David Barr - Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Professor: David Barr

Department: Theology

College: Wright State University, Dayton, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: KNH2500
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I heard a lot of bad things about Dr. Barr but his class is not attendance mandatory, no matter how you do on test you can take it home and correct it for extra points, final is take home and fairly simple.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not my fave prof b/c his lectures are very dry. While I enjoy the fact that he focuses on historical facts about the Bible and I did learn a lot about Jesus and his disciples, i had to struggle to focus in class. i got a c on my final b/c I argued something he didn't go over. That being said, he is very smart and you will learn a lot

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• 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:

For a non-christian majoring in religion, I found his biblical classes to be a great deal of fun. He teaches very academically, and knows the material. Watch out if you ask how long a paper or essay exam will be as he will first suggest a large number over what he really expects as a joke. Read the books and show up in class and you will do fine.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• 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 took both his REL 322 Paul class and his REL 322 Gospels class and loved both of them. You have to be able to handle his sort of non-stereotypical views on the bible and the characters/writers. Both are awesome classes & he defintely values the students opinion. He will consider students suggestions when making exams.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• 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:

This Gospels class was great. The prof is very knowledgeable and cynical about the Bible so be sure you can handle his criticism. We had blue-book quizzes and a take-home final. The quizzes were straight out of the book. Paper was done in stages with the professors help which made it easier.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• 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:

Dr. Barr is without a DOUBT my favorite professor at WSU. Students who don't like him probably just can't handle the fact that he is very cynical and actually expects you to challenge yourself. He really likes it when you express opinions, so definitely speak up and he'll take that into consideration. Don't worry about disagreeing with him, either.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL322
• 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:

Dr Barr is amazing! He expects you to actually THINK and he isn't afraid to challenge you. Don't take things he says personally-- the man has his doctorate, he understands that people have different opinions! And know this: you aren't required to agree with him for a good grade. Just write an argument that makes sense and you'll be fine.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Fantastic professor! I am not Christian, so that may skew my view, but his academic look at the Bible was a uncompromising and gave me a tremendous insight into religion. He always answered questions patiently (even when someone went on crazy tangents barely relating to the material), and just was a great teacher. Highly recommended for anything

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RELIGION204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

As a Christian taking his class, the lectures were very challanging for me. He would debate every comment I ever made in his class, but that didn't stop me from making them. His class is amazing. If you are a Christian-be prepared to have your views challenged. He will try to make you see things in a different light. He will never tell you that you're wrong, just try to make you see what the other side sees.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL204
• 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:

Dr. Barr is intersting and challenging in religion, but scholarly religion is not something I am into. He has some definite opinions that may hurt people's personal religious beliefs. Read and study and agree with the basics and it will not hurt your grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL204
• 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:

Interesting class, good speaker, liberal and not afraid to share opinions (although you're not graded on your beliefs). Homework is minimal and easy to get a good grade on. Exams are multiple choice and one essay with several to choose from. He will give you ample notice of what will be on the test. Always wears plaid Nautica shirts!!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: UH400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I didn't agree with all his opinions and made the mistake of saying that in class. it affected my grade (since my grade was just an opinion of what he thought we learned in class) and the grades of my friends (yes, it was weird) he even called me a "tall pigmey" in class since i'm only 5'1''

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ANY
• 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:

great teacher, very smart. likes to have class dicuss topics.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL204
• 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:

What can I say great class, even better teacher. Not what I expected though. Don't be afraid of him, he wants you to debate his ideas. Just understand that your position may be wrong. Remember keep an open mind, I know that is tough for some of you but listen and you will learn. Well dressed.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ANY
• 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:

Dr. Barr is a wonderful, insightful professor who dares to challenge the right-wing Christian hedgemony and their literalist translations of what should be a wonderful book. I would recommend his classes to any and all who are open to new interpretations and challenging critiques.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL205
• 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:

Dr. Barr is a very intelligent and helpgul teacher. unfortunatley the classes he teaches forces him to lecture most of the time, but if you do get to discuss something, you better know what your talking about. His knowledge on chistianity may offend some.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was too liberal and I don't like the answer, everything is right and everything is wrong. He seems very smart, but I wouldn't take his class again.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL204
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr Barr is very intelligent and does his best to challenge your thinking. He will help you if you show him you are trying to understand things and do your best as a student. He does require a lot of reading in his class. Read everything.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

dr barr is a very intelligent man and like many biblical scholars can no longer see the bible for anything more than stories. he is a good teacher, but he isn't the best one to take if you are very into your faith and don't like it questioned.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Barr is an excellent teacher. He provides a prospective that causes you to think and not just take things for granted. Christians may have a difficult time with him because they won't allow themselves to be open minded