Stephen Berkwitz - Missouri State University

Professor: Stephen Berkwitz

Department: TBD

College: Missouri State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: REL357
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Berkwitz is a nice teacher and made learning about Chinese & Japanese religions interesting. He does 1pt notecard questions every class and that adds up. His tests are writing 12 definitions of the given 16 and completing an essay, just study the study guide. You can choose to do a 10pg paper or a creative project and the creative project is great!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: REL355
• 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:

I took this professor for both REL 210 and REL 355. Loved him for 210, but his 355 class got pretty hard to be excited about after the midterm. He heavily uses the texts and readings and expects you to read all of them, so you better do it. All written exams, intensive studying is a must. You must be willing to put in the effort to earn your A.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL355
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Avoid this Class! This class over Buddihsm is so extensive that it should be broken into different classes, but he crams it all in one semester, trust me its nearly impossible to maintain any understanding of whats going on! Not too mention a final exam thats vague in addition to a final project that is comepletly frusterating to approach!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

Fantastic professor! Fantastic guy! I learned so much in his class! He's pretty funny sometimes too. His tests were challenging and I had to really study, but I'm very glad I took his class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

He keeps class interesting and grabs your attention but his tests BLOW

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

He was rather nerdy, but in a good way. I didn't go to every class but he gave good review sheets before tests which had the terms you had to know, which I mainly used the book to study. I got an A but he did send me an email saying how it's not easy to do so. Very informative and interesting though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

Not a good choice if you just need a gen ed requirement. His exams are all written and very hard.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL397
• 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:

His classes are awesome and he is very thorough. You can tell he knows his stuff. I have learned more from him than other professors. Make no mistake though, his classes are HARD (I've taken 3 of them). You have to come to class and take very good notes. Do not take him if you want an easy A, take him if you want to LEARN

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

Dr. Berkwitz was a great teacher. The class was fairly easy as long as you show up and take good notes. He gives you a lot of information in class that isn't in the readings. Make sure to keep up on readings and lectures because he incorporates both in his tests. I'd take him again.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL397
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Whoever said that the class was easy must have had a ton of experience in Japanese and Chinese cultures. Unfortunately all he does is lecture with little to no class participation. His tests are hard- really hard. Dont take it unless you have to. Trust me...

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

This class is pretty rough. You really need to know your stuff when it comes to tests. He'll give you 50 terms to know for the test and then give you 12 on the test and you have to write the definitions of 6. Waste of time!! But if you don't study everything intensely, you won't do very well.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

This class was so easy, just read the assignments, study the study guide handouts, try and stay awake for the classes you do show up to and you will be fine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

Very awesome professor. Hes meticulous when grading essays and shorts anwers on tests, so be sure you know what you're talking about. Ive read a few of his books on Theravada/Sri Lankan Buddhism. Never took the Buddhism class yet but was good reading. Also he plays music at the beginning of his REL210 classes depending on what religion hes covering

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

This class is difficult and can be boring, but Berkwitz explains the subject very well in his lectures. The tests are fairly difficult, but he does provide study guides. Great teacher, but I wouldn't recommend the class for someone who doesn't have to take it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

Awesome teacher! He is amazing. The subject can get a little boring at times but the way he lectures is the best. Be sure to keep up with the reading in the book. Tests can be hard and there is one five page paper.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL355
• 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:

although attendance is not mandatory, it might as well be because the lectures clarify the readings. hes nice and helpful, but the amount of christian religious studies majors makes the class discussion biased against an agnostic religious studies minor. overall, very interesting!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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 is a great class...Berkwitz is as thorough with each religion as one can be when having to teach multiple religions in 16 weeks...If you study the study guide before each test you will do fine...There is only 1 paper...Not an easy A but I would recommend this teacher to others...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL355
• 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:

He is amazing! He makes these concepts interesting and fun! He also is challenging though, so if you're looking for an easy 'A' don't take one of his classes

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

hard

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: REL210
• 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:

This is a very interesting class, but as a religious studies major I might be biased. I really enjoyed his lecture style, but be prepared to take A LOT of notes. he gives you a study guide before each test and if you know that, you will do fine on the tests. The quizzes are kinda tough and you do have to read 3texts.all in all its a good class