Zeff Bjerken - College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Professor: Zeff Bjerken

Department: Religious Studies

College: College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELS101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof Bjerken is lighthearted and actually enjoys what he teaches. There are some points where you feel like it drags on because he talks the whole 1 hour and 15 minutes. Occasional documentary watching. There were four papers throughout the semester so be ready to write. Yes, bring your laptop bc there is ton of info you need. Exams are tough!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This is NOT an easy class. I would never recommend this guy. Imagine the hardest exam you've ever taken and quadruple it. His exams are unnecessarily difficult and he grades less on actual knowledge and more on his personal opinion. The essay's are barely easier but he critiques by shredding your confidence. If you value your GPA do not take him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bjerken is awesome but don't take for an easy A. There are a lot of reading assignments but they're interesting. Tests and essays were difficult but he gives feedback on all assignments which is really helpful. He likes when you participate and his lectures are great, take this class it's so worth it!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RELS101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm a bio major but this religion class was by far my most involved class for this semester. It wasn't SUPER easy but an A is definitely obtainable. He's very clear and detailed about the material we cover. Nice guy, interesting class. Only thing I can complain about is the mass readings assigned, RIP to my 300 free pages.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL101
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Good lord this class is difficult. He's very informed on what he is teaching, but if you care about your GPA and are just looking for a gen ed, avoid him at all costs.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Took this as a general ed- big mistake. Instead of focusing on religions, different rituals, etc. we focused on the "substance of faith" and "making the strange seem familiar." We read a total of 4 book, had nightly assignments, read articles, and wrote 3 papers- all based off Bjerken's opinion. Test and exam were unbelievably hard. Not recomended

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RELS340
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bjerken is a good professor, but he means business. No extensions or sympathy, no matter what. This class was extremely challenging. He gives good feedback, but in doing so rips your paper apart. Take him if you want to learn a lot, but you'll have to be a grownup! Very "tough love" kind of professor.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RELS115
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Bjerken is awesome! I'm not religious myself and he has made me switch to a religious studies minor! He is super helpful during office hours and is accommodating to SNAP students. TAKE HIS CLASS, there is a lot of reading, but the overall experience and what you take away from the class is worth it

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RELS115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My fav class all semester--wish I was majoring in Religious Studies because of this guy. Lectures give clear information, assignments ALWAYS returned with feedback which is helpful, tests and essays are challenging but in a good way. SO MUCH READING--understandably so & worth it, but used up my 300 free printing pages :( Take this class. Awesome.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RELS120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Even though the class was not the easiest, he was a great teacher. Loved the class material and his enthusiasm for the subject.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RELS120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Bjerken is awesome. Hands down one of the best professors at the college. He is very passionate about his subject. The lectures are long, but he makes them interesting. Word of caution: If you want an easy A, this is not your sort of class. A easy grade is obtainable if you put in the time and effort. Attendance is mandatory!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RELS120
• 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:

I loved the subject matter of this class, hated Bjerken. His quizzes are tough and the midterm is even worse. He expects one specific answer & even if you defend your point well, you still lose. He was always rude to a few of the students in class as well. I wouldn't recommend taking him for any religion class unless you like A LOT of reading.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RELS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very nice guy, obviously very informed about the subject matter. If you like to read and put in a lot of hours go for it. This class was interesting the first few weeks. He just is such a hard grader, and his tests are so hard. Nice guy, but not an easy professor. I wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RELS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're not from the south and you aren't very religious you are easily lost and confused. he is helpful if you have questions by email or office hours. if you give a dumb answer he gives you an odd look, its kind of funny to see. but it is a very hard class for 101 and a very tough grader. i personally hate this subject, it bores me.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RELS03
• 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:

My favorite professor at the College-gives multiple examples when lecturing, even more helpful during office hours, but make sure you read the assignments! He loves class discussion, and might call on you. Only allows three absences, but his classes are always interesting.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RELS115
• 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:

My favorite teacher at the college so far. His class was definitely not easy, but if you attend all the classes and keep up with weekly readings- it becomes very interesting and worth it. I believe he permanently changed the way i think critically and I learned SO much for a 100 level course.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RELS240
• 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:

He is definitely challenging! You have to go to class and keep up with the readings but its worth it. He makes you think and is also very helpful with improving your writing. Going to class is not hard though because he is quite nice to look at :)

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RELS101
• 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:

Bjerken is an excellent teacher but he requires a lot of effort on the student's part. If you need any help he is more than willing to meet with you and discuss how you can improve your grade. Don't take his class if you want an "Easy A" or want to slack off.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RELS210
• 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:

Zeff is awesome. I've taken several classes with him and he is extremely challenging as a professor however he is passionate and great at what he does. If you want to slack off, don't take any of his classes, your grade will suffer. 201 is challenging and I don't recommend it if you aren't a major. However, BJERKEN IS AWESOME.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HONS175
• 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:

I loved taking Prof Bjerkens' class even if it was my most difficult class. He is pretty funny and his lectures/discussions are interesting. I don't recommend taking this class if you plan to blow off reading assignments or skip class though.