Alexander Orbach - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Alexander Orbach

Department: Theology

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JS1252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had for Hist of Holocaust..Seriously one of the most intelligent, interesting professors at Pitt. Incredibly knowledgeable and yeah his papers can be a little subjective but its basically spelled out for you in lecture.. or if not just go to office hours he will tell you..Attendance mandatory but who would want to miss his class?

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST1766
• 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:

Absolutely brilliant. Everyone should take a class from him even if they're not interested in Jewish history. I took Modern Israel and it was so interesting. He is funny and keeps his lectures moving really well. He is a fabulous professor. Highly recommended.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST1769
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

History of the Holocaust. HE IS BRILLIANT. He uses no notes for lectures and makes everything into a story. Guest lecturers were also amazing. Go see him for papers.He will tell you what he wants in the paper. They are slightly subjective so make sure you write with his opinions in mind (which are indeed usually the right opinions). TAKE HIM!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RELST1252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Orbach is among the most brilliant professors i have ever had. the amount of knowledge he has is beyond explanation. i had dr. orbach for hist of the holocaust and currently for modern israel. his classes are difficult but exremely thought provoking. i plan on taking his russian jewry course next semester. i highly advise you take this man.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HIST1769
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting class and interesting professor. It is a lot of reading which you should do in order to do well. He is a hard grader, but if you do the readings the papers aren't too difficult to write.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JS1250
• 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 absolutely is the most knowledgable man on Jewish topics working at Pitt. He cares about you and wants to help you succeed. Go to him if you have problems and before a paper is due.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST1766
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the smartest people I've ever met - the man knows absolutely everything about Jewish history, and puts it all into stories and real language that everyone can understand and get involved with. Hard, but you'll seriously want to get involved with the readings and papers because he makes it that interesting.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RELGS1266
• 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:

Very interesting class, and he's just a very interesting person in general. Make sure to do the readings on reserve, there are a lot. If you ask for help he will give it to you!!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RELGS1252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A great professor. Prof is extremely knowledgeable about subject, very articulate and interesting, and very helpful in aiding your understanding. Course is dense and difficult at times, but rewarding. Prof assigns a lot of readings and does not use the internet, so expect to spend time at Hillman. Prof utilizes other resources extremely well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had thus far at this school. Presents the material with perfect clarity and always available. He's also very interesting to have discussions with and accepts all questions. He's definitely not easy though. Essays must be well thought out and coherent. His classes are amazing though.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Probably the best professor I've had so far. He knows everything about the material, and interesting to talk to. If you do your reading and your work you will get a good grade. He is very fair, so he's not the easiest professor in the world, but you will be glad you took his class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JS1250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Orbach is absolutely amazing. It should be mandatory for all Pitt students to take a course with him--he's that good.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This was a class which could have been very difficult, but Dr. Orbach handled the material very well, and the class was very interesting.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

One of the finest professors at Pitt. Though it was my hardest class, I left each afternoon lecture still thinking about the material into the evening. Poignant and fascinating, Orbach takes teaching to the next level. I recommend him completely - it's a lot of work but worth your whole college experience.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Best teacher at the University of Pittsburgh. He truely cares about what the students take from the class and making the class interesting through guest speakers, readings and lectures. HIGHLY recommend taking at least one class from him!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RELGST1252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Captivating class and professor, fascinating subject. So much reading! but a good overview of antisemitism and the Holocaust as well as an excellent analysis of them in depth. Not depressing at all for me. Passionate professor, which makes class always enjoyable! Highly recommended!!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Very captivating prof and class. Material was hard to swallow, but very engaging. Loved this class and worked harder than in any other class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

There is alot of reading, but the professor is indeed a captivating teacher, the material is good to read, depressing but good. He truly cares and is passionate and honest about his craft. I definitly reccomend him as a teacher.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JS1254
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lots of reading. I thought more in this class than in any other. Best class I have had.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

tough, but one of the nicest guys ever. Really cares about the subject and really cares what you think.