Joel Berkowitz - University at Albany (SUNY Albany), Albany, NY

Professor: Joel Berkowitz

Department: Theology

College: University at Albany (SUNY Albany), Albany, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JST358
• 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:

Helpful, clear, and engaging. Responds to emails in a timely fashion, always available and willing to meet with students to discuss coursework. Difficult, but you will definitely learn a lot in his classes. One of the best professors at SUNY.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AJST265
• 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:

At times the class was interesting. There were lots of reading assignments. He tells you when there will be a quiz in advance so you should do the reading and answer the questions. There are no tests, just 2 midterm and final papers. He takes attendance. If you do well on the quizzes and on the papers, it is an easy class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JST265
• 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:

Challenging, knowledgeable, motivating, always available to help. Assigns a lot of work, but it is worth it. Definitely recommended!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JST225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst teachers I have ever had. Way too much reading for a 100 level course. Had to buy at least 8 books. I do not recommend taking any of his classes.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JST258
• 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:

Excellent!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JST258
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Pretty boring class, mainly because i took it as a gen-ed and i have no interest in jewish studies. but he was nice enough. and it was pretty easy too.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JST258
• 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:

Challenging, but knowledgeable and helpful. Actually expects students to write and write well. Notices who is working hard. Great guy.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AHIS258
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JST367
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class has totally turned me off to Jewish American Poetry. A smart man with some humor, but has no idea how to keep a class engaged. I raised my hand all the time and made an effort to care and he still wouldn't give me an A. Curse the essays

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG367
• 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:

nice man with a great sense of humor. He is however, very challenging, but somebody with more interest in the material would probably enjoy this class. Has high expectations from any written work.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JST225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very easy and very clear on assignments, though he does like to keep you a bit over the time allotted for the class (I had another class to get to!) and he's a bit "I'm going to keep talking because I like the sound of my own voice" sometimes. But overall a very good professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JST258
• 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:

Fantastic! I know nothing about this topic before I signed up for this course, but heard that he is THE professor to take at this university. Those reports were right; he's the best!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JST225
• 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:

Great professor. He genuinely cares about his students, yet he takes work seriously. He assigns a lot of readings, but as long as you do them, you should be fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JST225
• 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:

Mr. Berkowits is a really nice guy. I did not enjoy his class that much, but that was only because I was not interested in the subject. He is a nice guy, and his class is completely doable. He is fair, and does not give much work. If you are interested in Judaic studies then I reccommend him. A sidenote...he is also a very snappy dresser.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JST225
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting course and alot of information. Not really that hard, just write papers and watch movies along with some discusion on history.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JST225367
• 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:

He tends to have hard tests but grades fairly. Offers many opportunities to make up points. Go to class and sit up front and you will do better.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JST367
• 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:

An amazing professor. Do the reading and don't be afraid to ask for extra help. He will take the time to make sure you understand whats going on, and rewards students who take interest in their work. E-mail him papers in advance for good comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JST254
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

expects a lot of reading, course material is painfully boring, do not take unless you are really interested about the subject

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is a rude man with no sense of compassion, and he is the most boring man i have ever encountered. Horrible

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JST367
• 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:

He drops hilarious one liners but can be very dry sometimes. Given the subject matter I dont fault him though. He did give the best quote I heard in college though "Its like yelling 'fire' in a crowded movie theater, or like yelling 'movie theater' in a crowded fire" I dont remember why he said it