Marc Raphael - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Marc Raphael

Department: Theology

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELG309
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not sure if this is his last time teaching at the college due to retirement, but if so he has been one of those rare gems and someone who I hope to stay in contact with because he was so memorable. Overall a great class, just keep up with the readings and you'll do fine.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELG308
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hes a very nice and fair professor. On top of that, hes funny and interesting. People should take one of his classes at least once.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RELG329
• 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:

I cannot overstate how much I adore Professor Raphael. He can be intimidating at first, but be prepared, be willing to participate, and be willing to be wrong---you'll have an amazing time! JSYK: REALLY close analysis of texts that will make you a better reader, writer, and thinker; great sense of humor; treats his classes to lunch/dinner often.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Raphael is the man; very nice and funny with good lectures. Top-notch professor, and intro to religion is a great class for anyone looking to learn about five major religions. 5 (good) novels with quizzes (grading scale is very tough, but as long as you read the books you'll be fine), one 5-page essay, midterm, and final.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL211
• 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:

Professor Raphael is very intelligent and knowledgable. His lectures are engaging and funny plus he likes taking students to the Trellis. He's not the easiest professor I've ever had but he's one of the best. You should definitely take him at least once.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Literally DO NOT TAKE HIM. I am a major and have had a wonderful experience with this department (though it is difficult) so far EXCEPT for him. He is a very hard grader and comes off as condescending. His pop quizzes are nearly impossible to full credit for. Seriously avoid.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Raphael has a kind heart, great sense of humor, and humble intellect. I highly recommend taking one of his courses! He's not as intimidating as he may seem initially.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL211
• 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:

One of my most favorite professors at William and Mary--be prepared for class and you will do great. He is a great guy and I learned a lot and got a lot of great meals out of it.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He genuinely cares about people. His syllabus looks really hard but the class is excellent. There are tons of readings, they start out small and get progressively longer throughout the semester. His grading is very fair but the quizes will kill you, you have to do thorough reading to get them. If you're willing to read a lot, it's a great class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RELG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Raphael has a simple structure for his class, and that's a good thing. He doesn't waste time, and he's invested in the subject. 5 novels with quizzes. Easy essays and exams. Recommended.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RELG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The readings are mandatory, but the quizzes are easy. He is one of my favorite professors... He knows what he knows, and knows what he doesn't know.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RELG310
• 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:

The Holocaust class and the professor are absolutely fantastic. You absolutely have to be prepared with the readings, and come to class with quotes and points you want to make, but the discussions are engaging and informative. Go to his office hours, and get to know him!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL211
• 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:

One of my favorite professors at W&M! Raph is friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable. I came to the course with substantial prior knowledge of the subject, but finished with a B due to falling behind in weekly readings (no fault but my own). All-or-nothing, and highly specific pop quizzes knocked my grade down - stay on top of the reading! ;)

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely tough but so worth it. Readings every class and pop quizzes with no warning. Calls on people randomly to speak but explains all background necessary before you begin. Loves to talk especially outside the office at lunch and coffee no room for mistakes though. Great class if you're interested in the material skip it if you're not.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HOLOCAUST
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

best decision of college! with Prof Raphael you have the option of being treated to lunches with lecturers, something everyone should experience. for a good grade just be a good writer.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Intimidating at first. It seemed like he would call people out a lot, but he's actually really helpful. Do the reading, both for the in class discussion and for the quizzes WHICH YOU SHOULD FEAR - but he's pretty cool.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RELG211
• 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:

Raphael is AMAZING. Majors and non-majors alike have been scared away by stories of his Socratic method of teaching. He really keeps you on your toes. Quizzes and exams are not hard, but it helps when you're a major in the dept and know what to look for in the readings. He's very easy to talk to, and he always has M&M's and on hand.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RELG326
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very laid back personality, so sometimes lectures are kinda dull. That being said, he is a genius in his field of judaic studies and what I learned blew my preconceptions away. Pop quizzes and discussion of primary docs make preparation a must. Definitely go visit his office hours.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HOLOCAUST
• 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:

He's a marvelously nice guy. Unfortunately, he's also amazingly boring. Plan to read a lot and agonize over what you need to study for exams. Get him as your advisor and then avoid the class unless you're really interested in the Holocaust.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Raphael is an awesome guy. Great for office hours, chit chat, real nice to students. Tough grader, but fair and unbiased. Some readings are very dry, others very interesting. Very knowledgable. Spend good time on his papers and tests and make sure you understand some small terms and big concepts.