Edward Neel - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Edward Neel

Department: Theology

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Weirdest teacher I have ever had. He made soooooooooooo many bad jokes (about 372 to be specific... ya I counted) that it was difficult to pay attention in class. The paper at the end of the semester is a huge grade saver so if you don't do well on the tests, like I did, you can still get a good grade in the class. Avoid at all cost!!!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Now, I understand that I am in the minority here, but I really enjoyed Dr. Neel. The class that I took and how he taught it was just so interesting, and I got many valuable life lessons from it. While there are a lot of required readings that we had to do, the books that we read were super interesting. He might not be for everyone, but I loved him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This man is a wonderful professor, he's hilarious at times and the way he structures the class really makes you think. You'll have to read a lot of books but they are all intriguing and somewhat short. If you don't want to work for your grade, don't take the class, because you'll have tobuuuutttt the information and topics are very interesting!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my least favorite class ever. Instead of this class being learning about different religions, God, and morality, it is Dr. Neel teaching philosophy. He sits in front of the class and talks for 50 min straight. He confessed to the class at the beginning of the year that he is an atheist!! 11 books are required. I strongly do not recommend.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• 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:

Class was called "God, Meaning, and Morality", but it's really more like a literature class. Makes you read a new book almost every class, and the whole class is just him talking about them. Not a lot of opportunities for you to interact with your classmates and talk about the works. Gives extra credit and if you read you'll pass.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst class I have taken at JMU. I was excited to take a religion class, but this was more like an upper level philosophy class. I spent more time with this class than any other class, yet my grade did not reflect that. I did not feel comfortable approaching him and asking questions, either.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GHUM102
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Worst professor I've had thus far. Do yourself a favor and DON'T take him. My lowest grade at JMU and I'm in much harder sciences classes. The readings are incredibly difficult to understand and if you don't catch certain things in lecture he says you won't pass the tests. He turns an interesting gen ed into a nightmare

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL102
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Slightly sarcastic and his humor is a little different, but he does what he is supposed to which is teach. Literally all you have to do is attend his class and pay attention for a decent grade. Reading is a bit heavy, but if you fail his class its because you want to. He curves graciously and is helpful during his office hours.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GHUM102
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Throughout the course you read 6 or 7 books and have a quiz on each of them. The quiz questions are pulled directly from his lectures in class, so write down everything he says. You really have to go to this class, even if you read all the books at home, it won't help. Overall quizzes were pretty difficult, would not recommend for an easy gen ed.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GHUM102
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There are 8 quizzes (multiple choice / 20 questions) and a final paper which is more like 7 in one (on each section covered in the class). TONS of reading. You can't eat in class at all and if you're on your phone he will take it. He is really dry and sarcastic, so some people don't like him. I kinda enjoyed the class, but I definitely worked hard.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He spends the entire class lecturing and won't even answer any questions, he'll just tell you it's in the book. He's an awful teacher and lectures are very hard o follow. The tests are completely random and unorganized.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Try not to take. Class itself wasn't that hard, quizzes were pretty easy if you read. But he wasn't very clear and extremely full of himself. Don't recommend.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

AVOID!! Was looking forward to the class but he was SO rude and SO unhelpful. I ignored the warnings on RateMyProfessor. If you have any chance to switch, do it!!! He thinks his opinion is the only correct one, insulted several students and made everyone afraid to ask questions. Did all the readings and attended class but the tests were tough.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Will be hard to top for worst class ever. I was excited to take this class, he ruined it for me. Lectures were long and hard to follow because he got off topic so much. Quizzes come straight from lectures and they're extremely detailed questions. Made everyone feel stupid for asking a question. I never did because I was afraid of him. DONT TAKE HIM

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GHUM102
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not an awful lecturer, they're almost interesting. He's very sarcastic and rude though, and his interpretations of the texts are the ONLY way to see it. Not only that, but despite being one of the few students who actually read the books, the quizzes are fairly difficult because he puts opinionated questions in them. He doesn't post any grades too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Perry is a funny guy w loads of dry humor! 20 question quizzes when finished each religion. Only grades are the quizzes (drops lowest score)a paper you have all semester to do& a take home final paper. I loved this class because i am not very religious& open to new ideas. Its only a hard class if you don't go, or don't listen during lecture

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

"It's in the syllabus"- that is his answer to everything you ask him, even though this year he didn't even follow his own syllabus. The content of the class is very interesting, mostly because I didn't know anything about religion. The weekly quizzes are the only things that make up you're grade and are very hard because they are very detailed q's.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GREL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Neel is an interesting fellow. I'm sure he's chill outside the classroom, but otherwise he can be pretty rude in class. If you read your material and write down what he says, you'll probably be fine. Also, huge tip: do not ask him questions unless they're super complicated, because he will grill any student he can for no reason.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GHUM120
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class not worried because the material should be interesting.. that part I got right. However, Professor Neel was a mistake. this guy is a complete a-hpole and doesn't do anything to help you and his lectures spiral into him complaining about random stuff and talking about his dog. would recommend the class but NOT with him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

His quizzes are all multiple choice and he drops the lowest one. Personally, I find him hilarious and I enjoyed the class. It's A LOT of reading so if you don't like to read don't take it. Overall, funny guy and interesting class. He doesn't really care about the students though, not very motivated.