M E STD M50B
Origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Description: (Same as Ancient Near East M50B and Religion M50.) Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Examination of three major monotheisms of Western cultures--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--historically and comparatively. Development, teachings, and ritual practices of each tradition up to and including medieval period. Composition and development of various sacred texts, highlighting key themes and ideas within different historical and literary strata of traditions, such as mechanisms of revelation, struggle for religious authority, and common theological issues such as origin of evil and status of nonbelievers. Letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2025 - Overall, this topic was quite enjoyable to learn about. If you don't have prior knowledge in any of the three religions you may struggle a bit. The class is mainly dependent on two exams and a final paper. The exams are at fairly random dates in the quarter and the prof refrains from calling them midterms or finals. You have a few fill in the blank, some short answers, and then an essay with multiple choices. Professor Bakhos is a personable professor and really REALLY takes time to answer questions, which definitely drags lecture along a bit. She said she'd take attendance often but I really can only count three times she took attendance during the quarter. She does not like technology in her class so she has a technology ban. You can only take notes on paper/in a notebook, however I have seen some students use their laptops occasionally. I found Bakhos to be a much better teacher and helper than any of the two TAs. I had Morgan Hartshorn as my TA, and if you have the option I would say do not choose her. IMO, she was very much a "square" and not a friendly TA. Sections are mandatory, as she takes attendance, and at the beginning of each section is a 2-3 question quiz. With these quizzes however, you will never be able to see your grade unless you go to her office hours. We hardly even discuss the questions from the quiz in section and mostly focus on pretty small details or parts of readings or concepts. This makes it hard to judge how well you are doing in the class overall, as the only grade you receive back are your exams on paper. Nothing is graded in BruinLearn. I will also say that the TA spoke and came off as very condescending to students, especially when we had to go on zoom during the wildfires. She spoke as if you should know concepts already and came off very accusatory. I don't know if this was on purpose but it definitely made discussions harder. The discussions were also in a very socratic seminar style and often times unorganized. She would throw out a broad question and only students who seem to already have knowledge on these subjects would answer. The discussion certainly gave off an intimidating mood and often long periods of silence went on. Morgan Hartshorn did not seem open to creating an environment where discussing in a free-flowing style was possible. I felt like I gathered more in a 57 minute high school class than this 50 minute discussion section. Probably my worst discussion section I've had at my time at UCLA. I think professor Bakhos would make a better discussion leader haha as she really encouraged a friendly environment for learning and discussing.
Winter 2025 - Overall, this topic was quite enjoyable to learn about. If you don't have prior knowledge in any of the three religions you may struggle a bit. The class is mainly dependent on two exams and a final paper. The exams are at fairly random dates in the quarter and the prof refrains from calling them midterms or finals. You have a few fill in the blank, some short answers, and then an essay with multiple choices. Professor Bakhos is a personable professor and really REALLY takes time to answer questions, which definitely drags lecture along a bit. She said she'd take attendance often but I really can only count three times she took attendance during the quarter. She does not like technology in her class so she has a technology ban. You can only take notes on paper/in a notebook, however I have seen some students use their laptops occasionally. I found Bakhos to be a much better teacher and helper than any of the two TAs. I had Morgan Hartshorn as my TA, and if you have the option I would say do not choose her. IMO, she was very much a "square" and not a friendly TA. Sections are mandatory, as she takes attendance, and at the beginning of each section is a 2-3 question quiz. With these quizzes however, you will never be able to see your grade unless you go to her office hours. We hardly even discuss the questions from the quiz in section and mostly focus on pretty small details or parts of readings or concepts. This makes it hard to judge how well you are doing in the class overall, as the only grade you receive back are your exams on paper. Nothing is graded in BruinLearn. I will also say that the TA spoke and came off as very condescending to students, especially when we had to go on zoom during the wildfires. She spoke as if you should know concepts already and came off very accusatory. I don't know if this was on purpose but it definitely made discussions harder. The discussions were also in a very socratic seminar style and often times unorganized. She would throw out a broad question and only students who seem to already have knowledge on these subjects would answer. The discussion certainly gave off an intimidating mood and often long periods of silence went on. Morgan Hartshorn did not seem open to creating an environment where discussing in a free-flowing style was possible. I felt like I gathered more in a 57 minute high school class than this 50 minute discussion section. Probably my worst discussion section I've had at my time at UCLA. I think professor Bakhos would make a better discussion leader haha as she really encouraged a friendly environment for learning and discussing.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - Pregill is one of those professors who you either love or hate. He made dumb jokes in class and he thought he was funnier than he was. However, this guy is a great teacher. If you pay attention and take notes, this class is easy. The problem is you have to do this for 75 minutes straight because he goes through a lot. There wasn't much outside reading but listen to what he says and what the TAs say and you should be fine. It's not an easy A but if you want to get an A it is very possible.
Winter 2019 - Pregill is one of those professors who you either love or hate. He made dumb jokes in class and he thought he was funnier than he was. However, this guy is a great teacher. If you pay attention and take notes, this class is easy. The problem is you have to do this for 75 minutes straight because he goes through a lot. There wasn't much outside reading but listen to what he says and what the TAs say and you should be fine. It's not an easy A but if you want to get an A it is very possible.
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