Kalman Bland - Duke University

Professor: Kalman Bland

Department: TBD

College: Duke University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELMISC
• 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:

MALS graduate course. Extremely interesting. Lifetime influence on thinking. If you want an easy course, go elsewhere. If you want a life changing experience, study with this man, he makes you think and think hard!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RELI399
• 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:

I took Theorizing Religion with him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JEWST106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dated info perhaps- but I would rather think or it as 'timeless' rather than dated. I studied with Prof. Bland in Duke/Israel in 1980, and still remember it like yesterday? the consummate devil's advocate, scholar, provocateur and instiller of passion in the blasé. 30 years gone, still remembered?an inspiration and a joy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JEWST106
• 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:

Really nice old guy. Class was really fascinating and not too difficult - never got a bad grade. He is humorous and interesting (and a big duke basketball fan) - definitely worth taking a class with him if you are interested in the course work.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL40
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I don't know why everyone gave him such harsh grades. Maybe it was just the different class. Religion 40 with him was just fine. He was very easy and the nicest professor I have ever had. He really cares about his students.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wow. This guy is the worst prof I've ever had. I mean, really bad. DO NOT take this class. Lectures are very boring, discussions are trite and useless. That, along with the fact that he thinks he knows everything make for a bad class. Also, it is impossible to know what he expects on his written assignments, and dissenting opinions are discouraged.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

fun professor - excellent moderator for discussions but can be an extremely boring lecturer. readings are largely unnecessary - just read the coupla days before the papers are due.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• 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:

Some people didn't like his teaching style, but I think he was good. Very grandfather-like. Always inviting students to talk outside of class or get lunch or something. Papers in this class are tough because they're so abstract. Really makes you think hard, though. You really have to do all the readings for this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: REL134
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bland is a fun guy, enjoys humor and enjoys teaching the class. Not too hard of a grader and is helpful in that he'll help you think through a problem but he'll also make sure you address the task. Readings aren't as necessary as he says they are.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RELIG134
• 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:

WORST PROF. AT DUKE. DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS. BORING. DISENGAGING. NOT ENOUGH BAD WORDS COULD BE SAID ABOUT THIS CLASS.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RELMISC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I came to Duke to specifically study with Bland. He was so focused on his research that his class lectures were sometimes disorganized. His interest in students is minimal.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very excited about material, but he will draw the same diagram every day. Sweet man though with some interesting readings. Def worth taking.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RELIGION129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His class was kind of boring, but you could tell that he was very enthusiastic about the subject. Always willing to meet with you for extra help. Make sure to show up on time!

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is a little boring, but the sweetest teacher, and genuinely cares about the class. Like an awesome grandpa

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

the topic could have been made so much more interesting...he's really boring when he lectures, even the ta falls asleep. and he grades hard. i wouldn't recommend the class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

dudes pretty cool...rel 129 was a great class...you have to spend a lot of time on the assignments ...with him a 3 pg paper takes longer to write than a 15 pager for some other prof.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: REL129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Religion 129 has been the best class i have taken at duke. Allot of personal growth concerning views on religion and science. Bland is an awesome professor. There were 3 4 page papers, which doesn't sound bad, but he grades hard.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: REL40
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I agree with previous comments! He rules!

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

A very knowledgeable and fun (if somewhat eccentric) Judaism professor. He's a rabbi, too! Absent-minded, but only delightfully so.