn't very friendly or flexible.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: THE205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Deming 's lectures are particularly boring, and he is a super tough grader. I met with him to go over my midterm and he literally told me I was "mediocre at everything." Super helpful. There isn't much homework except for daily reading assignments and quizzes on all the readings. Also very unclear on what he expects on exams.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: THE205
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The tests are so tough, you can say what he taught word for word and still not get full credit for them. His paper is nearly impossible, I went in four times to office hours to make sure I was on the right track, which he said I was, and when I got the paper back I completely failed it. He gives a quiz every class and if you can't miss any classes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was probably one of my least favorite classes. I felt like his tests were extremely unfair and difficult. He didn't really have too much homework and there were periodically reading quizzes. The tests made up most of the grade which made it hard to do well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• 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:

Appreciated the study guide list of terms before class. Had to meet with a friend in his other section of the course & compare notes to come close to passing on the multiple, multiple choice tests. I liked that because sometimes you could use questions against each other to help you figure out the answer. Paper was not a nightmare like some say.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: THEOL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Furious note taking every class as he drones on and on from his notes. Don't ask him to repeat or clarify information, have to go to office hours if you miss something. Multiple multiple choice tests are tricky, but he gives partial credit, so it's really hard to fail or do really well. Grades essay tough, but lets you redo it for a higher grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Never take this class it is impossible. His expectations are incredible and his tests are impossible. Highly advise not having him for a teacher as it is the hardest class I have ever taken. The material in his classes is not on the tests. Overall terrible experience.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: THEPTHEP
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Religion and Politics with him was a mistake. Don't take that as your THEP requirement. Makes you buy 7 books (none are ever necessary to use) and has two in class essays and one paper which he grades with difficulty(very hard to get an A). If you are looking to get a good grade (since its a non-required elective) I would not reccomend this class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pretty funny guy, tests can be hard as they are multiple choice, but any or none of the options may be correct. A little confusing, but manageable if you study. He was more open-minded than I expected and made a religion class at a Catholic school inclusive, informative, and interesting, which in my experience is unusual.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are not what the tests cover. The text books don't cover half the material on the test. His own published book that he makes you buy is usless (Christian chapter is 5 pages mostly pictures). He will find ways to give you a C on the paper, he looks for ways to mark you down and not pass you.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• 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:

He's very academic and gives straightforward lectures which I found conducive to note-taking. The tests are difficult but there's no reason to not get at least an A- if you study. Also, he lets you re-do the final paper so if you care, you can do well in this class

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• 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:

He is so arrogant. The class is all lecture, which is fine, but the test is designed to trip you up. and the two-page paper is so frustrating--he does not articulate what he wants. I would not recommend this class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• 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:

I think the main problem that people have with this class is that they do not come in with an open mind. Half the students who take this class with me are completely close minded. Deming presents the material fairly, and brings in different cultural aspects. Just have fun with the class, relax, and try learning with an open mind!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's extremely hard. His tests are multiple, multiple choice so you never know whether there are 1, 2, 3, 4, or even any answers to the question. He assigns a paper where you get to choose between three or four videos which are extremely boring. He expects a lot out of the paper. The only good thing is he knows his material well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If I had to take the class over again or have Deming for another class I would definitely invest in a tape recorder. Since anything he says in class is fair game for tests, notes sometimes don't have the information as clear as if you heard it all over again. Probably would be a good way to study for his class too.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THE101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He just gives a straight lecture every day, writes things on the board that are key to the religion. Gives study guides with the terms you should know before your test, but test could include anything he says so write everything down. Essay is really dumb, tests are multiple answer-multiple choice!good luck on that. Read every night!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: THEO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

he has a very interesting way at approaching religion, however, he only gives a brief overview of each religion, so don't ask a specific question...he won't know the answer...i found myself arguing with him more than listening...oh and his tests are pretty hard..but if you fail the 1st and Ace the 2nd he doesnt count the 1st- b/c thats fair?