Daniel Alvarez - Florida International University

Professor: Daniel Alvarez

Department: TBD

College: Florida International University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL3308
• 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:

Professor Alvarez makes the class fun, he engages with students, and his lectures can be a little confusing, but they follow along with the textbook, so you can always read that and help yourself. TA's are helpful, both midterm and final consisted of 2 essays and an objective exam, all online. Extra credit is offered as well as quizzes online :)

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: IDH3035
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a solid choice if you truly care about philosophy. There are few things graded on and you will not know your grade til the very end of the semester, he won't even set up the canvas page. He cares about his students and loves his job, attendance isn't mandatory but he might send out an email saying a certain lecture is. Don't buy the books.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

13 quizzes,4 discussions, 3 papers (1000-1800 words), and 2 written exams(500-700 words). Way to much for an online summer A class. Boring material. Quizzes are based on the book. Each discussion 300 words + 100 words per response for 3 students. In my opinion, I think he forgets this is an introduction to religion class; he's vague on instructions

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Material is boring. Text is required as the essay questions are based on chapters in these books. I only bought "Anatomy of The Sacred" by Livingston and was able to get A's on all essays. Lecture is not mandatory. 7 essays: 1 site visit report, 3 midterm essays, 3 final essays, & 1 final exam multiple choice

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL3308
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took this class in the fall of 2017 and it was probably the easiest class I had that semester. I realized after the 3rd week of the semester that going to class isn't mandatory because you can basically read the textbook on your own and pass. Grade is based on a few essays, and an objective midterm and final. Easy A to be honest.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

All grades are based on essays and an objective final. Just know what you are talking about, he helps you after class if you are lost. Easy A if you work for it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you are a student taking an intro to religion class, go ahead and have fun with his theatrics. If you are passionate about the subject you are going to realize almost immediately how bias he is. He knows his stuff, but he refuses to accept when his point of view is wrong.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Gave wonderful lectures and knew exactly what he was talking about. Very passionate. Took him over a year ago and still leaves an impact today. Still have his last lecture recorded. Cares about his students. If you like religion, take his class. Some papers but fairly easy. Read and do the work to keep up with him if not you'll be lost.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took this class Spring 2017. The class is really easy. You do not need the book because he puts notes and outlines on blackboard. There are 4 papers to write and a final to take online. The TA's grade your essays. You might get a tough or easy grader. Just make sure to answer the questions on the essay topics correctly.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL2
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I never take the time to rate my professors. I personally believe that unfair, and quite frankly deceitful since the learning experience is very personal. But I will do this for professor Alvarez since he is one of the most amazing, highly intellectual teachers I have had in FIU!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Alvarez is the typical one-sided Professor. He pretty much destroys all major religions of the world, using authors such as Marx and Kant to argue that any person of faith is irrational and is on a clash on civilizations with science. Even though he says he likes to be challenged , if you say something he pretty much shuts you down.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: REL3308
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Alvarez was the one that inspired me to see the depth of other cultures, religions , customs and societies other than my own. A truly inspirational and enlightened human being. You have to work hard but in the end you learn a lot.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

What made me mad about him was that he didn't know how to teach Religion with background info. He jumped right into his lecture thinking we should have known stuff when it was a intro class. Three Papers, One Exam, and a LOT of extra credit opportunities. It was a lot of hard work. & I wouldn't take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

3 6-page papers . Confusing final exam (but you get 2 attempts online). Ridiculous amounts of extra credit. Lectures were awesome. The work was lengthy but straightforward. Best teacher ever.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL3308
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He loves his job and hes a sweetheart but attendance is crucial for this class. There are no reviews. There are no guides so the papers & exams are mostly based on his lectures & his point of view on the religion. Whats tough is that his notes are hard to read & notes are random. He usually writes while speaking Just show up & listen carefully.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL3088
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Alvarez does know his subjects very well and you can see he loves what he does. However, there are essays that are a bit tough and study the exams, midterm, and final!!! He gives extra credit and tells you the date of the extra credit. Very simple. Just bring a note card and write you name, date, your class, the teacher, and the event.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is strongly opinionated and the class is all the better for it. Very funny professor and is incredibly sweet. Clearly knows what he's teaching and is knowledgable on various topics. A midterm, final, and objective exam. There is also a site visit report that really enlightened me (much easier than the way he puts it). Pay attention in class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Interesting, funny, and really cares about his students. Loves what he teaches. Attendance isn't mandatory but it gives you a big advantage when writing the papers. A site visit, two 6-8 page papers and a 50 question final, not to mention a ton of extra credit. Don't even bother paying attention to the mess of a powerpoint, just listen to him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is very difficult to follow. His lectures are not clear and his notes on the board are not legible. He is also extremely opinionated about certain religions and makes it uncomfortable to be in class. I don't recommend this class AT ALL...

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL2011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The guy is great, but the class is a mess. His blackboard shell is disgusting and poorly organized. Lectures are good, but can't relate them to the actual work that we have to do. Easy class, just get ready to read and research on your own. Also attendance is mandatory. 1 site visit, 2 papers and a Blackboard quiz.