John McCarthy - Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Professor: John McCarthy

Department: Theology

College: Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good prof, but can be difficult at times. 2 papers, 4 exams (including cumulative final), group project which includes a presentation and a group paper. Gives study guides for exams which tend to have a lot more info than needed. Tough grader on papers (go to office hours to ask for help). Put the work in and you will be fine. He is very nice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He made this class so hard for a core class. Graded very difficultly, and his study guides had nothing to do with the exams. His lectures were of him speaking in run on sentences and nothing about religion is learned. don't take the class unless you have the free time to only focus on his class only. definitely not an easy A.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Do not take McCarthy if you want an easy A. This class is a much more difficult way to fulfill your Theology requirement than it should be. He is very intelligent and respectful but the concepts in his class are difficult to understand. The way he lectures is as if he is speaking to other experts on the topic. A lot of reading is required.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the most interesting professors I have ever met. The man works for NASA if you need any more of a reason to take his course. His approach to religion is unbiased and truly eye-opening. I was worried about taking a theology course prior to this but ended up loving it. This course has changed my perspective on the way I view the world.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Phenomenal Professor!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McCarthy is one of the best professors i've had at Loyola. As an atheist, I was terrified of taking a religion class. But he was so clear about everything he taught and made no assumptions that you had prior knowledge. The study guides are optional, but have EVERY question on the tests included. Do them as a group and you'll all get an A.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Probably my favorite professor I have had at Loyola, lectures were fascinating! Readings came from online sources and were often long and difficult, but he gave us study guides for each test with specific terms to know from the readings (otherwise reading them wasn't necessary). He gave many opportunities for extra credit, and was very passionate!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McCarthy is one of the nicest people I've ever met and he's so knowledgable about what he's teaching. Makes theology interesting and understandable. Only a few tests including the midterm and final and one big group project that really doesn't require that much work anyway. If you have to take a theo core definitely try to take him

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a good teacher who has the students interests at heart. He lets you rewrite papers if you get a bad grade which is nice. Be his friend!!! Go to his office hours! If you express your concerns about your grade you will always be ok, he really cares for his students!... Even though his lectures barely make sense.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McCarthy is a great lecturer. His passion for the course makes the class bearable. It's honestly more of a sociology and philosophy course with a bit of theology mixed in. He's a pretty fair grader and offers some extra credit here and there. Tests are a little harder, but he makes a thorough study guide which helps a lot. Overall great teacher!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was really dreading having to take this class, but Professor McCarthy is my favorite professor I've had so far. He tackles theology from an unbiased point of view, and you can tell he really knows what he's talking about. The material was so interesting I didn't mind putting in the work! Wish he taught more higher level THEO classes!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McCarthy's style of teaching is phenomenal. He is there for students and genuinely wants to see them do well. He's very experienced in the study of religion and will open your eyes to a lot of perspectives. Probably one of the more interesting classes I have ever taken! Would take again. Also, he brought in his dog and pizza to a finals study group

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Interesting class and great professor! Readings are long and boring though, so get ready to read if you want to fully understand what's going on in the course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

For 107 there were a ton of readings and they're kind of difficult, but McCarthy is awesome. He's so brilliant and makes things so interesting. He does 2 major exams, 2 papers, and a final. Definitely a doable lecture and he posts everything online. Take him!!! I'd love to have him again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: TIER1THEO
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was one of the hardest core classes I have ever taken. Nothing he said made sense to me and the topics are not what you would at all expect in a Tier 1 theology core class. He is a super nice guy and very helpful, so I pulled out a B but its definitely a lot of work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It felt like more of a psychology and sociology class rolled into one with some theology on top. I liked going to class though because his lectures were so interesting and thought provoking. There is no textbook required but make sure you do the course readings. 3 exams and definitely study. Two discussion papers not long at all. Group project :(

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a really nice and friendly and explains well but articles are really long and don't get to the point. His powerpoints are online and easy to read. Tests are kind of hard so try really studying for it. The paper topics are interesting and discussion is always helpful. Overall, a good professor.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class is very different. You learn a lot about the psychology, geography and cultural effects of religion, but it's all pretty interesting. Attend the lectures and read the articles and the tests will be a breeze. A solid choice for theology core.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not recommend for Theo 107. This was not a theology class, it was a mixture of geography, psychology, and a bit of random religions. I was expecting the basics of different religions to broaden my horizons but ended up with a confusing, difficult class. I do not recommend for an intro to theology course at all!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: THEO107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go into class thinking it's no big deal then you're not gonna do so well. Articles are all posted on blackboard. Make sure you attend class and listen to what he has to say. His lectures do get boring, but try to stay awake cause it's important for tests! He shows a lot of videos so pay attention to those too. Really caring nice and helpful!