Derek Maher - East Carolina University

Professor: Derek Maher

Department: TBD

College: East Carolina University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RELI2693
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher is an phenomenal professor and scholar. He really cares about the material which makes the class interesting. He also really cares about his students; if you make the time to talk with him and put effort into the class he will respect you and give you as much help as you need. THE BEST professor I have EVER had. 10/10 would recommend!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2690
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher is an amazing professor and scholar, his classes on Buddhism and Hinduism were by far some of the most interesting classes I have taken at ECU. He cares deeply about the success of his students, and will go the extra mile to meet with you and help you if you are having problems. If you attend class and take notes, you should be fine!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: REL2692
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher is a very nice man who cares about his students. His lectures are very unorganized and his test can pull things from left field. He does not use powerpoints, he just talks. He also does not give study guides for his exams. It's not a hard class, just very frustrating when it comes to exams because you don't know what to study.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: REL2692
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took Buddhism and you can definitely tell he is a scholar obsessed with the religions of ancient India. He made the subject very interesting to me and I loved hearing all kinds of cool stories. The class has no power point slides and he rarely writes on the board, but if you take some notes as he talks, there should be no problem.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: REL2692
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Maher was not organized in his lectures. He would include irrelevant material in his lectures that would not be on his exams. He gave tests that included essays and definitions that were ridiculous. He was not clear when asked what he was looking for in the essays. The only way to pass is the attend each class and take notes over everything he says

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RELI2692
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took Buddhism with him. He gave two exams plus the final. The exams cover multiple chapters and readings, but only include 10 random definitions and two essays. Most of his lectures are irrelevant to the exams and you don't really know what to study. He also assigns two 7 page papers so if you don't like writing don't take it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 1480
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I made an account just to comment on what a terrible online teacher Derek Maher is. I wish I could've read this before taking the class online. It is not an easy online class. He does not work well with computers and is hard to keep up with his mishaps. He is terrible at responding to emails which is crazy because its online! Tests are hard.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RELIGIONPOLITI
• 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:

He is a bit odd and can be boring at times. Throughout the class, we hardly talked about our assigned readings and the class was set up "seminar" style. He is willing to help you if you talk with him, but you have to want to help. Attendance is mandatory and the repercussions are 2% off your final grade. Overall, he is an okay professor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher is by far the best professor I've ever had. I was skeptical before taking his class because a friend said they did not like his teaching style. But I soon learned that he has unmatched dedication to teaching and providing support to students. I also went on his 2011 India Summer Study Abroad and would highly recommend it!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: REL2693
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a nice guy but he is SO BORING! I feel like stabbing myself cause he's that boring! I was so excited to take Hinduism but all he talks about is Buddhism! He doesn't use the textbook at all. His test and quizzes are easy. Do NOT take him if you want to learn about Hinduism cause you won't! DO take him if you want a good grade for credit hours!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RELIG1690
• 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:

By far one of the hardest classes I have ever taken. He makes attendance mandatory and after you miss 2 class, he drops 2% off your final grade. The essays aren't hard but only count for 10% and you have 3 tests (2 tests and the final) that make up 90% of your grade. He gives studies guide but still his test are essays and short answer! Run!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RELI002
• 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:

Dr. Maher's class was pretty interesting. We read ALOT though! Be prepared to read long chapters and then not talk about them in class. The tests were defining important terms and then writing an essay. There were also 5 papers that varied between 3 and 5 pages each based on attending religious services and other events relevant to the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RELIG1690
• 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:

This is by far one of the coolest cats I've ever met in my life. He has the most interesting stories ever told. He doesn't really use the book, and he doesn't speak from notes-just from his experiences (which are too awesome). I'd take this class just to meet him, but the tests are very challenging. A few easy papers will pad your grade, though.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RELI1690
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher really knows his stuff. During lectures, he never used any notes or books to go off of. However, he wasn't very much help when it came to tests. The essay tests were challenging but not impossible. He often times did not make clear what information would be on the exam. Attendance is taken but means nothing but I suggest going to class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RELI1690
• 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:

Dr. Maher is one of the coolest guys I have ever met. He shares his travel storys to India and knows everything about religion. You must read the textbook and go to class. Very interesting and I would advise not only taking him, but getting to know him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL2900
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Maher is one of my favorite professors at ECU. He is extremely intelligent. Tests are based off the notes and a bit of reading, and aren't too hard if you study. DO AS HE SAYS, you will be thankful in the end.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL3692
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I cannot recall a time when we even used the book; because we didn't-- WASTE of money! Check it out of the library like I did and keep renewing it!! All of his tests are essays, no matter which class you take. Just be a deligent students and you will do well. And, do GREAT papers otherwise suffer the consequences of a bad 20% portion of your grade!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RELI4500
• 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:

Nice professor, but his work is strenuous. Don't expect to get higher than a "D" on his 15-page papers unless you're graduating-- in that case you get a "C!" Do ALL of your journals! His grading is TOUGH! He only gives essay tests. Watch out!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BUDDH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Maher is definitely one of the best teachers that I have had since I have been here at ECU, but the class is challenging, compared to alot of the classes taht I have had here at ECU. Class is entirely lecture based, and material is scattered but if you work hard, you really will learn alot/and come out of the class knowing alot about Buddhism.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Unstructured notes... literally an all-lecture course with chicken scratch written on the blackboard. MUST be a good, quick and thorough note-taker. Moderately interesting class. Don't slack on the papers.