Western Kentucky University / S / Jeffrey Samuels
Averages:
Overall Rating
OKv
Grade Received
Bv
Course Difficulty
Difficultv
Quantity of Notes
Overkillv
Tag Summary:
True/False: 4
Multiple Choice: 6
Matching: 5
Fill in the Blank: 20
Essays: 28
Mandatory Final: 14
Cumulative Final: 2
Textbook Required: 25
Extra Credit: 23
Attendance Required: 16
30 Total Evaluations
RELS- : Buddhist Tradition - Posted 3/14/2012
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Dr Samuels is one of my favorite professors in the Religion dept! This class was difficult but probably only because I did not read much of the books. I would suggest if taking to please read the books they will be on the exam. He had 3 exams that consisted of 3 questions that you had to answer in essay format. So each test you turned in would have about 6 pages total, about 2 pages per question answered. This class was so interesting and hard at times to grasp the ideas. Although Dr Samuels does VERY WELL at relayin the information down to your level. His quirky, relaxed, and funny teaching style made the class more interesting. I suggest attend all the classes, obviously the more you miss the less you know and more hard to answer the exams. If the format does not change, when he gave exams you had about a week or so to turn in so it gave you plenty of time to converse and make sure your answers were sufficient. I would HIGHLY suggest seeing him before turning in. Overall, this class was one of my favorite classes with him.
RELS- : Hinduism - Posted 12/16/2009
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I wasn't expecting this class to be difficult but it ended up being difficult. If you are taking this class to fulfill your General Education then i suggest not to take it, Take the religious of Asia that he teaches. Heard thats easy. WARNING Do not take Hinduism class unless you love reading and you are good at religion language. For me this class was like Foreign language class. I regret taking this class. I am just hoping that I will pass this class.
RELS-302 : Buddhist Religious Traditions - Posted 11/3/2008
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This was one of the most informative classes that I've ever taken. It was also one of the most difficult. There are a lot of difficult concepts in Buddhism. Dr. Samuels was very helpful in trying to explain these concepts. He is extremely knowledgeable about Buddhism, and did a good job of conveying that knowledge. My only gripe is that he can sometimes get ahead of himself, and he sometimes talks over his students heads. This is a small problem. Dr. Samuels can be very funny at times, and class is never monotonous. Like I said, this is one of the hardest classes I've taken. I was lucky to escape with a C. However, I can recomend it because you will learn a lot. You'll like Dr. Samuels too. All in all, he's a pretty cool guy, and a good teacher.
RELS-401 : Theravada Buddhism - Posted 7/3/2008
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Few/None
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
First thing that must be said; DO THE READINGS. Considering this class as done as a round-table discussion sort of thing, and considering that each week, one student gets the lead the discussion, it's not fair to that student or anyone else if you're clueless in regards to what's being discussed. Other than that, this class wasn't hard. There are only two assignments all semester long; one set of three short (SHORT) essays around Spring Break and a hefty research paper due at the end of the semester. This research paper isn't that hard if you get started early, even if it seems intimidating.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 7/2/2008
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
F
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
What a horrible class. I failed the mofo twice my sophmore year during undergraduate. I'm in graduate school now and still can't figure out what the hell homeboy was talking about. I think he likes this stuff so much that he gets off topic and confuses the shit out of everyone which sucks b/c the material is hard to begin with. Don't take this class. Trust me. I graduated with a 3.5 and failed two classes during my undergraduate career.......both being Religions of Asia. wow
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 12/13/2007
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is kind of odd. I liked him though. I think he means well, but his class is boring; although, the lectures get better throughout the semester. His tests aren't really hard if you study for them. He is confusing at times. He gets confused on things and, in turn, confuses the people in class. Overall, its not that bad. Its an easy A if you take good notes and study.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 11/6/2006
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
I enjoyed taking this class, as long as you study, do the assignments, attend class, take the notes, and read the book you will do fine. A lot of what you need to know for the class is in the notes and he gives you study guides and the TA has study sessions for the exams which help out a lot. I would recommend Professor Samuels to anyone wanting to take a religious studies class.
RELS-302 : Buddhist Religious Traditions - Posted 12/28/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Dr. Samuels is always more than willing to help you out with anything you need. He is extremely knowledgeable about the material covered; very intellligent guy. The exams are all essay which makes you think they're going to be easy, but he is probably the hardest grader I've had since I've been in school. The exams are three essays that can really be no more or less than two pages. The hardest part is limiting all the information you cover to two pages and covering ecerything...very difficult... Good news is he will help you out with them in any way needed.
Tough class... you have to be there everyday; this directly affects your grade so you really don't have much choice. You miss just a couple days and your grade starts dropping. Missing will also throw you completely out of the loop as far as information for the tests. Class discussion and in-class videos are HUGE as far as material to be used in your essays. If you do miss, do like I did and ask him to see the videos by yourself, and make sure to talk with someone over their notes you missed. Bad news... I'm a 3.98 student and made an 84 on the first exam (disheartening)... Good news... on the second and third exams I e-mailed him my essays in advance and he gave me advice on them. It helped out a ton as I he gave me clues about stuff I needed to include or get rid of. I made the highest or second highest grade on the second exam and it was only about a 92. He's a great guy, but it's a tough class. If you're really worried about your grades, and are already wieghed down with other classes I would say steer clear. However, this really was one of the most enjoyable classes I've had. I truly LEARNED a lot, which, as you know, is often unusual for most classes.
RELS- : Religions Of Asia - Posted 12/8/2005
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
This class was un-aceable. I love Dr. Samuels. He was an awesome teacher. I failed every test. I studyed for the first one. I paid for attention in class, I read the chapter twice, I took notes, I asked questions. I made a D on the next test. I went to the library, I read books, I went over my notes before the test, I got a Muslim penpal. I failed the last test. Maybe I should have sat up front
RELS- : Religions Of Asia - Posted 8/29/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This is possibly one of the best classes and teachers I have EVER had. Seriously, the material is endlessly interesting and enlightning. If your looking to broadening your way of thought and challenge your ideas and ways of thinking take this class. Samuels is hilarious, he is an awesome lecture teacher. He is very well prepared and knows A LOT!!! It is not a easy class. Attendance is not mandetory, but seriously you HAVE to go to every one or you'll miss the material. You do have to pay attention!! and take notes, notes, notes!! Its is worth every page!!
RELS-2046 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 1/11/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
This class wouldn't have been near as awesome if it hadn't been taught by Jeffrey Samuels. He is absolutely hilarious! The material is really interesting, but can get reeaaalllly confusing, because you're learning three different religions right in a row. So its easy to mix things. There is a little extra credit available, but its pretty sparse. There are three tests, and that's it for grades.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 1/10/2005
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Great teacher. He is very funny. The course is interesting, and as long as you study--tests are easy.
RELS- : Religions Of Asia - Posted 1/9/2005
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Only four tests, one over each religion studied in class. Extra credit was difficult to do in the sense that it required driving to Nashville or Louisville to complete. Notes and study sheets he provides are of little help with tests.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 1/5/2005
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is great but his lectures put me to sleep. I still did ok because he has review sessions that practically give what to study. The are three religions covered and an exam after each religion. There isn't really a final, just an exam.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 12/14/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is a great teacher who tries to make his classes interesting and funny. He really likes for people to ask questions and if he doesn't know the answer, he will find out and let you know the next class. Extra credit is visiting Hindu and Buddist temples and a Mosque, but sometimes there is extra credit for attending lectures on campus. I would really recommend this class if you have any interest in religion, as you will learn a lot.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 11/30/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Mr. Samuels is a great teacher. He knows a lot about the religions he teaches about. He's one of those teachers who always comes in with a smile on his face and something funny to say or talk about. I would definetly take him again... although his tests are rather difficult. He puts a lot of info on them. Just make sure you take good notes and don't just write down what shows up on his power point presentations write down the stuff he talks about and also make sure you READ the stuff he gives you on black board.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 11/5/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
I loved Dr. Samuels!!! The class is moderately difficult, but that's because you have to understand the concepts of other religions, which are often hard to grasp (think about a non-Christian trying to understand the Trinity). I believe that people who have complained just didn't appreciate that it is simply hard to understand for some people. You have to come to class with an open mind, and be ready to learn. Although attendance is not mandatory, you do have to go to class because the info on the test comes from the lectures. Even though some of the concepts are hard to grasp, Dr. Samuels will do everything possible to help you understand, and is really good at explaining everything. He stops several times during his lectures to specifically ask if there are any questions. If you are just looking for an easy class, or cannot go into it with an open mind, this is not the class for you, but if you want to understand other religions (and cultures to some extent), this is a highly interesting class, and Dr. Samuels is the best! I took it to fulfill a gen ed requirement, but liked it so much, I decided to minor in Religious Studies, and I hope to have more classes w/ Dr. Samuels.
RELS-330 : Hindu Religious Traditions - Posted 10/29/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is a very knowledgeable man in many different areas. He is very nice, but the class is harder than I expected. You do a reasonable amount of reading for the class. The tests are take home essays - don't be misled though, they are not that easy. You have two tests that are worth 25% each; 3 writing assignments that are worth 10% each; and attendance and participation are worth 20%. You really need to go to class every day so that you don't miss out on all the notes/discussion. If you miss class you might not understand what Dr. Samuels is talking about. He is a good teacher, but his expectations for the tests and writing assignments are not always clearly defined. I would recommend him, but you need to be willing to give also.
RELS- : Buddhist Religious Traditions - Posted 7/30/2004
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I actually enjoyed his class. He is extremely knowledgable and presents the material well. I would highly recommend auditing his class. The only complaint I have are his tests. They are take home, essay tests and he grades them very harshly. He gives specific instructions and then seems to mark you off if you follow them too closley or not close enough. I felt like his grading was more based on what he thought of you than your work.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 5/6/2004
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
A
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
You will have 3 tests, one over each religion so this means no final. This class started out really interesting and then went downhill as the semester went on. The class was at 2 in the afternoon which made it very hard not to skip class. You can visit 2 temples for 10 points extra credit each but none of them are in Bowling Green. If you attend the study sessions the night before the test then you will do fine. Samuels got really mean at the end of the semester. I don't know what happened. Take this class if you need it, but only if you're willing to put a lot of effort into it.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 2/14/2004
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
Withdrew
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
I took this class for just a few short weeks, and I thought I was going to die. Unless you have a real interest in Asian religions, DO NOT take this course. Samuels seems like a great guy and he does bring humor to his lectures, but he's not very good at his teaching methods. Basically, if you don't have a background in these religions, you're gonna be lost after the first day, regardless of if you do the readings. Also, he teaches off a Blackboard power point, which I don't encourage you print off and assume that's enough--you MUST take notes! And some of the readings on the web site are complete gibberish (if that's a word), yet he'll emphasize and use them in class. Once again, great guy, poor teaching style. Too hard to understand.
RELS- : - Posted 1/6/2004
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr Samuels is one of the most interesting professors i have ever taken. i have had three of his classes and completely loved all of them. there is quite a bit of reading, but if you are really interested in the class you will want to do the reading. his tests are fair, though they are essay for the most part. as long as you study, go to class, and read the material you are good to go.
RELS-302 : Buddhist Religious Traditions - Posted 10/22/2003
Overall Rating:
OK
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
You have to come into this class with a completely open mind. You will learn about many new ideas, including words that are 20 letters long! Dr. Samuels is a very good teacher and he is willing to help you out if you don't understand. He does expect you to come to class (which you should or you will be lost) and he likes class discussion which can help. I did not always do the readings and I should have, because they help you on the tests, which are all essay (but take home). If you come to class and do all the assigned readings, you will do fine.
RELS-103 : Religions Of Asia - Posted 3/9/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
Not Specified
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is an awesome teacher! I took this course just because it sounded kind of cool, and I was really glad I did! Dr. Samuels is very interesting, and he brings humor to his lectures. All of the material presented in class can be found on the internet as well, which keeps the notes down considerably. The class is great and Dr. Samuels does a very good job teaching it! Take this class!! :)
RELS-102 : Intro To Religious Studies - Posted 1/12/2003
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
D
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Dr. Samuels is a great instructor and a great person to talk to with problems in class. He is always willing to help in any way he can...but before he does that, you will have to help yourself by going to class EVERY TIME and taking good notes. He is very educated in what he teaches and has become my favorite professor.
RELS-100 : Intro To Religious Stud - Posted 12/17/2002
Overall Rating:
Poor
Grade:
C
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR if you are just fulfilling one of your humanities requirements. i thought it would be an interesting course to take, but i hated it. Samuels tries to force his strange religious views upon the class. He leaves Christianity out of the course. I attended class every day and still got a C. The man forces his wild ideas upon the class and is very liberal. If you want an A in humanities take music appreciation or theatre appreciation. This is quite possibly the worst class i have ever taken. Take Trafton for religious studies.. I hear he is much better.
RELS-102 : Intro. To Religious Studies - Posted 6/11/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Dr. Samuels knows the information. He is available for help if you are having trouble understanding it and offers plenty of extra credit, if you have the time to do it- a lot of it required going to Nashville. The tests were difficult but he grades on a curve.
RELS-102 : Intro To Religious Studies - Posted 6/7/2002
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
He is a really great professor and his class is very interesting and opens your mind to many different perspectives. You do have to buy two textbooks for this class and read them outside of class, but I never opened either of them and got a B. He gives a review sheet before every test and post notes given in class on CourseInfo. You will benefit the most from his class if you go to class, listen, and understand what he says.
RELS-102 : Intro To Religious Studies - Posted 12/3/2001
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Overkill
Difficulty:
Difficult
Comments
Although this class was hard, Dr. Samuels made it worthwhile. You learn alot in this class, and he is more than willing to help you, not only in class, but he will meet with you after class to explain any topics that are unclear. He was a wonderful teacher. I would highly recommend him.
RELS-102 : Intro to Religious Studies - Posted 10/25/2001
Overall Rating:
Good
Grade:
B
Quantity of Notes:
Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate
Comments
Dr. Samuels is an excellent teacher, he brings humor to his class. He is a very cool guy who knows a lot about what he is talking about. He is one of the reasons why I am minoring in Religious Studies!