Richard Layton - University Of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Professor: Richard Layton

Department: TBD

College: University Of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CWL111
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was one of the most difficultly graded classes. One, you do need to read a lot, but he altered his syllabus twice due to his off tangents and I felt that I could not understand anything he was talking about. The class was only graded by the final, 3 midterms, & a term paper. Not forgiving & the midterms involved essays. Regret taking class

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELST110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I never felt I gained anything from attending lecture. Every lecturer just read off the slides. It was an easy class but was pretty heavy with busy work for a gen ed.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Makes sure to cover the important points in lecture but likes to go on long tangents and can get kind of boring at times. He has weekly reading quizzes which aren't that difficult even if you skip lecture, just have to skim the slides for main ideas. There are a couple papers and two exams(both online), not too bad if you want to knock out a req.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Teach this man how to use a microphone

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RLST440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Professor Layton. His class was very reading heavy but it was alright because I really did learn a lot. He is obviously very passionate and knowledgeable about what he teaches. He does a good job at asking good, critical thinking type questions both in lecture and on exams. Take this class if you're looking for a fun challenge.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Layton was alright. I wouldn't say he is a good prof/lecturer but he wasn't as bad as others I have had. A fair warning though, this man -preaches-. He doesn't lecture like a normal person; when you are in his course you will feel like you're at the local baptist church listening to a sermon. If you can get past that it's okay. 4/10.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHIL110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Layton is pretty hard to follow during lectures. He is very boring. There are weekly quizzes in TA sections and if you get a good TA, they're not too bad. Reading assignments are very, very heavy but you won't die if you don't read. The exams are online so it's not too bad. I wouldn't recommend taking this if you're not interested in religions.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Layton really cares about what he is teaching. however, you won't get an easy A. There's a lot of material, and the tests are worth 30% of the grade. The final is noncumulative, but the course is heavily weighted on exams. He does give study guides which is helpful though. A great professor, and you'll learn some great things about the Bible.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Layton is very passionate about what he teaches and makes very clear what he wants for exams. The material makes it a lot harder than the standard 100 class. You must keep up on all readings/lectures, but he's always willing to help you outside of class. Don't take him if you want an easy A; take him if you want a rigorous and stimulating class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I agree with the other reviewer, this class is an easy B but it's an incredibly difficult A. The weekly pop quizzes are graded harshly, meaning you have to constantly be up to date on all of the readings. Despite finding the subject interesting, it was hard to stay focused through the lecture. 13 of the students in the room were usually asleep.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RLST440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was a very interesting course, and Layton has a very strong command of material. Readings are long, and the topic matters are complex to say the least. But he is super helpful, and is there to see the success and learning of the class. Attendance isn't mandatory, but the class would be pointless without it. An easy B, but an A is tough.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• 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:

Layton is clearly passionate about this topic. Lectures are easy to follow and quizzes (usually every friday) are extremely easy. Decent grader and Exams were easy

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• 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:

I really don't know why he others have been calling him difficult or unclear. In my opinion, Layton is very clear, excited about what he teaches, and loves to pose thought-provoking questions. As someone who is not religious, his non-religious analysis of the Bible is very helpful and he's super approachable. Take a class with him if you can!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RLST202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Weekly quizzes, 2 papers, midterm and final. Extremely difficult to pay attention to in lecture. Very cryptic teaching style. Tests are intense-- take forever to prepare for, but are straightforward if you put forth the time. If you're a solid Christian it will drive you crazy. His theology is very odd.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• 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:

Great class - learned a lot, and Professor Layton's teaching style made the lecture seem smaller. While this advice may seem obvious, speak up in class and use the study guides!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class. I actually anticipated it to be harder than it actually was. Be prepared for a lot of reading, which is understandable for this type of class. Dr. Layton is very knowledgable and easy to approach for questions. I recommend taking this class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• 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:

This class was pretty difficult. The grading was tough and the material was not that easy to understand, especially if you don't have a prior knowledge or background about the Bible. The professor however is nice and knows a lot about what he teaches and is willing to help you out. Not an easy gen-ed...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RLST210
• 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:

Best professor I've ever had. If you want to actually learn something, take a course by Layton. Don't take his courses if you're looking for blow off classes. They are pretty demanding.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RLST110
• 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:

awesome!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RLST101
• 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:

He was an awesome professor! He knew what he was talking about, was funny, and was really interested in the subject which made it easier to learn. There is hardly any assignments, 3 papers,2 midterms and everything is done on powerpoint, which he posts online, but i would recommend going to lecture because he explains it in more depth.