Martin Kavka - Florida State University

Professor: Martin Kavka

Department: TBD

College: Florida State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL3607
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Kavka is one of the more unique professors you will get to encounter in college. He has a breadth of knowledge on the intricacies of Jewish traditions. He breaks down information so that a person with no background on the subject matter can come into his classroom and flourish. He cares about his students and will help you succeed.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IDS3197
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kavka is by far the most caring and considerate undergraduate professor you could have. He makes jokes that are relatable and make class engaging or break the tension of being in a course dealing with the Holocaust. I recommend taking anything he is teaching. You will learn a lot and you will feel cared about which is rare at a large university.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: IDS3197
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great prof! Class material was sometimes boring, but he is a lively person and is so passionate about the subject. Could only have 2 absences in the class. Class was graded off of 2 pagers, a paper re-write and a meeting with him discussing a reading. *Take notes in class it will make the papers easier to write* couple small books you need to read

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: IDS3197
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

"Responses to the Holocaust" is the best course I've ever taken. The lectures are thoroughly engaging and informative. The work that you do for the course, 2 essays and a "low impact" oral exam, is fair given the course objectives. While he expects high quality work, he is incredibly helpful during office hours. Commit yourself and you'll do fine.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL4290
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Kavka in his Exodus class, and it quickly became my favorite class I took here. Kavka is deeply invested in making sure you learn. But more importantly, he actively cares that you become a better writer and thinker. His standards are remarkably high, but so is his investment in you as a scholar. A rare mix of empathy and scholarship.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL3607
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Never take one of his courses. He doesn't seem to understand what an intro class is and expects all of his students to understand all of the difficult readings. There are two tests and two essays that make up 90% of the grades. He grades everything extremely hard as he expects you to be able to write at a PhD level. Extremely boring.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL3607
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If your not a religious person at all, you will be bored every single class. He grades the tests and papers tough but gives simple guidelines so your never sure how you did. Study guides are vague, and normally i would study for a few hours and then the test would be very different. Straight A student, only class im struggling in.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL3431
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a non-major, and Kavka made it a rewarding experience. He is whip-smart, and facilitates understanding of all the books you read to a point where the two papers are harder to do independently. Read all the material and bookmark important parts, and you can coast through this class and come out as a better person.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: REL3431
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Most boring class ever

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: IFS3113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took this class this spring because I needed an IFS class and wanted to learn more about the subject (Responses to the Holocaust). Kavka is one of the funniest, most insightful professors I have ever had. He knows his stuff better than the next guy. Two papers and an oral exam, but offers plenty of feedback on how to improve your papers. Take him

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: IFS3113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really did not like this class. I found the material to be very boring and he is a hard grader on the essays. I am a straight A student and I struggled in this class. There are 2 papers and the final is a speech and then questions after you present your speech. If you are looking for an easy A IFS class, this is not it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: REL3431
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

By far the most insightful course I've taken at FSU and probably the best professor as well. If you haven't taken Kavka yet, you're missing out.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL3194
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Intelligent, insightful, and hilarious--you couldn't ask for a better professor. He is the rare combination of a professor who inspires students, challenges them, and takes the time to have fun along the way. Also, he gives amazing feedback on essays--about a page on each paper (in a class of over 100 students). Take this PROFESSOR!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL3194
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It's an interesting topic, really gets you thinking. He's gives really helpful feedback on your papers. Just attend class, pay attention, participate and take notes and you will be fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL3194
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Kavka is the best professor I have ever had. He is knowledgeable about the subject matter and his lectures are so interesting. He could even make a phone book interesting.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL3431
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far one of the most memorable professors I have ever had at FSU. He genuinely cares for his students (seriously he left another institution to come back and teach at FSU). Truly passionate about the content, the students, and the school. He makes you think about the readings and get involved in class during discussion. LOVES Beyonce.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL3054
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kavka is an *interesting* man. I loved his class. Not easy, but he cares so much about his students he takes a lot of time to explain things. Incredibly intelligent and a big inspiration. When I grow up I want to be like Kavka.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL4316
• 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:

Simply the best. No questions about it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: REL3194
• 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:

Dr. Kavka changed my life. He's the greatest professor I've ever had and his passion for both his job and his students has helped me realize who I want. His classes can be challenging but in the best, thought provoking way. After four years in college I can say that a professor like this is rare and I encourage anyone to take him. Esp. REL3194!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL4044
• 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:

He is amazing, very helpful.