Barry Bandstra - Hope College, Holland, MI

Professor: Barry Bandstra

Department: Theology

College: Hope College, Holland, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The quality of this class depends on the participation of the students. It is largely discussion based. I loved this class as everyone brought up different view points and opinions. He is good at guiding class discussions.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bandstra's skeptical nature, unclear grading criteria, repetitive lectures, and general rudeness made this class most unpleasant. The biggest problem I had with Bandstra was that he would constantly question the authenticity of Scripture, but would not offer proof for the contrasting view. Secondly, he rarely provided feedback on essay exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had a very positive experience with this professor! I really like how he incorporated technology into the course and I got a lot out of the class! He's very sweet!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bandstra is very kind. He is respectful to his students and likes to hear what they have to say. Also, he has all the text available on Moodle so you don't need to buy a textbook which is great, and you save money! The homework is pretty straightforward and answers are right in the text if you look at it. Interesting biblical stories too

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Avoid at all costs. Yes I did well in his class but I did not like his teaching style at all. He repeats the homework, so there isn't any new material in class, and loves to touch on controversial topics. If you disagree with him do not voice your opinion. He will only grade you harder. I got an A, but that is only because I did every EC paper.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 222
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Bandstra is a respected professor. He obviously loves what he teaches and it shows. I enjoyed the class a lot. Prof Bandstra uses technology extremely well, and is always open to new ideas. He explains very thoroughly what his expectations are and what you'll need to do for tests. If you put in the work, you'll get a good grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof Bandstra wants open discussion more than anything else. He doesn't grade very harshly and is always polite.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This was one of the classes that I had doubts about at the beginning but really enjoyed through out the semester. Professor Bandstra likes to challenge some ideas and make you think about the topic and have arguments in class room. However, I think some of the reviewers in here didn't like to put their beliefs at stake. Keep an open mind! :)

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSY222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

While the material was interesting at times, Bandstra was insufficient in teaching with an open mind. It was ironic that a Christian college would employ a religion prof that undermines biblical text and questions its authenticity. This class has the potential to make students falter in their beliefs.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class is so boring... No one wants to answer the confusing questions. This is not too bad. What is worse is his online quizzes... So stupid! I would like to say do not expect to have any good Religion professor from Hope College. It is impossible. Every one is the same. I hate the religion classes here.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL221
• 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:

I have had a couple classes with this prof and I really like listening to his lectures on the Old testament. He is a challenging Prof but is willing to help you every step of the way!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FYS008
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His FYS was very interesting. While sometimes he would let the class get off topic I still learned quite a bit. More importantly he is a great man and helped me out with more than just school work. His theology is liberal.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• 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:

Great challenging prof. Makes class interesting.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor was one of the worst professors I've ever had. He was closed minded about sensitive topics and marked kids down for having beliefs different from his own. I watched christian students falter in their faith because of his manipulating.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL200
• 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:

Barry's class was tough, but reasonable. He's big into discussion and loves participation. He's extremely nice, but is sometimes not very clear on what he expects on papers. Overall I learned a lot and would recommend him!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIBLI100
• 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:

Great class. Professor teaches students what to ask about a text & how to think theologically.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIBLIT
• 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:

Do yourself a favor and dont take this class... especially not if he is teaching it.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIBLI02
• 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:

Very helpful, as long as you make an effort

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: REL100
• 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:

As long as you go to class and you take notes on what he says, you should be okay. His exams are not too difficult, there is a lot of information covered but he is pretty good at explaining anything that you are confused with.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL220
• 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:

All I can say is that I learned a lot, but there is a lot of work also