I just took South Asian M60, Classical Indian Religion.

I really enjoyed this course! The last lecture was possibly the best "last lecture" I have ever had - the professor wrapped up the specific information we had learned in the class, made very meaningful ties to what that specific information told us about religion, and how that could help us to understand life and current events in general. I think this step is missing, unfortunately, in many classes - the "why" this is important to study.. I really appreciated this class and I think this professor is a good scholar AND a good teacher. He's very approachable, gets students to participate in class, and is funny.  

It is obvious the professor is an expert on this subject, and that enabled him to teach a rather broad topic relatively clearly and succinctly. That being said, it's a class on religion, so expect to read both primary and secondary sources (some of which can be very vague and repetitive and confusing). The great thing is that the grading is REALLY easy, so you end up just reading for fun, but if you don't understand the ancient texts from like two thousand years ago it's totally ok. I definitely recommend this professor if you're at all interested in religion/ why people act or think the way they do..

FOR EAST ASIAN 60:

Schopen is purely brilliant. As the winner of the MacArthur Fellowship award back in the 80s, he is a certifiable genius. If you appreciate a professor who knows his stuff, then I definitely recommend Professor Schopen.

He's funny, easy going and overall great. I learned more than I ever have in a class, and the format for the midterm and final are extremely generous. He gives you five questions that can be answered in a short answer form. Then, when you show up for the midterm and final he writes two of the five proposed questions he gave you a week before.

You MUST show up for lectures. It is essential for passing the class. The reading is unnecessary if you show up. In his lectures he literally cites the most important quotes from the texts that he perfectly sets up for you to use on the midterm and final.

TAKE THIS CLASS!