Jim Kanaris - McGill University, Montreal, QC

Professor: Jim Kanaris

Department: Religious Studies

College: McGill University, Montreal, QC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It was an interesting course, but I still don't think I would take it again if I had the choice. It's just a matter of taste. Prof. K is not a tough grader but a fair one and the assignments were fair too. We had a lot to read but I guess it was normal for a 4year course. Overall it was good.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

"Insecurities are loud, confidence is quiet." That's why he keeps justifying himself.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RELG207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Kanaris is a charismatic professor who loves what he teaches. RELG 207 is a great course to help spark anyone's interest in Religious Studies, both from the material of the course to the way Prof. Kanaris teaches it. He is super approachable and wiling to help his students. Take this class - you won't regret it!!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Kanaris is very cool. Approachable and enthusiastic. Very fair grader. Easily one of the best classes I've taken at McGill. Very interesting topic that covers a lot of the ways people think about religion and Kanaris is really good at explaining and contextualizing stuff for you. Participate, it's fun!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RELG207
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This teacher is so passionate about what he teaches, but for a 200 level class, it was pretty heavy. I didn't understand half of the material he was talking about, but since the papers were basically copying the lecture material it was an easy pass.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RELG555
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

After multiple courses, I can say I enjoyed him a great deal. Very articulate, and a skilled navigator of his discipline; thus, I thought he provided a substantial yield of insights. Courses tended to be very paper-heavy, esp. in the advanced sections (456, 555), with what I would consider fair grading. Also, just an all-around good guy, I'd say.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RELG207
• 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:

Religion 207 was an extremely interesting course. Kanaris' Lectures are fascinating. I took this course as an elective, and it was one of my favourite courses at McGill. I would highly recommend taking this class to anyone who wants to experience thoughtful and engaging material.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took RELG 456 to graduate but I was super intimidated at first. I went to class not knowing anything but if you give the material a chance, stop & ask questions, Kanaris will amaze you. Don't be a fly on the wall - you're paying for this class. TRY to be present & engage with the material, you'll learn a lot. He's a cool guy who genuinely cares.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RELG207
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Kanaris is very passionate about the material he covers in his lectures. By making sure that all the resources needed to complete assignments are accessible out of class (textbook& online notes), he's able to go off on philosophical rambles about the content in class - which is enjoyable to follow. Personable approach. Very fair assessments.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RELG250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Kanaris is very disorganized with his lectures. They're practically useless as he just reads of his slides (which he posts). You're graded on two papers and a midterm. The papers can be done from the slides and the textbook without really looking into any other sources. Easy A for anyone who is a good writer. Science/Eng kids, beware.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL101
• 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:

Mr Kanaris is a brilliant mind and a true gentleman and scholar. He knows about the game, and plays it well. I learned a lot from this gent.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RELG341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I suggest not taking 'Philosophy of Religion'. His lectures are hard to follow and boring, but the work load is very easy (readings and assignments/finals). He does not give out grades, you must work for them.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• 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:

While "Theories of Religion" was an AMAZING class, "philosophy of religion" was awful. The lectures were boring, unclear, and hard to follow. But RELG 456 was fascinating, and it is obvious that he is a lot more interested in that course. There is a ton of reading but it is very worthwhile and definitely worth taking!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RELG666
• 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:

Easily the most briliant proff I've encountered. I was honoured to partake in his time. Also incredibly fun.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RELG341
• 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:

Dr. Kanaris is a brilliant prof and I highly recommend him to anyone who is interested in philosophy of religion. Listening to him speak is like listening to a modern day Socrates, he's got a vocabulary on him like you wouldn't believe. His slides could use some work though...

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RELG341
• 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:

Kanaris does take a unique approach to philosophy of religion in that he doesn't just give you the arguments and the critiques, but places them in a historical perspective so you understand where these ideas come from.Great course,though not recommended for those with no exposure to philosophy or Scripture.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RELG456
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RELG341
• 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:

Very intelligent man. Lectures are key, I imagine it would be difficult to do well relying only on the readings, and there are bonuses for attending class regularly. Topics were interesting and fairly easy to follow. Fair marker, not easy, but fair.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RELG340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

if you are an idiot, don't take this class. i personally thought it was a fascinating subject, and though his superfluous language can be hard on note-taking, if you make the connections that he is clearly pointing out...then you should be fine. v. intelligent and interesting man.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RELG340
• 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:

very interesting teacher, and my vocabulary has definitely expanded after taking the course. Difficult material, but as long as you understand the connections that he wants you to see you'll be just fine. Lectures contain almost everything you need to write the assignments.