James Pavlin - Rutgers - State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Professor: James Pavlin

Department: Theology

College: Rutgers - State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELWEST212
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

great professor learned a lot of new things about religion and helped make me understand the world of western religions. if you did not read you will not understand his class exams are difficult but if you listen and show up in class you can pull off a B

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELWE212
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

You have to read the entire book because he doesn't teach you anything. He assigns like 6 readings each class and you get weekly chapter tests. YOU MUST READ THEM or you'll fail. I read them & mostly got 60's because he words the questions poorly & alot of the choices are similar to each other. Don't take this class. he's nice but it'snot worth it.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RELIG212
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are a visual learner, don't take this class. Not only does this class consist of monotone lectures, but the questions on the tests are so specific/ not about the main characteristics of the religion at all. The tests are online but you HAVE to read to get an A (and even then you might not). The final is exactly the same as the online tests.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

The final was a direct rehash of the Sakai tests (20% of grade). Attendance is mandatory (10% of grade). Ludwig has been one of the best textbooks that I have used as a contemporary historical critical approach to religion compared to other sources. Class makes itself privy to cheating and the buddy system, but this is a systemic issue in Rutgers.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RELWEST212
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not exactly an easy A but its 100% possible with some effort. You HAVE to read the chapters for the tests online. You will not find them anywhere online (trust me). The readings aren't too bad but some questions are very specific. The final's questions were from the online tests so it was easy too. Basically, don't take this if you're lazy :)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL212
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've actually learned a great deal in his class about Christianity (I'm a Muslim). His teaching style is very objective and doesn't lean more towards one specific religion. Three tests, one on Judaism, one on Christianity, one on Islam. Gives quizzes about each religion discussed which are pretty simple. No homework.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL840
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Pavlin was excellent. Lectures were great, and very interactive. Quizzes are online, only 2 papers and a final that you have to worry about, but they're very fair and he makes sure you're prepared. I would recommend him not only for Intro to Religion, but any class he teaches.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely Boring

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE. The class seems easy, material seems easy, then you take the test and feel like you don't know anything. He is NOT clear about the material and is NOT clear about what he expects from you. Really hard grader. Easy class, just not with him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RELWEST212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Found this class to be very simple. Just do the readings assigned each week, and take notes during class, which will help you with the quizzes. Exams are easy if you study. Highly recommend this professor! :)

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ISLAMICSCRIPTS
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Loved this guy. It's true, his voice is a little flat... but if you just bear with it, you can learn mountains. Crystal clear, very smart. Expect to work though! He's very picky. I was luckily able to pull off an A through the final paper. I highly recommend him!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PROPH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't wear my seatbelt driving to school because I want to die before making it to this class. He is super duper monotone. He makes you want to fall asleep in class. His quizes are extremely hard. You really have to pay attention and do the readings.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ISLAMSCRI
• 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:

Class is pretty simple, but he's a picky professor. So make sure to include everything on your online quizzes because he is very picky in his answers. Just try to write everything. Attendance is mandatory. There is a midterm (mc, fill in, t/f) and a final research paper. Straightforward, just go to him for the paper to edit it before handing it in.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: WEST212
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pavlin is a nice guy; however, the lectures can be quite boring. Pretty easy class- 3 exams, and a couple of quizzes. You definitely need the books because the exam questions are based completely on the terms in the Ludwig book!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL840
• 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:

Awesome professor, so very very understanding, kind and helpful. He knows his stuff. You gotta do the readings otherwise you will be lost. If the readings are complete you will get high grades. If you don't understand he will talk to you until you do. Again very fair

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PRMUH325
• 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:

Painfully, painfully, painfully monotone but seems very knowledgeable. He would be a billion times better if he wasn't so monotone but he is kind, will answer your questions, goes over all the readings & the class isn't hard. There are online discussions, approx 5 hw assignments, midterm & a final paper that you need go complete. Attendance counts

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: WESTR212
• 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:

awsome prof. def knows his stuff. 3 exams 80% mc and 20% essay. you need to memorize alot for exams. online quizes are easy but make sure u read the material before u take the quiz.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PROF325
• 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:

attendence is mandatory, 4 essay questions that you submit on sakai 5% each, 5 forums 2% each, 1 midterm and 1 research paper. Midterm is all MC. make sure u take good notes because he goes over everything in detail. if you include key points frm lecture to ur essay and forum u will def get full credit. Def take him

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: REL212
• 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:

A fair professor (which is especially important in a religion department). Though he can be boring, I can honestly say that I learned a good amount in his class. To get an A, however, you'll need to work hard and attend most, if not all, of the lectures. There's no extra credit, but there are plenty of small, easy assignments that boost your grade.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RELWE212
• 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:

VERY good professor. He knows his stuff very well and will always give clear and detailed explanations to any questions you have. A fair grader and he is very nice. One of the best religion professors of the school :)